Summary
The Sims 4will soon allow NPCs to attempt advancing relationships with player-controlled characters, thus making in-game romance play out much more realistically. The change will be part of the upcomingLovestruckexpansion forThe Sims 4.
EA announcedLovestruckin late June, attaching a July 25 release date to the add-on. The company has now shared many new details about thelatestThe Sims 4expansionas part of its recent digital preview event.
The Sims 4: Lovestruck Will Give NPCs More Romantic Agency
Among other things, the publisher has revealed thatLovestruckwill make romance more realistic by giving Sims greater agency. Specifically, NPCs will soon be able to make attempts at progressing their relationships with their partners, which is an action that has so far only been available to the player. The ultimate decision on whether to advance a relationship or not will still be up to the player, GamesRadarreports, citing a statement from EA Senior Game Designer Josh Contreras.
A vocal section of the game’s fandom has long been asking for NPCs to be granted this kind of romantic agency. The demand for this feature is reflected in the fact that numerous popularThe Sims 4romance mods, such as Autonomous Proposals & Breakups and NPC Relationship Autonomy Fix, have already been offering something of the sort for years. And while their usage is hence likely to drop followingLovestruck’s release, they are still likely to remain relevant given how this change will seemingly be exclusive to the $39.99 expansion, which not everyone will buy.
On the other hand, EA is also preparing afreeThe Sims 4updatethat’s scheduled to debut a week ahead ofLovestruck, on July 18. The patch will introduce some major changes to the base game, including the much-requested support for polyamorous relationships. More venue interactions like flexing at the gym will also be part of the package, together with curved pool designs, among other novelties.
As for the game’s 16th paid expansion, EA is currently trying toincentivizeThe Sims 4: Lovestruckpre-orders with a number of digital bonuses, including a Basic Breakup Double Bed and Cry Me a River Eyeliner. These extras will also remain available post-release, up until September 5. Aside from giving NPCs more romantic agency,Lovestruckwill also refine dating through the addition of a turn-on and turn-off system governing Sims' attraction to one another. Furthermore, the expansion will put an end to the annoying issue of other NPCs interrupting dates in public places by initiating conversations.
The Sims 4
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