Live Events in video games are becoming more and more commonplace following the success of Fortnite's live music and server-wide events. Why doesn't The Sims do that, then?
Well... The Sims 5 might just be getting Live Events as a full feature, judging by the recently-announced The Sims Sessions event coming to The Sims 4. We think The Sims 5 needs to be taken to the next level and this is how.
Does The Sims 5 Need Live Events?
With each expansion added, The Sims games get closer to being a fully complete representation of real life. The Sims 5 is never going to be perfect and, frankly, we're not sure we want it to be.
However, a lot of people strive for realism while playing a Sims game and we're sure that EA and Maxis want to bring the best parts of real-life to their games.
That's why The Sims' Pets expansion packs are so popular, right?
Live Events are a big part of a lot of people's lives and this is one aspect that The Sims series has rarely touched on. Whether it's a theatrical production, a music gig, or a stand-up show... People like live entertainment.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this has been one thing a lot of people have missed out on, and if The Sims 5 could promise a front-row seat to an exclusive live event, why wouldn't people take them up on that?
Epic Games has proven that these sorts of events work in Fortnite, whether that's a show from Marshmello or an in-game event of their own creation. We know that The Sims 5 isn't a battle royale, but implementing Massively Multiplayer Online features is arguably the best way to further authenticate a Life Simulator.
The world is getting more and more connected each day and it's time The Sims brings Oasis Springs, Willow Creek, and all their other neighbourhoods into an interconnected modern world.
The Sims Sessions Could Be A Taster
Why are we talking about Live Events in The Sims 5, anyway? Well... They could actually be on the way. The recently-announced Live Event, The Sims Sessions, could be a way for EA and Maxis to test the idea before fully committing to it in their upcoming Sims game.
The Sims Sessions is an in-game music festival that's due to run from June 29 until July 7; Bebe Rexha, Glass Animals, and Joy Oladokun are all due to perform.
How is The Sims 4's The Sims Sessions Live Event going to work, though? Well...
There's going to be an in-game festival where you can "buy artist-themed merchandise, run your own craft sales table, or snack like a rockstar at a food stand."
The Sims 4 is also going to have tents that you can sleep in or... "Woohoo to the music". We're not sure if the team behind The Sims 4 have ever been to a festival. No one really wants to "Woohoo" in a tent. Anyway...
During The Sims 4's The Sims Sessions Live Event, you can also perform on stage yourself as well as watch the live acts. At the moment, there's nothing specific on how you'll access this as the Official Site just says the following...
- The Sims 4 is your ticket to the concert.
- Practice your dance moves while you download The Sims™ 4.
- Start the game and get your Sims rock-out ready.
It all seems simple enough, right?
Would It Work As A Full Feature?
That's hard to say at the moment. The idea is a nice one, but it looks like The Sims 4 is still going to feature a localised area as opposed to a fully shared multiplayer experience.
We've talked about The Sims and Multiplayer for a while now, as this is the one thing The Sims 4 is really missing, and it looks like Live Events could be a way for The Sims 5 to bridge the gap between Single-Player Life Sim and MMO title.
Everyone has a favourite Sims character they've created and it wouldn't be too complicated to allow players to attach one of these to their EA Origin account. From here, it's just a matter of adding a lobbying feature for communal areas that are independent of the single-player game.
The Sims 5 could actually take a leaf out of Grand Theft Auto's book in this respect. GTA 5 has an offline, single-player world and an Online, multiplayer world. Both are similar but operate differently.
In an effort to marry this further into The Sims' life simulation, The Sims 5 could easily introduce Music Venues, Comedy Clubs, and Theatres that have both an offline and online version. The offline version will be filled with NPC Sims, much like they are in The Sims 4. The online version, though, that's where The Sims 5 could shine.
You queue up, you get entered into one of the new Live Event lobbies, and you truly take The Sims 5 to the next level.