The Sims 3: University Life/Detailed features
- University - Sims University
Sims University is a new sub-neighborhood (similar to the sub-neighborhoods in World Adventures) and its university buildings are New England-inspired with some European influences. Its animal mascot is a llama.
Pets[TS3:P] do not show up in university, but paparazzi[TS3:LN] and aliens[TS3:S] may.[1]
When an NPC mascot is around the Sims' lots, they can take an aptitude test. The results will depend on their skills, traits, work experience and school grades[2] which can provide how much financial assistance they can get. The results also show the total aptitude score, along with the sub-scores for the majors and credit award.
Enrolling in university can be done at any time via the phone or the computer. Players will be able to choose their Sims' major and how many credits they can apply to, which affects the length of time the Sims will spend at university. The Sims are not restricted to one major, so they can be enrolled for many majors. They can also customize the duration of the Sims' term in university.[1]
When a Sim gets in the university, the Work tab on the UI is replaced as the Graduation tab. It keeps records of his schedule and responsibilities. The schedule will depend on his major and class load selected during enrollment.[2]
During university stay, time will move slower in the main neighborhood, and Sims cannot marry one another and females Sims cannot be pregnant.[1] Married Sims whom one of them goes for university cannot visit each other, either in university or at home world, but they can still call via their smartphone.[1] If the parent Sims (both father and mother) with their children study at the university, a babysitter will come to their lot and take care of the children.[3] Sims use their family funds to pay for tuition fees and rental payment.[4]
On the first day in Sims University at noon, there will be a "meet-and-greet" orientation at the student union, where Sims can "get to know" one another and get free items at stands.
Classes start on the first Monday morning.[2] On Mondays and Wednesdays, classes are held on one of the university rabbit-hole buildings. They are seminar-styled, which varies from Introduction to "Dodging Questions" to "Methods and Practices of Tragic Clowns". Players are able to choose a variety of tones in these classes, which affects the Sims' academic performances. Some of the tones are: "Chatting with Friends" and "Suck Up to the Professor". The Sims can ask a Sim to attend their classes, but by doing so, the professor may notice.[2]
The lecture halls are open, thus lectures are interactive. This feature is different from The Sims 2: University, where Sims would attend classes off-lot and could not be interacted with.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, classes are held in lecture halls, and Sims can interact with the professors. They can ask questions and take notes. There are also a few interactions which can affect their academic performances. Sims can also do class activities, which give Sims a chance to use academic objects to gain knowledge relating to their major.[2] Sims can schmooze with their professors to ask for extra credit.[3]
Sims can skip classes for two days maximum. Skipping more than two days may result in punishment.
Spring breaks may occur if the player has Seasons installed, and it will depend on when will the Sims' term end.[1] However, there are no holidays in the university.[3]
Sims can make money at university through only part-time jobs.[3]
Sims need to keep their academic performance level up. Different skills the Sims have can help them to do better in academic performance.[4]
Examinations happen during their stay. They are held on Fridays. Sims can study from textbooks, computers and smartphones, or create a group study up to 4 Sims. They can also cheat in the examinations, but they can get caught. Sims with a high computer hacking skill can find examination answers the day before that examination on a computer.[5] There is also a final examination, which the Sims need to be in a good mood and well prepared by studying. Failing it will make a major impact on their final grade.[2]
Sims can drop out university, but this may affect their life in some way.[1] They can be kicked out of a class by cheating,[1] and of the university, but they can lose their scholarship.[3]
Graduations happen after Sims completing their major, and they happen at different times, depending on what they study and when they start attending university. The time taken to graduate will depend on how many classes the Sims take.[4] Sims graduating will don in graduation robes and mortar boards. If Sims graduate in university, they will get an extra trait slot and career benefits, depending on the majors. The grades will affect the advantages, so Sims with higher grades will get more bonuses,[2] while Sims with lower grades will never get any benefits.[3]
Graduated Sims who wants to meet the Sims from university can call them to have them visit their home town and meet.[1] These Sims from university are called "university friends", which functions similarly to "foreign friends" in World Adventures.
- University buildings
Some of the university buildings are similar to Late Night's apartment buildings, where the interior can be customized while the exterior cannot.
The buildings can be added on any home worlds, but they function as rabbit holes with new interactions, thus this will not serve as a real university.[1]
- Majors
Sims can study for majors in Business, Science and Medicine, Technology, Physical Education, Fine Arts and Communications.
They will receive a study object which helps them to improve their academic performance.
| Major | Name of study object[4] | Interactions |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | Frequency Fun Mobile Radio Station[6][2] | Conduct interviews and report on events within university |
| Business | Business Planner | |
| Science and Medicine | Anatomy Skeleton | |
| Technology | Brain Enhancement Machine | |
| Physical Education | ||
| Fine Arts | Sketchbook[citation needed] | Sketch posed Sims (naked or not) |
- New lot types
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At the student union, there will be an option for Sims to sign up for group projects and clubs. The coffee shop assignment in University Life is different from the Coffeehouse assignment from Showtime. The difference is that the coffee shop has an interior with a barista bar which is interactive. The shop will open from 9am to 1am. Hobby shops open from 8am to 2am.
A few lots were made for University Life which may be found in the Community lots tab at Edit Town menu. They are:
Dormitories can be built and edited through Edit Town mode. These dormitories will automatically fill in with Sims acting as roommates.[5] Sims can rent a dorm room or pay and rent an individual house in Sims University. Renting a house is more expensive than living in dorms.[4] Unlike The Sims 2: University, dorms are completely customizable. Players can "set bed ownership" for the Sims by clicking a bed. Sims can kick out their roommates.[3] If there is an unused room in a rented house, a Sim can advertise for a new housemate or two, so that he/she pays less for the rent. Sorority houses are for female Sims while fraternity houses are for male Sims. These houses are more for the social side of the Sims' university life.[4] Sims living in these houses are likely to be dared to do some actions by other Sims.[3] Apartment lots are similar to dormitories. but Sims living in apartments pay the rent each week. The rent cost is determined by the overall value of the lot.[5]
Social groups are groups that Sims usually socialize one another. They can gain influence with as many of these groups they desire. These groups still exist outside university. To know what social group a Sim is in, hover the Sim using the mouse. Sims can choose to join one of the three social groups: the nerds, the jocks, and the rebels. They can be in more than one social group, and the groups are optional to join.[3] The Jocks like to win anything. They usually hang out at B's Bowlarama in Sims University where they practice bowling. They can also throw parties which are considered the best around the university. The Rebels love to work further beyond their expectations. They usually hang out at The Grotto, a hangout with a new pool table. They work on their Painting skill, as they usually tag a wall on the university and drink organic brew from barista bars. They add herbs to the bonfire at the bonfire party. The Nerds like to be smart. They usually hang out at Keith's Komics in Sims University which is a ideal hangout for the nerds as it has hobbies which they can enjoy such as computers, arcade machines and comics. They love to play video games, perform research from their majors, and win trivia challenges. Sims can hang out with these groups and gain credibility, which can offer advantages to them, such as lifetime rewards[6] and unlock new social interactions.[4] To check their current status to the groups, there is the "Check Social Groups" interaction on the Sims' smartphones.
If the Sims become a legend with their social group, they may land a career like:
There are new romantic options in University Life. One of those are kiss interactions. These kiss interactions are "Heat of the Moment Kiss", "Juiced Kiss" and "Cinnamon Kiss", which can spice the relationship a bit higher than a normal kiss.[7] Sims can convince roommate Sims to do things for them. They must be in good relationship in order to do so successfully. They can tag a wall or draw murals using a spray paint. They can choose different sizes for it. Sometimes, it can trigger the police's attention. Sims can get an extra trait slot.[1]
The standard phone in the Sims' inventory is replaced with a smartphone, which looks like a Blackberry smartphone. This smartphone comes with a variety of new skins to apply.[5] It functions the same as the standard phone, but with new features such as:
By taking these photos, the player has the option to either print them out and hang them on a wall, or keep them stored in the smartphone.
The social networking features work in computers and smartphones. The skill can be increased by taking pictures and videos, and blogging, and by doing so, Sims will unlock new social networking interactions. In blogging, Sims can select a blog theme and attach photos to their blogs. The more they blog, the more followers they get, which helps to gain influence with social groups faster, have better attended protests and get more Simoleons for donation and buyouts of their blog.[5] As Sims build this skill, they unlock different smartphone applications in their smartphones.[5] Such applications are:
The bonfire lets Sims to build more food or to throw something. Throwing something to the bonfire will give positive or negative results, such as a test tube will cause a Sim to be smelly. Sims can go for dumpster diving to find items such as insect collectibles and a television. However, his Hygiene motive will decrease.[5] Backpacks can be worn onto Sims by clicking them and selecting the specific options. There are freebies such as:
Two Sims can do a keg stand at the juice keg stand. Sims can do bowling moves at the bowling alley.[7] Vending machines can malfunction, but can work again by shaking it up. By doing so, the Sim may have the chance to die of "blunt force trauma".[3]
List:[9]
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 More of your University Life Questions answered! (TS3 Blog)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Academics: A Guide to Making the Grade (TS3 Blog)
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 Sims 3 Community Day: February 2013 (SimsVIP)
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 SimsVIP’s University Life Q&A & Exclusive Screens (SimsVIP)
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 The Sims 3 University Life: Building, PlantSims, and Additional Fun Facts (TS3 Blog)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Sims 3 University Life Intro (TS3 Blog)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Irresistible to Socially Awkward: A Social Life for Every Sim! (TS3 Blog)
- ↑ University Life: Two New Death Types/Ghosts (SimsVIP)
- ↑ Sims 3 University Harvestables (SimsVIP)