The Sims 4 Redesign

ELVTR – UX/UI for Gaming Coursework

Overview

About the Project

A study of The Sims 4 as part of ELVTR’s UX/UI for Gaming coursework, focusing on the home screen, general gameplay icons, and inventory system.

Tasks

UX/UI Design, User Testing

Tools

Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop

Project Length:

7 Weeks

Challenges

Aging UI Design – The Sims 4 interface, originally designed in 2014, could benefit from modernization to align with current UX/UI standards.
Increased Complexity with Expansions – The growing number of expansions and interactions may contribute to a steeper learning curve for new and returning players.
Icon Clarity & Navigation – Some icons may not effectively communicate their functions, potentially impacting ease of navigation.
Inventory Usability – The current inventory system could be optimized for better organization and efficiency.

player-1

player-2

player-3

Home Screen (1900×1200)

Gameplay Screen (1900×1200)

Inventory Screen (1900×1200)

home-2

gameplay-2

inventory-2

Home: Add town details, hide menu, clarify icons, de-emphasize “Play Scenario.”
Game Play: Redesign icons, improve bulk cancellations, group time/weather, move financial info.
Inventory: Enable hover details, use shopping cart icon, improve bulk actions, add favorites.
General: Improve icon clarity, allow customization, make bulk actions & item details intuitive.

home-3

Gameplay Screen (1900×1200) – iteration

Inventory-3

Improved Navigation: Clearer icons and better menu organization enhance usability.
Enhanced Onboarding: Reduced learning curve for new players through intuitive UI updates.
Streamlined Inventory: More efficient layout with hover details and bulk action improvements.
Modernized UI: Updated visuals align with The Sims 4 branding while maintaining familiarity.