The SIMS Series Has Taken Over My World- Don't Send Help!

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Momma Told Me: If you play long enough, you're going to turn into one!

This week started normal enough. The holiday weekend had me playing catchup a day late, with all the appointments leftover from the week before. I typically like to try and schedule all of my annual checkups and maintenance, mechanical and health wise, the same week so I can get them out of the way. Oil changes, termite inspections, blood draws, dental cleanings- everything NOT fun, all crammed into one week. So, when Tuesday rolled around, harkening the official launch of the latest PC game installment in the Sims game series, #TheSIMS4, I was ready to get my Simlish on in an alternate reality of my own design.

Unfortunately the real world had it's own opinion of how my 'free time' would be spent. Luckily, I had to stop into Walmart to pickup my prescription (again, so not fun) refills, and my copy of the game was conveniently waiting for me on the shelf. Then it was off to the dentist, for a much overdo 'deep' cleaning appointment with an oral hygienist, and to the bowling alley for our first Winter league meeting of the season (fun level improving.) However, an unexpected emergency at work, and blah blah blah later (fun level flat-lined,) found me tucked in bed at 3AM squarely in reality.

Something odd must have occurred through the night as I dreamed of leaving my Secret Agent day job for a much more prestigious and public position with the military that eventually lead to my promotion as an astronaut. My head felt a little fuzzy, and the following morning I found my arms waving around enthusiastically as I spoke. The Child trait inside me told me I must interact with toys or video games every 6 hours or I would become desolate and withdrawn, so I reached for my copy of #TheSIMS4 and began installation. As a self-defined geek SIM I was happy to find I could use my Walmart in store purchase to load the game via CD-ROM, or unlock the digital download of the full game, through Origin online, with my activation code.

By 2 o'clock, standard SIMS time, I was past create-a-character and moving into my new flat with Build Mode. I had a few options to purchase ready-furnished homes, or even pre-made rooms, but decided to meticulously sort through the thousands of in game options and place my basics one-by-one. I was engrossed on the beautiful visuals of the game's new sorting system, and found it easier than ever to narrow down my item of choice with interactive mini-menus. The interface was colorful, intuitive, and easier than ever. And down the rabbit hole I went...

Before I knew what was happening, I awoke the following morning blowing Sour Patch bubble gum and touching up my roots, but there was a faint glow and flicker of green light I couldn't quite place as I watched my Foodie character prepare a (gourmet) grilled cheese sandwich and photograph it for social media, with pride. I found myself wondering if my writer SIM had her blog going yet, and watched my SIMS face closely for the hilariously animated sins of rendered emotion. Pop! went another bubble, and I remembered it was time to rinse my hair...Then *clank* my head was hitting the doorway- No, not my head. What was this glowing diamond hovering about my head?  I must have stood there for a few hours, motionless. In my little SIMS mind I screamed, please come back, come back and play with me.....

When I awoke I was on a couch watching a British period drama that reminded me very much of Downton Abbey; I wondered, did Simlish have regional accents? At five o'clock an alarm informed me that it was time to head into work as the International Crime Syndicate, an old lady scuffed my shoes, and I decided to let it slide as I created a diversion in the back alley of an Italian restaurant. By the time I arrived home with my measly $54 Simoleons, 8 hours later, I needed a bubble bath to calm my inner child. I giggled relentlessly as I splashed water on the blue tile floor, and resolved I would not clean it. I fell asleep and slept until 10 AM, then gave myself a pep talk in the mirror, downed some pancakes, and headed into the local bar to shoot the breeze with some otherwise strangers.

SIMS, by nature, crave social interaction, and somewhere in the SIM behind the SIM I felt a longing to connect as well. The Sims 4 has made it easier than ever to share my creations, stories, and content with in game video capture and immediate social sharing of screen-caps, room designs, characters and more. I hit the gym and unenthusiastically then wandered into the local park to play a few games of chess with some women I highly suspected were Mob Wives. Before I knew it I was throwing my own birthday party at a neighbors house and sharing the story of that time my plane went down and I survived a Zombie apocalypse.

I don't remember what time I went to bed this morning, but it was somewhere before the sun started creeping over the horizon, so I'll call that a victory. Somewhere between the vibrant neighborhoods and hilarious emotions I began identifying with The Sims™ 4 as more of a second life, rather than video game. It's a good thing one of my attributes is Creative Writing, or else the Plumbob above me would be flashing a sharp orange right now- fun achieved. Now all I have to do is obsess over every single detail of my dream home and job until those anticipated expansion packs are released. I wonder if EA will release one for 'Extra Hours In The Day,' so I can play a little longer...

What Daughter Says: I don't mind turning into my SIM, after as it turns out, she has a nicer butt.

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