Terrain Manipulation
Role: UX Designer
UX Mocks
Project
In 2019 the stair tool was added to The Sims 4. The goal for the Configurable Stairs feature was to provide players with more flexibility and control when designing their Sims’ homes, specifically focusing on stairs and landings.
Problems
Player Pain Points:
- Frustration with the rigid stair systems previously available, often leading to awkward designs and a lack of creative freedom.
- Difficulty in adjusting the placement of landings, poor alignment with turn configurations, and limitations when rotating landings to fit more complex floor plans.
- Not beginner friendly, Landings often required advanced builder knowledge of terrain manipulation in combination of wall heights.
Research
The research for the Configurable Stairs feature in The Sims 4 involved analyzing player feedback from forums and surveys to identify pain points like frustration with stair placement precision, limited turn configurations, and the inability to rotate landings. I also studied other simulation and architecture games for design inspiration, particularly focusing on flexible, modular building systems. In-house usability testing with players of varying experience levels helped us understand specific interaction challenges, such as issues with snapping mechanisms and alignment of landings. This combined approach allowed us to design tools that addressed key player frustrations, ensuring they were both intuitive and offered greater creative freedom.
Design Process
Based on this research, the team decided to create three main tools: The Landing Manipulator, which allows for precise placement of landings; the Turn Manipulator, which helps players shape staircases with ease; and the Landing Rotation Manipulator, which offers full rotation of landings to fit diverse layouts. It was my job to show how these should look, work and behave in a 3D environment. I utilized my background in 3D to build a 3D staircase and widgets for my prototype to better get my ideas shared.
Through iterative prototyping and user testing, the tools were refined for simplicity and accessibility, ensuring they were intuitive to use while still providing the depth players desired.
Results
The results showed a significant reduction in player frustration, with increased engagement in creating more intricate and personalized builds, as evidenced by positive feedback and a rise in community shared designs.
Articles about The Sims 4 Stair Tool
PC Gamer – “You can finally customize staircases in The Sims 4”