The Sims Medieval

[malteser60]

Just read the article all the way through.  Can we say "Age of Empires" or "Ultima" or "Civilization"?  I'm ok with that because I love those games as well, but after you conquered everyone it did get old.  Still, if it is Simish enough it could be great combining the Sims concept with this type of game concept.  Correct me if I'm wrong on my estimation it will be more like that.

Hmmm, I got that feeling too. Felt like a cross between Civilization, Sim city, the Sims, and Age of Empires, with the simlish twist of course. I must admit I have reserved feelings about this. On the one hand it's getting me really excited as I love the medieval period. On the other hand it looks like EA may be trying to do too much. I love RPG's for example, after sims that's my other main type of gaming. So this seems like an RPG yet it also seems like it may be a bit limited. You can't build so there isn't that aspect of the sims that most people like. It also feels a bit linear to me as well. And it also seems like you will be jumping from one sim to the next a lot, which I'm not sure I like as I normally get quite attached to my characters (whether they're sims or other gaming characters). However they do seem like they're trying to cater for those sims players who want to be able to control a whole neighbourhood rather than a family.

Personally I would have loved it if the Sims Medival was basically sims 3 set in Mediveal times, with all the different wishes, LTWs, etc and thus incorporating the mini-quests as a way to get happiness points, for example, so that it's not exactly like sims 3. But then again, that's not the aim of what EA wants to do and I can see their point of view.

At the end of the day, I'll undoubtedly buy it thought! 

[Joria]

So this seems like an RPG yet it also seems like it may be a bit limited. You can't build so there isn't that aspect of the sims that most people like.
Personally I would have loved it if the Sims Medival was basically sims 3 set in Mediveal times, with all the different wishes, LTWs, etc and thus incorporating the mini-quests as a way to get happiness points, for example, so that it's not exactly like sims 3. But then again, that's not the aim of what EA wants to do and I can see their point of view.

At the end of the day, I'll undoubtedly buy it thought! 

The no building might be a major sticking point for many people.  It has given me pause for sure, although, like yourself, I will still buy the game.

When we first heard about it my kid and I had all these ideas and scenarios going through our heads about the castles, towns, etc. we'd build and furnish it with characters from our favorite books.  She was already practicing making characters with CAS so she could get an idea as to what her medieval Sims would look like.  Now that she won't be able to do all that she's not as excited about the game.

[Happytime]

Thanks for those two links Saltypaws. That .nl site's had the best stuff I've read yet on The Sims Medieval.

I'm not all that on fire over the game, but we'll see. If nothing else, maybe The Store will have a huge "Medieval-Tie-in" event and EA'll port some of the pretty shineys over to the Sims3!  

  -- Happytime

[RunAmokSims]

Thanks for those two links Saltypaws. That .nl site's had the bets stuff I've read yet on The Sims Medieval.

I'm not all that on fire over the game, but we'll see. If nothing else, maybe The Store will have a huge "Medieval-Tie-in" event and EA'll port some of the pretty shineys over to the Sims3! 

  -- Happytime

I'd like that. I already love the ones now available on the time machine generated Sims. Then again I think it would be great to have an EP called decades or something like that. It would include clothes and building materials from past decades like the 20's, 40's and 50's.

[Happytime]

Yeah, RunAmok, when I first heard rumblings on the web about The Sims Medieval I really did think they were leaks about an expansion pack in development,.

The Sims3: Travels in Time sounds like a great Expansion Pack to me (dinosaurs!). 

  -- Happytime

[Leto85]

I can't really picture a medieval setting without combat...so don't think it would be all that great as a Sims game.

That is a good statement I agree with.

[The Illuminator]

So this game will be reduced to farming and courtly love...

[Leto85]

So this game will be reduced to farming and courtly love...

Haha, and making magic, I've heard. Also you could play not only with a family now, no: you have a whole kingdom under your control. Dark times are coming...

[The Illuminator]

How many western kings had influence in more land than 1 duchy and his capital city?

[Saltypaws]

I wonder how long they have been working on this.  I know they worked on sims3 for a few years before it was even a rumor, the reason why I say that, is that I am hoping as much thought and time and graphics, go into Sims Medieval as went into sims3.  I would hate to think that it is something they would throw together in a matter of months and then sell it without really testing the water.  I hope that makes sense, I am not bashing EA and would never do so, but think of the money that the sims franchise has brought in and now this is a whole new aspect to the sims and people are getting excited about it now, and of course they are mostly going to buy it.  EA does have a decent reputation, so I don't think they would jeopordize it for something new without many months of testing.  I am just thinking on paper is all.  Was going to say thinking out loud, but that didn't sound right, lol.

[Leto85]

Actually, I agree with you completely Diane. I am to wondering how long they were working on this and how it will suit the gamer. Like I've said in another topic, I got the feeling EA is trying to introduce a different style to see how we gamers will react to this. Maybe expansions will follow if we will react with an overdose of compliments!
Btw, what is jeopordize? I've tried to translate it but don't know the word unless you mean apologize, which could fit the line the word came from.

@The Illuminator: I do not understand that question, neither do I have an answer to it.

[Saltypaws]

In other words, Leto, "put at risk".  

[The Illuminator]

@Leto: It was a retorical question. You said you have to run a whole kingdom. But even kings had little power in medieval times.

[Leto85]

@Leto: It was a retorical question. You said you have to run a whole kingdom. But even kings had little power in medieval times.

Oh yes, I've said kingdom indeed. Simply castle would have been enough.
But those rulers were called different too I thought than 'just' kings. Landlords and other titles would be more appropiate, I believe. But it also differs from country to country. Like America having presidents today and we in Holland are having queens and kings.

[Happytime]

I wonder how long they have been working on this.

Salty, I'm sure it's been percolating for several years. Just from the screen shots, it's definitely past "proof-of-concept" stage; I suspect EA's done some market research on it as well, and the product is already in the marketing pipeline.

I'm sure whatever sort of game The Sims Medieval finally ends up being, it'll be pretty and have a good level of polish. It actually looks like the rendering engine's top-notch, from the screenshots I've seen.

Whether it appeals to the broader Sims fan base, that's to be determined I suspect.

I'm a pretty big Sims fan, but I never did purchase any of the Sim's Stories games. At the time, they seemed to be marketed to Sims fans who either primarily used laptops (and so sometimes the Sims2 would make the laptop smoke and catch on fire), or for more "casual" users.

I'm fine with whatever EA wants to do with the franchise, I just may or may not spend my money on what they offer.

  -- Happytime