The Sims 4 is known for including quirky references in the description of items in its Build and Buy Mode. With the release of the Life & Death expansion pack on Halloween, players were keen to spot any references Maxis threw in. Simmers quickly recognized a reference to one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s fan favorite companion in the latest Sims 4 DLC.
Build and Buy Mode isn’t the only part of The Sims 4 that has seen pop culture Easter eggs. In fact, references have been built in, not just into The Sims 4 since its inception, but since the franchise’s first installment. This new Easter egg reflects and carries on the spirit of The Sims.
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Build and Buy Mode Easter Eggs in The Sims 4
Easter eggs in The Sims 4, specifically in Build and Buy Mode, are typically found either in the name of the item or the item’s description. Direct references in an item’s name are typically a pun or a quote from a piece of media. For example, a fire safety sign included in the Get to Work expansion pack is called “We Didn’t Start the Fire Sign”, a direct reference to “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel. A bicycle, called “Bicycle…Bicycle!”, found in the Discover University expansion pack falls under the second camp as it directly references lyrics from Queen’s “Bicycle Race” both in its name and in its description.
In comparison, items with Easter eggs inside their description will include whole quotes or parody the media they are referencing. An armchair found in the Get Famous expansion pack, called “The Queens Gossip Chair” directly quotes the film Mean Girls stating; “That’s why her hair is so big, it’s full of secrets!” A notable parody description is that of the “Birthday Hot Tub”, which puts a Sims twist on The Beatles song “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Clubs Band.”
The Baldur’s Gate 3 reference found in the new Life & Death expansion pack falls under this second category. The name of the item does not directly give away that it is a Baldur’s Gate 3 reference. However, its description quotes multiple lines from every Tav’s favorite vampire – Astarion.
Astarion Lays to Rest in The Sims 4
The description of the “Sun and Stars Headstone” reads as follows:
“A grave that marks the end of an era and the beginning of another much more hopeful one. Perhaps this is the perfect gravestone to commemorate a cheeky little Sim who faced the trails of life’s shadowy depths, all the while craving the sun. Though, perhaps, not the full concentrated power of the sun after so many years spent out of it. Just a little bit of sun, as a treat: darling!”
While the description of the headstone suggests that its owner was a vampire that died due to sun exposure, something that does not happen to Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, several lines in the description are direct quotes from the roguish vampire.
Players that attempt to steal the Blood of Lathander mace at the Githyanki Crèche without acquiring the Dawnbringer Crest will trigger its demolition. After using Withers to resurrect Astarion in camp, players will be signaled to talk to him. Depending upon how a player answers, one of Astarion’s most iconic lines in the game will be triggered, stating that he can withstand some sunlight, but not the “full concentrated power of the sun!”
Additionally, the use of the word “darling” in the description confirms that the item references Astarion specifically. The flirtatious vampire often calls players the pet name, regardless if Tavs choose to romance him during their run. One of The Sims 4’s producers, Molly “SimGuruNova” Narkis, confirmed that she planted the Easter egg. While expressing her delight, Narkis mentioned that another reference to Baldur’s Gate 3 is buried somewhere in the Life & Death expansion pack.
Referencing Astarion out of Baldur’s Gate 3’s companions makes the most sense considering his thirst for blood. Orin the Red seems like another Baldur’s Gate 3 character primed for reference in the darkly themed expansion pack. Minthara, Mizora, and the Dead Three also fit the bill for characters that could be referenced in the latest expansion.
Though Astarion would probably be better suited to the Vampires stuff pack than the Life & Death expansion, players remain absolutely delighted that he snuck his way into The Sims 4. Simmers will have to keep their eyes peeled to discover what other Baldur’s Gate 3 references were added in the Life & Death expansion pack.
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