Synergy between Computer Whiz and Bestselling Author

[oshizu]

Previously, I would often have a sim with the Computer Whiz aspiration switch to Bestsellling Author in order to earn time toward the Computer Whiz's "Have spent 100 hours on the computer" goal.
For example, my sim would spend 60-70 hours playing video games and programming, then achieve 100 hours by writing novels.

In my current file, however, I notice that the hours my sim spends writing barely affects that Computer Whiz goal. My sim has published 10+ books already but that Computer Whiz goal only acknowledges two extra hours spent on the computer.
I'm wondering if Computer Whiz has changed and only counts time spend gaming or programming.


I did complete a factory reset of this file yesterday but the result remains the same. Has anyone else experienced this or am I just playing a very glitchy file?

[Playalot]

I think that you have been unlucky enough to be experiencing many of the post-patch bugs.    BUt hopefully someone else may be able to shed some more specific ideas about the cross-over with these two aspirations. I'm pretty sure that the 100 hours has completed for me easily between the two aspirations on sims in the past but don't have any specific notes so am going by memory!

[coolsim9999999]

I think if your Sim is a tech guru first, it helps them to complete the computer whiz aspiration faster because tech guru's spend more time on the computer skilling up  in video gaming and programming --- and then, they have to do their work homework  for every work day.  I've had writer Sims, and tech guru's seem to have to spend more hours on the computer because they need 2 computer skills, not just one.  However, I think both writers and tech gurus can accrue enough hours on the computer to complete the computer whiz aspiration, but I think, tech guru's finish it faster.

[oshizu]

Earlier in my game, a Tech Guru sim used Bestselling Author to finish off Computer Whiz, so I know it's supposed to work.
I guess I'm trying to figure out which recent changes in my game are caused by "patches" and which by "post-patch glitching."

Just now, I switched my present sim back to Computer Whiz and played video games for an hour; the counter advanced like it should.
This is not a game-breaking issue for my super sim. He just needs to write 2 more bestsellers, then he can return to Computer Whiz.

I will be so happy when the dust settles after the release of City Living!

@coolsim9999999
The sim in question already maxed the eSport Gamer career and both Video Gaming and Programming several sim-weeks ago. By the time he maxed the career, he only had clocked 50 hours on the computer.
That's why he's writing novels now. Oh and because Books of Life are awesome.

[coolsim9999999]

oh wow, @oshizu! 

I have my Sims go past the top level of the career.  I'm have aging off in my main household file, so, the Sims in my main family have more time to max aspirations.  I think my oldest Sim is a Start-up Genius 56, and she makes over §1,200/hour.  I've also had a few Sims max the e-gamer branch and keep going like that. 

In my main family --- about 30 generations of tech gurus, I also have all children begin video gaming and teens begin programming, so they've maxed both skills upon becoming a young adult.

Children, Teens and Young Adults who marry into the Sullivan family all purchase the never weary, hardly hungry, antiseptic, independent, incredibly friendly and steel bladder traits.

This is first floor of my techie main household's first floor --- with all of the science awards' auras on, as well as the other rewards.  There are so many more when the walls are up.


Clubs for computer skills with the networking perk purchased, as well as career rewards all over the house from all of the generations both cause everyone to get very focused, and stay on the computer for a very long time, if I want them to.

[oshizu]

Back to my original question, if you have any of your sims switch to Bestselling Author and write several novels, does time spent on the computer register for the Computer Whiz aspiration?

The sim in question married into my legacy household, so I didn't control him until he was a young adult.

[coolsim9999999]

@oshizu ---

I thought that explaining why/how my Sims spend more time on their computers after they max the tech guru career would help you.  They get additional promotions after maxing that career (and therefore, having to spend more time on their computers because of still needing to complete the daily task)

I was just trying to help you find a solution.

[Whirligig]

I don't have access to the game at the moment/haven't tried this, but is it possible it's not counting hours because the aspiration isn't selected? I know it's supposed to count the hours anyways, but maybe try switching to *any* other aspiration, spend a couple of hours on the computer programming or whatnot, then switch back to tech guru and see if they've been counted?

That will tell you if A) the problem is with doing 'writing' tasks rather than doing programming/gaming tasks.
Or B) if the problem is not having the aspiration selected full stop?

But yeah, it sounds like you've found yet another glitch.

[coolsim9999999]

@Whirligig --- Those suggestions are really good.  I'll bet one or the other of them will work!

[Whirligig]

Eh, I'm not sure that they'll work towards solving the problem - they'll just help us work out what the problem is.

[oshizu]

@Whirligig and @coolsim9999999

I'm not trying to find a solution so much as figure out if the recent patch has changed my game.

Writing novels used to count toward the Computer Whiz's "Have spent 100 hours on the computer."
Last night, after my sim completed Bestselling Author, I switched him back to Computer Whiz and he's been modding games on the household's three new computers and the Computer Whiz hours "hours spent" counter has been advancing.

As an experiment, this morning, I had my sim write a Programming skill book on the computer for two hours, with Computer Whiz selected. This doesn't advance the Computer Whiz "hours spent" counter at all. (Thanks to @Whirligig at suggesting this)

Conclusion:
In my game (emphais on "in my game"), the Computer Whiz "hours spent" counter only advances by programming or playing video games with the aspiration selected. I can no longer use the exploit of having a sim start Computer Whiz, then work on Bestselling Author to help with the "hours spent on the computer" goal.
It's not a game-breaker--I've just lost access to one of my little gameplay exploits.

What I'd really like to know is: Is this a post-patch glitch or simply my bloated save file acting up?

[reggikko]

What I'd really like to know is: Is this a post-patch glitch or simply my bloated save file acting up?

I haven't played either of those aspirations since the patch, but I think they made some changes to game files dealing with counting hours spent on an activity. I was switching between Angling Ace and Outdoor Enthusiast last night. Previously, the "fish for a total of 10 hours" goal only counted if Angling Ace was selected and only after the goal was available on Milestone 2. I switched back to Outdoor Enthusiast not long after Angling Ace's Milestone 2 came up in order to complete "catch 5 fish in Granite Falls." When I switched back to Angling Ace, I saw that I had accrued 8 of the 10 hours needed. Now, I'm not certain if it counted while I had Outdoor Enthusiast selected or if it had counted previous time spent fishing with Angling Ace selected. I didn't really pay attention beforehand and only took note because that particular goal is normally such a slog.

[oshizu]

@reggikko

That's really interesting! As much as I fear Outdoor Enthusiast, I might have to try that, just to test your scenario.