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FAQ by MaxisMaster (Joe Kaiser)
By Joe Kaiser
The Sims FAQ
-If you have anything to add, email me at Bigjoekaiz@aol.com with "The Sims
FAQ" as the subject
-Everything I know about The Sims will be in this guide, and I will update as
needed.
-The most recent version of this FAQ can be found at http://www.gamefaqs.com
-If you wish to put this FAQ on your webpage, email me at Bigjoekaiz@aol.com
with "The Sims FAQ" as the subject
Updates
Version 1.6 | 3-06-00 | Worked all week on this. Added 2.65 A Place For The
Kids, Added to Table of Contents and Updated section i (You GOTTA See This.),
Added 4.25 Sim Health, added 7 Known Bugs, and - it took a lot of time -
ADDED 4.35 THE JOBS
Version 1.5 | 2-29-00 | Big Update! Fixed minor errors, Added more in Section
1, Added 4.4 School, 2.25 A Very Nice Touch and 2.6 The Great Outdoors, Added
7 Coming Soon, Changed ASCII art slightly
Version 1.4 | 2-28-00 | Added 3.7, changed minor errors, added 4.3, changed
old 4.3 to 4.4
Version 1.3 | 2-21-00 | Changed minor errors, added 4.3, added Cheats and
other stuff
Version 1.2 | 2-20-00 | Added ASCII art, changed minor errors, added 3.6,
started section 4!
Version 1.1 | 2-20-00 | Fixed Table of Contents, added 2.6, Wrote Section 3!
Version 1.0 | 2-20-00 | Everything's New!
Table of Contents
i. NOTES!
1. Building A Family
2. Building A Home
2.1 Walls
2.2 Doors
2.25 A Very Nice Touch
2.3 Windows
2.4 Wallpaper and Flooring
2.5 Bragging Rights
2.6 The Great Outdoors
2.65 A Place for the Kids
2.7 Suggested Homes
2.8 Final Words On Building
3. Furnishing your home
3.1 Four Basics
3.2 Living Room
3.3 Kitchen
3.4 Bedroom
3.5 Bathroom
3.6 Security
3.7 Lighting and Decorations
4. Living the Sim Life
4.1 The Basics
4.2 The Eight Needs
4.25 Sim Health
4.3 Money and Jobs
4.35 The Jobs
4.4 School
4.5 Love, Life, and Death
5. Cheats and other stuff
6. Links
7. Known Bugs
8. Coming Soon
--------------------------
INTRODUCTION
--------------------------
The Sims is a Maxis game somewhere between SimCity and SimAnt. In my opinion,
it is the best yet. It is a realistic simulation of family life, containing
all the twists and turns you could ever hope to see. It covers everything
from making lunch to making friends to making babies to making money. Yessir,
it's all about making. Your Sims (simulated people) can live in a shack or a
mansion. They can have a pool or a pool table. And if you have the money,
both!
--------------------------
i. NOTES
--------------------------
You can give your sims free will or not using the options menu, but free will
will let them do things themselves. No free will lets you be the absolute
ruler of them.
STRAIGHT FROM MAXIS!
YOU CAN GET MORE THAN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD!!!
How can I save more than one game?
The Sims design is to play one neighborhood at a time.
If you want to save several different neighborhoods, you can copy the
\\UserData folder located within \\The Sims folder on your hard drive. Copy
this folder into a different location and that neighborhood will be
preserved. When you want to play those houses, remove the current \\UserData
folder and place the backed up folder into \\The Sims folder.
You heard it here.
--------------------------
1. Building a Family
--------------------------
Unless you use the tutorial family or the pre-made one, the Goths, you can't
operate a house without a family inside, even if it's only a bachelor. You
can use the pre-made families, such as Pleasant, Roomies, or Bachelor, but
it's so much more fun to create your own. When you go to the Family building
screen (accessible from the neighborhood screen), click Create New Family and
then add it's members, one by one. You can change their name, gender, skin
color, age (Child or Adult),and personality (or choose a pre-made personality
by selecting their astrological sign - geez, everything's pre-made!)
The Personality Points include:
Neat: This determines how likely your Sims are to clean up after themselves.
If you find it a pain telling your Sims to put their dishes in the sink or to
flush the toilet, put this up.
Outgoing: This is how well your Sims will be socially. If your Sims always
decide against what they were going to do, like talking to someone, you might
want to make your next Sims high in this.
Playful: This will determine what a Sim likes to do. This isn't too crucial.
A serious Sim will rather read a book than sit in front of the the TV, and a
playful Sim the opposite.
Active: This will determine how long it takes for a Sim to wake up, and it
will also affect how a sim has Fun. A lazy sim likes lounging on the couch
watching TV more than playing basketball. But an active sim will be a monster
on the court.
Nice: This will also affect social. If your Sim is a nice Sim, they will have
a higher sucess rate while talking or interacting with other Sims in general.
My advice is to keep everything leveled out when you have a bachelor. If you
want to focus more in any area, my advice is to take a few points from
Playful. Outgoing would be your next choice to pull from. My shy Sims had
short comversations, and then as they liked each other more, the
conversations lengthened, until the shyness was cancelled out. But in a
family of two, you should have one of them very neat (though the other should
be up there) Both should be very active, or at least the one who stays at
home and cooks meals, etc. be active (can cook breakfast with little delay).
Make them nice, too, so that they can get others to be friends and advance in
careers.
Remember! Once you finish a family, YOU CANNOT GO BACK AND EDIT IT. You may,
however, edit each individual family member during the process of family
building. When yo finish, you can select "Move In Family" to put them in a
pre-made house, or try your hand at...
--------------------------
2. Building A Home
--------------------------
2.1 Walls
Walls are extremely important. Without them your Sims would have an extremely
low room rating - more on that later. You could also not place fire alarms,
paintings, the cordless phone, windows, etc. etc. etc. They also make the
house a heck of a lot prettier. You will want several rooms - a bedroom, a
bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. Walls can be placed by clicking and
dragging, or a complete room by shift-clicking and dragging. Delete walls by
control-clicking. One thing I found which saved me money and made my Sims
happier is to not place a door between the kitchen and living room - to
connect them freely. So if it looks like this:
______________________________________________
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Kitchen | Living Room |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|_____________________|_______________________|
Consider changing it to this or something similar.
______________________________________________
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Kitchen | Living Room |
| | |
| | |
| |
|_____________________________________________|
This will save you money on walls, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and your
Sims will have a higher "Room" rating. Be warned: you have to make this large
room well lit by using windows and lighting frequently. You do, however, want
to put walls / doors in between bedrooms and bathrooms, because if you're
running the stereo and someone's trying to sleep, you could be in trouble.
And Sims don't usually like other Sims barging in on them when they are on
the john.
2.2 Doors
For your first home you will want 3 doors - Bedroom, bathroom, and front. Do
not overdo it with too many doors because you ARE on a budget. After
purchasing that expensive lot and building lots of walls, you need to spend
even more.
2.25 A Very Nice Touch
If you're looking for a very nice touch to make you look rich when you have a
second story and still stayng economical, try this
If your front wall looks like this:
________________/______________ / = Door ___ = Wall
Try changing it to look like this
_____/_____
________|C P P C|__________ / = Door ___ = Wall C = Column P = Potted
Plant
You'll be surprised at what a small front porch can do for your house.
2.3 Windows
Windows don't do too much except light the room during the day. The bigger
the room is the more windows you will have to build. Again, you are on a
budget so stay economical and buy the cheapest model.
2.4 Wallpaper and Flooring
Wallpaper is something you can do without, but it also makes your house
unique and nicer looking. You should probably add wallpaper last, as if you
run out of cash you can do it later when your Sim gets a job. Flooring is
also unnecessary, unless you build a second floor - a task I recommend you
approach when you have saved up for it. Then flooring is absolutely
necessary, as you don't want your Sims falling through the floor.
2.5 Bragging rights - A Second Floor and a Pool
When your Sims start rolling in dough, you can build some spiffy add-ons to
their house. First off is a second floor. The first thing you'll want to do
is add a staircase and switch to second floor view. You can then build
flooring around it - in front of and connecting to the stairs. After that,
build walls surrounding the flooring and you'll have your basic second floor.
You'll probably want to have a bathroom on the second floor, and at least
one bedroom (give the kids a view). You'll also want to have some form of
entertainment. But the staircase aalone costs a lot, so you may want to wait
to buy these. When you build a pool - rather expensive - you build it square
by square - or in a large rectangle by holding down shift and dragging. You
will then want to add a ladder into the pool, and optionally a diving board.
I would recommend you go for the pool first, because it oncreases the
aesthetic appeal of your house more, it's fun, it gives you a work out, and
only the real rich people (or people who saved for a long time) have a pool
(whereas even _I_ have a second floor.). And it costs less.
Lets say you have built a one room second floor with an area of a measly 6x5.
We're going to stay cheap as we can here. Which means the wallpaper will be
ugly. You give ч900 for the cheapest stairwell. ч1540 for the 22 walls needed
to encompass it. ч176 for 44 squares of very cheap wallpaper (inside and
out). ч150 for thirty squares of cheap flooring. ч2776 WITHOUT FURNITURE! But
with that same money, you could buy a 6x5 pool, a diving board and a ladder
to get out with. And it's so much more useful. Adding a bed upstairs? Could
be 4 more squares of pool.
2.6 The Great Outdoors
Your Sims may find that their room rating drops when they go outside. You
need to add things to make the outdoors look nice, like plants, hedges, etc.
Being the fool that I am, I did not build up my yard until more than a month
after my Sims moved in. So they would always walk out and go to work in a bad
mood all because of that one room rating. So, the first thing I did is
described in "A Very Nice Touch" above (section 2.25). This did a little bit.
But soon I added more. Here's a diagram of my patio.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPH
HP PH
HPPPPPPP PPPPPPPPH P = Plant
HFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFH H = Hedge
HF GGFH F = Fence
HF C C FH G = Grill
HF TTTT FH T = Table
HF TTTT FH C = Chair
HF/_L__C__C__L__FH / = Door
L = Wall Light (Downloadable from thesims.com)
It's very very very pricey - One hedge alone costs ч150 - ч180. You can
ignore the hedges if your cash is limited, but it is a nice touch.
2.65 A Place for the Kids
Well, kids may find it's fun to go outside. Why not make things more
accesible to them? You might want to try building them a play house or even
put their room outside. Heck, you could have an entire little house for the
kids to do everything in.
First Floor
__
|
|
| ____________
H | |B CCC | \ = Door PC = Computer
o | | | B = Burglar Alarm TV = TV
u | \ S| S = Stereo SWSW = Stairway
s | |C | C = Chair JJ = Jungle Gym (Outside)
e | |PC___TVSWSW_| CCC = Couch JJ
| JJ
__| JJ
Second Floor
__
|
|
| ____________
H | | CCC BS| \ = Door P = Phone
o |______| | BS = Bookshelf
u \______\ BBB |SWSW = Stairway
s | | P| CCC = Couch
e | |_BBB___SWSW_| BBB = Bed
|
__|
Note that I added a passageway from the kids' house to the main house. This
is for midnight bathroom breaks and passageway to breakfast when it's night
and the room rating will gall if they walk outside. Plus, add a few big
windows and you have a mock highway overpass.
2.7 Suggested Homes
Note: The intention of this is to give you an idea of how to build a house.
You can work off these and change them or whatever.
KEY:
x = Window
\ = Door
one by one square on design = 2 by 2 square in game
_ or | = wall
= = sidewalk
On A Budget
_______x__________x______x_____x____
| | |
| | | |
| | \ Bed x
| | | |
x Kitchen |Living Room |_______|
| | | |
| | \ Bath x
|______x______|__x___\__x__|___x___|
======================================
Rich
_______x________x_________x___________x____
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
x Kitchen | Den | Bath x
| | | |
| | \ |
| ______________\_______________|____\_____|
| | |
| | |
| | |
x Living Room \ Bed x
| | |
| | |
|____x_________x____\_|_____x________x_____|
==============================================
2.8 Final Notes on Building
To delete a wall control-click when the tool is a wall, To delete wallpaper
do the same with the wallpaper tool, etc. Shift-click using the wall tool and
drag to create a rectangle, as well as with fences, pools, etc. Shift-click
with wallpaper, flooring, etc. to cover a whole room. And don't overdo it!
You have to buy furniture, pay bills, eat, among other things.
--------------------------
3. Furnishing your home
--------------------------
3.1 Four Basics
There are four basic things to remember when furnishing a house. Eat, Sleep,
Poop and Polish. You must have a refrigerator (or a phone to order pizza), a
bed, a toilet, and a shower (or a bath - you get my drift). By the way, After
I list something here, I won't list it elsewhere.
Starting Out - one person:
Llamark Refrigerator (Eat) ч600 plus food costs (ч20 for Serve Meal, ч10 for
Meal/Quick Meal, ч5 for Snack)
Spartan Special (Sleep) ч300
Hygeia-O-Matic Toilet (Poop) ч300
SpaceMiser Shower (Polish) ч650
Total: ч1850
Recommended - one person:
Porcina Refrigerator Model P1g-S (Eat) ч1200 plus food costs
Spartan Special (Sleep) ч300
Flush Force 5 XLT (Poop) ч1200
Sani-Queen Bathtub (Polish) ч1500
Total: ч4200
3.2 Entertainment and Accessories
For Entertainment, you should have a stereo, a TV, a computer, or something
else like that. Start off with only one of them; then you can go back later
and get more if you have enough money. You should also have a chair, or if
you have more than one person in the family, a couch or two. Be aware there
may be hidden costs, such as a couch for the TV or a desk and chair for the
computer.
Starting Out - one person
Monochrome TV - ч85
Sioux Wicker Chair - ч80
SCTC Cordless Wall Phone - ч75
Total: ч165
Recommended - one person:
Trottco 27" Color Television - ч500
Zimzants Component Hi-fi Stereo - ч650
Indoor-Outdoor Loveseat - ч160 (For TV)
Moneywell Computer - ч999
Posture Plus Office Chair - ч100 (For Computer)
London "Cupertino" Collection Desk/Table - ч220 (For Computer)
SCTC Cordless Wall Phone - ч75
Total: ч2704
Suggested Layout:
___________________________
| S P | P = Phone
| | TV = TV
| | PC = Computer on Desk
| | C = Chair
| C T| CO = Couch
| O V| S = Stereo
| |
| |
| C |
|____________PC_____________|
3.3 Kitchen
Sure, You can live with JUST a fridge, but you'll be so much less hungry if
you buy other things. You need to cut the food (you can use the food
processor or just the Sim's hands, a cutting board and a knife) and cook it
too (Note: I never use a stove for risk of fire. A microwave will do you
well). Now you sit at a table and eat(Note: When the food is cooked, it is
brought to the closest possible counter/table space. If you have a serving
table, put it nearer to the microwave/stove/whatever than the table). Then
you need to dispose of any trash and wash the dishes. Ahhhh, a chef's life.
Starting out - one person:
Numica Kitchen Counter (x3) - ч450
Brand Name Toaster Oven - ч100
Hydronomic Kitchen Sink - ч250
Mesquite Desk/Table - ч80
Werkbunnst All Purpose Chair - ч80
Total:ч960
Recommended - one person:
Tiled Counter (x3) - ч750
Positive Potential Microwave - ч250
XLR8R Food Processor - ч220
Epikouros Kitchen Sink - ч500
Colonial Legacy Dining Table - ч200
Touch of Teak Dinette Chair - ч200
Total: ч2120
Suggested Layout:
__________
| S F M R| T = Table
| | C = Chair
| TT | S = Sink (on counter)
| TT | F = Food Processor (on counter)
| C | M = Microwave (on counter)
| | R = Refrigerator (on counter)
|__________|
3.4 Bedroom
The Bedroom is easy. All I ever put in there is a bed, although you may opt
for a lamp, a dresser, or an end table
Starting out - one person:
Nothing!
Recommended - one person:
Anywhere End Table - ч120
Love 'N' Haight Lava Lamp - ч80
Pinegulcher Dresser - ч250
Total: ч 450
Suggested Layout:
_____________
| | B = Bed
| BBL | L = Lava Lamp (on end table)
| BB D| D = Dresser
| BB D|
| |
|_____________|
3.5 Bathroom
Once again, The bathroom is easy, because there are only 4 items you need.
Starting out - one person
"Andersonville" Pedestal Sink - ч400
Total: ч400
Recommended - one person
Medicine Cabinet - ч125
"Andersonville" Pedestal Sink - ч400
Total: ч525
Suggested Layout
_______________
| T | B = Bathtub
| BB| T = Toilet
|S BB| S = Sink and Medicine Cabinet
| BB|
|_______________|
3.6 Security
The next two things you'll need is 3 fire alarms (ч150) and a burglar alarm
(ч100). Place one burglar alarm by each door out of the house and a fire
alarm in every room (if, for example, there is a half wall between the living
room and kitchen, you don't need to put an alarm in both).
Total: ч250
3.7 Lighting and Decorations
Not only do these two increase aesthetic appeal, but also the room rating.
Other furniture such as dressers and pianos increase this, not to mention
windows, but these two categories in general are all about room. Outside you
may choose to use plants, hedges, and trees to increase this (along with the
fountain and some statuary fron the decorations section and some wall
lighting downloadable from thesims.com). Indoors you may want to place
decorations in places where you could not place a window, or even lighting.
Have a place in the middle of the room where your Sims' room rating plummets,
it's nowhere near a wall and you're on a tight budget? Buy yourself some
lighting which doesn't need a wall nor a table. And remember: While a fire
alarm may cover a whole room, one light fixture won't. The bigger the room,
the more lights (or windows) you'll need! And spread them out. If you have a
large, well lit room, the room rating will still be higher nearer those
lights. Decorations are a nice touch, but sometimes get pricey. If you're an
art dealer, it could be a smart move to invest in these, for, as normal items
plummet in value after you use them, these will rise in value and bring you a
nice profit after you wait for their value to rise. Room and cash. A nice
deal, if I do say so myself.
Total - One Person - Starting Out: ч3625
Total - One Person - Recommended: ч10249
--------------------------
4. Living the Sim Life
--------------------------
The best part of life is living, and the best part of The Sims is also
living. Although it may be a bit frustrating at times, it's gonna be fun.
4.1 The Basics
The main thing you'll want to keep your eye on is the mood meter. At first,
my Sims were unhappy - i.e. the mood meter was at 0 (5 being highest, -5
being lowest.) But as I got the hang of the game, their mood soared to 3, and
at times even 4! In The Sims, it's all about the mood. With a good mood,
things move faster, you get promotions at work, and you make more money to
buy more items to increase your mood. And up it goes, until you're so
attached that when your Sim is happy, you are happy, and when he's sad, you
feel like beating the computer. But the one main thing to keep the mood up is
to satisfy all your Sim's needs.
4.2 The Eight Needs
-Hunger
Hunger is satisfied by a meal, whether it be a snack, meat and potatoes, a
can of beans, or pizza . Usually meat and potatoes, whether it be for
breakfast, lunch, or dinner (Beans and porkchops for breakfast. Mmm.) will be
the most satisfying, especially if the person who cooked it has a high
Cooking skill. As their skill gets higher, the meals they prepare will fill
them up more and more until one plate will be enough food for 12 hours. Pizza
is for people who: a)don't have the money for appliances b) will set
something on fire if they cook or c) just think pizza is cool and don't care
how it doesn't fill their Sims up. A snack could be for when the kids are
hungry and their parents are at work, or if they just need a little more on
the hunger meter. Word to the wise: DO NOT LET SIMS COOK DINNER ON THE STOVE
IF THEY ARE UNEDUCATED IN COOKING. I, actually, never use the stove. I use
the microwave or a toaster oven.
-Comfort
I've always noticed that sitting in front of the TV replenishes fun and
comfort, which are often the only two that are low, and sleeping boosts
comfort and energy, which, for me are also very low often. But those are the
best solutions if any of those two are problems. What to do if Comfort is the
only thing low? Study. Go to the bookcase, get a book and study cooking,
mechanical, or, for kids, study for school.
-Hygiene
After a while, The Sims do get dirty. (And if they're real dirty for a long
time, they start sniffing themselves and saying, "eeew") There are sinks and
showers and tubs to solve this. When I wake my Sims up (quite early - SimRob
has a 9 to 5 job and gets up at one to get ready) I send them to the
bathroom, where they use the bathroom and hit the shower. No sink in between.
When everyone gets up, Hunger, Bladder, Hygiene and Fun all are low for
everyone, So I'll have my Sims switch off between the TV, the dining room and
the Bathroom. One by one they come out sparkling fresh. The shower and bath
do seem to leak a lot, so be ready to grab the mop. If you wash your hands
frequently you can spend less time in the shower, though.
-Bladder
When you have to pee, you have to pee. Out of the eight needs this is the
easiest to keep up because a run to the toilet will relieve you in ten
seconds (real time, not Sim time) while it may take five minutes of the TV to
boost the fun rating to the max. Once again, sims in my house take a shower
after "going". Don't let your sims have "accidents", or else their Hygiene
rating will fall like a muffin dropped from 30,000 feet. You can have trouble
when Sim after Sim doesn't flush, as I only had one sim who would ever flush
out of four.
-Energy
This is a tough one. Although it seems like my Sims never have the energy to
have fun after school/work (I guess they shouldn't be waking up at 1!) I
can't change it around. First off, energy can ony be replenished by Naps,
Sleep, and about 40 cups of coffee. The coffee is so insignificant that I
hardly bother (unless I want to hear the funny noise they make). Naps often
last for merely an hour, and that isn't nearly enough time to regain energy.
And sleep is only once a day, and if your sims wake up too early (like mine)
they'll have to go to bed at 3 or 4 (like mine). NOTE: Since the original
publication of this section, my SimKids have learned to get ready quicker
(watch that TV at night!) and have been waking around 4. They now stay up
until eight, if I push it. SimRob the same - He temporarily got a 10 PM - 4
AM Job and took it easier - when that 9 to 5 job came back, he was waking at
3 and 4
-Fun
There's one way to relieve your bladder - pee. There's one way to relieve
hunger - eat. And there's one way torelieve energy - sleep. Fun is the most
diverse, as there's so many you can do, and so many other needs that can be
relieved while having fun. For example, the Espresso maker has a little bit
of fun and a little energy put together. Sitting down and using the computer,
watching TV, or reading a book boosts comfort too. You can grab a friend and
play basketball and get the social up too. And the most diverse of them all
is sitting on the couch watching TV with a friend while chatting, bringing up
the Fun, Social, and Comfort ratings. It seems that different kinds of Sims
will like different kinds of fun, as the more playful may jump at the
dollhouse and the serious one will like a book. And a serious Sim will enjoy
that Romance show on the tube, as a more playful one may prefer Action or
Cartoons.
-Social
The phone can call the cops, the pizza guy, the maid, or the repairman. But
most importantly your friends. (LET ME STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF A PHONE
HERE!) For example, imagine SimJim and SimKim. SimJim calls SimKim one day
and asks her to come over. SimKim is busy so SimJim tries the next day.
SimKim seems excited at the prospect of seeing SimJim and comes over. They
talk for a while until SimJim gets tried and asks SimKim to leave. SimJim and
SimKim are now great friends, but don't talk for a while until SimJim gets
lonely and calls SimKim. SimJim gives SimKim a hug and finds the social
rating goes up quicker than while just talking. Soon they compliment each
other daily and start kissing, and their Social ratings rocket up. SimJim is
never lonely with SimKim.
-Room
Room is something that happens autoatically. If you step into a large well
lit room your Room rating skies, if you step into a dark bathroom it falls.
Decorations help, as do windows and lighting. But trash and broken items and
other messes make it lower. Room is basically the Aura of your house - how
good it feels just so sit there. Surprisingly, my Sims do not like being
outside as much as inside. But the better the house is, and the better it is
kept, the higher the Room rating will be.
4.25 Sim Health
Although it was previously thought to be left out from the game, your sim CAN
get sick. Here are the words directly from Maxis.
My Sims are coughing and sneezing a lot. How can I cure them?
When Sims get sick, they need lots of rest and hot liquids. Keep their energy
bars really high. They'll get better in a few days. You might need to take a
sick day off from work. It's also a good idea to keep sick Sims away from
healthy ones, or they might infect them.
You heard it here.
4.3 Money and Jobs
You need money to pay the bills, eat, and buy new stuff. And the only ways to
get money is selling things, getting an important phone call, or working at
your job. Now, selling things will not get you the money you started with, as
a used coffeemaker isn't worth as much as a new one. Important phone calls
are very random and you can't rely on them (but if you get one, you get lots
of money - often more than a job gets in a day). But a job is the best way to
let those Simoleons roll in.
There are a variety of jobs - Law Enforcement, Medicine, Science, X-Treme,
Athlete, Politics, Military, Business, Entertainment and Life of Crime. Most
of them are the same thing - i.e. you don't get a VCR or something like that
if you enter the Entertainment career track. But things like skill points
needed, uniforms, pay, amount of different jobs in the career track, or job
descriptions change. First you have to get a job - look in the paper or try
the computer (If you have one). You'll get a window that pops up that tells
you the job opening and it asks you if you want to take the job. If you're
searching online, you can look again for a better job. So you take the job.
Always have one person be a stay-at-home mom/dad/husband/wife to make
friends, do chores and get IMPORTANT money making phone calls. You have to be
up from bed in order to catch that carpool. It will be a very very ugly old
car. Of course, the carpool doesn't have to leaeve until your shift starts -
exactly one hour after it comes. So you have about one extra hour to do your
thing. You can miss the carpool for a day off (no pay, though). Don't miss
two days in a row, though, or else you'll be fired.
If you want a promotion, improve your mood and get the requirements you need.
You can find them in the Job screen. The requirements could be getting more
friends or increasing skills.
THE SKILLS
Mechanical
This comes in handy around the house. It makes it easier to fix that shower
that's been plaguing you or that burnt out bulb that needs replacing. Plus it
saves the cash you spend on the repairman. You read books about mechanical
stuff to increase this. It's often needed in careers like Medicine
(Mechanical work on bodies).
Cooking
The only other one that helps around the house - cooking is crucial to
filling that Hunger meter and preventing fires. Once again - you're reading a
book. One career that likes this is Military (kp duty).
Charisma
It's all in the talk. Don't stutter and others will look at you better.
Practice speech in front of the mirror and it's smooth sailing. Politics
seems to like this, as public speaking is important.
Creativity
New, unique ideas are the key to success in careers like Crime (I guess
there's more than one way to snatch a wallet). Play the piano or Paint to
work on this. Personally, I recommend painting because: a) It's fun - as is
the piano b) it's cheaper c) you can make money by selling tose paintings.
The first few are worth 5, 6, and 7 Simoleons, but soon my paintings went for
ч40 or more!
Body
Looking good and being strong come in handy when you're an athlete, among
other jobs. You can work out on the excercise machine, or swimming in a pool.
Myself, I like the pool, but you can use the excercise machine if you have a
low budget. In the pool, your Room rating plummets while the Fun rating
rises. Plus, Speedos and Bikinis! The excercise machine keeps your stats the
same as they would be if you stood around doing nothing for a while - most
stats slowly dropping.
Logic
Playing chess increases Logic - valued in Science among others. This is
another job where there's only one way to increase it.
When you get a promotion, your carpool gets better, your hours change, and,
most importantly, you make more money.
4.35 The Jobs
How The Jobs Will Be Ranked
I will take into account wage, hours, and overall skills/family friends
needed. I will determine wage and hours by how much money you made/how many
hours you worked if you made it all the way up, spending 2 days at each job.
FF - Family Friends
M - Mechanical
Co - Cooking
Ch - Charisma
Cr - Creativity
B - Body
L - Logic
Note: THIS IS HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO IMPROVE, NOT WHAT YOU NEED TOTAL.
How They're Listed
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Politics
Campaign Worker.........9 AM - 6 PM|ч220|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Intern..................9 AM - 3 PM|ч300|0|0|0|2|0|0|0
Lobbyist................9 AM - 3 PM|ч360|2|0|0|1|0|0|1
Campaign Manager........9 AM - 6 PM|ч430|2|0|0|1|0|1|0
City Council Member.....9 AM - 3 PM|ч485|2|0|0|1|1|1|0
State Assembly..........9 AM - 4 PM|ч540|3|0|0|0|1|1|2
Congressperson..........9 AM - 3 PM|ч600|2|0|0|1|1|1|1
Judge...................9 AM - 3 PM|ч650|3|0|0|1|1|1|2
Senator.................9 AM - 6 PM|ч700|3|0|0|3|1|0|1
Mayor...................9 AM - 3 PM|ч750|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 0
Cooking: 0
Charisma: 9
Creativity: 5
Body: 5
Logic: 7
Total Stats: 26
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 140
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10,070
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Entertainment
Waiter/Waitress.........9 AM - 3 PM|ч100|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Extra...................9 AM - 3 PM|ч150|0|0|0|2|0|0|0
Bit Player..............9 AM - 3 PM|ч200|2|0|0|0|0|2|0
Stunt Double............9 AM - 4 PM|ч275|2|0|0|1|1|1|0
B-Movie Star............10 AM- 5 PM|ч375|2|1|0|1|1|1|0
Suppporting Player......10 AM- 6 PM|ч500|2|0|0|2|1|1|0
TV Star.................10 AM- 6 PM|ч650|2|1|0|1|1|1|0
Feature Star............5 PM - 1 AM|ч900|2|0|0|1|3|1|0
Broadway Star...........10 AM- 5 PM|1100|2|0|0|2|3|1|0
Superstar...............10 AM- 3 PM|1400|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 2
Cooking: 0
Charisma: 10
Creativity: 10
Body: 8
Logic: 0
Total Stats: 30
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 136
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч11,300
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Law Enforcement
Security Guard..........12 AM- 6 AM|ч240|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Cadet...................9 AM - 3 PM|ч320|0|0|0|0|0|2|0
Patrol Officer..........5 PM - 1 AM|ч380|1|2|0|0|0|0|0
Desk Sargeant...........9 AM - 3 PM|ч440|1|1|0|0|0|2|0
Vice Squad..............10 PM- 4 AM|ч490|2|0|1|1|0|1|1
Detective...............9 AM - 3 PM|ч540|2|0|0|1|0|0|2
Lieutenant..............9 AM - 3 PM|ч590|2|1|0|1|0|1|1
SWAT Team Leader........9 AM - 3 PM|ч625|2|0|0|1|2|1|1
Police Chief............9 AM - 5 PM|ч650|2|0|0|2|2|0|3
Captain Hero............10 AM- 4 PM|ч700|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical:4
Cooking:1
Charisma:6
Creativity:5
Body:7
Logic:10
Total Stats: 33
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 128
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч9950
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Business
Mail Room...............9 AM - 3 PM|ч120|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Executive Asst..........9 AM - 4 PM|ч180|0|2|0|0|0|0|0
Field Sales Rep.........9 AM - 4 PM|ч250|1|0|0|2|0|0|0
Junior Executive........9 AM - 4 PM|ч320|2|0|0|0|0|0|2
Executive...............9 AM - 4 PM|ч400|3|0|0|1|2|0|1
Senior Manager..........9 AM - 4 PM|ч520|2|0|0|1|0|2|1
Vice President..........9 AM - 5 PM|ч660|2|0|0|1|1|0|2
President...............9 AM - 5 PM|ч800|2|0|0|1|2|0|1
CEO.....................9 AM - 4 PM|ч950|2|0|0|2|1|0|2
Business Tycoon.........9 AM - 3 PM|1200|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 2
Cooking: 0
Charisma: 8
Creativity: 6
Body: 2
Logic: 9
Total Stats: 27
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 140
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10,800
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Life Of Crime
Pickpocket..............9 AM - 3 PM|ч140|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Bagman..................11 PM- 7 AM|ч200|0|0|0|0|0|2|0
Bookie..................12 PM- 7 PM|ч275|2|0|0|1|1|0|0
Con Artist..............9 AM - 3 PM|ч350|1|2|0|1|0|0|0
Getaway Driver..........5 PM - 1 AM|ч425|1|1|0|1|0|1|1
Bank Robber.............3 PM -11 PM|ч530|2|0|1|0|1|1|1
Cat Burglar.............9 PM - 3 AM|ч640|2|2|0|0|2|0|1
Counterfeiter...........9 PM - 3 AM|ч760|2|0|0|3|1|1|0
Smuggler................9 AM - 3 PM|ч900|2|0|1|2|2|0|1
Criminal Mastermind.....6 PM -12 AM|1100|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 5
Cooking: 2
Charisma: 7
Creativity: 8
Body: 6
Logic: 4
Total Stats: 32
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 134
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10640
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Medicine
Medical Technician...... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч200|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Paramedic...............11 PM- 5 AM|ч275|0|2|0|0|0|0|0
Nurse................... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч340|2|0|0|0|0|2|0
Intern.................. 9 AM- 6 PM|ч410|1|1|0|0|0|0|2
Resident................ 9 PM- 4 AM|ч480|1|0|0|1|0|1|2
GP......................10 AM- 6 PM|ч550|1|1|0|1|1|1|0
Specialist..............9 PM - 3 AM|ч640|2|2|0|0|2|0|1
Surgeon.................10 PM- 4 AM|ч700|2|1|0|1|1|1|2
Medical Researcher......9 PM - 4 AM|ч775|2|1|0|2|1|1|1
Chief of Hospital.......9 PM - 4 AM|ч850|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 8
Cooking: 0
Charisma: 5
Creativity: 5
Body: 6
Logic: 8
Total Stats: 32
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 136
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10440
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Military
Recruit................. 6 AM-12 PM|ч200|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Elite Forces............ 7 AM- 1 PM|ч325|0|0|0|0|0|2|0
Drill Instructor........ 8 AM- 2 PM|ч350|0|1|0|1|0|0|0
Junior Officer.......... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч450|0|0|1|0|0|2|0
Counter-Intell.......... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч500|1|1|0|2|0|0|1
Flight Officer.......... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч550|2|1|0|0|0|1|2
Senior Officer.......... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч580|2|3|0|1|0|0|2
Commander............... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч600|1|3|0|0|0|3|1
Astronaut............... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч625|2|1|0|2|0|2|3
General................. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч650|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 12
Cooking: 1
Charisma: 7
Creativity: 0
Body: 10
Logic: 9
Total Stats: 32
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 120
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10440
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Athlete
Team Mascot.............12 PM- 6 PM|ч110|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Minor Leaguer........... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч170|0|0|0|0|0|2|0
Rookie.................. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч230|1|0|0|0|0|3|0
Starter................. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч300|2|1|0|1|0|1|0
All Star................ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч385|2|1|0|1|0|1|0
MVP..................... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч510|2|0|1|1|0|1|0
Superstar............... 9 AM- 4 PM|ч680|2|0|1|1|1|1|0
Assistant Coach......... 9 AM- 2 PM|ч850|2|0|1|1|1|1|0
Coach................... 9 AM- 3 PM|1000|2|0|1|3|1|0|0
Hall Of Famer........... 9 AM- 3 PM|1300|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 2
Cooking: 4
Charisma: 9
Creativity: 3
Body: 10
Logic: 0
Total Stats: 28
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 120
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч11070
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Science
Test Subject............ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч155|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Lab Assistant...........11 PM- 5 AM|ч230|0|0|0|0|0|0|2
Field Researcher........ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч320|1|0|1|0|0|0|1
Science Teacher......... 9 AM- 4 PM|ч375|2|0|0|1|1|0|1
Project Leader.......... 9 AM- 5 PM|ч450|1|2|0|0|2|0|0
Inventor................10 AM- 7 PM|ч540|1|2|0|0|1|0|2
Scholar.................10 AM- 3 PM|ч640|2|1|2|1|0|0|1
Top Secret Researcher...10 AM- 3 PM|ч740|1|1|0|0|3|0|2
Theorist................10 AM- 2 PM|ч870|2|1|1|1|3|0|1
Mad Scientist...........10 AM- 2 PM|1000|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 8
Cooking: 2
Charisma: 5
Creativity: 10
Body: 0
Logic: 10
Total Stats: 35
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 128
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10640
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Xtreme
Daredevil............... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч175|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Bungee Jump Instructor.. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч250|1|0|0|0|0|2|0
Whitewater Guide........ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч325|1|1|0|0|0|2|0
Xtreme Circuit Pro...... 9 AM- 4 PM|ч400|1|1|0|0|0|0|1
Bush Pilot.............. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч475|1|2|0|0|0|2|0
Mountain Climber........ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч550|1|1|0|2|3|0|0
Photo-Journalist........ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч650|2|1|0|1|1|1|2
Treasure Hunter.........10 AM- 5 PM|ч725|2|0|0|2|3|0|2
Grand Prix Driver.......10 AM- 4 PM|ч825|2|0|1|3|2|1|1
International Spy.......11 AM- 5 PM|ч925|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 6
Cooking: 2
Charisma: 8
Creativity: 9
Body: 8
Logic: 9
Total Stats: 32
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 124
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10600
Here are the results for the jobs' rankings:
10. Politics - Score.........12.7
9. Medicine - Score.........14.4
8. Life of Crime - Score....16
7. Law Enforcement - Score..16.5
6. Business - Score.........19
5. Science - Score..........21.4
4. Entertainment - Score....25
3. Xtreme - Score...........28
2. Military - Score.........30.4
1. Athlete - Score..........40.7
If you want reasoning behind these scores, email me.
4.4 School
Just as adults have to work, kids must go to school. Every morning that you
have kids, a school bus will come to pick them up. Now, kids don't get fired
from school after skipping 2 days, but if they slack off and their grade goes
down, it's off to military school. Those kids will be gone. To keep their
grade up, they should study on the computer or in a book and you have to keep
their mood up. So don't be a tyrant and make them spend every moment studying
and doing chores - all work and no play equals no more kids. But don't think
that this isn't like a job - If they do well in schoolwork, grandparents will
be generous in rewards for good grades.
4.5 Love, Life, and Death
There are three big things that define the life cycle after one is born. One
falls in love, has kids, and dies. Then it starts over again with the kids.
The same thing happens with your Sims. Let's take the story of SimJim and
SimKim above. Now, they fell in love with each other by chatting all the
time, kissing, etc. (Other social actions include Fight, Tease, Brag,
Compliment, Tickle, Give Back Rub, Play, and Tell Joke). If SimJim proposes
to SimKim (in the same way that they would talk to each other previously),
and SimKim accepts, then SimJim and SimKim move in with each other. Now, If
SimLynn becomes very good friends with SimKim, then SimKim can ask her to
move in with her. It's like propose, just with same-gender Sims. But when
SimJim moves in with SimKim, or vice versa, then all their money is pooled
together, and, if either is living alone but with kids, then the kids come
too. If there's another adult, then the kids stay with him.
In The Sims there is an incredible amount of jealousy. If SimLynn and SimKim
both love SimJim, then when SimLynn sees SimJim and SimKim kissing, SimLynn
will go up and deliver a great big smack across SimKim's face and they won't
like each other very much. SimLynn's social rating will fall. But if your
couple makes a quick escapade to the bathroom to smooch, the possibilities
could be endless.
Now, SimJim and SimKim are married. They are so happy together that they now
can sleep together. One day you may get a window asking, "Do you want to have
a baby?" If they just live together, are two same-gender Sims, or just SimJim
living alone the window will ask, "Do you want to adopt a baby?" Babies are a
real pain in the but, but you can manage them effectively. If you only have
one adult (assuming there are two) tending to the baby at a time, and you let
them alternate, things will work out. While SimJim is tending to the baby,
SimKim could be watching TV, cooking dinner, or taking a bath. And Later,
during SimKim's turn, SimJim could repair that fussy sink, shoot hoops, etc.
If it's bedtime, let SimJim sleep on the couch and keep SimKim in bed by that
fussy little monster. When the baby's crying, everyone (except kids) in the
room wakes up from their naps and complains about him. So let SimJim get a
good night's sleep and SimKim can tend to the baby (But let SimJim watch him
tomorrow). Don't neglect the baby! My first kid cried all night in the living
room while Rob and Jean (my Sims' names) snoozed away upstairs. Pretty soon,
El Social Workero came and busted us and took little baby away. But I learned
better and now it's a family of four, with Joanna (looks like she likes
Barbies) and Allen (Ultra-Nerd. He has a pocket protector and thick
glasses!). When tending to babies, there are 3 options. Feed, Play, and Sing.
When the baby wakes up crying you should probably feed him, play with him and
sing him to sleep. If he's still awake, feed him again and sing to him again.
Feed and sing until he falls asleep. After exactly 72 Sim Hours, your baby
will have grown up. He's now a kid. Kids don't require much looking after by
the parents. All you have to do is let adults cook for them (they can only
grab snacks from the fridge) and they do the rest, sleep themselves, have fun
themselves, etc.
Finally, there's death. Death occurs when: A)You starve B) Your oven sets on
fire and kills you C)You get electrocuted from attempting to fix something.
If they die then an urn or a tombstone (depending whether they die indoors or
out) is placed. There is 24 hours of mourning by the family, and then they're
free to do whatever. But they can go back and mourn if they want. But if
there's death, theres a ghost who'll come around the house randomly and spook
whoever comes near...
--------------------------
5. Cheats and other stuff
--------------------------
From GameSages (www.gamesages.com)
Command Prompt: Press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + C during game to display the command
prompt.
1000 Simoleons: Type "klapaucius" at the command prompt. Submitted by the
Simoleons
7000 Simoleons: Enter the "1000 Simoleons" cheat, then type "!;!;!;!;!;!;!"
at the command prompt. Submitted by the Simoleons
Display Personality and Interests: Select a Sim, then type "interests" at the
command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Draw all frames: Type "draw_all_frames on" at the command prompt. To turn it
off, type "draw_all_frames off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Island home: Type "water_tool" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Map Editor: To enable the map editor, type "map_edit on" at the command
prompt. To turn it off again, type "map_edit off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Route Balloons: Type "route_balloons on" at the command prompt. This displays
little balloons explaining why a character is delayed or not doing what you
asked. To turn it off, type "route_balloons off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Set event logging mask: Type "log_mask" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Set free thinking level: Type "autonomy #" at the command prompt, where # is
an IQ between 1 and 100.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Set grass growth: Type "grow_grass #" at the command prompt, where # is a
rate of growth between 1 and 150.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Set time of day: Type "set hour #" at the command prompt, where # is an hour
in military time (1-24).
Submitted by the Simoleons
Tile Information: Type "tile_info on" at the command prompt, then move your
cursor over any object for detailed information. To turn it off again, type
"tile_info off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Toggle "Ticks": Type "sweep on" or "sweep off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by The Simoleons
--------------------------
6. Links
--------------------------
The Sims Homepage - www.thesims.com
GameFAQs - www.gamefaqs.com
--------------------------
7. Known Bugs
--------------------------
All These Bugs can be fixed with patches on thesims.com
Sim Twitches and Melts into Ashes
Sim Walks Around Nude
Sim Permanently Censored
Sim Killed by Guinea Pig
Sim Changes Clothes due to Guinea Pig
Repairman Dies
Neighbor tells Sim to come visit
Can't Delete Desks
Can't Take Night off for jobs without being fired
Staircase Says "In Use"
No Comfort from Recliner
Carpool Doesn't Arrive
Can't Clean up snack from floor
--------------------------
8. COMING SOON
--------------------------
I expect to have a full blown FAQ. Send me questions!
Copyright 2000 MaxisMaster (Joe Kaiser)
By Joe Kaiser
The Sims FAQ
-If you have anything to add, email me at Bigjoekaiz@aol.com with "The Sims
FAQ" as the subject
-Everything I know about The Sims will be in this guide, and I will update as
needed.
-The most recent version of this FAQ can be found at http://www.gamefaqs.com
-If you wish to put this FAQ on your webpage, email me at Bigjoekaiz@aol.com
with "The Sims FAQ" as the subject
Updates
Version 1.6 | 3-06-00 | Worked all week on this. Added 2.65 A Place For The
Kids, Added to Table of Contents and Updated section i (You GOTTA See This.),
Added 4.25 Sim Health, added 7 Known Bugs, and - it took a lot of time -
ADDED 4.35 THE JOBS
Version 1.5 | 2-29-00 | Big Update! Fixed minor errors, Added more in Section
1, Added 4.4 School, 2.25 A Very Nice Touch and 2.6 The Great Outdoors, Added
7 Coming Soon, Changed ASCII art slightly
Version 1.4 | 2-28-00 | Added 3.7, changed minor errors, added 4.3, changed
old 4.3 to 4.4
Version 1.3 | 2-21-00 | Changed minor errors, added 4.3, added Cheats and
other stuff
Version 1.2 | 2-20-00 | Added ASCII art, changed minor errors, added 3.6,
started section 4!
Version 1.1 | 2-20-00 | Fixed Table of Contents, added 2.6, Wrote Section 3!
Version 1.0 | 2-20-00 | Everything's New!
Table of Contents
i. NOTES!
1. Building A Family
2. Building A Home
2.1 Walls
2.2 Doors
2.25 A Very Nice Touch
2.3 Windows
2.4 Wallpaper and Flooring
2.5 Bragging Rights
2.6 The Great Outdoors
2.65 A Place for the Kids
2.7 Suggested Homes
2.8 Final Words On Building
3. Furnishing your home
3.1 Four Basics
3.2 Living Room
3.3 Kitchen
3.4 Bedroom
3.5 Bathroom
3.6 Security
3.7 Lighting and Decorations
4. Living the Sim Life
4.1 The Basics
4.2 The Eight Needs
4.25 Sim Health
4.3 Money and Jobs
4.35 The Jobs
4.4 School
4.5 Love, Life, and Death
5. Cheats and other stuff
6. Links
7. Known Bugs
8. Coming Soon
--------------------------
INTRODUCTION
--------------------------
The Sims is a Maxis game somewhere between SimCity and SimAnt. In my opinion,
it is the best yet. It is a realistic simulation of family life, containing
all the twists and turns you could ever hope to see. It covers everything
from making lunch to making friends to making babies to making money. Yessir,
it's all about making. Your Sims (simulated people) can live in a shack or a
mansion. They can have a pool or a pool table. And if you have the money,
both!
--------------------------
i. NOTES
--------------------------
You can give your sims free will or not using the options menu, but free will
will let them do things themselves. No free will lets you be the absolute
ruler of them.
STRAIGHT FROM MAXIS!
YOU CAN GET MORE THAN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD!!!
How can I save more than one game?
The Sims design is to play one neighborhood at a time.
If you want to save several different neighborhoods, you can copy the
\\UserData folder located within \\The Sims folder on your hard drive. Copy
this folder into a different location and that neighborhood will be
preserved. When you want to play those houses, remove the current \\UserData
folder and place the backed up folder into \\The Sims folder.
You heard it here.
--------------------------
1. Building a Family
--------------------------
Unless you use the tutorial family or the pre-made one, the Goths, you can't
operate a house without a family inside, even if it's only a bachelor. You
can use the pre-made families, such as Pleasant, Roomies, or Bachelor, but
it's so much more fun to create your own. When you go to the Family building
screen (accessible from the neighborhood screen), click Create New Family and
then add it's members, one by one. You can change their name, gender, skin
color, age (Child or Adult),and personality (or choose a pre-made personality
by selecting their astrological sign - geez, everything's pre-made!)
The Personality Points include:
Neat: This determines how likely your Sims are to clean up after themselves.
If you find it a pain telling your Sims to put their dishes in the sink or to
flush the toilet, put this up.
Outgoing: This is how well your Sims will be socially. If your Sims always
decide against what they were going to do, like talking to someone, you might
want to make your next Sims high in this.
Playful: This will determine what a Sim likes to do. This isn't too crucial.
A serious Sim will rather read a book than sit in front of the the TV, and a
playful Sim the opposite.
Active: This will determine how long it takes for a Sim to wake up, and it
will also affect how a sim has Fun. A lazy sim likes lounging on the couch
watching TV more than playing basketball. But an active sim will be a monster
on the court.
Nice: This will also affect social. If your Sim is a nice Sim, they will have
a higher sucess rate while talking or interacting with other Sims in general.
My advice is to keep everything leveled out when you have a bachelor. If you
want to focus more in any area, my advice is to take a few points from
Playful. Outgoing would be your next choice to pull from. My shy Sims had
short comversations, and then as they liked each other more, the
conversations lengthened, until the shyness was cancelled out. But in a
family of two, you should have one of them very neat (though the other should
be up there) Both should be very active, or at least the one who stays at
home and cooks meals, etc. be active (can cook breakfast with little delay).
Make them nice, too, so that they can get others to be friends and advance in
careers.
Remember! Once you finish a family, YOU CANNOT GO BACK AND EDIT IT. You may,
however, edit each individual family member during the process of family
building. When yo finish, you can select "Move In Family" to put them in a
pre-made house, or try your hand at...
--------------------------
2. Building A Home
--------------------------
2.1 Walls
Walls are extremely important. Without them your Sims would have an extremely
low room rating - more on that later. You could also not place fire alarms,
paintings, the cordless phone, windows, etc. etc. etc. They also make the
house a heck of a lot prettier. You will want several rooms - a bedroom, a
bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. Walls can be placed by clicking and
dragging, or a complete room by shift-clicking and dragging. Delete walls by
control-clicking. One thing I found which saved me money and made my Sims
happier is to not place a door between the kitchen and living room - to
connect them freely. So if it looks like this:
______________________________________________
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Kitchen | Living Room |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|_____________________|_______________________|
Consider changing it to this or something similar.
______________________________________________
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Kitchen | Living Room |
| | |
| | |
| |
|_____________________________________________|
This will save you money on walls, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and your
Sims will have a higher "Room" rating. Be warned: you have to make this large
room well lit by using windows and lighting frequently. You do, however, want
to put walls / doors in between bedrooms and bathrooms, because if you're
running the stereo and someone's trying to sleep, you could be in trouble.
And Sims don't usually like other Sims barging in on them when they are on
the john.
2.2 Doors
For your first home you will want 3 doors - Bedroom, bathroom, and front. Do
not overdo it with too many doors because you ARE on a budget. After
purchasing that expensive lot and building lots of walls, you need to spend
even more.
2.25 A Very Nice Touch
If you're looking for a very nice touch to make you look rich when you have a
second story and still stayng economical, try this
If your front wall looks like this:
________________/______________ / = Door ___ = Wall
Try changing it to look like this
_____/_____
________|C P P C|__________ / = Door ___ = Wall C = Column P = Potted
Plant
You'll be surprised at what a small front porch can do for your house.
2.3 Windows
Windows don't do too much except light the room during the day. The bigger
the room is the more windows you will have to build. Again, you are on a
budget so stay economical and buy the cheapest model.
2.4 Wallpaper and Flooring
Wallpaper is something you can do without, but it also makes your house
unique and nicer looking. You should probably add wallpaper last, as if you
run out of cash you can do it later when your Sim gets a job. Flooring is
also unnecessary, unless you build a second floor - a task I recommend you
approach when you have saved up for it. Then flooring is absolutely
necessary, as you don't want your Sims falling through the floor.
2.5 Bragging rights - A Second Floor and a Pool
When your Sims start rolling in dough, you can build some spiffy add-ons to
their house. First off is a second floor. The first thing you'll want to do
is add a staircase and switch to second floor view. You can then build
flooring around it - in front of and connecting to the stairs. After that,
build walls surrounding the flooring and you'll have your basic second floor.
You'll probably want to have a bathroom on the second floor, and at least
one bedroom (give the kids a view). You'll also want to have some form of
entertainment. But the staircase aalone costs a lot, so you may want to wait
to buy these. When you build a pool - rather expensive - you build it square
by square - or in a large rectangle by holding down shift and dragging. You
will then want to add a ladder into the pool, and optionally a diving board.
I would recommend you go for the pool first, because it oncreases the
aesthetic appeal of your house more, it's fun, it gives you a work out, and
only the real rich people (or people who saved for a long time) have a pool
(whereas even _I_ have a second floor.). And it costs less.
Lets say you have built a one room second floor with an area of a measly 6x5.
We're going to stay cheap as we can here. Which means the wallpaper will be
ugly. You give ч900 for the cheapest stairwell. ч1540 for the 22 walls needed
to encompass it. ч176 for 44 squares of very cheap wallpaper (inside and
out). ч150 for thirty squares of cheap flooring. ч2776 WITHOUT FURNITURE! But
with that same money, you could buy a 6x5 pool, a diving board and a ladder
to get out with. And it's so much more useful. Adding a bed upstairs? Could
be 4 more squares of pool.
2.6 The Great Outdoors
Your Sims may find that their room rating drops when they go outside. You
need to add things to make the outdoors look nice, like plants, hedges, etc.
Being the fool that I am, I did not build up my yard until more than a month
after my Sims moved in. So they would always walk out and go to work in a bad
mood all because of that one room rating. So, the first thing I did is
described in "A Very Nice Touch" above (section 2.25). This did a little bit.
But soon I added more. Here's a diagram of my patio.
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPH
HP PH
HPPPPPPP PPPPPPPPH P = Plant
HFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFH H = Hedge
HF GGFH F = Fence
HF C C FH G = Grill
HF TTTT FH T = Table
HF TTTT FH C = Chair
HF/_L__C__C__L__FH / = Door
L = Wall Light (Downloadable from thesims.com)
It's very very very pricey - One hedge alone costs ч150 - ч180. You can
ignore the hedges if your cash is limited, but it is a nice touch.
2.65 A Place for the Kids
Well, kids may find it's fun to go outside. Why not make things more
accesible to them? You might want to try building them a play house or even
put their room outside. Heck, you could have an entire little house for the
kids to do everything in.
First Floor
__
|
|
| ____________
H | |B CCC | \ = Door PC = Computer
o | | | B = Burglar Alarm TV = TV
u | \ S| S = Stereo SWSW = Stairway
s | |C | C = Chair JJ = Jungle Gym (Outside)
e | |PC___TVSWSW_| CCC = Couch JJ
| JJ
__| JJ
Second Floor
__
|
|
| ____________
H | | CCC BS| \ = Door P = Phone
o |______| | BS = Bookshelf
u \______\ BBB |SWSW = Stairway
s | | P| CCC = Couch
e | |_BBB___SWSW_| BBB = Bed
|
__|
Note that I added a passageway from the kids' house to the main house. This
is for midnight bathroom breaks and passageway to breakfast when it's night
and the room rating will gall if they walk outside. Plus, add a few big
windows and you have a mock highway overpass.
2.7 Suggested Homes
Note: The intention of this is to give you an idea of how to build a house.
You can work off these and change them or whatever.
KEY:
x = Window
\ = Door
one by one square on design = 2 by 2 square in game
_ or | = wall
= = sidewalk
On A Budget
_______x__________x______x_____x____
| | |
| | | |
| | \ Bed x
| | | |
x Kitchen |Living Room |_______|
| | | |
| | \ Bath x
|______x______|__x___\__x__|___x___|
======================================
Rich
_______x________x_________x___________x____
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
x Kitchen | Den | Bath x
| | | |
| | \ |
| ______________\_______________|____\_____|
| | |
| | |
| | |
x Living Room \ Bed x
| | |
| | |
|____x_________x____\_|_____x________x_____|
==============================================
2.8 Final Notes on Building
To delete a wall control-click when the tool is a wall, To delete wallpaper
do the same with the wallpaper tool, etc. Shift-click using the wall tool and
drag to create a rectangle, as well as with fences, pools, etc. Shift-click
with wallpaper, flooring, etc. to cover a whole room. And don't overdo it!
You have to buy furniture, pay bills, eat, among other things.
--------------------------
3. Furnishing your home
--------------------------
3.1 Four Basics
There are four basic things to remember when furnishing a house. Eat, Sleep,
Poop and Polish. You must have a refrigerator (or a phone to order pizza), a
bed, a toilet, and a shower (or a bath - you get my drift). By the way, After
I list something here, I won't list it elsewhere.
Starting Out - one person:
Llamark Refrigerator (Eat) ч600 plus food costs (ч20 for Serve Meal, ч10 for
Meal/Quick Meal, ч5 for Snack)
Spartan Special (Sleep) ч300
Hygeia-O-Matic Toilet (Poop) ч300
SpaceMiser Shower (Polish) ч650
Total: ч1850
Recommended - one person:
Porcina Refrigerator Model P1g-S (Eat) ч1200 plus food costs
Spartan Special (Sleep) ч300
Flush Force 5 XLT (Poop) ч1200
Sani-Queen Bathtub (Polish) ч1500
Total: ч4200
3.2 Entertainment and Accessories
For Entertainment, you should have a stereo, a TV, a computer, or something
else like that. Start off with only one of them; then you can go back later
and get more if you have enough money. You should also have a chair, or if
you have more than one person in the family, a couch or two. Be aware there
may be hidden costs, such as a couch for the TV or a desk and chair for the
computer.
Starting Out - one person
Monochrome TV - ч85
Sioux Wicker Chair - ч80
SCTC Cordless Wall Phone - ч75
Total: ч165
Recommended - one person:
Trottco 27" Color Television - ч500
Zimzants Component Hi-fi Stereo - ч650
Indoor-Outdoor Loveseat - ч160 (For TV)
Moneywell Computer - ч999
Posture Plus Office Chair - ч100 (For Computer)
London "Cupertino" Collection Desk/Table - ч220 (For Computer)
SCTC Cordless Wall Phone - ч75
Total: ч2704
Suggested Layout:
___________________________
| S P | P = Phone
| | TV = TV
| | PC = Computer on Desk
| | C = Chair
| C T| CO = Couch
| O V| S = Stereo
| |
| |
| C |
|____________PC_____________|
3.3 Kitchen
Sure, You can live with JUST a fridge, but you'll be so much less hungry if
you buy other things. You need to cut the food (you can use the food
processor or just the Sim's hands, a cutting board and a knife) and cook it
too (Note: I never use a stove for risk of fire. A microwave will do you
well). Now you sit at a table and eat(Note: When the food is cooked, it is
brought to the closest possible counter/table space. If you have a serving
table, put it nearer to the microwave/stove/whatever than the table). Then
you need to dispose of any trash and wash the dishes. Ahhhh, a chef's life.
Starting out - one person:
Numica Kitchen Counter (x3) - ч450
Brand Name Toaster Oven - ч100
Hydronomic Kitchen Sink - ч250
Mesquite Desk/Table - ч80
Werkbunnst All Purpose Chair - ч80
Total:ч960
Recommended - one person:
Tiled Counter (x3) - ч750
Positive Potential Microwave - ч250
XLR8R Food Processor - ч220
Epikouros Kitchen Sink - ч500
Colonial Legacy Dining Table - ч200
Touch of Teak Dinette Chair - ч200
Total: ч2120
Suggested Layout:
__________
| S F M R| T = Table
| | C = Chair
| TT | S = Sink (on counter)
| TT | F = Food Processor (on counter)
| C | M = Microwave (on counter)
| | R = Refrigerator (on counter)
|__________|
3.4 Bedroom
The Bedroom is easy. All I ever put in there is a bed, although you may opt
for a lamp, a dresser, or an end table
Starting out - one person:
Nothing!
Recommended - one person:
Anywhere End Table - ч120
Love 'N' Haight Lava Lamp - ч80
Pinegulcher Dresser - ч250
Total: ч 450
Suggested Layout:
_____________
| | B = Bed
| BBL | L = Lava Lamp (on end table)
| BB D| D = Dresser
| BB D|
| |
|_____________|
3.5 Bathroom
Once again, The bathroom is easy, because there are only 4 items you need.
Starting out - one person
"Andersonville" Pedestal Sink - ч400
Total: ч400
Recommended - one person
Medicine Cabinet - ч125
"Andersonville" Pedestal Sink - ч400
Total: ч525
Suggested Layout
_______________
| T | B = Bathtub
| BB| T = Toilet
|S BB| S = Sink and Medicine Cabinet
| BB|
|_______________|
3.6 Security
The next two things you'll need is 3 fire alarms (ч150) and a burglar alarm
(ч100). Place one burglar alarm by each door out of the house and a fire
alarm in every room (if, for example, there is a half wall between the living
room and kitchen, you don't need to put an alarm in both).
Total: ч250
3.7 Lighting and Decorations
Not only do these two increase aesthetic appeal, but also the room rating.
Other furniture such as dressers and pianos increase this, not to mention
windows, but these two categories in general are all about room. Outside you
may choose to use plants, hedges, and trees to increase this (along with the
fountain and some statuary fron the decorations section and some wall
lighting downloadable from thesims.com). Indoors you may want to place
decorations in places where you could not place a window, or even lighting.
Have a place in the middle of the room where your Sims' room rating plummets,
it's nowhere near a wall and you're on a tight budget? Buy yourself some
lighting which doesn't need a wall nor a table. And remember: While a fire
alarm may cover a whole room, one light fixture won't. The bigger the room,
the more lights (or windows) you'll need! And spread them out. If you have a
large, well lit room, the room rating will still be higher nearer those
lights. Decorations are a nice touch, but sometimes get pricey. If you're an
art dealer, it could be a smart move to invest in these, for, as normal items
plummet in value after you use them, these will rise in value and bring you a
nice profit after you wait for their value to rise. Room and cash. A nice
deal, if I do say so myself.
Total - One Person - Starting Out: ч3625
Total - One Person - Recommended: ч10249
--------------------------
4. Living the Sim Life
--------------------------
The best part of life is living, and the best part of The Sims is also
living. Although it may be a bit frustrating at times, it's gonna be fun.
4.1 The Basics
The main thing you'll want to keep your eye on is the mood meter. At first,
my Sims were unhappy - i.e. the mood meter was at 0 (5 being highest, -5
being lowest.) But as I got the hang of the game, their mood soared to 3, and
at times even 4! In The Sims, it's all about the mood. With a good mood,
things move faster, you get promotions at work, and you make more money to
buy more items to increase your mood. And up it goes, until you're so
attached that when your Sim is happy, you are happy, and when he's sad, you
feel like beating the computer. But the one main thing to keep the mood up is
to satisfy all your Sim's needs.
4.2 The Eight Needs
-Hunger
Hunger is satisfied by a meal, whether it be a snack, meat and potatoes, a
can of beans, or pizza . Usually meat and potatoes, whether it be for
breakfast, lunch, or dinner (Beans and porkchops for breakfast. Mmm.) will be
the most satisfying, especially if the person who cooked it has a high
Cooking skill. As their skill gets higher, the meals they prepare will fill
them up more and more until one plate will be enough food for 12 hours. Pizza
is for people who: a)don't have the money for appliances b) will set
something on fire if they cook or c) just think pizza is cool and don't care
how it doesn't fill their Sims up. A snack could be for when the kids are
hungry and their parents are at work, or if they just need a little more on
the hunger meter. Word to the wise: DO NOT LET SIMS COOK DINNER ON THE STOVE
IF THEY ARE UNEDUCATED IN COOKING. I, actually, never use the stove. I use
the microwave or a toaster oven.
-Comfort
I've always noticed that sitting in front of the TV replenishes fun and
comfort, which are often the only two that are low, and sleeping boosts
comfort and energy, which, for me are also very low often. But those are the
best solutions if any of those two are problems. What to do if Comfort is the
only thing low? Study. Go to the bookcase, get a book and study cooking,
mechanical, or, for kids, study for school.
-Hygiene
After a while, The Sims do get dirty. (And if they're real dirty for a long
time, they start sniffing themselves and saying, "eeew") There are sinks and
showers and tubs to solve this. When I wake my Sims up (quite early - SimRob
has a 9 to 5 job and gets up at one to get ready) I send them to the
bathroom, where they use the bathroom and hit the shower. No sink in between.
When everyone gets up, Hunger, Bladder, Hygiene and Fun all are low for
everyone, So I'll have my Sims switch off between the TV, the dining room and
the Bathroom. One by one they come out sparkling fresh. The shower and bath
do seem to leak a lot, so be ready to grab the mop. If you wash your hands
frequently you can spend less time in the shower, though.
-Bladder
When you have to pee, you have to pee. Out of the eight needs this is the
easiest to keep up because a run to the toilet will relieve you in ten
seconds (real time, not Sim time) while it may take five minutes of the TV to
boost the fun rating to the max. Once again, sims in my house take a shower
after "going". Don't let your sims have "accidents", or else their Hygiene
rating will fall like a muffin dropped from 30,000 feet. You can have trouble
when Sim after Sim doesn't flush, as I only had one sim who would ever flush
out of four.
-Energy
This is a tough one. Although it seems like my Sims never have the energy to
have fun after school/work (I guess they shouldn't be waking up at 1!) I
can't change it around. First off, energy can ony be replenished by Naps,
Sleep, and about 40 cups of coffee. The coffee is so insignificant that I
hardly bother (unless I want to hear the funny noise they make). Naps often
last for merely an hour, and that isn't nearly enough time to regain energy.
And sleep is only once a day, and if your sims wake up too early (like mine)
they'll have to go to bed at 3 or 4 (like mine). NOTE: Since the original
publication of this section, my SimKids have learned to get ready quicker
(watch that TV at night!) and have been waking around 4. They now stay up
until eight, if I push it. SimRob the same - He temporarily got a 10 PM - 4
AM Job and took it easier - when that 9 to 5 job came back, he was waking at
3 and 4
-Fun
There's one way to relieve your bladder - pee. There's one way to relieve
hunger - eat. And there's one way torelieve energy - sleep. Fun is the most
diverse, as there's so many you can do, and so many other needs that can be
relieved while having fun. For example, the Espresso maker has a little bit
of fun and a little energy put together. Sitting down and using the computer,
watching TV, or reading a book boosts comfort too. You can grab a friend and
play basketball and get the social up too. And the most diverse of them all
is sitting on the couch watching TV with a friend while chatting, bringing up
the Fun, Social, and Comfort ratings. It seems that different kinds of Sims
will like different kinds of fun, as the more playful may jump at the
dollhouse and the serious one will like a book. And a serious Sim will enjoy
that Romance show on the tube, as a more playful one may prefer Action or
Cartoons.
-Social
The phone can call the cops, the pizza guy, the maid, or the repairman. But
most importantly your friends. (LET ME STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF A PHONE
HERE!) For example, imagine SimJim and SimKim. SimJim calls SimKim one day
and asks her to come over. SimKim is busy so SimJim tries the next day.
SimKim seems excited at the prospect of seeing SimJim and comes over. They
talk for a while until SimJim gets tried and asks SimKim to leave. SimJim and
SimKim are now great friends, but don't talk for a while until SimJim gets
lonely and calls SimKim. SimJim gives SimKim a hug and finds the social
rating goes up quicker than while just talking. Soon they compliment each
other daily and start kissing, and their Social ratings rocket up. SimJim is
never lonely with SimKim.
-Room
Room is something that happens autoatically. If you step into a large well
lit room your Room rating skies, if you step into a dark bathroom it falls.
Decorations help, as do windows and lighting. But trash and broken items and
other messes make it lower. Room is basically the Aura of your house - how
good it feels just so sit there. Surprisingly, my Sims do not like being
outside as much as inside. But the better the house is, and the better it is
kept, the higher the Room rating will be.
4.25 Sim Health
Although it was previously thought to be left out from the game, your sim CAN
get sick. Here are the words directly from Maxis.
My Sims are coughing and sneezing a lot. How can I cure them?
When Sims get sick, they need lots of rest and hot liquids. Keep their energy
bars really high. They'll get better in a few days. You might need to take a
sick day off from work. It's also a good idea to keep sick Sims away from
healthy ones, or they might infect them.
You heard it here.
4.3 Money and Jobs
You need money to pay the bills, eat, and buy new stuff. And the only ways to
get money is selling things, getting an important phone call, or working at
your job. Now, selling things will not get you the money you started with, as
a used coffeemaker isn't worth as much as a new one. Important phone calls
are very random and you can't rely on them (but if you get one, you get lots
of money - often more than a job gets in a day). But a job is the best way to
let those Simoleons roll in.
There are a variety of jobs - Law Enforcement, Medicine, Science, X-Treme,
Athlete, Politics, Military, Business, Entertainment and Life of Crime. Most
of them are the same thing - i.e. you don't get a VCR or something like that
if you enter the Entertainment career track. But things like skill points
needed, uniforms, pay, amount of different jobs in the career track, or job
descriptions change. First you have to get a job - look in the paper or try
the computer (If you have one). You'll get a window that pops up that tells
you the job opening and it asks you if you want to take the job. If you're
searching online, you can look again for a better job. So you take the job.
Always have one person be a stay-at-home mom/dad/husband/wife to make
friends, do chores and get IMPORTANT money making phone calls. You have to be
up from bed in order to catch that carpool. It will be a very very ugly old
car. Of course, the carpool doesn't have to leaeve until your shift starts -
exactly one hour after it comes. So you have about one extra hour to do your
thing. You can miss the carpool for a day off (no pay, though). Don't miss
two days in a row, though, or else you'll be fired.
If you want a promotion, improve your mood and get the requirements you need.
You can find them in the Job screen. The requirements could be getting more
friends or increasing skills.
THE SKILLS
Mechanical
This comes in handy around the house. It makes it easier to fix that shower
that's been plaguing you or that burnt out bulb that needs replacing. Plus it
saves the cash you spend on the repairman. You read books about mechanical
stuff to increase this. It's often needed in careers like Medicine
(Mechanical work on bodies).
Cooking
The only other one that helps around the house - cooking is crucial to
filling that Hunger meter and preventing fires. Once again - you're reading a
book. One career that likes this is Military (kp duty).
Charisma
It's all in the talk. Don't stutter and others will look at you better.
Practice speech in front of the mirror and it's smooth sailing. Politics
seems to like this, as public speaking is important.
Creativity
New, unique ideas are the key to success in careers like Crime (I guess
there's more than one way to snatch a wallet). Play the piano or Paint to
work on this. Personally, I recommend painting because: a) It's fun - as is
the piano b) it's cheaper c) you can make money by selling tose paintings.
The first few are worth 5, 6, and 7 Simoleons, but soon my paintings went for
ч40 or more!
Body
Looking good and being strong come in handy when you're an athlete, among
other jobs. You can work out on the excercise machine, or swimming in a pool.
Myself, I like the pool, but you can use the excercise machine if you have a
low budget. In the pool, your Room rating plummets while the Fun rating
rises. Plus, Speedos and Bikinis! The excercise machine keeps your stats the
same as they would be if you stood around doing nothing for a while - most
stats slowly dropping.
Logic
Playing chess increases Logic - valued in Science among others. This is
another job where there's only one way to increase it.
When you get a promotion, your carpool gets better, your hours change, and,
most importantly, you make more money.
4.35 The Jobs
How The Jobs Will Be Ranked
I will take into account wage, hours, and overall skills/family friends
needed. I will determine wage and hours by how much money you made/how many
hours you worked if you made it all the way up, spending 2 days at each job.
FF - Family Friends
M - Mechanical
Co - Cooking
Ch - Charisma
Cr - Creativity
B - Body
L - Logic
Note: THIS IS HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO IMPROVE, NOT WHAT YOU NEED TOTAL.
How They're Listed
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Politics
Campaign Worker.........9 AM - 6 PM|ч220|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Intern..................9 AM - 3 PM|ч300|0|0|0|2|0|0|0
Lobbyist................9 AM - 3 PM|ч360|2|0|0|1|0|0|1
Campaign Manager........9 AM - 6 PM|ч430|2|0|0|1|0|1|0
City Council Member.....9 AM - 3 PM|ч485|2|0|0|1|1|1|0
State Assembly..........9 AM - 4 PM|ч540|3|0|0|0|1|1|2
Congressperson..........9 AM - 3 PM|ч600|2|0|0|1|1|1|1
Judge...................9 AM - 3 PM|ч650|3|0|0|1|1|1|2
Senator.................9 AM - 6 PM|ч700|3|0|0|3|1|0|1
Mayor...................9 AM - 3 PM|ч750|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 0
Cooking: 0
Charisma: 9
Creativity: 5
Body: 5
Logic: 7
Total Stats: 26
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 140
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10,070
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Entertainment
Waiter/Waitress.........9 AM - 3 PM|ч100|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Extra...................9 AM - 3 PM|ч150|0|0|0|2|0|0|0
Bit Player..............9 AM - 3 PM|ч200|2|0|0|0|0|2|0
Stunt Double............9 AM - 4 PM|ч275|2|0|0|1|1|1|0
B-Movie Star............10 AM- 5 PM|ч375|2|1|0|1|1|1|0
Suppporting Player......10 AM- 6 PM|ч500|2|0|0|2|1|1|0
TV Star.................10 AM- 6 PM|ч650|2|1|0|1|1|1|0
Feature Star............5 PM - 1 AM|ч900|2|0|0|1|3|1|0
Broadway Star...........10 AM- 5 PM|1100|2|0|0|2|3|1|0
Superstar...............10 AM- 3 PM|1400|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 2
Cooking: 0
Charisma: 10
Creativity: 10
Body: 8
Logic: 0
Total Stats: 30
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 136
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч11,300
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Law Enforcement
Security Guard..........12 AM- 6 AM|ч240|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Cadet...................9 AM - 3 PM|ч320|0|0|0|0|0|2|0
Patrol Officer..........5 PM - 1 AM|ч380|1|2|0|0|0|0|0
Desk Sargeant...........9 AM - 3 PM|ч440|1|1|0|0|0|2|0
Vice Squad..............10 PM- 4 AM|ч490|2|0|1|1|0|1|1
Detective...............9 AM - 3 PM|ч540|2|0|0|1|0|0|2
Lieutenant..............9 AM - 3 PM|ч590|2|1|0|1|0|1|1
SWAT Team Leader........9 AM - 3 PM|ч625|2|0|0|1|2|1|1
Police Chief............9 AM - 5 PM|ч650|2|0|0|2|2|0|3
Captain Hero............10 AM- 4 PM|ч700|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical:4
Cooking:1
Charisma:6
Creativity:5
Body:7
Logic:10
Total Stats: 33
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 128
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч9950
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Business
Mail Room...............9 AM - 3 PM|ч120|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Executive Asst..........9 AM - 4 PM|ч180|0|2|0|0|0|0|0
Field Sales Rep.........9 AM - 4 PM|ч250|1|0|0|2|0|0|0
Junior Executive........9 AM - 4 PM|ч320|2|0|0|0|0|0|2
Executive...............9 AM - 4 PM|ч400|3|0|0|1|2|0|1
Senior Manager..........9 AM - 4 PM|ч520|2|0|0|1|0|2|1
Vice President..........9 AM - 5 PM|ч660|2|0|0|1|1|0|2
President...............9 AM - 5 PM|ч800|2|0|0|1|2|0|1
CEO.....................9 AM - 4 PM|ч950|2|0|0|2|1|0|2
Business Tycoon.........9 AM - 3 PM|1200|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 2
Cooking: 0
Charisma: 8
Creativity: 6
Body: 2
Logic: 9
Total Stats: 27
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 140
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10,800
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Life Of Crime
Pickpocket..............9 AM - 3 PM|ч140|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Bagman..................11 PM- 7 AM|ч200|0|0|0|0|0|2|0
Bookie..................12 PM- 7 PM|ч275|2|0|0|1|1|0|0
Con Artist..............9 AM - 3 PM|ч350|1|2|0|1|0|0|0
Getaway Driver..........5 PM - 1 AM|ч425|1|1|0|1|0|1|1
Bank Robber.............3 PM -11 PM|ч530|2|0|1|0|1|1|1
Cat Burglar.............9 PM - 3 AM|ч640|2|2|0|0|2|0|1
Counterfeiter...........9 PM - 3 AM|ч760|2|0|0|3|1|1|0
Smuggler................9 AM - 3 PM|ч900|2|0|1|2|2|0|1
Criminal Mastermind.....6 PM -12 AM|1100|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 5
Cooking: 2
Charisma: 7
Creativity: 8
Body: 6
Logic: 4
Total Stats: 32
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 134
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10640
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Medicine
Medical Technician...... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч200|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Paramedic...............11 PM- 5 AM|ч275|0|2|0|0|0|0|0
Nurse................... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч340|2|0|0|0|0|2|0
Intern.................. 9 AM- 6 PM|ч410|1|1|0|0|0|0|2
Resident................ 9 PM- 4 AM|ч480|1|0|0|1|0|1|2
GP......................10 AM- 6 PM|ч550|1|1|0|1|1|1|0
Specialist..............9 PM - 3 AM|ч640|2|2|0|0|2|0|1
Surgeon.................10 PM- 4 AM|ч700|2|1|0|1|1|1|2
Medical Researcher......9 PM - 4 AM|ч775|2|1|0|2|1|1|1
Chief of Hospital.......9 PM - 4 AM|ч850|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 8
Cooking: 0
Charisma: 5
Creativity: 5
Body: 6
Logic: 8
Total Stats: 32
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 136
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10440
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Military
Recruit................. 6 AM-12 PM|ч200|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Elite Forces............ 7 AM- 1 PM|ч325|0|0|0|0|0|2|0
Drill Instructor........ 8 AM- 2 PM|ч350|0|1|0|1|0|0|0
Junior Officer.......... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч450|0|0|1|0|0|2|0
Counter-Intell.......... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч500|1|1|0|2|0|0|1
Flight Officer.......... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч550|2|1|0|0|0|1|2
Senior Officer.......... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч580|2|3|0|1|0|0|2
Commander............... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч600|1|3|0|0|0|3|1
Astronaut............... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч625|2|1|0|2|0|2|3
General................. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч650|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 12
Cooking: 1
Charisma: 7
Creativity: 0
Body: 10
Logic: 9
Total Stats: 32
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 120
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10440
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Athlete
Team Mascot.............12 PM- 6 PM|ч110|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Minor Leaguer........... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч170|0|0|0|0|0|2|0
Rookie.................. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч230|1|0|0|0|0|3|0
Starter................. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч300|2|1|0|1|0|1|0
All Star................ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч385|2|1|0|1|0|1|0
MVP..................... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч510|2|0|1|1|0|1|0
Superstar............... 9 AM- 4 PM|ч680|2|0|1|1|1|1|0
Assistant Coach......... 9 AM- 2 PM|ч850|2|0|1|1|1|1|0
Coach................... 9 AM- 3 PM|1000|2|0|1|3|1|0|0
Hall Of Famer........... 9 AM- 3 PM|1300|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 2
Cooking: 4
Charisma: 9
Creativity: 3
Body: 10
Logic: 0
Total Stats: 28
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 120
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч11070
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Science
Test Subject............ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч155|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Lab Assistant...........11 PM- 5 AM|ч230|0|0|0|0|0|0|2
Field Researcher........ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч320|1|0|1|0|0|0|1
Science Teacher......... 9 AM- 4 PM|ч375|2|0|0|1|1|0|1
Project Leader.......... 9 AM- 5 PM|ч450|1|2|0|0|2|0|0
Inventor................10 AM- 7 PM|ч540|1|2|0|0|1|0|2
Scholar.................10 AM- 3 PM|ч640|2|1|2|1|0|0|1
Top Secret Researcher...10 AM- 3 PM|ч740|1|1|0|0|3|0|2
Theorist................10 AM- 2 PM|ч870|2|1|1|1|3|0|1
Mad Scientist...........10 AM- 2 PM|1000|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 8
Cooking: 2
Charisma: 5
Creativity: 10
Body: 0
Logic: 10
Total Stats: 35
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 128
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10640
Job.....................HOURS-HOURS|WAGE|FF|M|Co|Ch|Cr|B|L
Xtreme
Daredevil............... 9 AM- 3 PM|ч175|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Bungee Jump Instructor.. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч250|1|0|0|0|0|2|0
Whitewater Guide........ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч325|1|1|0|0|0|2|0
Xtreme Circuit Pro...... 9 AM- 4 PM|ч400|1|1|0|0|0|0|1
Bush Pilot.............. 9 AM- 3 PM|ч475|1|2|0|0|0|2|0
Mountain Climber........ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч550|1|1|0|2|3|0|0
Photo-Journalist........ 9 AM- 3 PM|ч650|2|1|0|1|1|1|2
Treasure Hunter.........10 AM- 5 PM|ч725|2|0|0|2|3|0|2
Grand Prix Driver.......10 AM- 4 PM|ч825|2|0|1|3|2|1|1
International Spy.......11 AM- 5 PM|ч925|0|0|0|0|0|0|0
Mechanical: 6
Cooking: 2
Charisma: 8
Creativity: 9
Body: 8
Logic: 9
Total Stats: 32
Total Hours (Worked at each job for two days): 124
Total Pay (Worked at each job for two days) : ч10600
Here are the results for the jobs' rankings:
10. Politics - Score.........12.7
9. Medicine - Score.........14.4
8. Life of Crime - Score....16
7. Law Enforcement - Score..16.5
6. Business - Score.........19
5. Science - Score..........21.4
4. Entertainment - Score....25
3. Xtreme - Score...........28
2. Military - Score.........30.4
1. Athlete - Score..........40.7
If you want reasoning behind these scores, email me.
4.4 School
Just as adults have to work, kids must go to school. Every morning that you
have kids, a school bus will come to pick them up. Now, kids don't get fired
from school after skipping 2 days, but if they slack off and their grade goes
down, it's off to military school. Those kids will be gone. To keep their
grade up, they should study on the computer or in a book and you have to keep
their mood up. So don't be a tyrant and make them spend every moment studying
and doing chores - all work and no play equals no more kids. But don't think
that this isn't like a job - If they do well in schoolwork, grandparents will
be generous in rewards for good grades.
4.5 Love, Life, and Death
There are three big things that define the life cycle after one is born. One
falls in love, has kids, and dies. Then it starts over again with the kids.
The same thing happens with your Sims. Let's take the story of SimJim and
SimKim above. Now, they fell in love with each other by chatting all the
time, kissing, etc. (Other social actions include Fight, Tease, Brag,
Compliment, Tickle, Give Back Rub, Play, and Tell Joke). If SimJim proposes
to SimKim (in the same way that they would talk to each other previously),
and SimKim accepts, then SimJim and SimKim move in with each other. Now, If
SimLynn becomes very good friends with SimKim, then SimKim can ask her to
move in with her. It's like propose, just with same-gender Sims. But when
SimJim moves in with SimKim, or vice versa, then all their money is pooled
together, and, if either is living alone but with kids, then the kids come
too. If there's another adult, then the kids stay with him.
In The Sims there is an incredible amount of jealousy. If SimLynn and SimKim
both love SimJim, then when SimLynn sees SimJim and SimKim kissing, SimLynn
will go up and deliver a great big smack across SimKim's face and they won't
like each other very much. SimLynn's social rating will fall. But if your
couple makes a quick escapade to the bathroom to smooch, the possibilities
could be endless.
Now, SimJim and SimKim are married. They are so happy together that they now
can sleep together. One day you may get a window asking, "Do you want to have
a baby?" If they just live together, are two same-gender Sims, or just SimJim
living alone the window will ask, "Do you want to adopt a baby?" Babies are a
real pain in the but, but you can manage them effectively. If you only have
one adult (assuming there are two) tending to the baby at a time, and you let
them alternate, things will work out. While SimJim is tending to the baby,
SimKim could be watching TV, cooking dinner, or taking a bath. And Later,
during SimKim's turn, SimJim could repair that fussy sink, shoot hoops, etc.
If it's bedtime, let SimJim sleep on the couch and keep SimKim in bed by that
fussy little monster. When the baby's crying, everyone (except kids) in the
room wakes up from their naps and complains about him. So let SimJim get a
good night's sleep and SimKim can tend to the baby (But let SimJim watch him
tomorrow). Don't neglect the baby! My first kid cried all night in the living
room while Rob and Jean (my Sims' names) snoozed away upstairs. Pretty soon,
El Social Workero came and busted us and took little baby away. But I learned
better and now it's a family of four, with Joanna (looks like she likes
Barbies) and Allen (Ultra-Nerd. He has a pocket protector and thick
glasses!). When tending to babies, there are 3 options. Feed, Play, and Sing.
When the baby wakes up crying you should probably feed him, play with him and
sing him to sleep. If he's still awake, feed him again and sing to him again.
Feed and sing until he falls asleep. After exactly 72 Sim Hours, your baby
will have grown up. He's now a kid. Kids don't require much looking after by
the parents. All you have to do is let adults cook for them (they can only
grab snacks from the fridge) and they do the rest, sleep themselves, have fun
themselves, etc.
Finally, there's death. Death occurs when: A)You starve B) Your oven sets on
fire and kills you C)You get electrocuted from attempting to fix something.
If they die then an urn or a tombstone (depending whether they die indoors or
out) is placed. There is 24 hours of mourning by the family, and then they're
free to do whatever. But they can go back and mourn if they want. But if
there's death, theres a ghost who'll come around the house randomly and spook
whoever comes near...
--------------------------
5. Cheats and other stuff
--------------------------
From GameSages (www.gamesages.com)
Command Prompt: Press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + C during game to display the command
prompt.
1000 Simoleons: Type "klapaucius" at the command prompt. Submitted by the
Simoleons
7000 Simoleons: Enter the "1000 Simoleons" cheat, then type "!;!;!;!;!;!;!"
at the command prompt. Submitted by the Simoleons
Display Personality and Interests: Select a Sim, then type "interests" at the
command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Draw all frames: Type "draw_all_frames on" at the command prompt. To turn it
off, type "draw_all_frames off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Island home: Type "water_tool" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Map Editor: To enable the map editor, type "map_edit on" at the command
prompt. To turn it off again, type "map_edit off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Route Balloons: Type "route_balloons on" at the command prompt. This displays
little balloons explaining why a character is delayed or not doing what you
asked. To turn it off, type "route_balloons off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Set event logging mask: Type "log_mask" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Set free thinking level: Type "autonomy #" at the command prompt, where # is
an IQ between 1 and 100.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Set grass growth: Type "grow_grass #" at the command prompt, where # is a
rate of growth between 1 and 150.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Set time of day: Type "set hour #" at the command prompt, where # is an hour
in military time (1-24).
Submitted by the Simoleons
Tile Information: Type "tile_info on" at the command prompt, then move your
cursor over any object for detailed information. To turn it off again, type
"tile_info off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by the Simoleons
Toggle "Ticks": Type "sweep on" or "sweep off" at the command prompt.
Submitted by The Simoleons
--------------------------
6. Links
--------------------------
The Sims Homepage - www.thesims.com
GameFAQs - www.gamefaqs.com
--------------------------
7. Known Bugs
--------------------------
All These Bugs can be fixed with patches on thesims.com
Sim Twitches and Melts into Ashes
Sim Walks Around Nude
Sim Permanently Censored
Sim Killed by Guinea Pig
Sim Changes Clothes due to Guinea Pig
Repairman Dies
Neighbor tells Sim to come visit
Can't Delete Desks
Can't Take Night off for jobs without being fired
Staircase Says "In Use"
No Comfort from Recliner
Carpool Doesn't Arrive
Can't Clean up snack from floor
--------------------------
8. COMING SOON
--------------------------
I expect to have a full blown FAQ. Send me questions!
Copyright 2000 MaxisMaster (Joe Kaiser)