Free will: Difference between revisions

'''Free will''' is a [[game option]] that enables [[Sim]]s to move and to perform certain actions without being directed by the player. Most of these actions are connected with their [[Motive|needs]], but they doare othersalso justcapable forof funmaking other decisions based on a variety of factors. What Sims do as a result of free will may not always be the best or most rational choices they could make. For example, a Sim who has just enough time to eat and shower before the carpool comes may decide to play on the computer.

By default, free will is on in every game. In most games, it can be enabled or disabled from the "Game Options" menu; exceptions to this are ''[[The Urbz: Sims in the City]]'' and ''[[The Sims 2 Castaway]]'', in which free will does not exist. Beginning with ''The Sims 2'', it is set for each lot, and will be on when a family moves into a new lot.

If controlling a Sim in Direct Control, the Sim has no free will unless if the Sim is switched out or if using Classic Control. The action used by free will is canceled if the Sim is switched to using direct control. For example, Ifif [[Dina Caliente|Dina]] is goescurrently going to work andwhen then you switchswitched to her, she will notchange goout toof her work clothes and thisno canlonger causehead to her carpool, causing her to miss work unless the player directs her to go before the carpool leaves. This problem is not present in ''The Sims 2'' and ''The Sims Stories'' due to the way controls are handled (unless if the user cancels Go to Work). If a Sim that is being controlled in Direct Control is left idle for 10 minutes, the Sim will wave and do a motion at the player to move, then free will is enabled until the player interacts with the game in any way. 

Free will is similar to, and behaves like, free will in ''The Sims 2''. HoweverThe itprimary hasdifference is that there is a timer whenthat to enableenables free will, exafter a given period of time. 2For Minexample, meanssetting thatthe freetimer to two minutes will automatically enable free will betwo enabledSim minutes after 2the minutes.Sim {{clarify}}is no longer being directly controlled.

''[[The Sims 3]]'' allows players to select varying levels of Free Will, namely High, Medium, Low, and Off. Free will does not only keep a Sim sustained in life with almost no player interaction, but will also choose interactions based on the Sim's [[Trait (The Sims 3)|traits]], [[favorite]]s, and how they are compatible with other Sims in [[Social interaction|socialization]]. For example, if a Sim has the [[Greengreen Thumbthumb]] trait, they will autonomously [[Gardening (The Sims 3)|garden]] and take care of their plants and even talk to them. If a Sim knows the recipe for their favorite food they will be more likely to [[Cooking (The Sims 3)|cook]] it than any other dish. Sims will give positive reactions and interactions to Sims who are compatible in traits and the opposite with non-compatible traits. With [[story progression]] on, this free will is more noticeable with other Sims not currently controlled by the player. Sim[[Child]]ren childrenand [[teen]]s will even do their [[School|homework]] if the free will is high enough. When free will is set to off, then Sims react autonomously only in order to save their lives.

Unlike ''The Sims 2'' and ''The Sims Stories'', Sims will not use negative socials unless the Sim has the [[Meanmean Spiritedspirited]] or [[Hot-Headedheaded (The Sims 3)|hot-headed]] traits, or if they are triggered by a specific action, such as being attacked or being kissed by another Sim.

Since free will is configured by Options (Using options.ini) in ''The Sims 3'' and ''[[The Sims Medieval]]'', it applies to all Sims and all towns regardless of the Sims being played.

''The Sims Medieval'' uses the same free will selection as ''The Sims 3''. There is an option to disable Free Will for the current selected Sim or pet.