Prima Games eGuides The Sims 3 University Life eGuide

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The Sims 3 University Life eGuide Essentials New Venues

New Venues

The college town of Sims University is different from any of the other towns or locations in The Sims 3 or any of the expansions. In addition to Academic buildings that make up the campus itself, there are also new types of buildings that provide new opportunities. Though we have a full tour of Sims University in the next chapter, use this section to dig deep into the newly crafted venues for The Sims 3: University Life.

Campus Living

While you spend a lot of time in class and studying for your major to ensure that you get a good grade, you still need to socialize and have fun to maintain a healthy balance for your Sim. As such, Sims University offers some great new places to blow off steam. Three of these are designed for the three different social groups and provide activities to help you advance within one of those specific groups.

B’s Bowlarama

  • Address: 1025 University Drive
  • Venue Type: Jock Hangout and Arcade
  • Operating Hours: 10 AM to 4 AM

B’s Bowlarama is the first bowling alley in The Sims 3. It provides a great place to relax for Jocks or other Sims who want to work on their bowling skill along with other activities.

Primary Use

The main function of B’s Bowlarama is an arcade where Sims can come to socialize and have fun. The first floor features six bowling lanes. Use them to play a game of bowling either by yourself or with another Sim. As you play, you begin to work on the hidden Bowling skill. The more you play, the higher your score can get. Bowling is a great way to increase your Influence with the Jocks and increase your Fun level. This is also a good place to meet other Jocks.

Additional Activities

In addition to the bowling lanes, the downstairs of B’s Bowlarama has a bar where your Sim can buy a drink or make drinks. A small stage with a guitar allows Sims to perform for the crowd, and several tables and chairs are perfect for having a conversation with another Sim while enjoying a juice.

Head upstairs for even more fun. Here you can find several billiards tables as well as a foosball table, another bar, a photo booth, and several arcade games. There are several more tables and even some couches for socializing. If you are working on Influence with the Jock social group, B’s Bowlarama is a great place to hang out while you are not in class or studying.

Keith’s Komics

  • Address: 516 S. Bend Ave.
  • Venue Type: Nerd Hangout and Commerce
  • Operating Hours: 8 AM to 2 AM

Keith’s Komics is the hangout for the Nerds in this college town. If you are working on increasing your Influence with the Nerd social group, be sure to stop in and get your fix of all things nerdy.

Primary Use

The main reason people visit Keith’s Komics is to read and buy comic books. There are several displays of comics where you can select from a variety of comics to read in the store. Be sure to check out each of the display racks because each has a different selection for your comic reading pleasure. If you prefer to take your comics with you and read them at home or another location, go to the cash register and buy some comics to add to your inventory. Every self-respecting Nerd should have some comics on hand at all times. In addition to comics, the shop also has bookshelves with books you can read on site, similar to a library.

Additional Activities

While Nerds like comics, they also enjoy other activities. Keith’s Komics has your nerdy Sims covered. Check out the computers, which you can use for studying, browsing the web, chatting, playing video games, and other activities. If you don’t have a computer of your own, this is a great place to use one. If you would like to relax and have some fun, watch TV while sitting on the couch or play one of the several video game machines.

Keith’s Komics provides a wonderful environment for reading comics and blowing off some steam after a tough day of classes. It also tends to attract other Nerds and is a great place to socialize with Nerds and possibly find a romantic interest who shares a love of sci-fi, superheroes, and fantasy. If you want to max out your Influence with the Nerd social group, spend a lot of time at the comic book store.

The Grotto

  • Address: 1029 University Drive
  • Venue Type: Rebel Hangout and Bar
  • Operating Hours: 6 AM to 1 AM

The Grotto is the hangout for the Rebels. If you are working on increasing your Influence with the Rebel social group, be sure to stop in and discuss the problems of the world with the other Rebels.

Primary Use

The Grotto serves up juice drinks as well as other snacks and beverages. Enjoy your drinks at several tables and couches while you socialize. Listen to music and even dance while you are there, associating with a mixed clientele of Rebels as well as Sims from other social groups.

Additional Activities

If you are studying Fine Art, have the Avant Garde trait, or are working on the Street Art skill, the Grotto is a great place to visit. Go upstairs and use the walls to paint murals without the fear of being arrested and fined. The Grotto not only allows street art on their walls, they encourage it. Other art-minded Sims can perform guitar on the small stage to improve their Guitar skill and get some exposure.

Those working on their Painting skill can practice their art on a canvas upstairs.

Roasted Toasted Beans Coffee Shop

  • Address: 1041 University Drive
  • Venue Type: Coffee Shop
  • Operating Hours: 5 AM to 1 AM

The Roasted Toasted Beans Coffee Shop is not only a great place to get a cup of java, but also to interact with other Sims. While it is a great place for Sims of all social groups, Rebels can find this meets some of their needs more than the other groups.

Primary Use

The main reason people come to this coffee shop is to enjoy a beverage and a snack. It opens early enough that you can hit this spot for some breakfast before class. It’s located directly across the street from the academic buildings on campus, making it easy to stop in and get something while still being close to the classrooms. While enjoying your drink or snack, be sure to do some socializing with fellow Sims to get your Social level up before or after classes.

Additional Activities

For Rebels or those pursuing a Communications degree, the Roasted Toasted Beans Coffee Shop also features a podium. Use this to practice a speech, give a lecture, announce a protest, or for those wanting to increase their Influence with the Rebel social group, take the time to Say What’s Wrong with the World. This is a good way to build up your cred with the Rebels. The shop also has bookshelves on both floors where you can find a book to read while you are in the shop.

Conners Student Union Building

  • Address: 110 Sims University
  • Venue Type: Student Union
  • Operating Hours: 6 AM to 1 AM

Located among the academic buildings on campus, the Student Union offers many different functions. Every student needs to visit this building at least once a week and those who want to succeed with good grades will stop in on a regular basis.

Primary Use

The lecture hall is located on the first floor of the Student Union. Each Sim working on a degree has one lecture on their schedule each week. The lecture hall is different than other classes because you can choose different socials during the lecture such as sleeping through the lecture, paying attention, taking notes, and asking questions. While a lecture is not taking place, you can use the podium to practice a speech or other speaking activities and the white boards for practicing your art skills or solving an equation depending on your major.

Additional Activities

A science room is also located on the first floor. This room contains a couple Science Research Stations, Brain Enhancing Machines, computers, and white boards. While this is a great place for Sims working on their Science degree and Science skill, all Sims can use it for entertainment or studying.

The computer room is next door to the science room. The computers in here can be used for studying, chatting, playing video games, and all other actions available on computers.

Need some fun and socializing? Then head upstairs for some excitement. There is a small bar where you can make some fruit juice. You can also get soda or snacks from vending machines. After getting a snack, play video games or billiards. Plus, this room has two ping pong tables where you can play and work on your Ping Pong skill, which can help increase your Influence with the Jock social group—as does a game of juice pong.