With The Sims there are always fun things in the game, but mostly it is outside the player’s control. We decided that it might be fun to give the players some control. Many players The Sims, especially on consoles in small periods of time, and Karma Power allows the player to achieve and have more fun in a shorter time. Of course we have to keep the game strategic, as this is part of the gameplay, so the player does not feel that the game has changed completely when playing on console.. It is of course why we have added Karma Points, which opens up this ability in the game, but does not change too many aspects.
Now there are karma karma powers to use and abuse, but they differ on the various console versions, why is this?
We would simply make sure that each console owner got something that was unique to their console. Of course, Karma powers are the same in all the different platforms, but each console has secured some exclusive powers which can only be accessed on with the Wii, NDS or Xbox 360.
How do the karma power works
Karma Powers works independently from personality traits to your Sims, meaning that all Sims can potentially use all karma powers. But they in turn will react differently to these based on their personalities. For example, a sloppy Sim would be disappointed with “Bless The Mess” karma power, while a “Neat Sim” will be delighted. A Sim with pyromaniac tendencies would naturally love “FireStorm” karma.
How do you obtain these powers, and are there limits on how often a player can use them?
Some karma powers are available from the beginning of the game, while others are obtained based upon how far you have played in the game, or how happy your Sim is. Each Karma Power costs points to use, so you’re limited in your ability to use skills repeatedly.
How will you prevent the most destructive players in setting fire to the whole neighborhood? (Question and Answer could not be translated fully)
Now it is Sims, and it means that players can play as they please. But when your ability to use karma powers is limited to how many points you have, you will not burn houses all day long. And as in the real world, players can in this case investing in fire alarms and thus get fast firefighting help.
Besides a potential for a desolate neighborhood, what is otherwise the negative aspects of Karma?
There is Karma-powers as Cosmic Curse you can use to torture your Sim, Epic Fail giving them their worst day ever and of course Quake Maker and FireStorm that trigger natural disasters in selected stores. Besides this you will experience unintended and quite surprising side effects if you use karma powerstoo often. See it as a sort of punishment for misuse of your options.
Does Karma replaces lifetime wishes?
Sims lifetime wishes work independently from Karma-powers, but of course, these new capabilities help your Sim to fulfill his wishes.
Part of Karma Powers system looks like it eliminates the challenge of the game. What has been done to prevent this?
Quite simply, the restrictions we have put through karma points enough to prevent an outright abuse. The budget sets the limits. But now it’s a Sims game, so to talk about winning or losing, it is almost futile. It is one of the amazing things about The Sims. We let the player to set the rules for the story.
To conclude, we would like to hear what a skill that you personally find most interesting (as measured by pure insanity and destruction).
Hmm, personally I would NEVER do anything to harm my Sims, but it is now very nice to regularly send a Fire Storm over my neighbor’s house.
