The Sims 4: Eco Living stuff pack (tentatively titled) doesn’t release until 2018, but since EA is giving players a close look at the entire development process, Sims players already have a look at Create-A-Sim clothes and objects that will be included in the pack.
Players chose which clothing items and objects for the fan-made DLC back in May, but SimGuruGraham teased a preview of a few of the items, mostly feminine tops, on Twitter this week. The producer also confirmed, to many fans’ dismay, that ironing boards will not be a part of this pack. But there will be clothesline!
Pieces of clothing are starting to appear in the build for our community Stuff Pack... others remain conspicuously absent ?#WorkInProgress pic.twitter.com/bIdP58oxfQ
— x - Graham Nardone (@SimGuruGraham) August 30, 2017
Laundry is the main feature, and SimGuruGraham also explained how the concept of dirty laundry is going to work. Are Sims going to have to fold clothes or manually put them in the washer? In Sims 4, he explains, hampers play a key role in the process of laundry. Dirty clothes will automatically filter into the hamper, unless it’s full, in which case they will end up in a pile on the floor. Players can also stack the dryer on top of the washing machine in order to save space.
“Dirty laundry is going to be generated when Sims change their outfits, so the laundry that you’ll be cleaning will really just be clothes. You may see some visuals like sheets or towels hanging from the clothesline, but you aren’t going to be going around collecting them from the bed, bathroom, etc. You’ll pick laundry up from the hamper, and take it to be washed,” SimGuruGraham said in the forums.
The next step in the development process is choosing a title. Eco Living is a little misleading considering washers and dryers aren't exactly environmentally friendly. It's quite possible The Sims team has something up their sleeve to make these household items more sustainable, but if not, the community will have a chance to give the stuff pack a more appropriate name. Perhaps simply, Laundry Stuff, would work better.
The vote will take place on Sept. 6-8, followed by the "Eco Living" icon vote Sept. 13-15. Take a look at some of the early designs for the washing machine, dryer, and clothesline below. Any ideas for a title? Let us know in the comments.
An early prototype of laundry is taking shape! Clothes can now be taken through a basic laundry flow. Can you tell which object is which? pic.twitter.com/UaSyMLwdHM
— x - Graham Nardone (@SimGuruGraham) August 31, 2017
Washer/Dryer concept art that we reviewed in today's IR meeting. This sketch will provide the basic idea for our modeler to work from. pic.twitter.com/omTYuFdu9Z
— x - Graham Nardone (@SimGuruGraham) August 22, 2017
Production work is already under way! Here's our clothesline concept art sketch, and a very early look at the in-progress model. pic.twitter.com/au39CJ6y32
— x - Graham Nardone (@SimGuruGraham) August 26, 2017