The Sims 2: University

The Sims 2: University
The Sims 2: University game box The Sims 2: University game box
Developer(s)	Maxis
Publisher(s)	EA Games (PC) Aspyr Media (Mac)
Designer(s)	Charles London, Hunter Howe
Series	The Sims
Engine	Custom
Platform(s)	Mac OS X Windows
Release	Windows March 11, 2005
Genre(s)	Life simulation game
Mode(s)	Single player

The Sims 2: University is the first expansion pack for the strategic life simulation computer game The Sims 2 developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. It was released on March 1, 2005 to mixed reception. The expansion pack allows the player's Sims to become Young Adults and go to University to earn a degree, allowing them to take up any one of four graduate-exclusive careers. The expansion added several key gameplay elements which have been included in all expansions succeeding it. The Sims 2: University has won two Editor's Choice awards from syndicated game review publications.

Features

University adds a simple instrument system as well, accompanying the new Guitar, Drum Kit and Bass objects. Multiple Sims can play together, like a band. Sims can make money by playing at their homes or at community lots such as music clubs or coffee shops. The Sims can play three different types of musical styles with these instruments and once a Sim begins playing one of the styles, the others who pick up instruments to play join into the same style. Hear a university band playing "Rock" in unison. Although Sims cannot have actual vocalists, the new action "Freestyle" or "Freestyle For Tips" will allow another Sim to rap along, in Simlish, to the instruments being played or in a Capella to annoy or entertain the Sim and other Sims.

Students also have a variety of new objects centered around college life, including a fruit juice keg (representing a beer keg), togas, ramen noodles, and a bubble blowing machine (similar in appearance to a hookah).

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A Sim proposing while at college.

University also adds the Young Adult life stage between Teen and Adult. Only Sims at college become Young Adults, and any Sims who do not attend college make the transition directly to adults. The new college towns are linked to a specific neighborhood and preserve the same separation home neighborhoods do. University comes with three pre-packaged college towns: Sim State University, La Fiesta Tech, and Académie Le Tour. There are three types of residential lots in College towns: dorms, private housing, and Greek Houses. Also, if your Sim knows the right people, they may be added to a Secret Society. Sims often live in communal dorms, where computer-created Sims fill in the house vacancies. A Sim with enough scholarship money may start out in a private house. Greek Houses function the same as a dormitory, but have increased Relationship and Motive benefits. The premade neighborhoods generally include recreation centers, libraries, and other student centers. Young Adults can get engaged but not married.

College education

The biggest aspect of The Sims 2: University is the college system, which introduces classes, majors, and rewards.

Students have the choice of eleven different majors. These majors require the advancement of specific skills in order to get the highest possible grades. The majors available are: Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Political science, Psychology, Art, Biology, Drama, Economics, History, and Literature.

Sims must complete four years of university to graduate. If a Sim fails a semester, they are placed on academic probation and must repeat the semester. If the Sim fails the semester on academic probation, they are expelled, no matter what stage of being a Young Adult they were at, they will become an Adult, and a fourth fear slot will be added. No fear slot is added if a sim drops out. A Sim who is expelled from college can never go back. During class hours, Sims simply walk off the housing lot and return when the class is over, but just going to class is not enough to graduate, as it provides minimal education. Education is conducted mainly through independent study, completing assignments, researching, writing a paper, or socializing with teachers.

Good grades are rewarded by college through grants or a spot on the Dean's List. In addition, Sims are also enhanced upon completion of a school year, being rewarded with additional Want slots and the opportunity to change Aspiration. A Sim can also graduate with Honours, which accelerates his or her career in Adulthood. By completing college, four new careers are opened up to Sims. These careers are Art, Natural Science, Show Business, and Paranormal.

Student finance

Each Sim student starts off with a budget separate from any family they may have come from. In University, students can spend their money on luxury objects in their living spaces, excess clothing, electronic gadgets (i.e. mobile phones, mp3 players and portable video game consoles) or even the renting of a house that can be a private home or can be converted into a Greek House.

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The Guitar item in a Sim dorm hall

There are several ways to receive income as a student, including tutoring and physically training other Sims. Students may also play Instruments or freestyle for tips or work part time. Sims can also work as cafeteria workers and baristas. Before they go to college, Sims may apply for scholarships depending on factors such as their skill points or grade level.

Influence and Wants

University includes the Influence system. By achieving specific goals, Sims gain a number of Influence points, which may be spent on directing other Sims to do certain things.

Sims now have a Lifetime Want which puts the Sim in Platinum mood for the rest of their lives if achieved. Contrary to its name, more than one Lifetime Want may appear during a Sim's lifetime, since when one is accomplished, another appears.

Over the course of a Sim's college years, the player is given the chance to change their Aspiration.

Social interactions

There are many new social interactions in The Sims 2: University, including pranks, instruments, and pillow fights. University adds several categories of interactions, including "Influence To..." and "Hang Out". Sims can comprise study groups, providing social interaction while boosting grades. A common interaction between University Sims is "Kicky Bag", a hacky sack knock-off in which multiple Sims try to keep aloft a small bag filled with beans by kicking it to each other.

Zombies

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A Zombie‎ Sim

University introduced Zombies, a new type of Sim. When using a certain reward item, you can pay the Grim Reaper to bring back an imprisoned Sim. If you don't pay enough, the Sim may come back as a zombie. The zombies have gray skin, always shamble when walking, and dislike whoever brought them back from the grave. Zombies also lose some of the skill and personality points they had when they were humans.

Music

The new College Rock Radio station features songs from independent bands. All of the lyrics are pre-recorded in Simlish.

New songs in this expansion pack include:

• "Come On" - Steadman
• "This Conversation Is Over" - Acceptance
• "Beautiful Life" - Charlotte Martin
• "Outsider" - The Daylights
• "Sway" - The Perishers
• "Pretty People" - Dexter Freebish
• "Very Very Rich Town" - Go Betty Go
• "The Compromise" - The Format

Around The World

• Hungarian: Egyetem
• Deutsch: Wilde Campusjahre
• French :Les Sims 2: Académie
• Brazil: The Sims 2: Vida de Universitário (In English, University Life)
• Thai: เดอะซิมส์ 2: มหาลัยวัยฝัน
• Finnish: The Sims 2: Yliopisto
• Nederlands: The Sims 2: Studentenleven
• Russia: The Sims 2: Университет
• Sweden: The Sims 2: Studentliv (In English, The Sims 2: Student life)
• Korean: 심즈 2: 못말리는 캠퍼스 (In English, Sims 2: Unbelievable Campus)
• Spanish: Los Sims 2: Universitarios (In English, The Sims 2: College Students)

External links

• The Sims 2: University Official Page
• Template:StrategyWiki