The Sims 2: University

The Sims 2: University is the first expansion pack for the strategy/simulation computer game The Sims 2. University includes College Towns, a special type of neighborhood in which Young Adult Sims may attend College. Sims now have Lifetime Wants and Influence, as well as numerous new social interactions. University has won two Editor's Choice awards from syndicated game review publications.

Features
University adds a simple instrument system as well, accompanying the new Guitar, Drum Kit and Bass objects. Multiple Sims can play together, like a band. Sims can make money by playing at their homes or at community lots such as music clubs or coffee shops. The Sims can play three different types of musical styles with these instruments and once one Sim begins playing one of the styles, the others who pick up instruments to play join into the same style. Although Sims cannot have actual vocalists, the new action "Freestyle" or "Freestyle For Tips" will allow another Sim to rap along, in Simlish, to the instruments being played or in a Capella to annoy or entertain the Sim and other Sims.

Students also have a variety of new objects centered around college life (including a fruit juice keg [obviously meant to represent a beer keg], togas, and ramen noodles). University adds new elements to The Sims 2 to facilitate college educating Sims. The Young Adult stage exists between Teen and Adult life stages. Only Sims at college become Young Adults, and any Sims who do not attend college make the transition directly to adults. The new college towns are linked to a specific neighborhood and preserve the same separation home neighborhoods do. University comes with three pre-packaged college towns: Sim State University, La Fiesta Tech, and Académie Le Tour. There are three types of residential lots in College towns: dorms, private housing, and Greek Houses. Also, if your Sim knows the right people, they may be added to a Secret Society. Sims often live in communal dorms, where computer-created Sims fill in the house vacancies. A Sim with enough scholarship money may start out in a private house. Greek Houses function the same as a dormitory, but have increased Relationship and Motive benefits. The premade neighborhoods generally include recreation centers, libraries, and other student centers.

College education
The biggest aspect of The Sims 2: University is the college system, which introduces classes, majors, and rewards.

Students have the choice of eleven different majors. These majors require the advancement of specific skills in order to get the highest possible grades. The majors available are: Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Political science, Psychology, Art, Biology, Drama, Economics, History, and Literature.

Sims must complete four years of university to graduate. If a Sim fails a semester, they are placed on academic probation and must repeat the semester. During class hours, Sims simply walk off the housing lot and return when the class is over, but no actual education or skill enhancement takes place. Education is conducted mainly through independent study, completing assignments, researching, writing a paper, or socializing with teachers.

Good grades are rewarded by college through grants or a spot on the Dean's List. In addition, Sims are also enhanced upon completion of a school year, being rewarded with additional Want slots and the opportunity to change Aspiration. A Sim can also graduate with Honours, which accelerates his or her career in Adulthood.

Student Finance
Each Sim student starts off with a budget separate from any family they may have come from. In University, students can spend their money on luxury objects in their living spaces, excess clothing, electronic gadgets (i.e. 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 a Greek House.

There are several ways to receive income as a student, including Tutoring and Physically Training other Sims. Students may also play Instruments or Freestyle or work part time. Sims can work as Cafeteria workers, Bartenders, or Baristas. If the player has Nightlife or Open for Business they can put items into their Sims' personal inventory before they go to University and then sell them when their Sims arrive.

Influence and Wants
University includes the Influence system. By achieving specific goals, Sims gain a number of Influence points, which may be spent on directing other Sims to do certain things.

Sims now have a Lifetime Want which puts the Sim in Platinum mood for the rest of their lives if achieved. Contrary to its name, more than one Lifetime Want may appear during a Sim's lifetime, since when one is accomplished, another appears.

Over the course of a Sim's college years, the player is given the chance to change their Aspiration.

Social interactions
There are many new social interactions in The Sims 2: University, including Pranks, Instruments, and Pillow fights. University adds several categories of interactions, including "Influence To..." and "Hang Out". Sims can comprise Study Groups, providing social interaction while boosting grades. A common interaction between University Sims is "Kicky Bag", a hacky sack knock-off in which multiple Sims try to keep aloft a small bag filled with beans by kicking it to each other. Young adults can also streak on the University area.

Careers and Career Rewards
University makes available four new Adult career tracks: Natural Science, Show Business, Paranormal, and Art. These can only be accessed by Sims who graduate from college.
 * The Career Reward for the Paranormal career is the Resurrect-O-Nomitron, a device that allows a Sim to revive a dead Sim in exchange for money.
 * The Natural Science reward is the Cow Plant(Laganaphyllis Simnovorii), which is carnivorous, can eat Sims, and after eating one can be milked to produce a life-extending elixir. It has a lure inside its mouth that looks like a slice of cake to entice unwary Sims. It can be fed a hunk of meat once a day and, once done, it will hide its lure and be harmless until the following morning.
 * The Show Business reward is a facial surgery kit, which allows a Sim to change its facial structure.
 * The Artist reward is a camera that shoots expensive pictures in which Sims may pose.

Zombies
University introduces Zombies, a new type of Sim. Zombies have several advantages and disadvantages.
 * Zombies have a special bluish skintone and a disorted facial structure.
 * Zombies can't run, skip or walk. Instead, they "shamble".
 * Zombies can Woo Hoo, but cannot try for baby.
 * Zombies don't age, unless a Teen zombie goes to college or a Young Adult zombie finishes college.
 * Zombies return a bit outgoing, active, and playful, but sloppy.
 * Zombies get mad with the Sim that revived them as zombies.
 * Zombies have frequent thoughts of brains and often talk about brains to other sims.
 * Teen Sims gain a scholarship for being Zombies, the Undead Educational Scholarship.
 * Zombies return with a very low hygiene and some skills lost.
 * Zombies frequently moan.

Music
The new College Rock Radio station features songs from independent bands. All of the lyrics are pre-recorded in Simlish.

New songs in this expansion pack include:


 * "Come On" - Steadman
 * "The Conversation Is Over" - Acceptance
 * "Beautiful Life" - Charlotte Martin
 * "Outsider" - The Daylights
 * "Sway" - The Perishers
 * "Pretty People" - Dexter Freebish
 * "Very Very Rich Town" - Go Betty Go