The Sims 2: University
Encyclopedia
The Sims 2: University is the first expansion pack
for the strategic
life simulation
computer game The Sims 2
developed by Maxis
and published by Electronic Arts
. It was released on March 1, 2005 to mixed reception. The expansion pack adds a new aging period to Sims which is Young Adult. Once they reach this life period, they can go to University
to earn a degree, allowing them to take up any one of four graduate-exclusive careers. The expansion added several key gameplay elements which have been included in all expansions succeeding it. The Sims 2: University has won two Editor's Choice awards from syndicated game review publications..
announced that it was planning on releasing a new expansion pack in March 2005. Sinjin Bain, executive producer and Maxis vice president said "We are thrilled to open up a whole new stage of life for the Sims, allowing players to lead them through all the challenges of college and living the exciting university lifestyle of the dorms, parties and exams." "This title is also the first in a line of expansion packs that will address our players desires, further develop The Sims 2 franchise and continually expand the world of the Sims creating almost endless gameplay and storytelling possibilities," he added.
The Sims 2 University was first announced in mid-November. A University-themed expansion pack was discussed for The Sims but the technology didn't support it. An interesting developmental problem occurred with rendering the dormitories. Maxis wanted to give the feel of a crowded dormitory without having a large amount of sims on the screen at a time. To solve this problem, a system was set up whereby NPCs disappear upon entering a private room. This meant that the engine didn't have to render the students.
Various artists recorded songs in Simlish
for this expansion pack for the new College Rock radio station accessible in game. These songs and artists are:
, Drum Kit
and Bass
objects. Multiple Sims can play together. Sims can make money by playing at their homes or at community lots such as music clubs or coffee shops. The Sims can play three different types of musical styles with these instruments and once a Sim begins playing one of the styles, the others who pick up instruments to play join into the same style. Although Sims cannot have actual vocalists, the new action "Freestyle
" or "Freestyle For Tips" will allow another Sim to rap along (in Simlish
) to the instruments being played or a cappella to have fun and annoy or entertain other Sims nearby. Students also have a variety of new objects centered around college life, including a fruit juice keg
, toga
s, ramen noodles
, and a bubble blowing machine.
University also adds the Young Adult life stage between Teen and Adult. Only Sims at college become Young Adults, and any Sims who do not attend college make the transition directly to adults. The new college towns are linked to a specific neighborhood and preserve the same separation home neighborhoods do. University comes with three pre-packaged college towns: Sim State University, La Fiesta Tech, and Académie Le Tour. In the towns are three further types of residential: dorms
, private housing, and Greek Houses
, although there are no Greek Houses in Académie Le Tour. In communal dorms, NPC Sims fill in the house vacancies. Custom dorms cannot be built without the use of cheat codes. A Sim with enough scholarship
money may start out in a private house. Greek Houses function the same as a dormitory, but have increased Relationship and Motive benefits. The premade neighborhoods generally include recreation centers, libraries, and other student centers.
system, which introduces classes, majors
, and rewards. Students have the choice of eleven different majors. These majors require the advancement of specific skills in order to get the highest possible grades. The majors available are: Mathematics
, Philosophy
, Physics
, Political science
, Psychology
, Art
, Biology
, Drama
, Economics
, History
, and Literature
.
Sims must complete four years of university to graduate. If a Sim fails a semester, they are placed on academic probation
and must repeat the semester. If the Sim fails the semester on academic probation, they are expelled, no matter what stage of being a Young Adult they were at, they will become an Adult. During class hours, Sims simply walk off the housing lot and return when the class is over, but just going to class is not enough to graduate, as it provides minimal education. Advancement through semesters is done through skill building to open up education gates, completion of a Term Paper, completing assignments and researching.
Good grades are rewarded by college through grants
or a spot on the Dean's List
. In addition, Sims are also enhanced upon completion of a school year, being rewarded with additional Want slots and the opportunity to change Aspiration. A Sim can also graduate with Honors, which accelerates his or her career in Adulthood. By completing college, four new careers, Art, Natural Science, Show Business, and Paranormal, are opened to Sims.
After graduation day, your Sims turn from "young adults" to "adults". For Sims who've successfully graduated from their University, their age panel will show the young adult age with a diploma. Sims who've dropped out of college have an "X" through their young adult age. You can have graduation parties, invite your friends and family to come watch you go from the stage of young adult to adulthood, the long awaited age for most Sims.
.
There are several ways to receive income as a student, including tutoring and physically training
other Sims. Students may also play instruments or freestyle for tips or work part time
as cafeteria workers and baristas. Before they go to college, Sims may apply for scholarships which depend on factors such as their skill points, grade level and home experience. There are also scholarships for teens who have lost both parents and teens who were abducted by aliens.
. These NPC characters are made known by their attire, which consists of the llama jacket and accompanying hat. A Sim who befriends three members gets abducted to the secret society headquarters, which contains luxury furnishing and exclusive reward objects such as counterfeit Simoleons and a machine which allows the player to restructure his or her Sim's facial features. Also, when a Sim is inducted into a Secret Society, the "Hack Grades" interaction is made available on all computers for that Sim, which allows them to increase their grade level with minimal effort. However, according to a Sim's logic skill, there is a chance that school IT&S security will be tripped resulting in a visit from law enforcement, confiscation of the computer, a hefty fine and forfeiture of all grade points gained while hacking.
s. University adds several categories of interactions, including "Influence To..." and "Hang Out". Sims can comprise study groups, providing social interaction while boosting grades. A common interaction between University Sims is "Kicky Bag", a hacky sack
knock-off in which multiple Sims try to keep aloft a small bag filled with beans by kicking it to each other.
, professors, and students. Cheerleaders and the Nice Mascot, usually a llama
, will generally repeatedly perform the School Cheer for the player's Sim, can enter homes at random without invitation through their lifetime. The 'Evil' Mascot usually takes the form of a cow and will be constantly pranking and provoking the player and his fellow classmates. The NPCs can become playable characters under certain circumstances (e.g. a cheerleader or mascot is invited to join a Greek House). Also they can be geeks.
Expansion pack
An expansion pack, expansion set, or supplement is an addition to an existing role-playing game, tabletop game or video game. These add-ons usually add new game areas, weapons, objects, and/or an extended storyline to a complete and already released game...
for the strategic
Strategy game
A strategy game or strategic game is a game in which the players' uncoerced, and often autonomous decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome...
life simulation
Life simulation game
Life simulation games is a sub-genre of simulation video games in which the player lives or controls one or more virtual lifeforms...
computer game The Sims 2
The Sims 2
The Sims 2 is a strategic life simulation computer game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. It is the sequel to the best-selling computer game, The Sims, which debuted on February 4, 2000. It was first released on September 14, 2004 for Microsoft Windows. A port to Apple Mac OS X...
developed by Maxis
Maxis
Maxis is an American company founded as an independent video game developer in 1987. It is currently a subsidiary of Electronic Arts . Maxis is the creator of one of the best-selling computer games of all time, The Sims and its first sequel, The Sims 2...
and published by Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
. It was released on March 1, 2005 to mixed reception. The expansion pack adds a new aging period to Sims which is Young Adult. Once they reach this life period, they can go to University
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
to earn a degree, allowing them to take up any one of four graduate-exclusive careers. The expansion added several key gameplay elements which have been included in all expansions succeeding it. The Sims 2: University has won two Editor's Choice awards from syndicated game review publications..
Background and development
In 2004, Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
announced that it was planning on releasing a new expansion pack in March 2005. Sinjin Bain, executive producer and Maxis vice president said "We are thrilled to open up a whole new stage of life for the Sims, allowing players to lead them through all the challenges of college and living the exciting university lifestyle of the dorms, parties and exams." "This title is also the first in a line of expansion packs that will address our players desires, further develop The Sims 2 franchise and continually expand the world of the Sims creating almost endless gameplay and storytelling possibilities," he added.
The Sims 2 University was first announced in mid-November. A University-themed expansion pack was discussed for The Sims but the technology didn't support it. An interesting developmental problem occurred with rendering the dormitories. Maxis wanted to give the feel of a crowded dormitory without having a large amount of sims on the screen at a time. To solve this problem, a system was set up whereby NPCs disappear upon entering a private room. This meant that the engine didn't have to render the students.
Various artists recorded songs in Simlish
Simlish
Simlish is a fictional language featured in EA Games' Sim series of games. It debuted in SimCopter, and has been especially prominent in The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. The Sims development team created the unique Simlish language by experimenting with fractured Ukrainian, French, Latin,...
for this expansion pack for the new College Rock radio station accessible in game. These songs and artists are:
- "Come On" - SteadmanSteadmanSteadman is a British indie rock band, formed in Hastings in 1998. The band's original name was The Dharmas, but they changed the name after they canceled their contract with the label Arista, and signed with lead singer Simon Steadman's own label, Freeloader Recordings. Steadman's first album,...
- "This Conversation Is Over" - AcceptanceAcceptance (band)Acceptance was an alternative rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1998. They released their first EP, Lost for Words, in 2000, followed by Black Lines to Battlefields in 2003...
- "Beautiful Life" - Charlotte MartinCharlotte MartinCharlotte Ann Martin is an American singer-songwriter, who performs predominantly on the piano. She has written several studio albums, two of which have received mainstream commercial releases, 2004's On Your Shore and 2006's Stromata...
- "Outsider" - The Daylights
- "Sway" - The PerishersThe Perishers (band)The Perishers are a Swedish indie rock band. The band began in 1997 composed of six members, and since 2001 has consisted of Ola Klüft , Martin Gustafson , Pehr Åström , and Thomas Hedlund ....
- "Pretty People" - Dexter FreebishDexter FreebishDexter Freebish is a band based in Austin, Texas, consisting of lead singer Kyle, guitars of Scott Romig, bass and vocals of Chris Lowe, and the drums of Rob Schilz...
- "Very Very Rich Town" - Go Betty GoGo Betty GoGo Betty Go was an all-girl punk rock band from Los Angeles that, along with bands such as Union 13, Los Abandoned and Left Alone, were prominent in the southern California Chicano Punk scene in the mid-2000s.-History:...
- "Big Sky" - Abra MooreAbra MooreAbra Moore is a folk-styled rock singer-songwriter. Her 1997 album Strangest Places included the hit "Four Leaf Clover", which received airplay in Midwest U.S. radio markets and VH1 and MTV2 rotation, and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.-Biography:Moore's parents named Abra after the heroine of...
Gameplay
University adds a simple instrument system, composed of the new GuitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Drum Kit
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and Bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
objects. Multiple Sims can play together. Sims can make money by playing at their homes or at community lots such as music clubs or coffee shops. The Sims can play three different types of musical styles with these instruments and once a Sim begins playing one of the styles, the others who pick up instruments to play join into the same style. Although Sims cannot have actual vocalists, the new action "Freestyle
Freestyle rap
Freestyle rap commonly refers to rap lyrics which are improvised through a acapella or with instrumental beats, i.e. performed with no previously composed lyrics, or "off the top of the head"...
" or "Freestyle For Tips" will allow another Sim to rap along (in Simlish
Simlish
Simlish is a fictional language featured in EA Games' Sim series of games. It debuted in SimCopter, and has been especially prominent in The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. The Sims development team created the unique Simlish language by experimenting with fractured Ukrainian, French, Latin,...
) to the instruments being played or a cappella to have fun and annoy or entertain other Sims nearby. Students also have a variety of new objects centered around college life, including a fruit juice keg
Keg
A keg is a small barrel.Traditionally, a wooden keg is made by a cooper used to transport items such as nails, gunpowder., and a variety of liquids....
, toga
Toga
The toga, a distinctive garment of Ancient Rome, was a cloth of perhaps 20 ft in length which was wrapped around the body and was generally worn over a tunic. The toga was made of wool, and the tunic under it often was made of linen. After the 2nd century BC, the toga was a garment worn...
s, ramen noodles
Ramen
is a Japanese noodle dish. It consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat- or fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as , , kamaboko, green onions, and occasionally corn...
, and a bubble blowing machine.
University also adds the Young Adult life stage between Teen and Adult. Only Sims at college become Young Adults, and any Sims who do not attend college make the transition directly to adults. The new college towns are linked to a specific neighborhood and preserve the same separation home neighborhoods do. University comes with three pre-packaged college towns: Sim State University, La Fiesta Tech, and Académie Le Tour. In the towns are three further types of residential: dorms
Dormitory
A dormitory, often shortened to dorm, in the United States is a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students...
, private housing, and Greek Houses
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
, although there are no Greek Houses in Académie Le Tour. In communal dorms, NPC Sims fill in the house vacancies. Custom dorms cannot be built without the use of cheat codes. A Sim with enough scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
money may start out in a private house. Greek Houses function the same as a dormitory, but have increased Relationship and Motive benefits. The premade neighborhoods generally include recreation centers, libraries, and other student centers.
College education
The biggest aspect of The Sims 2: University is the collegeCollege
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
system, which introduces classes, majors
Academic major
In the United States and Canada, an academic major or major concentration is the academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits....
, and rewards. Students have the choice of eleven different majors. These majors require the advancement of specific skills in order to get the highest possible grades. The majors available are: Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, Political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
, Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, Art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, Drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
, Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, and Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
.
Sims must complete four years of university to graduate. If a Sim fails a semester, they are placed on academic probation
Academic probation
Academic probation in the United Kingdom is a period served by a new staff member at a university or college when they are first given their job. It is specified in the conditions of employment of the staff member, and may vary from person to person and from institution to institution...
and must repeat the semester. If the Sim fails the semester on academic probation, they are expelled, no matter what stage of being a Young Adult they were at, they will become an Adult. During class hours, Sims simply walk off the housing lot and return when the class is over, but just going to class is not enough to graduate, as it provides minimal education. Advancement through semesters is done through skill building to open up education gates, completion of a Term Paper, completing assignments and researching.
Good grades are rewarded by college through grants
Grant (money)
Grants are funds disbursed by one party , often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. In order to receive a grant, some form of "Grant Writing" often referred to as either a proposal...
or a spot on the Dean's List
Dean's List
A Dean's List is a category of students in a college or university who achieve high grades during their stay in an academic term or academic year. In secondary schools, or high schools, the term Consistent Honor List or Honor Roll is more common, but Dean's List and Consistent Honor List are...
. In addition, Sims are also enhanced upon completion of a school year, being rewarded with additional Want slots and the opportunity to change Aspiration. A Sim can also graduate with Honors, which accelerates his or her career in Adulthood. By completing college, four new careers, Art, Natural Science, Show Business, and Paranormal, are opened to Sims.
After graduation day, your Sims turn from "young adults" to "adults". For Sims who've successfully graduated from their University, their age panel will show the young adult age with a diploma. Sims who've dropped out of college have an "X" through their young adult age. You can have graduation parties, invite your friends and family to come watch you go from the stage of young adult to adulthood, the long awaited age for most Sims.
Student finance
Each student starts off with a budget separate from any family they may have come from. In University, students can spend their money on luxury objects in their living spaces, excess clothing, electronic gadgets or even on renting a private residence that can be a private home or can be converted into a Greek HouseFraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
.
There are several ways to receive income as a student, including tutoring and physically training
Training
The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of...
other Sims. Students may also play instruments or freestyle for tips or work part time
Part time
A part-time job is a form of employment that carries fewer hours per week than a full-time job. Workers are considered to be part time if they commonly work fewer than 30 or 35 hours per week...
as cafeteria workers and baristas. Before they go to college, Sims may apply for scholarships which depend on factors such as their skill points, grade level and home experience. There are also scholarships for teens who have lost both parents and teens who were abducted by aliens.
Secret societies
Some NPC students are members of a secret societySecret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
. These NPC characters are made known by their attire, which consists of the llama jacket and accompanying hat. A Sim who befriends three members gets abducted to the secret society headquarters, which contains luxury furnishing and exclusive reward objects such as counterfeit Simoleons and a machine which allows the player to restructure his or her Sim's facial features. Also, when a Sim is inducted into a Secret Society, the "Hack Grades" interaction is made available on all computers for that Sim, which allows them to increase their grade level with minimal effort. However, according to a Sim's logic skill, there is a chance that school IT&S security will be tripped resulting in a visit from law enforcement, confiscation of the computer, a hefty fine and forfeiture of all grade points gained while hacking.
Influence and wants
University includes the Influence system. By achieving specific goals, Sims gain a number of Influence points, which may be spent on directing other Sims to do certain things. Sims now have a Lifetime Want which puts the Sim in Platinum mood for the rest of their lives if achieved. Over the course of a Sim's college years, towards the end of their education, the player is given the chance to change their Aspiration.Social interactions
There are new social interactions in The Sims 2: University, including pranks, instruments, and pillow fightPillow fight
A pillow fight is a common game mostly played by young children in which they engage in mock physical conflict, utilizing pillows as weapons....
s. University adds several categories of interactions, including "Influence To..." and "Hang Out". Sims can comprise study groups, providing social interaction while boosting grades. A common interaction between University Sims is "Kicky Bag", a hacky sack
Footbag
A footbag is both a small, round bag, and the term for the various sports played with one – characterized by controlling the bag by using one's feet. Although often referred to generically as a Hacky Sack, that is the trademarked name of one specific brand.Footbag-like activities have existed...
knock-off in which multiple Sims try to keep aloft a small bag filled with beans by kicking it to each other.
New NPCs
University has new NPCs in the form of cheerleaders, mascots, cafeteria workers, coachesCoach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
, professors, and students. Cheerleaders and the Nice Mascot, usually a llama
Llama
The llama is a South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since pre-Hispanic times....
, will generally repeatedly perform the School Cheer for the player's Sim, can enter homes at random without invitation through their lifetime. The 'Evil' Mascot usually takes the form of a cow and will be constantly pranking and provoking the player and his fellow classmates. The NPCs can become playable characters under certain circumstances (e.g. a cheerleader or mascot is invited to join a Greek House). Also they can be geeks.
Zombies
University introduced Zombies, a new type of Sim. Zombies can result from the use of a Resurrect-O-Nomitron (a career reward for the paranormal career track) or through the use of cheat codes. When using a Resurrect-O-Nomitron, the player pays the Grim Reaper to bring back a deceased Sim. Depending on the amount of money that the player offers the Grim Reaper, the Sim may be resurrected perfectly, with less skill/personality points, as a zombie, or not at all. Zombies have gray skin, shamble when walking, and dislike whoever brought them back from the grave. Zombies also lose some of the skill and personality points they had when they were humans. They also tend to eat the garbage from the trash can on the lot. Depending on the amount the player pays, the zombie may range from no personality points to a complete reversal of their past personality.Man-eating plants and other new career rewards
In addition to career rewards such as the Resurrect O-Nomitron mentioned above, Sims can earn a man-eating plant called a "Cowplant" as a career reward! This plant, after consuming an unsuspecting victim, can be milked by a Sim and produces the Elixir of Life which makes the Sim younger when consumed. Career rewards are only achieved once a certain level is reached in that job. Once a Sim has got a career reward he or she can use his or her reward to achieve platinum moods and good needs. Under the career rewards tab, college graduates have a diploma that can be displayed on the bulkhead like a painting. These inventory items can be passed on to teen Sims going to college. A "veritable fountain of life" can be made by using the Resurrect-o-Nomitron and Cowplant in conjunction.External links
- The Sims 2: University Official Page