The Sims 3 & 4 comparison

1.

The Sims 3 & 4
comparison
by Arina Sharapova

2.

The Sims series overview
The Sims is a series of sandbox life simulation
video games developed by Maxis and published by
Electronic Arts. It is one of the best-selling video
game series of all time with around 200 million
copies sold worldwide.
In each Sims game, the God-like player influences the
so-called Sims to interact with objects and other Sims
in the game world.
Sims have only a certain amount of autonomy, so it's
mostly up to the player to regulate the Sims' agenda.
It ranges from the basic things like hygiene and food
consumption to work and relationships.
The Sims (1), 2000

3.

The Sims 3’s features
- “Create-a-Sim” tool -> custom
Sims
- “Create-a-Style” -> application
of any color/texture to objects
- personality trait systems ->
influence on Sim behaviour and
wishes
- seamless open-world -> no
loading screens + movement
between lots
- “story progression” -> greater
degree of Sim autonomy

4.

The Sims 4:
pros and cons
Improvements:
- better graphics due the new game engine
- much more extensive Sims customization
- a more streamlined and accessible tool
for building and buying things
- faster boot-up (game start-up) time.
Cuts:
- the seamless open-world mechanic
- number of preset lots: 170 -> 30
- “Create-a-Style” tool
Changes:
“story progression” -> SmartSim: Sims are
more easily affected by their surroundings,
in-game events and social interactions.

5.

Conclusion
Even though The Sims 4 has faster,
smoother gameplay overall, some
genuinely good features of the
previous game were cut from it.
Still, both games are sandboxes,
essentially God simulators, and
therefore great fun.
The recently announced fifth game
might utilize the best features of
both 3 & 4 while also adding
something new.
New Sims game announced on 18.10.22