While I was home sick I may or may not have watched Katatty's Prosperity Challenge on YouTube while simming. And now I want to try it, so welcome to Barrel's End! I'm not yet sure how extensive I want to document it but I'm really enjoying this laid-back, chill gameplay so far (not a Family Sim in sight!).
I rolled three families, so let's meet them!
John Youngblood lives in a shack on the outskirts of town and owns the local bar. The widower has recently taken in his granddaughter Tallulah after the accidental death of both her parents.
John Youngblood, Popularity 2/7/4/8/4
Tallulah Youngblood, Grow Up 9/0/4/5/7
The Foster Family has been owning the local farm ever since Anton, Gloria's late husband, was a young boy. After a mysterious illness left three of them dead, the remaining members of the family try to cope. Gloria has recently opened a small grocery store, hoping to better their financial situation.
Gloria Foster, Fortune 2/5/9/5/4
Zelda Foster, Romance 5/5/8/3/4
Maisie Foster, Grow Up 4/6/1/9/5
Marcus Irving lost his dad at an early age and his mother has been... flighty ever since. After moving the whole family out of the city to renovate a decrepit old motel and then disappearing, Marcus was left struggling to raise his younger brother Caleb while juggling multiple mortgages.
Marcus Irving, Romance 5/5/7/6/2
Caleb Irving, Grow Up 6/5/8/3/3
Notes on challenge gameplay:
I've used a loan jar to take out loans for the community lot (and in the Irving's case to minimally furnish their lot). It means that I've technically already failed the challenge (no money cheats). But since they'll have to pay it back with interest, I feel like it'll even out over time
I almost rerolled my town because the population was so small and contained not a single adult sim but I gotta say I really enjoy it. It'll probably never become a big city (at least not during the first few generations) but that's kind of what I need as a palate cleanser from Brackwater Creek, which is just population explosion after population explosion
I rolled EVERYTHING. Aspiration and zodiac sign (as specified in the rule set), turn ons and turn offs (I'm actually not sure if that's required), genetics and even their last names
I'm not yet sure if I'll keep score or just... vibe with it
I'm playing two days per round and use the community time cheat to make sure I can't abuse the community lots. The seasons' set-up is Spring/Summer/Summer/Autumn (it is a desert after all!)
I'm trying to take things slowly and really enjoy gameplay, not speed through anything. It's working so far!