As The Sims Spark’d TV show makes its debut, Simmers around the globe are being invited to participate in a range of challenges within The Sims 4. These will give players the opportunity to show off their stylist, building, and/or storytelling skills to be in with a chance of becoming a Top Spark’d Creator. These creators will be spotlighted on The Sims website and will be added to a pool of potential contestants for a future season of Spark’d.
We’ve put together a guide to walk you through the process. Here’s everything you need to know about the challenge format, rules, voting, and judging process.
The Challenge Format
Each challenge has one theme and three categories. The categories are stylist, builder, and storyteller. Players creating sims or lots for the stylist and builder categories can use the in-game options to submit their creations to the challenge gallery using the new plumbob icon. Those producing videos for the storyteller category should upload them to YouTube and then use the website to submit their link.
The first challenge theme is Destination Wedding and the submission window is July 17th - August 2nd. Voting will end on August 9th and the winners will be chosen by August 31st. Challenges will be released on a regular basis and are likely to follow this same two-week submission period format.
The Categories
The stylist category involves creating and styling a sim that follows the specific guidelines of each challenge. While the theme will change, the core rules of having no custom content, no simoleon limit, and being allowed to use unlockable CAS content and full edit mode are likely to remain the same. Custom poses should also not be used.
For those who prefer lot creation, the builder category focuses on the entire process of lot building and takes into account interior, exterior, landscaping, and creativity. The core rules in this category are any size or type of lot is allowed but custom content or thumbnails are not. There is no simoleon limit and build cheats such as move objects, show hidden objects, and resizing are also permitted.
In the storytelling category, the emphasis is on bringing a narrative to life. While it requires a video submission, this can be done with the in-game video creation tool as the judging will focus on the story itself. Videos cannot exceed three minutes in length and must be in English or have English subtitles. They can be of any genre but must be original, created by the uploader, and use no custom content.
Voting And Judging
The gallery contains a new tab for entries into each challenge. Players can make their voices heard in the stylist and building categories by voting for their favorite creations. Simply head over to the gallery and hit the hearts for your favorites. The 100 creations with the most votes will go in front of the judges.
Judges will look at creativity (40%), craftsmanship (30%), originality (20%) and aesthetics (10%) as well as how the creation meets the specific challenge requirements. You can find the full explanation and breakdown of the judging criteria for each category on the website.
The Rules
Players can submit as many creations as they like in as many categories as they like. To win a challenge, players must be 18 years of age. The main thing to remember is that creations must be original and must not use custom content. As you would expect, they also cannot be offensive, inappropriate, or unlawful in any way.
By submitting your creation you are allowing it to be displayed on the website as well as in other publicity material. If you intend to submit creations then it’s essential that you read the full rules to ensure you are happy with them since winners will need to accept these terms. If you wish to withdraw you can do this by accessing your creations in the library and removing them from the challenge gallery.
The Prizes
Those chosen as a Top Spark’d Creator will be spotlighted on the Spark’d website and could be considered for an interview as a potential contestant on the show’s future seasons, should they wish to be.
The main focus of the challenges is to give players a fun new way to focus their gameplay and get their creativity noticed.
NEXT: Where To Watch New Reality Show The Sims Spark’d
