One of the most compelling features of The Sims 3 is its vast and open town experience. No longer prisoner in their homes, Sims can now take advantage of a full and thriving community which can add richness to storytelling and gameplay.
While The Sims 3 provides Sims with a wide variety of Careers and Professions, a popular method of creative gameplay is playing a Sim as a vagabond.
Robin Burkinshaw of Alice and Kev popularized this type of gameplay when The Sims 3 was first released. His experiment in Sim homelessness led to one of The Sims most popular fan blogs of all time chronicling the difficulties of life on the streets with surprisingly heartbreaking realism.
The story of a homeless Sim does not have to be a tearjerker, however. By creating a Sim as an artistic street-performer type, Sim players can tell a rags-to-riches tale of determination and resourcefulness.
Start with the right Traits
Since The Sims 3 offers a wide variety of selectable personality traits, to create a "successful" drifter one must select the most useful ones. "Artistic" and "Virtuoso" are both favorable as your homeless Sim can make quite a bit of money selling paintings or playing guitar for tips. Both the guitar and the easel are portable, meaning your wandering Sim can set up shop anywhere. It is also beneficial to choose "Inappropriate" and then purchase the "Inappropriate in a Good Way" Lifetime Reward as soon as it's available. This way you can use another Sim's shower or toilet without an effect on relationships or mood.
Buy the right tools
You will be required to move your Sim onto a lot. Choose an empty one but do not buy any furniture. You may buy a large, expensive lot to drain your Sim's finances, if you wish. The Sims 3:Generations introduced sleeping bags to Buy Mode. This will be an essential item for your roaming Sim and it is a great alternative to sleeping on park benches. The only other purchase should be the artistic tool of choice. With no job, your Sim should be able to build Skills in no time! Earn a living by selling paintings or playing guitar for tips. Eventually your Sim will be offered Opportunities that will build Skills and boost Simoleons.
Fulfill Your Needs
All of your Sim's needs can be fulfilled throughout town. To fulfill hunger, forage for wild growing fruits of vegetables around town. Once your Sim has a few Simoleons in the bank, they can grab a bite at one of the many eateries or grill hot dogs at the park. The gym and the public pool have showers available to the public. With a sleeping bag, you can sleep just about anywhere. The "Loves the Outdoors" Trait can add some positive moodlets to the experience. Social needs are easy to handle, as well, as there are always Townies available for a chat.
Other ways to earn Simoleons
In addition to being a "street musician" or "street artist," Sims can make a great deal of money by collecting gems and metals and selling them. Don't be afraid to rummage through the neighbor's trash to find sellable items. The "Kleptomaniac" Trait could come in handy in dire times, too!
With these tips, Sims can quickly achieve lofty Lifetime Wishes while never committing to a 9-5.
Jessica Vivian - Homeschooling, Simming, Co-parenting, Single-parenting, Blogging, Erotica Writing for your reading and viewing pleasure.
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