As Halloween approaches, the company’s forthcoming growth is poised to unfold around a haunting theme: the specter of mortality.
On Thursday, Digital Arts unveiled additional details about its upcoming expansion, which brings the city of Ravenwood to life, introduces mortality-related gameplay objectives, and offers players the thrilling chance to transform into the Grim Reaper.
Sims, a staple of virtual life, have long been susceptible to untimely demises – often in absurdly dramatic fashion, such as succumbing to the carnivorous clutches of a cowplant or meeting an untimely demise beneath the weight of a carelessly deployed Murphy mattress. Sims can now craft personalized bucket lists and embark on a transformative Soul’s Journey, a unique sequence of rewards that can be unlocked by living their most authentic and fulfilling lives. The final word, indeed, is rebirth – the opportunity to re-enter the Sims’ world anew, this time as a toddler Sim, pre-equipped with milestones already unlocked, ready to embark on a fresh adventure.
Sims who opt for a ghostly existence are granted the unique opportunity to remain playable beyond mortal life, allowing them to continue interacting with their virtual world in a new and ethereal way. While a ghostly Sims’ romantic escapades can unfold in eerie harmony with their living partner, a more mischievous Sim might transform into a playful poltergeist, wreaking havoc on the neighborhood.
Two new career paths have been introduced for Sims to explore and excel in, offering fresh opportunities for character development and storytelling. The Undertaker’s profession involves exhuming gravesites, preserving mortal remains through embalming, and providing support to grieving families of deceased Sims. Undertakers can now graduate into one of two distinct branches: Mortician or Funeral Director. With this career path, Sims gain the ability to embody the eternal figure of the Grim Reaper, sporting a lasting cloak that signifies their new role. Initially, they begin their journey as Grimterns – a fusion of the words “grim” and “intern” – within the Netherworld Division of Mortality. Seasoned Sims enthusiasts have likely engaged in heated debates with the Grim Reaper in an effort to preserve their cherished Sim. In this unique role, participants take on the persona of the Grim Reaper, wielding the ultimate power to determine which individuals are granted a second chance at life, while others succumb to their mortality and embark on their eternal journey.
The growth pack can be filled with smaller, bespoke options referencing mortality and the human experience: critically acclaimed horror novels, esteemed ghost historians, thanatological experts, estate planning guidance, commemorative funeral services, or poignant explorations of death through unexpected means – such as demise by a murder of crows. According to Digital Arts’ latest blog post, it appears that the upcoming Sims 4 expansion may finally satisfy longstanding player desires regarding death, rebirth, and harvesting souls.
