The Sims 2 and IM

[JKrump]

Hey what's up guys. In this thread I'm going to explain how a video game can be used as an effective tool for IM/LoA.

If anyone of you heard of The Sims franchise you know that "sim" stands for simulation which is the genre. Basically, you create a person, dubbed "sim", using tools to modify their physical attributes such as body type and size, hair shape and color, eye shapes and color, nose shapes, facial hair, makeup, clothing, skin tone accessories, etc. You can also choose their personality types either by zodiac, or by manually selecting them (clean, messy, active, lazy, etc). In this game , especially, you can choose their "aspirations" which range from Pleasure, Knowledge, Romance, Popularity,Wealth, and Family.

During gameplay, Sims display their "mood" when their "motives" are altered (Hunger, Bladder, Social, Enviornment, Fun, Comfort, and Energy) Some motives are more significant than others as they drastically change their mood (when the hunger is low etc).

Also sims have "aspirations" or wants that can be fulfilled according to your aspiration of choice ("Popularity": Make a friend- +5,000 aspiration points etc) which is also displayed by the aspiration meter.(red being the lowest, green, gold, and Platinum being the highest). When their aspiration is high their mood and motives decay very very slowly allowing them to do more things. Also sims have Lifetime Aspirations in which they fulfill a huge want ("Popularity: Have 30 Best Friends- +50,000 aspiration points). Also when this is met their aspiration meter becomes Platinum throughout the sim's lifespan.


Now how can this be used for IM? Simple.

What I do is create "myself" on the game and (being a "God" game) I can choose how I want my life to be.

For example, I want to become an actor (sims have occupations as well). So I use my avatar on the game to fulfill his dream of also becoming an actor (the job category is called Show business). So my aspiration is of course "Popularity" and my Lifetime Aspiration is "To Become an Icon" (which is the highest level of that career choice.) So, I basically control my sim to achieve his goal. He becomes an Icon, he receives Platnum Aspiration for life, etc.

The reason why this can be so effective is because once you create your avatar you actually begin to get really into it. You begin to immerse yourself and you actually feel that that avatar is really you. Once you gain that Lifetime Aspiration you begin to be filled with excitement and joy which, in turn, sends that positive energy into the Universe. You basically feel what it would be like if you actually acheived that goal which is one of the quickest ways to manifest your desires.

Detachment can be applied by simply turning off the game which in turn releases it into the Universe. As a matter of fact within a week after I had played the game, I seen this ad saying "actors/extras needed". I called the number and they asked me to audition to start in this independant local movie called, "Along The Sidewalk" to star as the protaginist's brother(I only had a few lines). I got the part and I was paid $545.

[cmiddlebrook]

Now that is interesting and also somewhat spooky! I haven't played TS2 in about a year and something prompted me to dig it out a few days ago but when I loaded it up I felt bad because the avatar I had created for myself before was in the family that I had before I split up with my partner.

I'm with somebody else now and I was going to create a new family in-game representing my new partner but just as I was about to do that we hit a bit of a problem and now I'm not sure what is happening with this new relationship (I posted about that in another thread).

So I am wondering if I should go ahead and play the game, play the family as I want us to be or if that would make me feel bad. Hmmmm not, sure :-) Seems like fairly harmless fun though.

[JKrump]

I'm sorry to hear that. Even though I'm just a beginner with IM, I believe that you should play the game in how you want your life and relationship to be IE, playing it as if the problem never have happened. It sounds like you're in denial, but it also keeps your focus on the positive aspect of your relationship which will be sent out into the Universe. Here's a suggestion: Make a list of the problems you guys are having, say for instance he/she isn't being very compassionate or loving at the moment or, let's say, financial problems. Write those down and realize that those are the things you do not want.

Then ask yourself, "So what do I want?" Then you flip the things you don't want into what you do want (From the example above: Your partner is very compassionate and loving; financial stability, etc). Write your wants down and then just act it out in the game. With the relationship issues according to the example, I would allow your avatar of your partner to interact with you intimately (Make he/she hug you, you guys kiss romantically or make out, and, if all goes well, you guys Woo-hoo lol.)


Now mind you, you cannot control other people's thoughts and actions, BUT, once you focus on the good things about a person, it begins to show up more often. (That goes for he/she as well). Since you are the player of the game, it is YOUR subjective reality.

I hope that helps

[JKrump]

Originally Posted by cmiddlebrook

Now that is interesting and also somewhat spooky! I haven't played TS2 in about a year and something prompted me to dig it out a few days ago but when I loaded it up I felt bad because the avatar I had created for myself before was in the family that I had before I split up with my partner.

I'm with somebody else now and I was going to create a new family in-game representing my new partner but just as I was about to do that we hit a bit of a problem and now I'm not sure what is happening with this new relationship (I posted about that in another thread).

So I am wondering if I should go ahead and play the game, play the family as I want us to be or if that would make me feel bad. Hmmmm not, sure :-) Seems like fairly harmless fun though.

Also (sorry for the double-post), you can create a entirely new neighborhood with this new relationship without actually feeling bad about the old one, assuming I read your post correctly. It's kind of like an "alternate reality".

[Cran]

Now you gave me a reason to install that timeconsuming game again But it is really a neat idea, nearly like lucid dreaming to play through a certain scenario.. do I REALLY want that with all consequences?

[cmiddlebrook]

Hehe yeah that sounds like fun, and if nothing else it's a way to keep my mind from wandering over to the "dark side" :-)

[JKrump]

Originally Posted by Cran

Now you gave me a reason to install that timeconsuming game again But it is really a neat idea, nearly like lucid dreaming to play through a certain scenario.. do I REALLY want that with all consequences?

Lol, I love the game. I'm actually pissed because i have to reinstall all of the expansion packs and I can't find Disk 1 for Sims 2: Pets.

Also, I'm not sure what you mean by "consequences". And it's not just a scenario, you can do it through all of your sims (and eventually yours) life.