Enthusiasm indicates the level of interest a Sim has in a particular hobby. By interacting with objects associated with hobbies, a Sim can increase their enthusiasm and unlock new interactions. Sims will occasionally dream about their hobbies, and these dreams will raise enthusiasm by a small amount. Enthusiasm will gradually decline over time, so Sims will need to perform hobby-related activities to maintain their enthusiasm levels. Unlike the aspiration bar, enthusiasm does decline while the Sim is sleeping, at work/school, etc.
All Sims have a predestined hobby, and it will be easier for them to gain and maintain enthusiasm in this hobby. All hobbies except Film and Literature are linked to a skill, and having a higher level in that skill will make it easier for a Sim to gain and maintain enthusiasm in the associated hobby. All hobbies are linked to a couple of the personality scales. Depending on the hobby, having a low or high score on the appropriate scale will make it easier for a Sim to gain and maintain enthusiasm in the hobby.
As a rule, a Sim's enthusiasm will neither increase nor decrease while on community lots. However, young adult Sims are able to build enthusiasm on university community lots, and Sims can build enthusiasm on the secret hobby lots. Also, the "Instruct in Hobby" interaction is available on community lots.
Sims that are really enthusiastic about a hobby can get "in the zone". When their enthusiasm has reached the maximum level and they are performing an interaction related to that hobby, they will forget about everything around them. Sims "In the Zone" have a glow surrounding them, and if their hobby is Music and Dance they'll hear an audience clapping. The first time a Sim reaches maximum enthusiasm in a hobby, he or she will receive Lifetime Aspiration points. Sims may also have a major want to reach maximum enthusiasm in a hobby.
Unlockable interactions
Enthusiasm runs on a 0 to 10.00 scale, and as it increases, various interactions will be unlocked.
| Enthusiasm | Hobby | Interaction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All | Talk about Hobby | Does not appear to build enthusiasm, but is frequently a minor Want. |
| 2 | All | "Read Section ..." in Newspaper | |
| 3 | All | Subscribe to Hobby magazine | |
| 3 | Cuisine | Serve Chips platter | |
| 3 | Film and Literature | Participate in a Book Club | Unlocks "Discuss..." option on bookshelves. |
| 3 | Fitness | Go Jogging | |
| 3 | Nature | Go Hiking | |
| 3 | Science | Search for Constellations | Requires a telescope |
| 4 | All | Browse Web About Hobby | Requires a computer |
| 5 | All | Access to secret hobby lot | Teens and older |
| 5 | Cuisine | Serve Cheese platter | |
| 5 | Fitness | Get Protein Shakes from the fridge | Protein Shakes are counted as snacks. Drinking a Protein Shake will temporarily boost the rate at which a Sim builds the Body skill. |
| 5 | Nature | Collect more butterflies, and some spiders | |
| 5 | Science | Search for Planets | Requires a telescope |
| 6 | All | Share Hobby Tips | Sim can share tips with others who are doing a hobby activity, and may do so autonomously. |
| 7 | All | Blog About Hobby | Requires a computer |
| 8 | Cuisine | Serve Appetizer platter | |
| 8 | Nature | Collect more spiders | |
| 8 | Science | Search for UFOs | Requires a telescope |
| 9 | All | Instruct in Hobby | Teen and older Sims can be instructed in the hobby if they have less than 7.01 points of enthusiasm in it. Sims can ask for hobby instruction. On residential lots, only household members can ask for or receive hobby instruction. On community lots and hobby lots, non-selectable Sims can receive, or be asked for, hobby instruction. |
| 10 | All | Be in the Zone | |
| 10 | Music and Dance | Do Ballet Exercises | Unlocks the "Ballet Exercises" interaction on the Basic Barre by Deuxjoint Ltd. |