The Sims 2: University
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| The Sims 2: University | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Maxis |
| Publisher(s) | EA Games |
| Designer(s) | Charles London, Hunter Howe |
| Engine | Custom |
| Latest version | 1.1.0.284 |
| Release date(s) | Windows |
| Genre(s) | Life simulation game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T OFLC: M PEGI: 12+ |
| Platform(s) | Mac OS X Windows |
| Media | CD |
| System requirements | Mac OS X[1]
Windows[2] |
| Input | Keyboard Mouse |
The Sims 2: University is the first expansion pack for the strategy/simulation computer game The Sims 2. University includes College Towns, a special type of neighborhood in which Young Adult Sims may attend College. Sims now have Lifetime Wants and Influence, as well as numerous new social interactions. University has won two Editor's Choice awards from syndicated game review publications.
Contents |
[edit] Features
University adds new elements to The Sims 2 to facilitate college educating Sims. The Young Adult stage exists between Teen and Adult life stages. Only Sims at college become Young Adults, and any Sims who do not attend college 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. There are three types of residential lots in College towns: dorms, private housing, and Greek Houses. Also, if your Sim knows the right people, they may be added to a Secret Society. Sims often live in communal dorms, where computer-created Sims fill in the house vacancies. 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.
The new College Radio station features songs from independent bands. All of the lyrics are re-recorded in Simlish.
[edit] College education
The biggest aspect of The Sims 2: University is the college system, which introduces classes, majors, and rewards.
Freshmen are by default Undecided in their Major. 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. During class hours, Sims simply walk off the housing lot, and return when the class is over, but no actual education or skill enhancement takes place. Education is conducted mainly through Independent Study, by completing assignments, researching, writing a paper, or socializing with teachers.
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 Honours, which accelerates his career in Adulthood.
[edit] Student Finance
Each Sim 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 (i.e. mobile phones, mp3 players and portable video game consoles) or even the renting of a house that can be a private home or can be converted into a Greek House.
There are several ways to receive income as a student, including Tutoring and Physically Training other Sims. Students may also play Instruments or Freestyle, or work part time. Sims can work as Cafeteria workers, Bartenders, or Baristas. If the player has Nightlife they can put items into their Sims' personal inventory before they go to University and then sell it when their sims arrive.
[edit] Influence and Wants
University includes the Influence system. By achieving specific goals, Sim gain a number of Influence points, which may be spent by directing other Sims to do certain things.
The Lifetime Want is a Want that rewards a large number of Aspiration and Influence points. Contrary to its name, more than one Lifetime Want may appear during a Sim's lifetime, as when one is accomplished, another appears.
[edit] Social interactions
There are many new social interactions in The Sims 2: University, including Pranks, Instruments, and Pillow fights. University adds several categories of interactions, including "Introduce 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.
University adds a simple instrument system as well, accompanying the new Guitar, Drum Kit and Microphone objects. Multiple Sims can play together, like a band. Sims can make money by playing at their homes or at community lots such as music clubs or coffee shops. The Sims can play four different types of musical styles with these instruments and once one 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.
Students also have a variety of new objects centered around college life (including a fruit juice keg, togas, and ramen noodles).
[edit] Careers
University makes available four new Adult career tracks: Natural Science, Show Business, Paranormal, and Art. These can only be accessed by Sims who graduate from college. The Career Reward for the Paranormal career is the Resurrect-O-Nomitron, a device that potentially creates Zombies.
[edit] Zombies
University introduces Zombies, a new type of Sim. Zombies can only be controlled when the Resurrect-O-Nomitron, a career reward, is present. If a teen is brought back to life, that Sim can access a certain undead scholarship. Zombies do not age and cannot have any children.
[edit] Awards
[edit] External links
- The Sims 2: University Official Page.
| The Sims | Livin' Large • House Party • Hot Date • Vacation • Unleashed • Superstar • Makin' Magic |
|---|---|
| The Sims 2 | University • Nightlife • Open for Business • Pets • Seasons Holiday Edition • Family Fun Stuff • Glamour Life Stuff • Happy Holiday Stuff • Celebration Stuff |
| The Sims Stories | Life Stories • Pet Stories • Castaway Stories |
| Online/Console | The Sims Online • The Sims • The Sims Bustin' Out • The Urbz • The Sims 2 • Pets • MySims |
| Misc. | Sim • Simlish |
