Fixing the Sims

EA has released a patch for The Sims 2: Free Time, the seventh (!) of its expansion packs (not including "stuff packs") for its quasi-social simulator. Unfortunately, whether it's my machine or the raw bloat of the content, it now takes more time to start up than I end up actually playing it, so I really don't play anymore.

However, the patch entertains in its own way. Here are some of the (many) actual fixes the patch addresses:

• Sims will now remember which side of the bed is theirs to sleep on.


• Vampire Sim can no longer receive a Want to turn Bigfoot into a Vampire.


• Sims will no longer gain fishing skill points while digging for treasure.


• Pregnant Sims can now browse or blog about hobbies on the computer.


• Vacation guest who is asked to Join a Sim in a tent will now properly leave the tent after an appropriate amount of time.


• Children will no longer pop when drinking Hot Chocolate.