Children's game recomendations

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

ng_reader wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Just loaded 750 headers and didn't see my question answered. However
> if I had spent a lot of time looking, I would have seen something.
>
> As this is the Sims NG, hoping that someone could do some homework
> for me:
>
> The Sims 2
> The Sims 2 Nightlife
> The Sims 2 University
> The Sims Collection
> The Sims Deluxe
> The Sims Double Deluxe
> The Sims Mega Deluxe
> The Sims Online
> The Sims: Expansion Collection Volume 1
> The Sims: Expansion Collection Volume 2
> The Sims: Expansion Collection Volume 3
> The Sims: Hot Date
> The Sims: House Party
> The Sims: Livin' Large
> The Sims: Makin' Magic
> The Sims: Superstar
> The Sims: Unleashed
> The Sims: Vacation
>
> Are all the titles I could find. Is there one recommended for
> children b/w the ages of 8-12? Both boys and girls.
>
> I am going to have to leap to the conclusion that there is not some
> subversive message trying to recruit them to a cult, or hurrying them
> to create mayhem, or am I wrong?
>
> I will tell you this, they were playing SimCoaster and SimTheme Park
> (which were designed by Bullfrog NOT Maxis [Electronic Arts]) and
> they spend a lot of time playing them.
>
> So, a little help would be appreciated.
>
> (Now I have to go talk to the 4 year old, she's playing with oily
> rags, matches, and a bobcat right now. grrrr)

Please note that The Sims and The Sims 2 are entirely different games. The
Sims (and all of it's expansion packs) have much more primitive graphics and
more simplistic gameplay. You must have and install The Sims before you
install any of it's expansion packs, as they will not work on their own
without the basic game. Same with The Sims 2, and it's only expansion pack
currently available, the Sims 2 University.

That said, there is very little about either game that makes it off limits
for children. The original Sims (and expansions) have the option to "play
in bed" but all the action takes place under the covers. Births are
extremely simplistic as babies simply appear in a shower of flower petals.
Sims only die if you kill them (by walling them up or taking away their pool
ladder or something like that). Therefore, it's probably more suitable for
younger children. There is very little violence in the game.

The newer version of the game, the Sims 2, is much more pleasing to the eye,
and more sophisticated in every other way as well. The option to "try for
baby" now appears in the menu for activities in bed, as does "woohoo", in
both the bed and the hot tub. Sims have aspirations and personalities,
wants and fears. Depending upon the aspiration, a sim might want to woohoo
with great scads of other sims, even have public woohoo. Also, by the very
nature of the game, the sims age, grow old and eventually die, to return as
ghosts. Every sim will grow old and die unless you play the game with
"aging off" which defeats the whole point of the game. House building is
much more realistic in Sims 2.

I leave you to draw your own conclusions from this as to what exactly your
children can handle and what they can't. Both of these games are "life
simulation" games where your children basically play God and can make the
little creatures do what they want them to do.

Jeanie

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

<snip>

Thanks Maxon.

So, you think that in England (or some other english speaking country)
perceptions might be different of the game play, huh. That's curious.

I'll make a note, and thanks for your thorough answer.

Ted

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

>As for suitability for children, it depends, I suppose on where you live.
>The game has a higher rating in America than it does in Europe and the rest
>of the world and Sims 2 is higher than Sims 1. Sims 2 is also extremely

In Europe both the Sims 1 and Sims 2 are rated 7+.

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

I'm surprised Sims 1 is even rated at that - it's really such an innocuous
game in its raw state. Wait, I just had a look at the boxes - the initial
game and Livin' Large both don't have any age recommendation on them at all.
I bought the game way back when it first came out (1997?) so maybe they
added the age certificate when they released Deluxe - I notice you can't buy
the original game on its own now. It may be that the legislation came into
effect here after the game was initially released, I suppose. I also notice
Hot Date has a rating of 15 (???) - crikey! I know it's about dating but I
would have thought it was hardly racy enough to merit that. In fact, in
some ways it'd be a good game for younger teenagers to try out. An age
limit of 15 is terribly conservative for that expansion.

Best wishes
Maxon


"Strider" <xxxx@xxx.xx> wrote in message
news:4pg4d19id5leih5ti9ucijfr3acjouvpmn@4ax.com...
>
>
>
> >As for suitability for children, it depends, I suppose on where you live.
> >The game has a higher rating in America than it does in Europe and the
rest
> >of the world and Sims 2 is higher than Sims 1. Sims 2 is also extremely
>
> In Europe both the Sims 1 and Sims 2 are rated 7+.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 20:16:56 +0200 Strider wrote:

> Strange. Are you sure the game can only be installed and played in
> German? Because the UK version comes with a lot of European languages
> including German. If the german version is different then why include
> German? Who cares about age recommendations anyway:-)

I installed it in English. It's the same version as any other on this
planet, with many installable languages. It just doesn't have an age
restriction because the people responsible for this in Germany didn't think
it necessary (and I agree).

Dorte

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 20:12:30 -0400, "ng_reader"
<wilgrow_co@hotmail.com> wrote:

>My 11 YO niece liked the part where she can make the sims go on dates. I
>*guess* that is playing god.

Religious issues aside, so would letting her play with dolls be, it's
just more advanced.

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 20:26:50 +0200, Dorte Schünecke
<schueneckeDELETE@web.de> wrote:


>> German? Because the UK version comes with a lot of European languages
>> including German. If the german version is different then why include
>> German? Who cares about age recommendations anyway:-)
>
>I installed it in English. It's the same version as any other on this
>planet, with many installable languages. It just doesn't have an age
>restriction because the people responsible for this in Germany didn't think
>it necessary (and I agree).

They probably have the British age recommendation in Norway because
they didn't bother to change the cover:-)

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

Guardian Pegasus <nobody@nowhere.xxx> wrote:

>On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 00:44:23 GMT, "Maxon"
><jen.magson@NOSPAMntlworld.com> wrote:
>
>>mmm - I meant that the age rating seems to be different in the States than
>>it is here and if you want to use that as a guide then you can act
>>accordingly. I suppose that's why it's written on the box.
>
>Don't you think it's funny that in a society full of crime, poverty,
>violence, war, and millions of people, millions of children, who can
>barely afford food, and cannot afford basic healthcare..... have no
>access to proper education etc...

In this reality those things are being adressed.

>that they're banning or regulating videogames, tv and movies, and branding
>Harry Potter the devil's servant?

'They' who?

(And do you think it impossible that a country of hundreds of millions
of people can actually do more than one thing at a time?)

>Meanwhile all the good, christian, upstanding citizens are running around
>armed to the teeth screaming about doomsday...

Ah. Bigotry and stereotypes - the idiots friend.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

-Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings.
Oct 5th, 2004 JDL

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

"Dorte Schünecke" <schueneckeDELETE@web.de> wrote in message
news:1121077435.2f4ef9b9e8b778cec2abbd4d752a34fc@teranews...
> On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 12:05:18 +0200 Strider wrote:
>
>> Maxis doesn't seem to release more than one European and a US
>> version, that's probably why even in Scandinavia the game has the UK
>> recommendation of 7+.
>
> Germany has its own release: no age restriction at all. Toddlers can
> play
> it if they wish to
>
> Dorte

Actually, toddlers here in the USA can play it too if their parents let
them. LOL They have
an age recommendation on the box, that's all, but as far as being
restricted on playing, nobody is
restricted from playing the games. It's left up to the parents if they
want their children of various ages to play.



Betty

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

I had brain surgery in early 1999 - my memory for that period is abysmal.
But I thought I had the game before I had my operation - maybe not. As I
say, I really can't remember so I'll take your word for it.

Best wishes
Maxon


"Betty" <cyberbg2002@yahoo.com> wrote in message
newse2dnYgROdP910nfRVn-1g@valortelecom.com...
>
> I believe The Sims came out in early 2000 or maybe latter part of 1999.
> Gee how time passes!
>
> Betty
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 10:34:33 +0200, Dorte Schünecke
<schueneckeDELETE@web.de> wrote:

>On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 21:26:30 +0200 Strider wrote:
>
>> They probably have the British age recommendation in Norway because
>> they didn't bother to change the cover:-)
>
>Yeah, likely


Yes, well I really thought so, but then I took a closer look at the
cover and found this web-address below the age recommendation:
www.pegi.info. Germany is one of the countries that doesn't use this
system. Parents and religious groups have been involved with this
thing and it has the support of the European Commission which is a
good reason why we should simply ignore it in Norway:-) I wish we had
a government that didn't run and hide every time the EU frowns, and
we're not even a member of the damned thing:-)

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

"Derek Lyons" <fairwater@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:42d58faf.2916297@supernews.seanet.com...

>
>>Thought not... try looking the word bigot up.
>
> When you start labeling classes and applying stereotypes - you're a
> bigot.
>
No you are not. Bigotry refers to what 'you' believe in, not to your
opinions of other people's beliefs.

4/10. Please try harder.

GCA

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

"Granny Grumpling" <marrowjam@[reallywild]blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in
message news:YfhBe.69314$G8.44246@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
>
> "Derek Lyons" <fairwater@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:42d58faf.2916297@supernews.seanet.com...
>
>>
>>>Thought not... try looking the word bigot up.
>>
>> When you start labeling classes and applying stereotypes - you're a
>> bigot.
>>
> No you are not. Bigotry refers to what 'you' believe in, not to your
> opinions of other people's beliefs.
>
> 4/10. Please try harder.
>
> GCA
>
Yes, I've missed you too!

Betty

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

Technically your own beliefs about another persons beliefs ARE bigotry if
they are intolerant.

*sad smile*

As my mother always says - "I hate bigots!"

--
Morituri Nolumus Mori - Rincewind, The Last Hero, Terry Pratchett

MM



"Maxon" <jen.magson@NOSPAMntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:IJiBe.1983$Cr5.511@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> Ah - you're back.
>
> Hmmm
>
> "Granny Grumpling" <marrowjam@[reallywild]blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in
message
> news:YfhBe.69314$G8.44246@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> >
> > "Derek Lyons" <fairwater@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:42d58faf.2916297@supernews.seanet.com...
> >
> > >
> > >>Thought not... try looking the word bigot up.
> > >
> > > When you start labeling classes and applying stereotypes - you're a
> > > bigot.
> > >
> > No you are not. Bigotry refers to what 'you' believe in, not to your
> > opinions of other people's beliefs.
> >
> > 4/10. Please try harder.
> >
> > GCA
> >
> >
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.games.the-sims (More info?)

Hey, don't be too hard on the kid. Some of us adults have a grand ole' time
unleashing all sorts of hazards on our cyber citizens. ;-) My 4yo daughter
loves playing The Sims. She loves decorating houses and making "Princess"
sims that have babies. I usually play with her, or install hacks that
prevent Sims from dying. (Even though she *loves* ghosts and frequently
asks Mama to "buy her" some more. Mama found just moving her into a lot
with a ton of tombstones fixed that "want".)

Sharon

"Admiral DanielSBen" <Admiral_DanielSBen@excite.com> wrote in message
news:1121350686.596769.40680@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I once 'played' SimCity 4
> with a 6 year old, the son of my dad's best friend. He... didn't get
> it. He could launch tornadoes at poor sims, but barely understood
> zoning or money, let alone tax rates (note: don't give SimCity to kids
> who haven't done fractions yet).