EA has published a new blog post from “SimGuruMike”, in which he explains through example how players can build resorts in the upcoming expansion pack for The Sims 3 called Island Paradise. This expansion (which will be one of the last for The Sims 3 given that The Sims 4 is due in 2014) introduces a bunch of new features – your Sims can build and live in their own drivable houseboat, and scuba dive – but the ability to build and run resorts is one of the most interesting. It's like a mini “ThemeResort” game within the expansion.
Players who don't want the fuss of building their resort from the ground up can use the Blueprint mode to place down a basic resort to get them started. All resorts have to include at least one “resort tower” rabbit hole (i.e. area where the player cannot follow their Sims) and a front desk. The front desk is where the player can manage the resort's various amenities, hire and manage staff, and check out reviews left by the Sims who've stayed there.
While things like poor upkeep can lower the star rating of a resort, adding amenities can increase it. “SimGuruMike” has his own Sim manage the resort, but hires maintenance workers to clean up the mess. To boost the star rating, he places private VIP rooms (adding a VIP door lock to each means that guests who sign in at the front desk will get a key that only unlocks one of these rooms) and buffet tables. He ends his demo by creating customised uniforms that the staff at the resort will wear.
The resort features we've seen so far seem pretty basic, but if the expansion has enough content this should be a nice mini game within the Sims 3 experience.
