Episode 2 Elimination Challenge Breakdown

The Sims™ Spark’d is now live! Episode 2 premiered today, and we’re catching up with one of our judges, Dave Miotke aka SimGuruNinja. Be warned: there are spoilers ahead. If you missed the episode, you can catch it on BuzzFeed Multiplayer on July 27!

The judges seemed really torn deciding whether Team Gnome or Team Cowplant should go home. Can you take us inside those deliberations?

Judge Dave Miotke: Gosh, in the end, both teams delivered staggeringly fun results that were super high quality when judged by any standard. They also (in my humble opinion) shared a lot of similar individual strengths and faults, which made judging especially difficult overall. We were forced to consider, question, and weigh a collection of small, hypercritical issues and really pick apart the details between these two phenomenal teams. Side-by-side against each other, both deserve high praise, and it was arduous to find minuscule tie-breakers between them. The deliberation was deep amongst the judges. It was arguably one of the closest calls of the competition.

Which of the bottom teams featured the “supernatural” theme better in their video story, in your mind?

Judge Dave Miotke: Both of the bottom teams struggled to fully or naturally incorporate supernatural elements. Team Cowplant had a bit of a good build-up and a surprise factor in their mermaid reveal; albeit, a slightly confusing one in spots. Team Gnome, on the other hand, established aliens through supposition toward judge and host involvement in their plotline, but ultimately left their backstory and motivation unexplored, unresolved, and not quite believable. Gnome in particular seemed stretched to handle the twist, incorporating their last Skills challenge Parenthood Sim into the current Elimination Challenge. The vast thematic differences between the returning Sim character and current challenge theme left it feeling tacked on and, again, somewhat unexplained. Ultimately, the team that best utilized supernatural to form the most cohesive storyline won the vote: Team Cowplant.

Which of the bottom teams utilized their drafted packs more effectively? Any pack stand out as a pleasant surprise or particularly successful?

Judge Dave Miotke: The judges were totally and pleasantly surprised by the packs picked and the order in which they were chosen. It defied our expectations and set the tone for something extraordinary. It really showed the level of creative energy that was flowing amongst these teams. In the end, the tale that Cowplant weaved clearly incorporated their three chosen packs in ways integral to their overall storyline. Gnome’s pack choices, while providing a wide range and wealth of Build/Buy objects and tools for them to use, were not as organically interwoven into their final story. That said, their use of alien build content was impressive.

Did Team Gnome’s winning track record to this point factor into your thinking at all?

Judge Dave Miotke: At all points in this competition, every team had the ability and skill to win the whole dang thing outright. The sheer talent of each individual contestant who participated made any particular team a viable threat on any given challenge. It was impossible to underestimate them at any turn. It makes sense: their expertise is exactly why they were selected to be on this show. Each challenge was conducted in isolation and judged independent of what had preceded it. No amount of previous success or victory could guarantee a team’s future safety. The fact that Gnome could even be viewed as a favorite coming into this challenge speaks volumes to their prowess and mastery of The Sims. Sadly, it wasn’t their day for that particular challenge and, despite their stellar performance up to that point, they had to go home.

What ultimately was the deciding factor/difference-maker in the final decision to send Gnome home?

Judge Dave Miotke: In the face of grueling, exacting pressures, both teams performed absolutely amazingly. They completely smashed the challenge, at the cost of a few dings and bruises apiece. Although neither team committed grave errors, upon close inspection, Gnome just seemed to have committed a few more minor transgressions than Cowplant when considering the overall picture:

• Challenge/twist requirements
• Pack selection/integration
• Cohesive/interwoven story

It was a very, very close call.

Inspired by the show? Join the community Spark’d Challenge to share your creativity for a chance to be on a future season of Spark’d!

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