A Dream Home Come Virtually True

A friend once told me that she had this certain design idea for her dream house but she didn’t have the means to put that idea on to paper. Although there are professionals who could do this for you, wouldn’t it be fun if you had the freedom to create your dream house yourself? Then of course, the question is “How?” Sure there are programs that specifically cater to design and structure but these programs are complicated enough that it requires an actual class discussing the program before you could begin tinkering with its various buttons.  Luckily, there’s this one software that you probably seen your kid or niece and nephews play at home or talk about over dinner: The Sims.  

(source: Flickr)

According to OMG Facts, it may not be common knowledge, but The Sims was originally intended as an architecture simulator game where Sims existed only to rate the houses you built. During the development, game developers realized how great expanding the game would be by re-focusing the game from building houses to creating and controlling a simulator’s life similar to that of real life. Henceforth came the game. Developed by Maxis and published by EA Games, The Sims is a true-to-life strategic life simulator video game for all-ages. First released in 2000, it has become the best-selling PC game franchise in all of history. And naturally, it follows that it really has something to boast for deserving quite the title. The concept of the game is to build a customizable character or a a “Sim” and create a life for them by building them a house in your chosen neighborhood, selecting a career for them, watching them fall in love, create a family, and eventually die either a natural death-- dying from fire at home, or any other way you could think of. You map out what you want to happen in their lives and control every aspect of their short Sim life—their looks, sense of personal style, characteristics and even down to what paint color you want them to use for the living room. 

Set your Sim’s life goals and choose your his favorite food, music, color, and the like as well. (source: Flickr)

 

Living room design that’s simple and comfortable. (source: Flickr)

 

A Sim neighborhood at night. (Source: Flickr)

Still staying true to its original idea, the Sims’ “Build Mode” proves to be something even architects and designers could like and find useful. Having the power to design your house from its size, the number of rooms, window design, landscape, to the roof size, it’s all at the tip of your fingers through simple buttons and clicks as seen below: 

Sims Build Mode buttons for which parts of the house you want to build. (Source: Flickr)

  The game has built-in wallpaper, paint, tile, wood panel designs to choose from for your walls and flooring desires. There are multiple window and door styles also and not to mention the game’s furniture choices are limitless as well. 

 Choices of different floor patterns for tiles. (Source: Flickr)

 And with 4 years since Sims 3’s release back in 2009, a newer franchise is scheduled to arrive soon. Ryan Vaughan’s interview on IGN states, 

"We’ve completely rebuilt the creative tools from the ground up to be more intuitive, way more powerful and way more fun to play with," in Ryan's words. "You are now reaching into the game and directly manipulating the things on screen. In Create-a-Sim you are grabbing onto the Sims body parts and stretching and pushing and pulling, and the same goes for Build as well - you’re dragging walls, you’re playing them down, picking them up and spinning them around."

 Build your dream house as easily as you pictured it in your mind. The Sims 4’s build science definitely easier to interact with, especially for new users of the game., allowing your dreams to come true – virtually. Below is Sims 4’s official game trailer to have an idea and a sneak peek of what to expect in the newest game.