Why Nardvillain Turns The Sims into a Horror Playground

Editor’s Note: Nardvillain has become the expert at making Sims…less comfortable. From trapping them in a pool to sending them spiraling into a dangerous grilled cheese addiction, he creates horrors beyond even our own imaginations. We finally asked him one simple question: why? This was his response.

How much time do you have? Wow, where do I even begin…

I’ve always had a passion for telling stories. As a kid, I would daydream all kinds of scenarios and use my cassette player to record myself voice acting with my toys and action figures. 

Then, I played my friend’s copy of The Sims.

The idea of controlling an entire household of Sims felt fresh and exciting. It reminded me of playing with my action figures, but I had the freedom to control the narrative in a digital world. With that freedom, my imagination didn’t just grow…it became even more unhinged.

Throughout my teenage years, I caught up on all the classic horror franchises. I loved digging into the lore of how the villains became the way they are, as well as exploring horror storytelling through a darkly comedic lens. 

I live for the moments that make you say, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming,” or “Dang, I can’t believe I laughed at that...that’s dark,” and that naturally seeped into my Sims gameplay. 

The rest is history.

I started creating Sims content in 2008 with a podcast that evolved into so much more. I did small reviews on my favorite packs in hopes that people would watch my chaotic “The Sims 4: The Pandemic Edition” video series. It’s still unfinished–for now–but hey, we all start somewhere!

In the beginning, I was too shy to show my true personality. Afraid that I would scare people away, I held myself back. The right people stayed, and when I discovered short-form videos, I finally embraced the villainous persona within.

One of the first videos to go viral on short-form platforms was “A Sim Drowning in First Person Mode,” along with “My Sims Are Addicted to Grilled Cheese.” Those videos, along with my deadpan style, felt different from what was out there at the time, and the confidence from those successes helped me get out of my comfort zone and create even more Sims thrillers.

Some of my best work was “Best Friends Forever” with Callia Maebey, that creepy cell phone lady on all our Main Menus (you can read her complete history and lore here). That video was a classic thriller piece that marked my transition toward whole-heartedly owning my horror brand.

And of course, introducing my signature "DAG DAG" was entirely driven by the SUPERVILLAINS, my core followers. I had said "Dag Dag" at the end of a TikTok one time, and my low, sinister tone led people to leave comments like, “Why do I feel threatened?” and “That Dag Dag was dark.” It gave me more inspiration to continue the dark tone of my videos, like my favorite, “The Grilled Cheese Aspiration is Evil.”

For “Dealing with Noisy WooHoo Neighbors Goes Wrong,” my community helped bring the video to life by collaborating on the script and even choosing the wardrobe. I’m hoping to do more of those in the future and bring as many of you into the chaos as possible.

Lately, I’ve been making short-form death challenges like the “100 Sims in a Pool Challenge” that I want to explore in long-form. Trapping this many Sims did require some outside help, though.

If there’s anything I’ve learned throughout the evolution of my content, it’s that if you let your personality shine, you’ll find the right people who vibe with it. The options for creativity are limitless in a game like The Sims 4, and it brings so many like-minded people together.

So, what advice do I have for the horror-minded Simmers out there looking to wreak havoc on their Sims’ lives? 

Well, it all begins with an idea. 

You can take any opportunity and turn it into a dastardly deed. Look at the mechanics from The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack,* or the ability to break in and swipe items. Take advantage of traits like Paranoid and add a twisted angle. If you really want to think outside the box, The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack* is great for doing a thriller about obsessions. Take a look at Cupid’s Corner…

Next, create your characters.

I focus on backstories. Usually, a character isn’t born a villain, and eventually people are going to ask how they ended up the way they are. So, I also try to create their parents and grandparents if I see opportunities to revisit those storylines. 

For traits, I like to pick ones that fit the narrative. 

For example, I gave my most well-known Sims character, Velma Vernon, the Foodie trait because she grew up in a food-centric culture. Fun fact: she originally had the name Velma the Butcher and even wore a butcher outfit.

Now that you have your characters, it’s time to make them…less comfortable.

By definition, comfort is a state of physical ease and mental well-being, free from pain, worry, or distress. So first things first: how do you manipulate their needs? Think of ways to restrict their ability to be happy. Are you trapping them? Are they scared? Are they being haunted or chased? 

You should also think about the emotion you want your story to evoke. Is the goal to react with “Damn, that was weird,” “I was in tears of laughter,” or something else in between? Design your story with your ideal reaction in mind. Then experiment with the most unhinged ways to get there.

All this to say, my “why,” the reason I do all this, is pretty simple.

My passion is creating unique, authentic stories that make others want to join in, too. 

I love when Simmers discover a new way of playing because of how I'm using the features. Hearing someone say the magic words, “I didn’t know you could do that," is why I do what I do. 

I will always be an advocate for following your dreams and just doing what you enjoy because, at some point, those like-minded people and Simmers will find you. 

Now, get out there and unleash your most unhinged Simming. They’re looking a little too comfortable if you ask me…

Dag Dag!