Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

I've been playing The Sims lately and have really been enjoying myself. But my version of the game had some bugs, such as, for example, fly-covered potato chip bags that were stuck to the floor.

Unfortunately, these bugs couldn't be fixed with the downloadable patch, since I was running an unlicensed version.

For my birthday, sweet guy that he is, The Gryphon got me The Sims: Deluxe Edition and the expansion pack, Sims Unleashed, which introduces pets into the Sim world. I fretted about not being able to play with the families I'd already created, until I learned I can import them quite easily. Maybe I'll have them move in later, at least, I'll move the happy couple in, not necessarily the dysfunctional one.

We installed the program yesterday and then spent some time together coming up with Sims to populate the neighborhood. I decided to start out with a bunch of singletons and become friends, move in together or start romances.

When you play The Sims for awhile, you view the world around you in terms of the game. For example, taking care of a dog is a lot like playing The Sims. You have to make sure she has all her needs met. You have to make sure she's fed, that she gets to go outside, that she gets petted, that she gets activity. This will keeps her happy and therefore, less likely to sit next to you making petulant noises while you're trying to work.

Last night, we watched the movie, The Station Agent. It's an indie film which is more of a quiet film based on observational humor and emotional character development. The story focuses on three people, who fill each other needs when they come together.

One of the characters, Joe, is really outgoing and social, always trying to make friends. Another character, Finn, is a little person who's standoffish and, in his own words, boring. I joked that Joe had his "outgoing" tribute maxed out, while Finn had very little in his personality.

Of course, as happens the first time I get interested in something new, I had dreams last night about my Sims, about getting them things that would make them happy. I trust this will pass in time, but some good ideas came to me in my sleep. For example, trading in the expensive computer for a chess set and an easel, so my sim can not only enjoy himself but learn logic from the chess set and creativity from the easel. The computer is only good for finding jobs and having fun, and he's already got a job.

His neighborhood is populated by cats and dogs who liked to come by and visit, sometimes begging him for food. There are apparently no leash laws in the world of the Sims. But I'm going to wait to adopt a pet until I understand more about how to take care of them, remembering the baby fiasco.

The Gryphon is a fan of video games, so he had no trouble with the fact that for several hours yesterday I played my new game. Meanwhile, he played his version of The Sims: Bustin' Out on his Sony PS2.

When we looked up, it was 7:30 p.m. We said, "Hmm. Maybe we should eat something. Maybe we should socialize with each other."

Which brings up an important point: it's important, while playing The Sims, or any video game for that matter, to make sure your own needs are met. So you don't, for example, play for hours, forgetting to use the bathroom or eat or sleep. Social contact is important, with people who are not digitized. It's important not to let your dishes pile up and your house fall down around you.

It's occurred to me that The Sims probably appeals to different people for different reasons. I'd imagine a lot of women enjoy it because it's a lot like playing with a doll house, or the way we played with Barbies: create characters, give them names and occupations, then play out relationships.

But our Barbies, like sitcom characters, never had to use the bathroom and only needed to eat when it was dramatically important.

Some guys probably also appreciate that version of it. The Gryphon, for example, told me he enjoys the "soap opera" aspect of it. He encouraged me to create at least one character who wasn't as nice and could stir things up.

Of course, there are also people, presumably mostly male, who enjoy playing The Sims in order to pursue less noble causes, such as pursuit of the most money, regardless of how many Sims have to die in the process. But these are probably the same guys who used to set fire to their sister's Barbies.

I agree with The Gryphon's soap opera comment. If you pay attention to how the Sims interact, little stories played out. For example, the neighbors who came over and fought in front of my Sim, arguing about their daughter until pizza came. Pizza solves all problems.

Just for fun, I've started a blog, Sim Life, where I can keep track of major events in my little Sim neighborhood. Maybe I'll also get some ideas for short stories, as well as feed my creativity in different ways while I feed my new obsession.

Copyright 2004 by Alyce Wilson

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