Video games - The Sims 2: University

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	Video games - The Sims 2: University

The Sims 2: University is the first expansion pack for the strategy/simulation computer game The Sims 2
. University provides players with the opportunity to guide their Sims through a new life-stage, young adulthood, by attending college. It also adds a significant feature to The Sims 2
gameplay, "Influence."

Description

Sims are given the option to move out of the family home once they reach their teen stage of life and be sent off to college, a separate world in The Sims 2. These worlds are completely new areas in The Sims 2 and the player can choose from three premade universities, or create their own.

Sim State University, which features all the basics for a college in the game. There is a good balance between school buildings and basic community lots such as shops and hang-out areas.
La Fiesta Tech, a desert-based technical college which seems to be engulfed in entertainment. There seems to be little focus on schooling itself, at least among the student body.
Académie Le Tour, a prestigious university where education is the focus. There isn't much outside entertainment at this college, as many of the students are very studious (there are no pre-made Greek houses in this college).

These areas have everything that constitues as normal college life including dorms, where the player's Sims live with various other NPC's studying at the college. Other new locations include gyms, coffee bars, libraries and student unions. A small yet notable addition to the game would be the new College Radio station, which features real songs from real independent bands, the only catch being that all of the lyrics are in Simlish.

College education

The biggest aspect of The Sims 2: University would be the colleges themselves and, as expected, the courses themselves. Freshmen are by default given an "undecided" major which must be decided upon by their junior year of university, or else their major will be automatically switched to philosophy.

Students have the choice of eleven different majors. These majors require the advancement of specific skills (charisma, logic, etc.) in order to get the highest possible grades, meaning that each class can directly aid a student upon their entrance to a profession after their time at university.

Mathematics
Philosophy
Physics
Political science
Psychology
Art
Biology
Drama
Economics
History
Literature

Each year of college is about six to eight days, a time period in which Sims must raise their grade in the class through a number of methods. Note that a good mix of all of these techniques is a superb way of making the Dean's List, a large accomplishment for studious Sim students.

Completing assignments, which can be started by clicking on the player's Sim and accessing "College...". This action takes about an hour or two and is a boost to the Sim's grade.
Researching a class, initiated by clicking a bookcase and accessing "College...". This action can be expanded into the "Research Group" social interaction by clicking on other Sims and asking them to join the player's Sim in their studies (Sims in other classes will still benefit if they study with the player's Sim). While this action doesn't provide a large immediate boost, it will increase the more a Sim studies.
Starting and finishing a research paper, which can be done upon clicking on a computer and accessing "College...". This action takes several hours but is a very large boost to the Sims's grade.
Going to class. Each Sim has an assigned time period of when their classes are. A Sim's grades will not be hurt by not going to class (except perhaps for the final exam), but grades improve with attendance. To attend class during the correct time period, one can click on the Sim, access "College..." and "Go To Class". The Sim will walk to class and return in a few hours, often with an assignment in hand.
Socializing with teachers. The better the interactions, the quicker the boost for the Sim's grade. This also means that having a bad relationship with teachers can make classes harder, reducing the Sim's grade drastically if the Sim meets up with a teacher while in a bad mood.

A major reason for achieving good grades other than advancing in classes would be college grants; if the Sim achieves a good grade, he'll receive money from the college itself. An A+ nets the Sim student a spot on the Dean's List and §1,200 while a C- grade (the lowest possible passing mark) won't gain them many Simoleons at all.

Finance and on-campus jobs

Since each Sim student starts off with §500 (unless they have scholarships), any money can be considered helpful. In The Sims 2: University, students can spend their money on luxury objects in their living spaces, excess clothing, electronic gadgets (ex. 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 what would eventually become a Greek House. Sims can also make money in several other ways.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for The Sims 2: University ]

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