Family Aspiration
Family is one of three Social Aspirations a Sim can choose from. (All of which I’ve decided to take some creative liberties with.)
The definition of family is no longer reserved for relatives. In this save, Sims with the Family Aspiration will most likely fall into one (or more) of three main categories.
- Procreate: (Surrounded by Family) Probably the most “traditional” take on the Family Aspiration. These Sims find the greatest fulfillment not just in creating and expanding families, but in quality time spent with their own. Family Sims of this variety tend to build the largest family trees, and are happiest in the company of relatives. When it comes to extended families, these Sims may also have that “I met this guy on the bus, learned his life story, and now I’m in his wedding!” personality type.
- These Sims just have family on the brain! When it comes to growing the family tree, these Sims may also push their Family values on other Sims, setting up friends and neighbors on dates with other Sims and asking loved ones invasive questions about settling down and having children.
- Associated LTW: Have 6 grandchildren, Reach Golden Anniversary
- Associated Wants: Have 10 babies
- Associated Careers: Stay-At-Home-Parent, Matchmaker, Social Worker
- These Sims just have family on the brain! When it comes to growing the family tree, these Sims may also push their Family values on other Sims, setting up friends and neighbors on dates with other Sims and asking loved ones invasive questions about settling down and having children.
- Provide: These Sims exist with a sense of leadership and duty. Sims who fall under this category tend to take on roles as mentors and/or caregiver. This could mean providing for children and aging parents, or just being the mom/dad friend of a group.
- Mentor/Mentee: In addition, these Sims may also feel inclined to seek out role models of their own, forming closer bonds with teachers, team captains, or similar figures of authority. (These are probably the Sims who keep and pass on family stories and traditions)
- Associated LTW: Help raise 3 children into adults, Have 3 children grow up well
- Associated Wants: Help Sim with homework, Potty train a toddler
- Associated Careers: Medical, Education, Athletic
- Mentor/Mentee: In addition, these Sims may also feel inclined to seek out role models of their own, forming closer bonds with teachers, team captains, or similar figures of authority. (These are probably the Sims who keep and pass on family stories and traditions)
- Perform: (“Successful” Family Lineage) These Sims view the family unit as an extension of their reputation (and vice verse). Younger Sims with this Aspiration may feel pressure to prove themselves to parents/guardians, achieving goals out of a desire to fulfil the Wants or expectations of the family elders. Older Sims of this variant may choose to produce an heir, simply as a way to carry on a family legacy.
- Quality over Quantity: In some cases, Family Sims of this variant may feel incline to trim off branches of the family tree in order to maintain a “successful lineage.”
- Associated LTW: Graduate 3 Children from College
- Associated Wants: Is an overachiever/child is an overachiever.
- Associated Careers: Medical, Law, Politics
- Quality over Quantity: In some cases, Family Sims of this variant may feel incline to trim off branches of the family tree in order to maintain a “successful lineage.”
Popularity Aspiration
(Sometimes referred to as Reputation, Fame or Notoriety)
Power Aspiration
(The superhero icon was chosen as a reminder not to use this Aspiration exclusively for evil.)
Knowledge Aspiration
Knowledge is one of three Life Aspirations a Sim can choose from. While Family, Popularity, and Power focus on what a Sim wants out of others, the Knowledge, Fortune, and Pleasure Aspirations focus on what could be considered more independent lifetime achievements.
- All that’s Known: (Conventional wisdom) This Sim finds comfort in facts and formulas and may be prone to reading ahead in their textbooks.
- Neater, and more serious knowledge Sims: Although these Sims may be well acquainted with matters mathematical, understanding equations, both the simple and quadratical, they may be less willing to entertain ideas less conventional, exhibiting hostility and defensiveness towards what they find incomprehensible.
- Associated Wants: Play Chess, Go to College
- Associated Career: Natural Science, Journalism, Medicine
- Neater, and more serious knowledge Sims: Although these Sims may be well acquainted with matters mathematical, understanding equations, both the simple and quadratical, they may be less willing to entertain ideas less conventional, exhibiting hostility and defensiveness towards what they find incomprehensible.
- Into the Unknown: (What else is out there?) These Sims would rather discover and explore than memorize and recite.
- Messier, and more playful knowledge Sims: Unfortunately, these Sims may not always be taken seriously if their theories do not come to fruition. Depending on these Sims success rate, they may be viewed as inspiring and great thinkers, or extremely gullible and even lacking in maturity.
- Associated Wants: Alien Abduction, Meet Bigfoot
- Associated Careers: Adventure, Paranormal, Philosophy
- Messier, and more playful knowledge Sims: Unfortunately, these Sims may not always be taken seriously if their theories do not come to fruition. Depending on these Sims success rate, they may be viewed as inspiring and great thinkers, or extremely gullible and even lacking in maturity.
A. Renaissance Sim: These Sims are defined by their curiosity, and may be more likely to job-hop. They have a wide range of interests and are always looking to pick up new skills.
B. One Singular Fixation: Quite the opposite of a Renaissance Sim, these Sims are motivated by one great passion. They may have a narrower focus when it comes to their field of study, or else it’s a singular hobby that really makes them tick.
Fortune Aspiration
A Fortune Sim may wish to live in the lap of the luxury, or simply value fiscal responsibility.
When paired with knowledge, fortune Sims may seek to study economics, look for responsible ways to pay for their education, or simply use the knowledge they gain to earn a lot of Simoleans. The possibilities are endless!
Pleasure Aspiration
“Pleasure Sims want to have fun, go out, meet new Sims, and engage in romance”
(The Sims Wiki)
Secondary Aspirations
“Not every Sim is satisfied to spend their life in pursuit of a single goal. By choosing a secondary aspiration, you can unlock some of that aspiration’s benefits. You will also begin to receive wants that were previously restricted to Sims of that aspiration.“
This Blog Post provides context for the gameplay in Chapter 0.1
Chapter 0.1
Game Notes:
So… I realized Romance just didn’t seem to fit into my gameplay as it’s own Aspiration. Although a desire for woohoo is a morally neutral trait in real life, the way Romance Aspiration is coded into the game doesn’t necessarily reflect that? Maybe I’m too ace to relate to it, but I actually think it makes a lot more sense as a subcategory of Pleasure Sims!