Double Down Poker and Roulette

Hey guys,

Just making a small review as only two items have been released today: The Dead Man's Hand Poker Table and The Let It Ride Roulette Table.



The price of both of these items are 800 Simpoints in a bundle, on sale for 700 Simpoints until May 30th, 2013. Personally, I find the price pretty high, but it doesn't surprise me considering there is no way EA would sell an "alternate style" of Premium Content for a cheaper price. Yes, we do have the Blackjack Table already and that's at 600 Simpoints, but honestly with how EA is, there is no way they would sell it for much cheaper even though it's the same exact table with an addition of features and animations.

Considering the individual item prices are still 500 Simpoints each, total of 1000 Simpoints, I think 800 Simpoints is being fair to the players, but as a bundle bonus, it would be nice if it was reduced further into 500-600 Simpoints for the early bird special. I'm sure many players will probably be sold paying 250 Simpoints each on sale instead of buying pretty much the same content for almost the same price.

For the overall theme of it all, the content DOES in fact match the theme of the other casino objects, especially the Blackjack Table. Personally, it would be odd to have one blackjack table with a simbot, and the others without ones. It just wouldn't make sense in the slightest. So in my eyes of imagination and BS-ing, I'll just say that the casino is supposed to be operated by simbots, and all the tables are run by them. Of course, that's just made up and not actually true.

One thing I would have considered is probably some extra gambling content for homes to be included in this bundle. Imagine having just a  poker table (much like the one in The Sims 2), Blackjack Table, AND Roulette table that is designed for sims to have fun, ante up with their neighbors and guests AT HOME, without the simbots. Now that would have probably sold many players instead of having to get these "community-based" Gambling Content.

So far, the overall Pros and Cons of these new items are:

Pros:
- Same theme with the Lucky Simoleon Casino
- New Gambling Content: Poker and Roulette
- Individual items sold as a 2-item bundle (No need to require purchase of a huge set)
- Not 1200 Simpoints

Cons:
- Same mesh as the Blackjack Table
- Not too many new interactions
- Bigger discount would have been needed to justify the cost of content
- Same use of Simbots

Anyways, lets move on to each of the two premium content as I go more in-depth on them (If there is any depth at all)

Comparisons

First off, before I actually review the premium content individually, I'm going to first compare them both to the current Blackjack Table that was released in July. Below are the comparisons of the design, simbots, and the additional changes between each of them. This probably will get you an idea of how much they worked on in design (which honestly, I think they could have done better).

Order:

- Left: Blackjack Table

- Center: Poker Table

- Right: Roulette Table

Notice how identical they all look? Well, the only differences is the following:

1. The Roulette Table has a different board set up 

2. The Roulette Table has 3 hair lines on the simbot

3. The Poker Table has a mustache on the simbot
4. The Blackjack Table has a tattoo on the simbot

Other than that, that's pretty much it, the designs of all three are EXACTLY the same. Perhaps they could have made one of the simbots female, or have a different shape/stencils/design. I wonder if all three simbots have different interactions also, but we'll see how that goes.

Interactions details for all three:

Blackjack Table:

• Level up in the brand new Gambling Skill!
• Choose from 4 different Buy-In amounts, or let your Sims just play for fun at home.
• Choose how your Sim plays.  Count Cards, Play Moderately, Play Aggressively or play it safe by Playing Conservatively
• Evil, Computer Whiz Sims, or Sims with a high enough skill in Logic or Handiness can Hack the Blackjack Table to turn the odds in their favor.
• Technophobe Sims can Sabotage the Blackjack Table to make other Sims lose more often.
• Have your Sim gain the new Gambling Skill without the fear of losing money by Watching other Sims play.
• Sims that are Watched can get Distracted, Annoyed, or get an Ego Boost!
• Place the Blackjack Table on your home lot, so when visiting Sims use it, your family gains Simoleons!

Poker Table:

• Level up in the brand new Gambling Skill!
• Set Stakes with four different buy-in amounts.
• Choose how your Sim plays - Count Cards, Play Conservatively, or go for broke by Playing Aggressively.
• Evil, Computer Whiz Sims or Sims with a high enough skill in Logic or Handiness can Hack the Poker Table to turn the odds in their favor.
• Have your Sim gain the new Gambling Skill without the fear of losing money by Watching other Sims play.
• Sims that are Watched can get Distracted, Annoyed, or get an Ego Boost!
• Place the Poker Table on your home lot, so when other Sims use it, your family gains Simoleons!

Roulette Table:

• Level up in the brand new Gambling Skill!
• Choose from four different buy-in amounts, or let your Sims play for fun at home.
• Choose how your Sim plays - Play Conservatively, or go for broke by Playing Aggressively.
• Evil, Computer Whiz Sims or Sims with a high enough skill in Logic or Handiness can Hack the Roulette to turn the odds in their favor.
• Have your Sim gain the new Gambling Skill without the fear of losing money by Watching other Sims play.
• Sims that are Watched can get Distracted, Annoyed, or get an Ego Boost!
• Place the Roulette on your home lot, so when other Sims use it, your family gains Simoleons!

Differences and Issues:
1. You CANNOT count cards in an actual game of poker (real life), pretty sure on that. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I hope that is an oversight

2. Technophobe Sims are apparently utilized in the Blackjack Table only

Other than that, they are all the SAME options and details in gameplay. Next off, I will be showing off the two premium content specifically.

Dead Man's Hand Poker Table

While this particular premium content seems like an exact replica of the Blackjack Table, there are some notable features in terms of gameplay that are different. First off, your sim cannot play by themselves unless they have someone to play with them. I believe the call over interaction just had the sim sit down and watch instead of actually partaking in the game. However, I believe the Poker Table is different and allows the other NPC that you designate to call over to actually play. After testing this theory out, I had went in-game and was able to call a sim over to the table versus the Blackjack Table having more issues calling someone over.

It was still a hassle but I got more people to join the Poker Table. Also, one new option is to "Practice Poker Face" (Po Po Po Poker Face Po Po Poker Face.... *Lady Gaga Reference*) *clears throat* 

Anyways, your sim can practice their poker face and so far I can find three types of Poker Faces:

The Scratch My Side Poker Face

The Evil Laugh Poker Face (My Sim has no emotion whatsoever)

The Pondering Poker Face

Other than that, there isn't anything new and exciting about the table other than a simbot with a mustache.

Let It Ride Roulette Table

The Roulette Table is different in terms of gameplay compared to the other two tables, and is slightly different than the poker table as that you are not going against other sims, but the Simbot himself. There is no "winning against other sims" in this particular table, and the only animations is the simbot putting the ball in the wheel and hoping to hit the right spot that you placed your chips in.

There is no other interactions, so this is the most disappointing of the three tables. 

Overall Review

Price - 4/10: The price was just too steep for something that isn't changed or altered than the Blackjack Table. While it is still considered "Premium Content" in a way, thankfully the price was at 700 Simpoints out of the 1200 we would be shelling out for these two objects (The Blackjack Table is 600 Simpoints). Instead, the items are 500 Simpoints each, and brought down to 350 Simpoints each on sale. However, it would have probably made multiple shoppers happy if it was in the 500-600 Range, making it 250-300 Simpoints each for them.

Theme - 9/10: It matches the theme overall in terms of the type of content the Lucky Simoleon Casino brought, along with the idea that Simbots run all gambling-related content. 

Design - 1/10: I think they could have done more with the tables, probably made them look different than the Blackjack Table, but still fit the theme. Overall, the simbots are nothing we can do about currently due to how these are community-based objects mostly, but it would have been nice if they had introduced content for homes and did more in terms of the design of the content overall

Poker - 4/10: This one has only one special new interaction, but pretty much the same thing as the Blackjack Table. It does have more people attending the tables and requires at least 2 people to take part in, but other than that it's the same thing as the Blackjack Table.

Roulette - 2/10: The most disappointing of the two. All your sims do is just watch the simbot put the ball in the roulette. Other than that, no special interactions are added and you aren't able to play with other sims particularly unless they randomly join up with you. 

Overall - 4/10: Are these two items worth it? Well, if you want more variety to match your Blackjack Table and Slot Machines in the Casino, then go for it. Otherwise, I'd recommend waiting until these items go on a cheaper price. The overall design was not the best and more could have been done, but I'll still enjoy the content that the Poker Table brings. I felt like the store team could have done more, but it looks like they probably didn't prioritize or decided to do more work on these two objects.

Hope you guys enjoy this review, even though it sounds more of a disappointment than my past ones.