The Sims 2: Nightlife In-Depth (PC)

Gypsies? Vampires? GameSpy goes straight to the source to find out a little more about the upcoming Sims 2 expansion.
By Dave 'Fargo' Kosak | July 22, 2005

Fargo: In the weeks leading up to the release of The Sims 2 University we published a series of letters from a Sim college student, giving you an up-close and personal look at what was to come. With Nightlife so close on the horizon, we wanted to give you an informed opinion of the game from an intelligent, well-reasoned, well-spoken Sim. But instead, we found Jimmy "Tha Love Doctah" Beeterman.

Tha Love Doctah: The Doctah is IN!

Fargo: Now, uh, Doctor, my understanding is that you're not actually in the final expansion pack, but that you've spent significant time there helping Sims hook up using the new dating features in the expansion. True?


Jimmy "Tha Love Doctah" Beeterman

Tha Doctah: Thas right. I AM the Love Doctah, I am your neighbor. I am a PHD: "Pretty Hot Dude."

Fargo: ... right ... I can't imagine why they wouldn't want you in the final game. But let's talk about the expansion! Along with new items and new locations, which we'll talk about in a second, there's a whole new "dating" mini-game. How does it work, exactly? How do you start a date?

Tha Doctah: Well, assumin' you have digits, you just pick up the phone. In the industry, this is known as a booty call. Or, if you meet in person, and you think you've got that special sumthun' sumthun' with each other, you can click on someone to ask 'em to a date right there.

Fargo: Once the date begins, what happens? How does it work?

Tha Doctah: A little timer starts, and you can see a little gauge letting you know how the date is going. From there, it works like a racing game: if you're doing well, you get 'extended time.' Otherwise the date ends early, and you go home to watch Skinemax.


The new downtown area is loaded with fancy restaurants.


Fargo: I see! Once it's over, how do you know if a date went well?

The Doctah: You'll know it went well because it was with me!

Fargo: Okay, fine - how do the rest of us know that a date went smoothly?

Tha Doctah: There are all sorts of little bonuses and perks if a date works out, and believe me, I've had it all. You might get bonus friends, that is, an instant-in with all of your date's friends. If you date a great chef, you might learn some cooking tips and get a skill point or two. If you've dated somebody who's high up the ladder in your current career, you might get a call the next day and find out you got a promotion.

Fargo: That's pretty sweet! So there's lots of bonuses hidden in the game like that?

Tha Doctah: I haven't worked a day in my life!
Fargo: Here's a question I'm sure you get asked a lot: How do you make sure a date goes well?

Tha Doctah: Baby that's easy. In Sims 2: Nightlife all the fellas and ladies have turn-ons and turn-offs -- there's a whole "attraction engine" under the hood.

Fargo: Almost a whole new mini-game?

Tha Doctah: Baby my 'attraction engine' has eight cylinders. In a "v" shape.


Alternatively, take a date to a dive bar where people play poker in wifebeater tee-shirts.


Fargo: Okay stop. Just -- stop. What you're telling me is that different Sims have different romantic wants, different tastes in the opposite sex? Or same sex, for that matter?

Tha Doctah: Right, everybody's got an angle. Some Sims are more attracted to certain personalities -- they want someone who's gonna make a lot of money, or they're looking for a family-man. Little things also make a difference: Some Sims like people with glasses, or people with red hair, or Vampires--

Fargo: Hold it! Did you just say Vampires? Like, literally, Vampires? Like Bella Lugosi?

Tha Doctah: More like Geena Davis in the movie Transylvania 6-5000, but yah.

Fargo: Tell me more!

Tha Doctah: Well, Geena Davis took a lot of bad bit parts before she made it big --

Fargo: No about Vampires, Jimmy. The Sims 2 is going to have Vampires now?


The trendier underground clubs always have a DJ.


Tha Doctah: Oh yah, I see 'em all the time. See, there's the Grand Vampire who wanders around downtown after dark, wearing a cape and jumping out at people going "Bla! Bla!" a lot. If you buddy up with him, he might bite you. His bite gives any Sim the curse of "Vampirism," but it's not so bad of a curse.

Fargo: Why's that?

Tha Doctah: Well, for one thing, none of your needs decay -- you can just wander around town at night chillin' with your blood brothers without needing to sleep or eat. Also, you can turn into a bat and fly, which I hear is nice. And you can buy a coffin for your house, which, you know, I hear some chicks dig that.

Fargo: Sounds great!

Tha Doctah: Of course if you're ever outside during the day, the sunlight will burn you to a crisp where you stand.

Fargo: ...okay, not so great. Let's get back to dating.

Tha Doctah: What, you and me?

Fargo: NO! I mean, in general.

Tha Doctah: Because I haven't eaten in a week.

Fargo: What kinds of things can make a date go bad?

Tha Doctah: Oh all sorts of things -- not that I know from experience, but I've heard stories. For instance, you don't want to try to date when you're tired or uncomfortable. If you pee yourself in the middle of a date, it's pretty much a dealbreaker.

Fargo: The date ends early?

Tha Doctah: Sho' nuff. Or, you can fall asleep in your food. Or the waiter might spill food on you. There are numerous food catastrophes to be on the lookout for. But the worst is when a "Romantic Rival" comes along.


Not ... so ... smooth.


Fargo: A rival?

Tha Doctah: Yah, you see, in Nightlife, if you piss off another Sim, they might become your rival. If your rival shows up in the middle of a date, he or she might try to steal away the love of your life -- you know, following you around, flirting...

Fargo: Sounds like a disaster.

Tha Doctah: That's why I'm glad Sims University added prank joy buzzers.

Fargo: Where do you recommend taking a date?

Tha Doctah: Back to my place: I got me a love tub.

Fargo: Okay, just humor us and tell us where you would take a date in the new downtown area featured in the expansion pack.

Tha Doctah: Well, every Sim's gonna have his or her own thing. An active Sim is gonna have fun bowling, or dancing. Others just want to eat or watch TV. There are about 20 new lots built out in the downtown area: restaurants, clubs, bowling alleys, karaoke bars, parks... I've hit 'em all.

Fargo: How do you know what your date wants?

Tha Doctah: In Sims 2 Nightlife, you can ask Sims and they'll tell you what their wants are, so dating is a walk in the cake.

Fargo: Assuming you find that special someone.

Tha Doctah: And even if you don't, there's always cologne.

Fargo: Is there an easy way to find that special someone? With all the turn-ons and turn-offs, it must be hard to find someone who's compatible...

Tha Doctah: This much is true. However -- and I have no need of her services myself -- I hear there is an old Gypsy Matchmaker woman who you can find wandering around the town.

Fargo: Now this sounds promising! How does she work?

Tha Doctah: Well, you step up to her and cross her palms with some silver. Or, in this case, a pile of Simoleons. You can choose how much you want to spend with her -- the more you spend, the better your match will be.

Fargo: So it's important not to skimp?

Tha Doctah: Oh hell yah. There's a rumor around town that some guy tipped her half a Simoleon and ended up dating Courtney Love.

Fargo: But if you pay well...?

Tha Doctah: Yah baby, she'll find a perfect match for you, and your ideal mate will just fall from the sky. Literally. It's a little crazy that way.

Fargo: That's awesome, I'll keep that in mind. Before we go, can I ask a personal question?

Tha Doctah: Yes, I do trim my chest hair into funny shapes.

Fargo: ... that wasn't what I was going to ask, but while we're on the topic: ew. I was going to ask why Maxis decided not to include you in the expansion pack?

Tha Doctah: It may have been due to the restraining orders.

Fargo: Thanks for your time.
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The Sims 2 Nightlife (PC)
The Sims 2 Nightlife takes Sims into the night to explore all of their favorite after-dark activities. Players can either head out and discover their love lives or have a crazy night out with friends. With the new dating gameplay, players will see if their Sims have chemistry with others which will determine their romantic fate. The newest addition to the game includes the brand new pleasure seeker aspiration allowing players to explore a life filled with unforgettable dates, endless nights of dancing and fine dining. Make your Sims nightlife fantasy a reality with over 125 new objects including a DJ booth, poker table and all you need to design the ultimate nightclub and VIP lounge