What are The Sims 4 Worlds Based On? A Deep Dive into the Real-Life Inspirations
At its core, The Sims series has always been about letting players build their dream lives in vibrant, quirky, and diverse settings. The Sims 4 carries on that tradition by letting you explore and shape worlds clearly inspired by some of the most iconic destinations around the globe.
An Eclectic Mix of Cities Powers San Myshuno
According to SimGuruGraham, San Myshuno‘s art director, the bustling metropolis mixes the dense urban energy of cities like Hong Kong and San Francisco with NYC‘s iconic skyscrapers and melting pot vibrancy.
Specifically, the Fashion District‘s sleek high-rises evoke the Futian central business district in Shenzhen, China. The Spice Market‘s cluttered stalls and fragrant spices are Influenced by the souks of Marrakech in Morocco. And the Japanese-inspired Karaoke Legends venue in the Arts Quarter is a nod to J-pop culture‘s global reach.
With various neighborhoods modeled after different international cities, San Myshuno encapsulates the diversity and kinetic possibilities of living in a 21st century global hub.
Sulani Captures the Laidback Islander Lifestyle
Palm-dotted beaches, dormant volcanoes, and island culture focused on music, crafts, and the ocean—Sulani is clearly The Sims team‘s love letter to the relaxing Polynesian vibes of Hawaii.
Specifically, the world leans into the Big Island‘s black sand beaches, tropical foliage, and the occasional eruption of Kīlauea volcano. Locals and tourists alike embrace the "hang loose" casual lifestyle. Your Sims can spend perfect days snorkeling with sea turtles, learning to play the Tiki drums, or mastering routes up the cliffside peaks that offer breathtaking views of sunset over the Pacific horizon.
It‘s a chilled-out tropical paradise…usually. Unless the volcano gods get angry!
Ancient Civilizations Power Selvadorada‘s Mysteries
The ancient ruins, tombs, and temples of the jungle-shrouded Selvadorada clearly take inspiration from the epic Mayan structures and artifacts left behind across southern Mexico and Central America.
Grace Ana Lewis, Selvadorada‘s lead architect, even confirms that the world features "vanilla Latin-inspired builds." But look closer and you‘ll also see ostentatious architectural details and ornamentations that resemble the palatial aesthetics preferred by Aztec nobles and deities.
Some players have noticed Mayan numerical systems integrated into the ruined structures as well. Plus, early explorer outfit options for your Sims clearly reference Spanish conquistadors.
As your Sims uncover shrines to monkey gods, dodge poison dart traps, and analyze relics, they unravel the secrets of fictional pre-Colombian civilizations…with a few winks and nods to real ancient history as well!
Countryside Charm in Idyllic Windenburg
Nestled between picturesque highland lakes and quaint vineyards lies the rustic Germanic town of Windenburg. The timbered houses prevalent throughout Windenburg closely resemble Schwarzwald farmhouses found in Bavaria while the neighborhood names derive from different regions across Germany.
In a SimsVIP Q&A, SimGuruGraham explains that originally "the world was supposed to be set in historical Germany" before evolving into a more modern fusion of old and new architectural styles.
Indeed, while there are pastoral vineyards, mines, and mills that evoke old-world rural charm, Windenburg also features a decidedly modern downtown core and even a bustling industrial port zone.
By blending historical and contemporary Germanic influences, Windenburg captures the rich culture and compelling contrasts of Deutschland today. Your Sims can wander flower-filled hillside trails or launch eSports gaming careers without ever leaving this multifaceted world!
The Wide World of The Sims
Nearly every world in The Sims 4 tries to encapsulate the essence of different real-world places for players to explore. For example:
Brindleton Bay: inspired by idyllic New England coastal towns full of seabirds, lighthouses, and friendly locals.
Henford-On-Bagley: designed around rural English country villages and towns focused on livestock shows, fairs & festivals.
Mt Komorebi: introduces Japanese aesthetics with hot spring resorts, snowcapped peaks for extreme sports, and tranquil shrines.
Evergreen Harbor: channels the funky artist communities and waterfront industry that dot Pacific Northwestern towns.
| World | Real-Life Inspirations |
|---|---|
| Brindleton Bay | Coastal New England towns |
| Del Sol Valley | Hollywood/Los Angeles |
| Evergreen Harbor | Pacific Northwestern towns |
| Henford-On-Bagley | English countryside villages |
| Mt Komorebi | Japanese mountains & architecture |
| San Myshuno | Hong Kong, San Francisco, NY melting pots |
| Selvadorada | Ancient Mayan/Aztec civilizations |
| Sulani | Hawaiin islands geography & culture |
| Windenburg | German towns & landscapes |
And there are likely more globetrotting adventures to come for The Sims 4 before the sun sets on the core series and attention turns to The Sims 5 sometime later this decade!
Personally, I‘d love to see The Sims interpretation of Singapore‘s futuristic cityscapes, Moscow‘s majestic domed cathedrals, or Cape Town‘s vibrant rainbow culture. Perhaps even fantasy realms like a hobbit-inspired Middle Earth complete with smials and mithril mines!
The point is: with ten worlds and counting, The Sims delivers destination variety spanning imagination and realism. So wherever your heart desires to virtually visit, there‘s a good chance you can teleport there through The Sims portal and steering one of the playable households as the locals live it up!
Ranking The Worlds
While personal preference plays a key role, as a seasoned Sims fanatic myself, here‘s how I‘d rate The Sims 4‘s current worlds based on visual splendor, gameplay opportunities, overall immersion, and that hard-to-define but easy-to-feel "magic" factor.
- San Myshuno: culture collides with kinetic opportunity across distinct neighborhoods
- Sulani: laidback tropical paradise polish
- Mt Komorebi: majestic Japanese mountainscapes
- Windenburg: pastoral European beauty
- Selvadorada: ancient adventure intrigues
- Henford-On-Bagley: quaint English charm
- Evergreen Harbor: weird Pacific Northwest funk
- Brindleton Bay: cozy coastal community
- Del Sol Valley: Hollywood hills pizzazz
- Strangerville: desert trailer park mysteries
Do you agree or disagree with any of the rankings? I‘m sure the community would love to debate the relative merits of each world (all of which add unique depth to The Sims 4 experience).
So in summary, even though The Sims 4 worlds may not geographically exist, they remain grounded in real cultural touchstones and geography while fueling our collective fantasies Virtually visiting the far reaches of both reality and imagination!
