2017-10-18

Grant Rodiek

Hello pet loving Simmers! Last week we told you all about Create-a-Pet and how you can make that perfect little face and the perfect little ears come to life in that perfect little dog or cat. Well, I’m here to blow your minds: That’s not all! That’s right, once you create the pet you can take them into Live Mode to change your Sims’ lives forever. Or should I say, furrever.

First and foremost, we wanted the cats and dogs to feel like cats and dogs. We wanted them to act like animals, ignore social norms, and surprise you. One of the phrases we’d toss around is that they needed to be “Sims for your Sims,” and have that quality to them that is clearly dog-like or cat-like. We told stories to each other of our pets and this guided our efforts. Things like how our cats always hide on the fridge to avoid the dog. Or how my dog always sleeps upside down on the sofa, or how your cat is a side sleeper on the floor. We didn’t want players micro-managing their dogs and cats. That seemed to remove their soul when we experimented with it, but also removed some of the surprise and delight of dog ownership. Instead, we worked to make sure your dogs and cats communicate to your Sims when they need something. Hungry dogs will carry their bowl to their owner when they want food and snooty cats will complain and refuse to use a dirty litter box. We created a slew of Traits to help dogs and cats feel truly distinct. I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi in real life and I love that I can create an in-game Peaches that is Vocal, Hairy, and Active. Or, do I want her to feel Independent? Beyond this, cats and dogs also have quirks. Perhaps your cat is fierce when it comes to something, but absolutely terrified of the TV? You’ll never 100% fully understand your cat and dog, which is why it’s worth investing a lifetime of love to discover everything.