Computer
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Computers are electronic objects in The Sims, The Sims 2, The Sims Stories and The Sims 3. Computers have appeared in every Sims game except for The Urbz: Sims in the City, The Sims 2 Castaway, The Sims Castaway Stories and The Sims Medieval. Their uses differ greatly from game to game, though in all games they are used to look for jobs and satisfying the Fun motive by playing video games.
The Sims
In The Sims, computers are primarily Fun objects, with a couple of added bonuses to make up for the cost. A player who wants a Sim to have particular job may find it wise to have them invest in a cheap computer, as it will speed up their search fourfold as well as providing a good way for any children to study.
Function | Description | Requirements |
---|---|---|
Gaming | Raises fun, depending on computer model. | None |
Finding a Job | Lists 3 jobs a day, while a newspaper has only one. | Adult life stage |
Studying | Raises grades over time. | Child life stage |
Computers vary dramatically in price, as shown below. Despite the difference in cost, the only thing separating the models is the amount of fun gained by playing on them.
If a computer is placed on a community lot, only the Gaming function will be available. Sims who use a computer on a community lot will be charged between 5 and 35 Simoleons, depending on the computer's Fun rating.
Computers
Image | Name | Cost | Fun |
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Moneywell Computer | §999 | 3 | |
Microscotch Covetta Q628-1500JA | §1800 | 5 | |
The Brahma 2000 | §2800 | 7 | |
Meet Marco | §6500 | 9 |
The Sims 2
Some of the computer functions in The Sims 2 are similar to the phone functions in The Sims. The uses of a computer have been greatly expanded, as they could previously only be used for gaming and finding jobs. Computers on community lots can be used for more than just gaming, though some features are not available, and Sims are no longer charged for using them.
There are only two models in the base game; the §1000 Moneywell Computer, and the §2800 Little Sister, WD-15. The only difference between the two is that the Little Sister raises a room's Environment score.
Teen Style Stuff added a §2000 computer which also raises the Environment score. This computer, the Pear ShinyStation XTR, was also included in Apartment Life, but was not made visible in the catalog. Players who have Apartment Life but not Teen Style Stuff can make it visible in the Buy mode catalog by installing the proper Extra from the latest CEP. The free computer that Rod Humble delivers in FreeTime appears to use the same style. Apartment Life added the LyfeBGon Computer, which costs §1900, and raises the Environment score.
On September 13, 2004, EA made an Alienware computer available for download from the Exchange for The Sims 2. This computer costs §3100, and has a slightly higher Fun rating than other computers. While this download is still available, players should note that it was never updated for any expansion packs. While it will work with expansions, only the base-game functions will be available. Updated versions are available as custom content.
Players should note that, unlike other Buy mode objects in The Sims 2, newly bought computers depreciate as soon as the player switches back to Live mode.
Actions
Players should note that custom computers may not have options from some expansion packs.
Function | Description | Requirements |
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Find a Job | Lists five job openings a day while a newspaper only has three. The computer generally has better jobs than those found in the newspaper. | None |
Play Games | Raises fun and Games enthusiasm[TS2:FT]. Will wake Sims who are sleeping in the same room. | When a computer is bought, SSX 3 will be installed on it. Sims can play other games if purchased.[n 1] |
Find own place | Moves selected family member into the Family Bin. | Cannot be used unless there are at least 2 members in the household |
Send Email/Check Email | Allows Sims to send email to Sims they know, and to check email. If the Sim has email, a sound will play and the sender's face will appear in a thought bubble. | None. Playable Sims without computers can send and check email on community lots, and can be emailed. Sims in the family bin cannot be emailed or send email |
Chatrooms | Lets Sims chat online with other Sims; Sims may chat autonomously. Children can chat, but only with other kids. Raises Fun and Social, and will automatically end when Social is nearly full. Can fulfill a want to meet somebody new. Boosts daily relationship by a point every few game minutes; most chats will not last long enough for this to be significant. If the two Sims are friends, will often result in the player being prompted to invite the other Sim over. | Not available on community lots. Townies and playable Sims with computers may be available for chatting, and there is a small chance of NPCs being available, but which (if any) Sims are available at any time is determined at random. Sims in the family bin will never be available for chatting. |
Order Groceries | Orders groceries online. | None |
Write a Novel | Builds creativity and Film and Literature enthusiasm[TS2:FT]. The money made depends on the writer's creativity skill and their mood while writing. This feature is enhanced in FreeTime. | Not available on community lots, unless they are in a college sub-neighborhood.[n 2] |
Join LAN Party[TS2:U] | When a Sim plays a computer game, another can join using another computer on the lot. This will also raise the Social motive of the Sims. | Two computers or more. |
Apply and View scholarships[TS2:U] | If teen Sims meet the requirements for a scholarship, they can apply for one. | See the requirements for scholarships. |
Register or Change Major[TS2:U] | Young adults can change major via computer. | Young adult only. College lots only. |
Write Term Paper[TS2:U] | Young adults at college can write a Term Paper to improve their semester grade. | Young adult only. College lots only.[n 2] |
Hack Grades
[TS2:U] |
Young adults who join a secret society can improve their class performance by using the computer to hack their grades. | Young adult who is Secret Society member only. College lots only. |
Start Home Business[TS2:OFB] | Starts a home-business. | None, but not available to young adults. |
Purchase a Community Lot[TS2:OFB] | Adds Real Estate... interaction to purchase a community lot or order a deed. | Ordering deed requires an owned community lot. College and Vacation community lots cannot be purchased. |
Manage Business
[TS2:OFB] |
Hires or fires employees for an owned business or checks in a business lot. | At least one owned business. |
Find Pet Job[TS2:P] | Lists all three job listings for Pets. | At least one Pet. |
Book Vacation or Honeymoon[TS2:BV] | Plans a vacation trip or honeymoon. | Honeymoon can only be booked by engaged Sims. |
Order Photo Album[TS2:BV] | Orders a photo album or print a snapshot. | At least one snapshot taken. |
Purchase a Vacation Home[TS2:BV] | Adds Real Estate... interaction to purchase a Vacation Home or order a deed. | Ordering deed requires an owned Vacation Home. |
Browse hobbies[TS2:FT] | Sims can browse hobby tips online. | Hobby enthusiasm level 4. |
Blogging about hobbies[TS2:FT] | Sims can post hobby tips online. | Hobby enthusiasm level 7. |
Start Gaming Competition[TS2:FT] | Starts a gaming competition. Sims can choose any game to compete. Competing in a residential lot or dorm will not award money to the winner. | Two computers or more. |
Write Restaurant Guide[TS2:NL]and[TS2:FT] | A Sim can write a restaurant guide, which is similar to writing a novel, only faster. The money made depends on the writer's cooking skill and Cuisine enthusiasm. | Pleasure Aspiration Benefit. |
Search for Roommates[TS2:AL] | A Sim can search for a roommate to help with the rent. Only one roommate can be chosen. The number of roommates available on the list depend on Sims' reputation. | Sims who live in an apartment. |
- Notes
- ↑ At times, SSX 3 may disappear from the Play... menu option after another game is purchased. Buying a video game console appears to restore it, even if the video game console is then sold
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 All computers in a college sub-neighborhood are considered to be part of a campus network, and a term paper or novel started on one can be continued on any other.
The Sims 3
The features of a computer have again been changed, and reflect the functions of a real, present-day computer more realistically. With the exception of the chess feature, the types of computers are identical apart from the fun they give while gaming. In The Sims 3, many features of computers now have requirements such as traits.
There are three types of computer in The Sims 3 base game: the cheapest costs §800 and has a Fun rating of three, the mid-range computer costs §2,150 and has a Fun rating of seven, and the most expensive one costs §4,000, which is a portable laptop. Another computer is added with High-End Loft Stuff, the MindMax Uni-PC 7200 costing §3,450, and a laptop from Outdoor Living Stuff, costing §5,000.
Actions
Function | Description | Requirements |
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Writing | Refine the Writing skill, write a novel, article, or screenplay. | Depends on Sims' Writing skills and career. |
Find a Job, Profession, or Self-Employment[TS3:A] | Lists five job openings a day, jobs generally better than those found in a newspaper. Sims can also find a profession or register to be self-employed. | None |
Work from Home | Increases Sims' work performance | Workaholic |
Chatroom | Raises a Sim's social need and may meet a new Sim. | None |
Play Game | Raises fun depending on the model of computer and if it's been graphically improved. | None |
Upgrading | Makes a computer Unbreakable or gives it Improved Graphics. See also Handiness. | Handiness skill. |
Chess | Raises Logic and hidden Chess skills. | Non-cheap computer |
Join/Leave Book Club | Sim receives one book a week for a one-time fee of §250. | Bookworm |
Solve the Unsolvable | Grants money if the Sim succeeds. Any interruption may result in failure. | Genius |
Hack | Sims can earn money doing this from 9 PM to 7 AM. May randomly cause the computer to get a virus and break. | Computer Whiz |
Hack into VIP List[TS3:LN] | Sims can hack so they can enter the VIP areas of a club or lounge. | None |
Overclock | Makes computer Unbreakable or improves the graphics. Can be attempted once per computer and has chance of breaking it. | Computer Whiz |
Troll on Forums | Later Sims may check for responses, which gives good or bad moodlet randomly. | Any one of the following: Evil Grumpy Inappropriate Mean Spirited |
Perform Analysis | Takes a couple of hours and earns §600. Can be done an unlimited number of times at any time of day. | Level 10 Law Enforcement, Forensics Branch |
Travel[TS3:WA] | Plans a travel to a destination | Some occurring events disable the interaction, such as moving, growing up, burglary, and so on |
Sign Up for Afterschool Activity[TS3:G] | Children and teenagers can sign up for an afterschool activity via computer. | Up to 2 afterschool activities |
Enroll in Boarding School[TS3:G] | Older Sims can enroll and remove children and teenagers in and from the boarding school. | Must have children or teenagers |
Adopt a Pet[TS3:P] | Enables Sims to adopt a pet in the adoption pool. | None |
Place Pet for Adoption[TS3:P] | Removes a pet/pets in the household for adoption. | Must have a pet in the household |
Online Dating[TS3:S] | Sims can create, browse, edit, or remove a profile, check online messages, and browse other Sims' profiles. | Young adults or older |
Check Weather[TS3:S] | Sims can check the overall weather and precipitation for the upcoming week. | None |
Computers
Easy Machine from Fred's PC Hut
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It's time to join the future... or at least the past decade, with this affordable and Sim-Friendly PC! Meet new friends via the fabled internets, or enjoy the games the youth have been extolling! Fred's PC Hut: Simple computing for simple Sims.
oTron 200 Thinking Computer from Landgraab Industries
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Sleek, stylish and expensive, the oTron 200 Thinking Computer is man's finest companion. Far beyond mere humans and other non-thinking computers, the military has trusted the oTron 200 for years. Shouldn't you?
XS 4258p Laptop from Landgraab Industries
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The heartpounding joy of mobile computing has arrived! The XS 4258p XS 4258p Laptop from Landgraab Industries features the revolutionary OmniOcto Onboard AI, 4 nano rams and a hugely small harddrive that guarantees you can finally take it with you. With so much processing power in your pocket, why go home?
This computer is portable and can be taken to community or other residential lots. This is the first portable laptop introduced in the series.
MindMax Uni-PC 7200
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MindMax strikes yet again with another monstrous desktop computer. The MindMax Uni-PC 7200 includes everything a Sim could ever want in a computer, including the ability to generate features that might be desired in the future. The widescreen swivel display is perfect for chatting, web surfing, and losing hours of time to the latest hi-tech video games.
Bodkin Laptop Computer by PeachySoft
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High-speed processor , gorgeous display, and a full suite of pre-loaded software round out this all-in-one package. This computer is so thin, it can be slid under most doorways.
MyPuter by PeachySoft Systems
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Sleek wireless hardware makes this system easy to set up, easy to use and easy to look at. Show off your summer vacation photos during the day, hammer out term papers at night.
Oculo Holo-Computer by Korben Computing
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The Oculo represents a giant step forward in modern personal computing. Holographic emitters aboard this floating sphere project the planet's most hilarious cat pictures in three stunning dimensions.
Trivia
- The default operating system running on computes in The Sims 2 appears to resemble Windows XP, possibly because the game was released in 2004. The operating system is the same for all computers in the game. The operating systems on the computers and their screens can be changed using SimPE.
- The computers in The Sims 2 also seem to have a "BSOD" screen, found in SimPE. BSOD stands for Blue Screen of Death, which can occur as the result of a critical error in the Windows operating system. Though the BSOD screen does exist in the game, it isn't used.
- Despite that The Urbz: Sims in the City takes place in a modern city setting, computers do not appear in the game. They do, however, appear in the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS versions of The Urbz.
- In The Sims 3 and The Sims 3 for consoles, if a Sim uses a computer while visiting someone's house, the player will get a message saying "Sim's name is behaving inappropriately! If he/she continues, I will have to ask him/her to leave." However, using a laptop, such as the Landgraab Industries laptop included in The Sims 3, will not cause the message about inappropriate behavior to appear.
- Using the Edu-Osmosis Laptop, however, displays the message.
- The Sims 2 Castaway, The Sims Castaway Stories, and The Sims Medieval do not feature computers, as they take place in an island or medieval setting.
- In The Sims 3 on consoles, a stylish wooden laptop called the Anachronism VCT can be obtained via the challenge shop. It will then be available for 4,500 simoleons.
- Children in The Sims 2 use the "Hunt and Peck" typing style while using a computer. However, children in The Sims 3 use "Touch Typing" like older Sims.
- In The Sims 3, when a sim starts up a computer, the start-up sound is the exact same sound when you complete a mission from The Sims Bustin' Out.