EXCLUSIVE: How to build a band in The Sims 3: Late Night

How EA is making sure its all about the music in the latest Sims 3 expansion

The Sims 3: Late Night is bursting at the seams with new content and features for your virtual you. It』s going vertical, with a city full of towering skyscrapers. It』s also going dark, adding a brand new vampire system to sink your teeth into. But it』s also going social, with more activities that you can enjoy with other Sims, like barhopping with groups of friends for a night out on the town or even starting your own band.

It looks like Late Night is going to rock, so we were very pleased to have a chance to speak with Melanie Lam, associate producer for The Sims 3: Late Night to find out more about the new Band career in the upcoming expansion. Find out why Late Night will be all about the music - if you want it to be - and learn all the ins and outs of how the new Band career will work.

GamesRadar: Why did the Sims team decide to add the Band career in Late Night?
GamesRadar: 為什麼模擬人生團隊決定在夜店人生中添加樂隊？
Melanie Lam: Instruments are a popular and much requested feature in The Sims 3.  We had a guitar in The Sims 3 and we wanted to expand the repertoire of instruments that Sims can play.  With our Late Night scene, it was a natural choice to have live entertainment like bands performing gigs at our bars and lounges.  It offers a cool way for Sims to earn Simoleons either as a career or a side job.  Who wouldn』t want to be in a band!
Melanie Lam:中的樂器相當受歡迎，有很多功能被玩家要求加入。我們已經在中添加了吉他這個樂器，但我們希望有更多的樂器，模擬市民可以播放自己的曲目。夜店人生中，我們可以在酒吧或俱樂部進行現場演出活動。它提供了一個很酷的賺取模擬幣的途徑，誰會不想在一個樂隊中呢！
GR: How do you start a band?
GR: 你如何建一個樂隊呢？
Lam: To start a band, just learn to play an instrument to level 1 then get friendly with other Sims and use the 「Ask to Form a Band」 social on them.  You can ask up to three Sims to join the band.
Lam: 要建一個樂隊，只要學會演奏樂器1級然後與其他模擬市民有一定的友好度後使用「要求組裝一支樂隊」。你可以要求最多三個模擬市民加入樂隊。
GR: How big (or small) can your band be? Can we start a one-man band?
GR: 你的樂隊可大可小嗎？能只建立一個人的樂隊嗎？
Lam: The great thing is that an informal jam session can have up to eight Sims playing at a time.  If you want to be hired for paying gigs however, this requires a standard four member band. We have a new Lifetime Wish to BE a One Sim Band and to complete that goal, your Sim has to master all four instruments.  Of course, there are plenty of solo opportunities that will come up like playing for tips or teaching a music class.
Lam: 你可以最多控制8個人同時進行演出表演。如果你想開一個音樂會，你需要一個標準的4人樂隊。有一個新的終生願望，你的模擬市民必須完成4種樂器技能最高等級。當然，在演出的時候也有很多的獨奏提示或者教音樂課。

GR: What kind of instruments will be available? Can you band play different styles of music?
GR: 有那些新的樂器？你能設置不同的音樂風格嗎？
Lam: New instruments include the upright bass, drums, piano or keyboard.  Additionally, as a celebrity, you have a chance of receiving a new electric guitar as a free gift.  New styles like blues, jazz, and rock become available to your Sim as the band improves.
Lam: 新的樂器有大提琴、鼓、鋼琴或鍵盤。另外，作為一個名人，你有一個新的機會得到免費的禮物電吉他。新的風格像藍調、爵士樂和搖滾樂能夠設置你的樂隊風格。
GR: Can you tell us about the sorts of venues your band can play at? Will the band』s style of music have any effect on where you can get booked?
GR: 你能說說你的樂隊的有哪些玩法？樂隊的不同音樂風格有什麼效果？
Lam: Your Sim』s band can be asked to play anywhere in town.  The local dive bar might need a replacement for a yawn-inducing pianist or perhaps there』s a halftime show at the stadium that has an open slot.  There are vampire-themed lounges or VIP rooms full of glitz and glamour.  Your band』s style of music is only limited by their skill level and as they practice and perform their way into a primetime band, they can choose to play music that suits each environment.
Lam: 你的模擬市民的樂隊可以先在城裡的任何地方演出。當地的潛水酒吧有一個鋼琴家需要更換或者在體育館中場休息時有演出提示。有吸血鬼為主題的休息室或浮華魅力的貴賓室進行演出。你的樂隊的音樂風格，只限於他們的技能等級和所學會的曲目，為他們選擇一個黃金時段的樂隊演出，可以選擇播放的音樂適合於各種環境。

GR: Does your relationship with your band members have any impact on the band itself? Will there be consequences to thoughtless 『woohoo-ing』 with your band mates?
GR: 請問你與你的樂隊成員的關係會影響到整個樂隊嗎？能不計後果的和你的樂隊成員進行「嘿咻」呢？
Lam: While your relationship does not affect the amount of money you earn or the gigs you get, as the leader of the band, you can 『manage the band』 by kicking out members you no longer want.  This can have a negative effect on your relationship for sure!
Lam: 雖然你們的關係不會影響你賺錢或音樂會，你不能管理這個樂隊的成員時你可以從樂隊中踢除他。這將會和你的關係有負面效果！

GR: Can you tell us about any interesting bands made by the folks on the Sims team?
GR: 你能介紹下這次模擬人生團隊給我們帶來了什麼有趣的事情？
Lam: Someone on our team made an amazing 『Undead』 Band with Death on guitar, a vampire on drums, Simbot on keyboard and a ghost on the double bass.  Now that』s a killer band!  With bands I make, it』s all about their image. I love to give them tattoos and attire that really sell their style.
Lam: 我們用了一個沒有發表的樂隊，死神彈奏吉他，吸血鬼打鼓，模擬市民彈奏鍵盤樂器，一個鬼魂演奏大提琴。我們對這樂隊成員設置了刺青跟衣服，這個樂隊獨有的風格。

GR: What』s it like being on stage? Can you tell us about some of the special stage effects?
GR: 舞台上怎麼進行演出？有沒有什麼特殊的效果？
Lam: The new lighting and effects objects are really versatile and allow for a great deal of creativity.  For starters, you can build platforms of various sizes.  Most venues have stages built in ready for performances.  There are effects machines that emit bubbles or FIRE and gobo lights with different theme patterns like bats or music notes.  Some of our favorite lighting effects are the strobe light with an adjustable delay and black lights!  If you just can』t decide with all the choices, setting everything to 『random』 creates an exciting cacophony and sensory overload!
Lam: 新的照明和特效工具能真正讓你來創造個性舞台。首先，你可以建造不同高度的舞台。大部分地方都有可供演奏的舞台，可以放置泡泡機或火焰機器等，有不同的圖案效果顯示，如蝙蝠、音符。

GR: Will your band be able to play Simlish covers of the songs on the official soundtrack?
GR: 你的樂隊能演奏遊戲中的原聲音樂嗎？
Lam: You』ll hear songs from the official soundtrack coming from the speakers when you』re at venues but bands won』t be performing them live.
Lam: 你可以在遊戲的音響裡聽到，但不能用在演奏的部分。

GR: Is the Band career related to the Celebrity career at all?
GR: 有沒有跟樂隊相關的名人職業？
Lam: Definitely! The band career is one of the best ways to increase your celebrity level.  Not only will you earn Simoleons from performing gigs but some gigs will provide a good boost to your visibility and celebrity level.
Lam: 當然！樂隊的職業生涯是最好提高你的名人知名度的途徑之一。你不僅可以賺取音樂會表演的報酬，音樂會是提供一個良好的促進你的知名度和名人的水準平台。

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