Maxis partnerted up with custom content creator SixamCC for the upcoming Storybook Nursery Kit. Today, a new blog blog post brings details about the creative process behind the new items.
It’s a good read for those who are interested in behind the scenes information, as well as for those who are excited about this new release. There’s a new image showing all swatches for the new plushie.
Both Storybook Nursery Kit and The Artist Studio Kit are set to come out this Thursday, September 19th.
SixamCC and the Storybook Nursery Kit
You Make The Sims Featuring SixamCC
The Sims community is a place of big ideas, storytellers, content-makers, and creators of all kinds. Our players inspire us to keep looking for new ways to tell universal stories, and to continue to invite collaboration and creativity from all kinds of Simmers to help shape the game we all love. For this edition of You Make the Sims we’re sitting down with SixamCC to take a look at what inspired the Storybook Nursery Kit and how he and The Sims team brought it to life!
SixamCC, *also known as Alex, is well-known in The Sims community as a custom content creator and 3D Digital artist. A lover of both video games and Japanese fluffy pancakes–a winning combination, tbh–SixamCC works in the creative field and spends his free time creating CC for the community he loves*..
Like many players, SixamCC was introduced to the game by a family member, and knew from that first playthrough it was going to be one of his favorite games.
THE SIMS TEAM: Tell us about how you were first introduced to The Sims and what inspired you to start making custom content.
SIXAMCC: My cousin was a big fan of The Sims at the time, and she told me about The Sims 2 and how fun it was. She told me all about the endless possibilities and opportunities to tell every imaginable story with the game, which sounded fascinating to me. One day, she brought the Deluxe CD to my house and got me to install it. Ever since then, I knew it was one of my favorite games.
I’ve always wanted to make my own custom content for my Sims, but I never had the time to get into it. During the 2020 lockdown, I finally decided to try it out, and I found the process so fascinating and fun.
THE SIMS TEAM: Kit collaborations are some of our favorite things to work on, because of amazing creators like you who pitch a concept to The Sims team. As a creator, how do you approach creating a new concept from scratch?
SIXAMCC: I always ask myself what kind of stories I want to tell with the concepts I design. I like to go beyond just decorating a room. I think the game allows you to create your own stories without needing specific new gameplay, which is why I aim for my ideas to have something unique and interesting to explore.
THE SIMS TEAM: How did the idea of ‘legacy’ play into what you wanted to create?
SIXAMCC: I truly believe our most iconic Sims characters have set the perfect example of legacy; Bella and Mortimer have shared a story that has stood the test of time and distance, we’ve seen them in different life stages throughout the games. This is what inspired me to create this Kit—a space, or in this case a nursery room, where every legacy story can take place.
THE SIMS TEAM: What kinds of stories do you hope to see Simmers tell with this pack?
SIXAMCC: I want players to have the chance to expand their legacy storytelling in any way they dream of. I’ve seen some truly amazing family trees from players who’ve spent years crafting the perfect legacy family, and I think that’s just fantastic. This kit is perfect for kicking off a new generation and keeping it going strong.
For those who’ve never tried it before, I invite you to start with this kit . I know it can be tough to say goodbye to our favorite Sims, but sometimes that’s part of the fun of creating new stories. (And hey, you can always bring them back to life!)
THE SIMS TEAM: You’ve created so many wonderful items for children and infants in the past; what interests you the most about designing and making objects for younger Sims?
SIXAMCC: Making content for younger Sims is just fun. You can experiment with different silhouettes and bright colors, and still provide swatches and options for more serious players. I feel like my creativity flows more freely when I work on content for kids. I also love to hear from my community and they’ve been pretty clear about loving children’s items.
THE SIMS TEAM: This kit has a real air of elegance to it; is there a particular object you knew you had to include to make this feel like an elevated nursery?
SIXAMCC: Oh what a difficult question, the truth is that each of the elements that make up this kit are perfect and I can’t imagine any of them being left out. But if I had to choose I think it would be the canopy, I’m sure the players will use it to give that extra bit of elegance to their little ones rooms.
The canopy taking center stage in this pink and white colorway of the Storybook Nursery kit.
THE SIMS TEAM: Do you have a favorite detail or easter egg you’d be willing to share?
SIXAMCC: I love all the easter eggs in this Kit, I would like to mention them all! I won’t spoil them! but I think one of my favorites without a doubt is the hanging mobile where, if you zoom in close enough, we can actually see Bella in the hot air balloon. It certainly brings back a lot of nostalgic feelings from The Sims 2.
THE SIMS TEAM: You’ve collaborated with other Sims community members in the past; are there any creators you’d really love to work with some day?
SIXAMCC: I could start listing all the people that come to mind, and we’d probably run out of time for the interview, haha. There are so many talented Simmers I admire, both as individuals and as content creators, modders, and other CC creators. I’d absolutely love to work with all of them, but the truth is, I’m super shy and I always hesitate when I think of asking. (Some people are going to laugh when they read this, but I promise it’s true!)
For now I can say that I would love to collaborate with Juno Birch and Trixie Mattel; I love their style and I think something extremely cool and unique would come out of it.
THE SIMS TEAM: For anyone who’d like to start creating their own digital art, is there any advice you’d give them?
SIXAMCC: (Looks at the camera) You, yes, you, don’t overthink it, just do it.
Honestly, it can seem scary, but the most important thing is to just dive in and give it a shot. There are so many places out there now where you can get help and learn whatever you need. And as they say, practice makes perfect, right? It doesn’t have to be perfect on the first try.
THE SIMS TEAM: You answers have been so great, so let’s end on a truly tricky question:
You can only pick ONE!
SIXAMCC: This is a tough one because Jenni, from The Sims team, made me love the possum that we made for this kit, but I think I’ll probably choose a sloth one because it’s my absolute favorite animal.
The council of the eight plushies awaits your decision: If you can only choose one, who are you choosing?
Thank you to SixamCC for his time, thoughtful answers, and for all the work he did to bring the beautiful Storybook Nursery Kit to life with The Sims 4 team! Choose your very own favorite stuffed animal friend and level up your legacy with this kit when it releases later this month.
The Sims 4 Storybook Nursery Kit will be available for purchase beginning September 19 in The Sims 4 on PC and Mac® via EA app, Epic Games Store, Steam®, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One systems.
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