Summary
- The Sims 4: Lovestruck expansion will give NPCs the ability to attempt advancing relationships.
- Giving Sims more romantic agency should make relationships more realistic.
- The Sims 4: Lovestruck is scheduled for release on July 25.
The Sims 4 will soon allow NPCs to attempt advancing relationships with player-controlled characters, thus making in-game romance play out much more realistically. The change will be part of the upcoming Lovestruck expansion for The Sims 4.
EA announced Lovestruck in late June, attaching a July 25 release date to the add-on. The company has now shared many new details about the latest The Sims 4 expansion as part of its recent digital preview event.
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The Sims 4: Lovestruck Will Give NPCs More Romantic Agency
Among other things, the publisher has revealed that Lovestruck will make romance more realistic by giving Sims greater agency. Specifically, NPCs will soon be able to make attempts at progressing their relationships with their partners, which is an action that has so far only been available to the player. The ultimate decision on whether to advance a relationship or not will still be up to the player, GamesRadar reports, citing a statement from EA Senior Game Designer Josh Contreras.
A vocal section of the game's fandom has long been asking for NPCs to be granted this kind of romantic agency. The demand for this feature is reflected in the fact that numerous popular The Sims 4 romance mods, such as Autonomous Proposals & Breakups and NPC Relationship Autonomy Fix, have already been offering something of the sort for years. And while their usage is hence likely to drop following Lovestruck's release, they are still likely to remain relevant given how this change will seemingly be exclusive to the $39.99 expansion, which not everyone will buy.
On the other hand, EA is also preparing a free The Sims 4 update that's scheduled to debut a week ahead of Lovestruck, on July 18. The patch will introduce some major changes to the base game, including the much-requested support for polyamorous relationships. More venue interactions like flexing at the gym will also be part of the package, together with curved pool designs, among other novelties.
As for the game's 16th paid expansion, EA is currently trying to incentivize The Sims 4: Lovestruck pre-orders with a number of digital bonuses, including a Basic Breakup Double Bed and Cry Me a River Eyeliner. These extras will also remain available post-release, up until September 5. Aside from giving NPCs more romantic agency, Lovestruck will also refine dating through the addition of a turn-on and turn-off system governing Sims' attraction to one another. Furthermore, the expansion will put an end to the annoying issue of other NPCs interrupting dates in public places by initiating conversations.
The Sims 4
- Released
- September 2, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
Unleash your imagination and create a unique world of Sims that’s an expression of you. Download for free, and customize every detail from Sims to homes and much more. Choose how Sims look, act, and dress, then decide how they’ll live out each day. Design and build incredible homes for every family, then decorate with your favorite furnishings and décor. Travel to different neighborhoods where you can meet other Sims and learn about their lives. Discover beautiful locations with distinctive environments and go on spontaneous adventures. Manage the ups and downs of Sims’ everyday lives, and see what happens when you play out scenarios from your own real life. Tell your stories your way while developing relationships, pursuing careers and life aspirations, and immersing yourself in this extraordinary game, where the possibilities are endless
