Editing The Sims Wiki:Manual of Style/Sim articles

{{Policy|guideline}}{{MoS navigation}}
On The Sims Wiki there are a few rules of style that will help this place run smoothly and create a standard feel to all of our articles. In addition to [[The Sims Wiki:Manual of Style]], articles related to Sim biographies should follow these style guidelines.
Here are a few specifically regarding, feel free to discuss anything on the [[{{TALKPAGENAME}}|talk page]] or at [[Forum:Sim Page Standardization]].

== Layout template ==
<pre>
Like all articles, a Sim biography should have an introduction. An introduction for a Sim article may include the game the character first appeared in, general information about his family and his story at the beginning of the game.

== Biography ==
A description of his life up to the beginning of the game he appears in.

===Sub-section===
If the character appears in more than one game it may be helpful to divide the biography by game.

== Section ==
Other sections can include trivia, an image gallery, and notes about whether the Sim can be resurrected.

</pre>

== Categories ==
{{Main|:Category:Sims}}
If one of the Sim bio infobox templates is used, most of the categories required should already be added. Some categories that needed to added manually are [[:Category:Abducted Sims]], [[:Category:Adopted Sims]], [[:Category:Illegitimate Sims]], [[:Category:Orphaned Sims]], and [[:Category:Pregnant Sims]].

=== Sorting ===

All characters on The Sims Wiki are sorted by last name then first name in the Sims categories. To do this we can use <code><nowiki>{{DEFAULTSORT:last name, first name}}</nowiki></code>, where <code>last name</code> and <code>first name</code> are changed to the names of the Sim. This is not necessary if the Sim only has one name.

== Templates ==
{{Main|Template:Sim|:Category:Bio templates}}

=== Which infobox template to use ===
Sim articles use infobox templates based on {{T|Infobox Sim}}. The specific infobox template to use depends on which game(s) a Sim appears in. Use these templates in the following cases:
* {{T|Infobox Sim1}} for ''[[The Sims]]'' Sims (and its expansion packs or downloadable content), as well as Sims from [[The Sims Bustin' Out (console)|The Sims Bustin' Out]].
* {{T|Infobox Sim2}} for ''[[The Sims 2]]'' Sims (and its expansion packs or downloadable content), as well as Sims from [[The Sims Stories]] series.
* {{T|Infobox Urb}} for Sims appearing in ''[[The Urbz: Sims in the City]]'', on any game platform.
* {{T|Infobox Sim3}} for ''[[The Sims 3]]'' Sims (and its expansion packs or downloadable content).
* {{T|Infobox medsim}} for ''[[The Sims Medieval]]'' Sims.
* {{T|Infobox Sim4}} for ''[[The Sims 4]]'' Sims (and its expansion packs, game packs, or downloadable content).

If a Sim appears in multiple games, include multiple infoboxes.

=== When to use the "state" parameter ===

# If the Sim is a [[life state]] other than normal.
# If the Sim is deceased '''''and''''' their grave was visible at some point.

=== Ambiguous genders or ages ===
If a Sim's apparent gender or age conflicts with game data (as determined by [[Package editor#SimPE|SimPE]] or other software), the Sim's age or gender should be given as 'ambiguous'. This will categorize the article into [[:Category:Sims with ambiguous gender]]/[[:Category:Sims with ambiguous age]].

Note that this guideline is different from the prior method of handling these situations. This change is based off [[Forum:Male or female?|this discussion]].
=== Playable vs. Resurrectable ===

The play parameter describes the ability of the player to play the character from game start. This means that the Sim is in a house in the neighborhood or can be moved to a house from the family bin or house and lots bin for immediate play, or becomes playable during normal play, such as a pregnant Sim giving birth. The player should not have to use [[cheat]]s, [[mod]]s or special objects like the [[Resurrect-O-Nomitron]] before playing the Sim.

Use [[#Resurrection templates|resurrection templates]] to display information on resurrecting the Sim.

=== Templates within the infobox ===
Several templates can be use inside the infobox.
* Use {{T|Spouse|name|status|...}} in the spouse parameter to display up to three spouses of a Sim and their marital status with images. Status is optional and the default status is "married". This template also generates the correct martial status category.
* Use {{T|Relative|name|relationship}} in the child, sibling or parents parameter to display information about their relationship

=== Resurrection templates ===
{{Main|:Category:Resurrection templates}}

Resurrection templates add information about how the Sim can be brought back to life (if at all) and links to step-by-step instructions if necessary. These templates also generate the correct Resurrection category.

* If the Sim can be resurrected using in-game mechanics use {{t|Resurrect-in-game}}.
* If the Sim can be resurrected using cheats use {{t|Tombld}}.
* If the Sim can be resurrected using [[Package editor#SimPE|SimPE]] use {{t|No character data}} or {{t|Fix obj type}}.
* If the Sim cannot be resurrected use {{t|No resurrect}}.

== Player stories ==

Player stories should not be included on the main page of a Sim's article, but should be placed in the [[The Sims Wiki:Fanon Portal|fanon namespace]] instead.

Player stories were initially placed in a subpage of the main article — see [[The Sims Wiki:Player stories]]. This feature was retired in 2012.

== Theories ==

Theories that are not widely accepted by the community should not be included on the main page of a Sim's article, and should instead be placed in the [[Forum:Player theories|player theories forum]].

Historically, a sub-page of the article, titled <code>ArticleName/theories</code>, was used.

== Related articles ==

* [[The Sims Wiki:Manual of Style]]
* [[The Sims Wiki:Policy]]
* [[The Sims Wiki:Templates]]

[[Category:The Sims Wiki|Manual of Style]]
[[Category:Style guidelines|Manual of Style]]
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