Sims Urbz

Growing up, I was addicted to the Sims video games. I loved the idea of creating my own characters and seeing how they advance through life. In the game the Sims Urbz, you go around the city as a poseur, advancing to new levels through the gaining of rep points. There were a plethora of areas to explore: Central Station (goth subway station), Kicktail Park (skaters), South Side Bridge (mafia gambling scene), Diamond Heights (rich and famous), Foundry (artsy area), Neon East (anime scene), Gasoline Row (bikers), Cozmo Street (Black Eyed Peas hangout), and Skyline Beach (hip-hop area). I do not have the time to explain, nor do I remember every aspect of each area; so I'll describe Skyline Beach as it seems relevant to our recent topics. The Skyline Beach area was a bunch of rooftops in which "gangsta" males and "hip-hop divas" would congregate. In this area one would have to buy hip-hop attire and learn social moves applicable to that demographic in order to progress in the game. If you gained enough rep points, you would be invited to enter the Red Room (a secluded area that contained a hot tub and huge speakers). In the game, if your sim gathered around a huge stereo system they could start to breakdance, and eventually other sims would join in also. If you befriended the people in that area you would learn Skyline Beach moves such as: Rap, Bust a Move, Knuckle Up, and Grab Booty. Depending on each individuals' interests, those social moves could damage or improve relationships. Each area had different jobs that you needed to do in order to make a living. In Skyline Beach you had to box ferrets, which is one aspect I never really understood. Another aspect that I found interesting about this game, was the emphasis on tagging. Each area had their own specific tag, and when different cliques entered different ares, you would see them with a spray can marking there territory. Below I posted a few links that show the game so enjoy:

Skyline Beach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbpHKvBzzws

Central Station: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGyLoYVdzJM

Neon East: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYgUBZZdpIA