In The Sims video game franchise, a plumbob is a diamond-shaped object that floats above the head of the Sim that the player is currently controlling, indicating their mood. The plumbob has become an important symbol of the franchise and is widely recognized by players around the world as one of the games identities. Here are some additional facts about plumbobs in The Sims:
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There are multiple types of plumbobs aside from those that identify the player's Sim. For example, the DateBob indicates which Sim is on a date or outing with the playable character, and the StarBob is from The Sims: Superstar and indicates that the Sim is a celebrity.
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In The Sims 2 for PlayStation Portable, the game's villain, Dr. Newlow, tells the player that the plumbob appeared above his head and began to control his actions. He later creates a device that allows him to control the plumbob and thus other Sims. Towards the end of the game, Dr. Newlow breaks the fourth wall and reveals that the plumbob is controlled by an outside force, presumably the player.
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The plumbob has become so iconic over the years that it has made its way to Halloween costumes and even other Maxis-made games.
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A plumb-bob is a tool used to determine vertical building measurements, which aligns with what players do in the game, since building is a significant aspect of The Sims.
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The color of the plumbob can indicate the Sim's mood or motives. For example, a green plumbob indicates a good mood, while a red plumbob indicates a bad mood. A yellow plumbob indicates lower motives but not quite emergency.
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The plumbob is a crystal that radiates light from the inside and breaks up the light in a sparkle kind of way rather than a flat color.
