The Sims 2: Apartment Life: Difference between revisions

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{{Pagecover
{{game|
|image=AL_Gallery_4.jpg
|name = The Sims 2: Apartment Life
|pagetype=[[Expansion pack]] for {{Eraicon|TS2}}
|image = [[Image:TheSims2ApartmentLife.jpg|230px]]
|gen=TS2
|develope = [[EA Games]]
}}{{Infobox game
|publish = Electronic Arts
|releasename = The Sims 2: Apartment = August 26, 2008 Life
|image = [[File:The Sims 2 Apartment Life Cover.jpg|250px]]
|platform = Windows
|caption = Move your Sims into the close-quarters drama, humor, and excitement of apartment life!
|rating = 12+
|developer = [[The Sims Studio]]
|publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]
|series = [[The Sims series|The Sims]]
|platforms = [[wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
|release = {{vgrelease|NA=August 25, 2008|AUS=August 28, 2008|EU=August 29, 2008}}
|ratings = {{vgratings|ESRB=Teen|PEGI=12+}}
|genre = [[wikipedia:Social simulation game|Social simulation]]
|modes = [[wikipedia:Single-player|Single-player]]
|input = [[wikipedia:Keyboard (computing)|Keyboard]] and [[wikipedia:Mouse (computing)|mouse]]
|theme = Apartments, [[Theme#Magic|magic]], [[Theme#Social Life|social life]]
|creature = [[Witch]]
|neighbor = [[Belladonna Cove]]
|related pages = yes
}}
[[File:The Sims 2 Apartment Life Icon.png|left|link=]]
'''''The Sims 2: Apartment Life''''' (also known as '''''TS2 AL''''' or simply '''''Apartment Life''''') is the eighth and the last [[expansion pack]] for ''[[The Sims 2]]''. It was released on August 26, 2008. It's notable that apartments, despite the name, aren't the biggest asset of the game. Many community-requested features, including [[magic]], [[butler]]s, and ceilings, are added. This is also the last [[expansion pack]] to support [[Wikipedia:Windows 98|Windows 98]]/[[Wikipedia:Windows Me|Windows Millennium Edition]] and [[wikipedia:Windows 2000|Windows 2000]] while ''[[The Sims 2: Mansion and Garden Stuff]]'' is the last Sims game (and EA's final game) to support those versions of Windows.
 
==Description==
'''The Sims 2: Apartment Life''' is the eight and widely rumored of being the last [[expansion pack]] for [[The Sims 2]]. It was released on August 26th 2008. It's notable that apartments, despite the name, won't be the biggest asset of the game. Most community-requested features, including magic, butlers, ceilings, etc. are added.
[[File:The_Sims_2_Apartment_Life_Logo_(Original).png|left|90px]]
''Your Sims are moving into a brand-new apartment, and their lives will never be the same! Adventure, fun, and drama await them as they meet new people and explore their new neighborhood. Will they take their kids to the local playground, mingle in coffee shops, or hit the park to learn from the breakdancers? Close quarters mean new opportunities-move in with compatible roomies for a thriving social life, advance your career with the right social network, or find true love just down the hall. Whether they live in artsy converted lofts, the ultimate studio bachelor pads, or luxury apartments with their own butler, your Sims will experience all of the excitement of apartment life!''
 
==Belladonna Cove==
{{Main|Belladonna Cove}}
Belladonna Cove is a new neighborhood shipped with ''Apartment Life''. This neighborhood mainly features the apartments and social classes. Parts of the town include slummy urban area, middle class area, and luxurious socialite area. This neighborhood is said to be the best in ''The Sims 2''. Some districts also feature trailer park, industrial area, lofty flats, and luxurious mansions.
 
==Game features==
== Belladonna Cove ==
===Apartment===
Belladonna Cove will be the neighborhood added. It may be named after [[Bella Goth]]. Belladonna is also another name for Beautiful lady which could be the name of the statue as well. The statue is sorta like the sims 2 statue of liberty. The neighborhood contains apartment lots as well as normal [[residential lot|residential]] and [[community lot]]s.
{{Main|Apartment}}
'''Apartment''' is the new type of lot for Sims to reside. Up to four families can live in the same apartment building, but occupy different apartment slots. "Neighbors" can now exist from living in an apartment, unlike living in ordinary residential lots, where "neighbors" are only walkbys from afar. Living in apartments will give some benefits for Sims, or even disadvantages. Sims can meet others in the same lot easily, or visit neighboring families on the next door. On the other hand, neighbors can also make noises behind the walls that irritates Sims.
 
Sims don't buy an apartment, but rent a slot instead. Every Monday, the [[landlord]] will come to charge the rent. Landlords are beneficial [[Non-playable character|NPCs]] because they will take care of the common areas, tend the garden, take care of roaches, and fix the plumbing. Some [[Build mode|Build]] and [[Buy mode]]s options are also locked for Sims living in apartments.
The neighborhood showcases many of the pack's new features, mainly apartments. It has very distinct districts, including slums.
 
Players cannot build an apartment lot without using console cheats. Up to four different families can reside in the same apartment. The rent price will vary depending on the apartment's size, interior architecture, and backyard patio.
== Apartment Lots ==
"Apartments" are a new type of lot for Sims to reside. It's notable that apartment lots DON'T have to be apartment buildings, but just need up to four different sections with a special door separating them. These lots aren't unlike [[hotels]] in [[Bon Voyage]] or [[dormitory|dormitories]] in [[University]]. Up to four playable families can live on one apartment lot. If no playable family moves into spare apartments, then NPCs will move in. Only one playable family is controllable at a time. While it can get cramped, you can have as many Sims live in an apartment as on a residential lot... that's 8 Sims and 2 Pets. You will be able to visit the other families and NPCs apartments.
 
===Roommates===
Every Monday, rent must be paid, either via mailbox, or collected by the landlord (see below). The rent amount is determined by the size of the apartment and the quality of appliances. If you rent an unfurnished apartment, the rent will not go up when you furnish it. If you can't pay your rent, your landlord will submit the total for collection and the [[Repo-man]] will come and take all your stuff.
In order to lower the weekly rent, Sims can search for [[roommate]]s. Roommates will live together with Sims, but they will be unplayable and take care of themselves. Roommates can be searched for via computer or newspaper, or Sims can use the phone to advertise for roommates. They could be nice to the Sims they live with, or could be bothersome. Roommates have a roommate satisfaction meter, which displays how much they enjoy living with the Sims. If the satisfaction meter gets too low, they may move out on their own.
 
===Social class===
Limited [[Build Mode]] features are available in apartments. You can paint their walls and replace their flooring but not move walls or put in new doors. You can however, change the design of the front door; changing the mat and door.
This expansion pack introduces new features to bring more realism of community living, [[social class]]. From now, each lot, whether residential or community, calculates its lot class value. The value will indicate if the lot is high to low. The value is determined by the price of the furniture, the size of the lots, the number of household members, the messiness, and the values of surrounding lots.
 
===Social group townies===
You cannot start a home business out of your apartment nor can there be a community lot in the common area. Apartments can be rented but not owned. Apartments can be placed in base, downtown and shopping neighborhoods only.
[[Social class|Social group townies]] are a new kind of townie. They are the townies who will occupy vacant apartments and become the roommates. There are 5 kinds of Social group townies: socialite, tech, jock, bohemian, and gearhead. Socialites and techies will occupy expensive apartments while bohemians and gearheads occupy the worst. In contrast, they determine how "rich" they are and their surroundings.
 
=== Roommates Reputation===
Sims now have [[reputation]]s. Reputation is determined by how nice or mean a Sim interacts with others. Having good reputation will benefit Sims while bad reputation will give Sims penalties. Townies will also react to the Sims' reputation.
Sims may advertise for one roommate to help with the rent. Once accepted, the roommate (a random NPC) will move in. They won't be controllable, but instead have a "Satisfaction Meter," which tells players how satisfied they are with the apartment. If a roommate dies or moves in with the family, another roommate can take their place.
 
=== Landlords Witch===
{{Main|Witch}}
The [[Landlord]] is a new [[NPCs|NPC]]. The landlord comes on the lot in the morning and leaves in the evening. They will repair, water plants, exterminate roaches and collect rent. Sims may complain about noisy neighbors to the landlord. If the landlord dies or gets married a new one will take his/her place.
The new life state introduced in the expansion pack is Witch. Witches have 3 alignments: a Sim can be good, bad, or neutral witch. As a witch, Sims will have witch attributes, be able to cast [[Spells (The Sims 2: Apartment Life)|spells]], and fly with a broomstick. Spells require [[Magic reagent|reagents]], which witches can craft or buy from the High Witch.
 
===New [[Butler]] =Additions==
* '''New life state''': Witches
It is possible for your Sims to have a butler, which had been available in [[The Sims]] but not [[The Sims 2]] until now.
* '''New death''': [[Death#The Sims 2: Apartment Life|Death by Murphy Beds]]
* '''New NPCs''': [[Butler]]s, [[landlord]]s, high witches, [[spectral cat]]s, human statues, break dancers, and more.
* '''New [[potion]]s''': Witchbegone-E, magically spiced sugar, and enchanted essence of cur tail
* '''New skills''': Break dancing, magic, and [[life skill]]s
* '''New dances''': Dance kiss, classic dance, and break dance
* '''New meal''': Gyro
* '''New places for WooHoo''': Walk-in closet and helicopter
* '''New turn on/turn off''': Witchiness
* '''New door locks''': Allow/disallow roommate and lot visitor
 
===Minor Pets features===
* New [[Simoleon#Starting money|starting funds]]. Instead of receiving a flat §20,000 regardless of size, a household is given extra funds for each Sim or pet after the first adult or elder. How much is given depends on the ages of the additional Sims.
Sims can adopt small, apartment-friendly dogs without the [[Pets]] [[EP]].
* Sims can place one-tile sculptures on flat-top low dressers.
 
===New CarsBuild =mode additions==
* [[Ceiling]]
If your apartment building is built with garages (connected to apartments), then your Sim families can place a car in them.
:Ceiling is a new minor addition. Ceilings are now visible by toggling the ceiling button on the lower left of the HUD. The ceiling can be seen by tilting the camera to the sky from the ground. Also, there is a new buy/build button, the 45 degree view button, which easily allows viewing of the ceiling. Ceiling can be customized by adding floor tiles.
* Measuring tape tool
:This tool automatically activates itself when the player is building walls, half walls, fences, flooring, ceiling, foundations, decks, stages, wall coverings, adjusting terrain, roof, garden plots{{vgversion|TS2:S}}, awnings, and pools. It allows players to see exactly how long the wall segment they are building is, or how many wall coverings/floor tiles they're placing, corresponding to the grid system.
* Advanced wall decoration
:Player can press the {{key|[}} or {{key|]}} buttons to raise or lower the position of wall-hanging decorations. In addition, a cheat, reintroduced from ''[[The Sims 2: Pets|Pets]]'', allows for multiple wall decorations on a section of wall - press {{key|ctrl|alt}} keys to activate while placing wall decorations.
 
==New Helicopters objects==
[[File:ApartmentLife 1.jpg|thumb]]
* [[Murphy bed]] and [[heart-shaped bed]]
* Modular roof set
* [[Vending machine]]s
* ''Go Play!'' playground set
* ''iN Style Closets by Simsational Inc.'' walk-in closets
* ''Reflective'' and ''Unreflective Pride Medicine Cabinet''
* ''Trash-Tahk Trash Chute''
* Spiral staircases
* Decorative pipes and ceiling vents
* ''Modern Arf Indoor Dog Pen''
* ''Very Mysterious Shelving'' secret door bookcase
* ''[[Pearson 206 SimRanger]]'' ownable helicopter and ''Get to the Choppa Helipad''
* New awnings and elevator, originally introduced from ''[[The Sims 2: Open for Business]]''
 
==New interactions==
Sims can now '''own''' helicopters, as long as there is a heli-pad some where on the lot. Helicopter's come in a variety of colors.
;Sims-based
* New kisses. Sims can ''Suck Face'' and ''Dance Kiss''
* New gestures. Sims can greet with gestures according to the social group townie they are interacting with
* Older Sims can read to sleep to a child or teen, and play ''Peek-a-Boo'' with a toddler
* [[Toddler]]s can huggle each other
* Sims can now walk to school or work if they miss the school bus or [[carpool]]
* [[Reputation#Secret networking|Secret networking]]
* Sims can swing children around
* Sims can ask neighbors to babysit youngsters for free, anytime
* Visitors will now perform a farewell gesture when leaving
* Sims can stargaze and watch clouds together as a romantic interaction
* Sims can jump rope/skip<ref>Jumping rope does not increase [[Fitness (attribute)|fitness]]. [http://cyjon.net/node/252 This mod] allows Sims to gain fitness while jumping rope.</ref>
* Sims can learn witchcraft from another Sim who has the knowledge and unlock new spells and abilities.
 
;Object-based
== Reputation ==
* New locking door options. Sims can lock out roommates and restrict neighbors and visitors from entering the apartment
Sims now have "reputations". The nicer a Sim is to others, the higher their reputation goes (and vice versa). Sims with good reputations can get rewards that can help them with their career and relationships. Having a low reputation may increase rent for apartment-owners.
* Toddlers can sleep on pet beds{{Vgversion|TS2:P}}
* Sims can bang walls if their neighbor is noisy
* Two Sims who sleep in the same bed with romantic relationship will cuddle before waking up
* Whenever Sims play an instrument, the listeners will try to find a seat and turn their head to the performer instead of watching while standing
* Sims can turn on silent mode on phones
* Sims can now brush their teeth and wash their face by placing medicine cabinets over the sink
 
== [[Witches]] Trivia==
* This pack, along with ''[[The Sims 2: FreeTime]]'' are the only expansion packs in ''[[The Sims 2]]'' as well as the entire [[The Sims (series)|''The Sims'' series]] never to be released for Mac. It was planned to release both packs for Mac but this never happened. It remains unknown why they were never released for Mac.
''See main article: [[Witches]].''
 
==Gallery==
The [[Life state]] added in Apartment Life is a witch. Witches can be male or female, and are divided into five groups: Infallibly Good, Good, Nice, Neutral, Mean, Evil and Atrociously Evil. These groups are determined by the Witch's "alignment". The differences between these alignments include appearance, types of spells cast and items created, and title. Teens through elders can be witches.
{{Mediahelp|section}}
<tabber>
Screenshots=
<gallery>
AL Gallery 1.jpg
AL Gallery 2.jpg
AL Gallery 3.jpg
AL Gallery 4.jpg
AL Gallery 5.jpg
LoadingScreenLogoOrWhateverAL.png
</gallery>
|-|Comics=
<gallery>
AL Comic - Gearhead.jpg
AL Comic - Bohemian.jpg
AL Comic - Jock.jpg
AL Comic - Tech.jpg
AL Comic - Socialite.jpg
</gallery>
|-|Renders=
<gallery>
Sims2ApartmentLifeRenders.jpg
</gallery>
|-|Videos=
<gallery>
File:The Sims 2 - Apartment Life Official Trailer (PC)|''The Sims 2: Apartment Life'' Trailer
File:Katy Perry - Hot n Cold (Simlish)|Katy Perry - Hot n Cold (''The Sims 2: Apartment Life'')
</gallery>
|-|Box art=
<gallery>
TS2-AL-JP.jpeg|Japanese box art
</gallery>
</tabber>
 
==Media==
"Regardless of the path a Sim chooses to take, all witches get access to a secret community lot inhabited by the High Witch of Light or the High Witch of Darkness (who may be rather familiar to Sims 2 fans)"<ref>[http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/sims-2-apartment-life/893673p2.html GameSpy: Sims 2: Apartment Life Preview]</ref> Some gamers speculate that [[Bella Goth]] may be the head witch. Wikipedia claims that Merlin (of King Arthur) will be the high "witch". In an online chat Sims officials claimed that there would be individual High Witches of Light and Dark unique to each neighbourhood.
{{Mediahelp|section}}
{| class="wikitable heading-blue"
!Track!!Real-world preview!
|-
|''The Sims 2: Apartment Life'' theme
|[[File:Ts2 The Sims 2 Apartment Life Theme.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|''The Sims 2: Apartment Life'' Loading Screen
|[[File:The Sims 2 Apartment Life Startup Theme.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Sim Will Build
|[[File:Ts2 Sim Will Build.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Sim Will Buy More
|[[File:Ts2 sim will buy more.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Ugly Sim Be Cool
|[[File:Ts2 Ugly Sim Be Cool.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Not a Love Song
|[[File:Ts2 Uh Huh Her - Not a Love Song.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Brainless
|[[File:Ts2 Sunny Day Sets Fire - Brainless.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Everything
|[[File:Ts2 A Cursive Memory - Everything.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Getting Better
|[[File:Ts2 Bob Schneider - Getting Better.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Radio
|[[File:Ts2 Castaneda - Radio.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Good Day
|[[File:Ts2 Tally Hall - Good Day.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Come My Sunshine
|[[File:Ts2 The Comas - Come My Sunshine.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Can't Believe My Eyes
|[[File:Ts2 Wainwright - Can't Believe My Eyes.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Crazy
|[[File:Ts2 Jem - Crazy.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Hot n Cold
|[[File:Ts2 katy perry hot n cold.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Sweet About Me
|[[File:Ts2 Gabriella Climi - Sweet About Me.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|This Is A Test
|[[File:Ts2 Shock of Pleasure - This Is A Test.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Violet Stars Happy Hunting!
|[[File:Ts2 Janelle Monae - Violet Stars Happy Huntting!.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Where Would We Be Now
|[[File:Ts2 Good Charlotte - Where Would We Be Now.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Club Soda
|[[File:Ts2 Ghostland Observatory - Club Soda.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Ghosts
|[[File:Ts2 Ladytron - Ghosts.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Fancy Footwork (instrumental)
|[[File:Ts2 Chromeo - Fancy Footwork (instrumental).ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Mad Pursuit
|[[File:Ts2 Junkie XL feat Electrocute - Mad Pursuit.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Battle Royale
|[[File:Ts2 Does It Offend You Yeah - Battle Royale.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Divebomb
|[[File:Ts2 The Whip - Divebomb.ogg|noicon]]
|}
 
;Non-US
===Spells===
''See main article: [[Spells]].''
 
Spells are organized into three categories: "Good", "Neutral" and "Evil". Casting more "Good" spells will result in a witch becoming "Good" or "Infallibly Good". "Neutral" spells have no effect on alignment, but if a witch who is good casts enough evil spells, or vice versa, they can become "Neutral". Once enough "Evil" spells are cast, a witch will become "Evil" or "Atrociously Evil".
 
== [[Interactions]] ==
'''New [[Gestures]]'''
* High Five
* Earthy Hug
* Fake Out
* Kiss Kiss Darling
* Tough Handshake
 
'''New [[Interactions]]'''
* If neighbors become very noisy, use the "Bang Wall" interaction.
* Peek-a-boo social for [[Toddler]]s and [[Toddler]]s can use the "Huggle" interaction.
* Parents can read their children to sleep and swing children around by the arms
* Sims can [[WooHoo]] in the sliding door closet and the ownable helicopter.
* Students can walk to school if they miss the bus.
* You can lock roommates out of private rooms.
 
'''New [[Dancing|Dances]]'''
* Break Dancing
* Classic Dance
 
'''Social Groups'''
 
Mingle with Sims from all-new social groups: stylish socialites, artsy bohemians, sports jocks, gadget-collecting techies, or edgy gearheads. Gearheads and Bohemians are more prevalent in low rent districts while Socialites and Techies are in high rent districts.
 
== Building and furniture==
Building is greatly improved.
 
New features include:
* Ceilings, which can be customized like floors
* Heating and cooling vents and radiators, which can moderate the temperature of any room
* Spiral staircases
* Decorative objects, such as pipes, cornice (skirting-like features that go around the top of walls) and support beams
* Space-saving objects such as Murphy beds and closets, coming in "male" and "female" varieties
* Fun objects for toddlers, children and adults, including a Jungle Gym and an Open Mic.
*Snack and drink vending machines
*Heart-shaped beds, they vibrate and light up.
*Medicine cabinets
*Secret bookcase that can connect rooms in a house or apartment, but not two different apartments.
*New [[Elevators|Elevator]]
*Trash chutes which act like trash cans.
* hot-dog/gyro stand
* a measuring tool that counts the tiles when you are dragging the wall and roof tool.
* ability to move wall hangings up and down the wall.
* A large apartment mailbox (only if living in apartments) which has 9 mail slots.
 
More additions to current objects, like doors and windows, will also be made.
 
Pre-built [[Residential lot|lots]]
*town homes, mobile homes, lofts, penthouses and apartment buildings.
 
== Other Features ==
*'''New [[Skills]]''': ''Fire Prevention'', ''Anger Management'', ''Lifelong Happiness'', ''Physiology'', and ''Couple Counselling'' allowing a new interaction: "Repair relationship with . . ."
*'''New [[Death]]''': be very careful opening the Murphy Bed.
*'''New Vehicle''': Sims can now own helicopters
*'''New [[Potions]]''': [[Witches]] can brew potions existing from previous expansion packs as well as new ones.
*'''New [[Soundtrack Music|songs]]'''
*'''New [[Clothes]]''' and hair
*'''New [[NPCs]]''': street performers, a breakdancer and a human statue
 
== Screenshots ==
<gallery>
Image:ApartmentLife 1.jpg|View of ceiling and spiral staircase.
Image:Group_playground04.jpg|Playground</gallery>
 
{| class="wikitable heading-blue"
==External Links==
!Track!!Region!!Real-world preview!
* [http://thesims2.ea.com/images/home/ep8_teaser.jpg Leaflet shipped with recent EA Games releases]
|-
* [http://www.thesimsresource.com/article/apartmentlife1 TSR: Apartment Life EP Preview]
|Mozdulj Mar
* [http://thesims2.ea.com/about/ep8_index.php TheSims2.com - About Apartment Life]
|Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
* [http://thesims2.ea.com/about/ep8_videos.php The Sims2.com Apartment Life Trailer]
|[[File:Ts2 Lola - Mozdulj Mar.ogg|noicon]]
* [http://thesims2.ea.com/community/chat_08_07_08.php Aug 7, 2008 Apartment Life chat #1 transcript] & [http://thesims2.ea.com/community/chat_08_07_08-2.php Aug 7, 2008 Apartment Life chat #2 transcript]
|-
|On & On
|Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
|[[File:Ts2 Vanilla Sky - On &amp; On.ogg|noicon]]
|-
|Ona Odna (She's Alone)
|Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
|[[File:Ts2 ona odna.ogg|noicon]]
|}
 
==ReferencesExternal links==
* [http://www.thesimsresource.com/article/apartmentlife1 TSR: Apartment Life EP Preview (link is dead)]
<references />
 
==References==
[[Category:Apartment Life]]
{{reflist}}
{{Sims|state2=uncollapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Apartment Life, The Sims 2}}
[[es:Los Sims 2: Comparten Piso]]
[[fr:Les Sims 2: La Vie en Appartement]]
[[ru:The Sims 2: Переезд в квартиру]]
[[pt-br:The Sims 2: Vida de Apartamento]]
[[nl:De Sims 2: Appartementsleven]]
[[pl:The Sims 2: Osiedlowe życie]]
[[Category:Apartment Life| ]]
[[Category:Games|Apartment Life, The Sims 2]]
[[Category:Expansion packs|Apartment Life, The Sims 2]]
[[Category:The Sims 2|Apartment Life]]