But on the topic of gradual aging, I’m going to use my soapbox here and spell out exactly why gradual aging (GA) sucks.

First reason – gradual aging is more realistic, but realism is overrated. Give us fun gameplay, I say.

The second reason – technological limitations. GA would almost certainly mean a variable height system. Granted, I would love to see a variable height system, but I understand that the graphics engine is limited – Sims of all sizes need to interact with objects. Currently the game manages by having one animation per life stage – if you’ve got short and tall Sim meshes, for every increment of age, how will the engine cope with animation?

Speaking of growth spurting – no convincing way of handling puberty. When can Sims become sexually active? you’re just begging for controversy here. The game needs a way to ‘unlock’ items and interactions to these growing Sims, and the only If they’re ‘locked out’ of sex until 18 (or 14? 16? 21? depending on your part of the world) is that necessarily good or bad?

And as for the life stages, I like the distinctiveness of each generation. I just hope that Elders aren’t as boring to play in TS3, living on for ages and ages. I was so thankful when I discovered the no age discrimination hack (lets Elders keep adult jobs).