Terrain Manipulation
Role: UX Designer, UI Art & Implementation
UX Mocks
Project
In November 2018, The Sims 4 introduced the Terrain Tools Update, giving players the ability to sculpt and manipulate the land in their builds for the first time. This update expanded creative possibilities, allowing for more dynamic landscapes, elevated homes and unique lot designs.
Problems
- The Build Mode interface was already packed with multiple tools and menus. Adding a new Terrain Tools panel could have resulted in a cramped and overwhelming layout for players.
- The terrain tools added a level of complexity that could be intimidating for newer or less experienced players. Sculpting terrain, especially with multiple adjustable settings (brush size, strength, etc.), could have felt overwhelming.
- The Flatten to Height tool, when used carelessly, could lead to areas of the terrain looking too uniform, robotic, or unnatural. Players might inadvertently flatten the terrain to a height that doesn’t match the surrounding environment, leading to an unsightly, unrealistic result.
- The Flatten Terrain tool, when used across a large area, could inadvertently remove or flatten important details that players want to keep. For example, if players were building on a lot with varying elevation or a carefully sculpted landscape, they might lose all the details and subtle changes that made the terrain unique.
Player Pain Points:
- Pain Point: Players may struggle to get the exact result they want, especially with the Flatten Terrain and Flatten to Height tools. Terrain tools often require a high level of precision, and small adjustments can have a large visual impact. Players might find it difficult to make subtle changes or achieve smooth transitions, leading to frustration.
- Flattening large areas of terrain, especially with the Flatten Terrain tool, can sometimes lead to the destruction of carefully placed landscaping or structural elements (e.g., foundations, gardens, or pools). Players may accidentally wipe out their carefully designed builds.
Research
Feedback was gathered from a diverse group of The Sims 4 players about their experiences with the new terrain manipulation tools. The feedback was collected through a mix of surveys, online discussions, and gameplay observations.
Players found tools like Raise and Lower Terrain easy to use but struggled with the Flatten to Height tool’s precision, causing uneven surfaces. The Smooth Terrain tool was appreciated but could have a stronger effect. Many players requested more control over terrain edits, clearer visual feedback, and better tool previews. Experienced builders liked the tools for custom designs, while casual players found them overwhelming and wanted more guidance. Overall, players want more precision, clearer feedback, and more control, particularly for fine-tuned terrain manipulation.
Design Process
After I gathered insights, research helped me identify key pain points and areas for improvement, which led to clear design goals—improving precision, enhancing visual feedback, and making the tools more accessible to both casual and advanced players.
Once those goals were set, I prototyped new UI elements and interactions, testing various concepts and refining them based on player feedback. My focus was on creating intuitive controls, making tool previews more prominent, and ensuring a smoother user experience. After finalizing the design, I illustrated the UI and icons and implemented the art side of the tools into the game.
Results
After the game was patched, the new terrain tools received positive feedback from players, with many appreciating the increased flexibility and control over landscape editing. Players, particularly experienced builders, were pleased with the precision improvements, especially when using the Raise and Lower Terrain tools. The Flatten to Height tool also saw a significant boost in usability, with clearer previews through terrain lines and more accurate adjustments, leading to fewer frustrations when aligning terrain.