Interview with @sydneysaidso
Canadian creative Sydney Rae uses her professional experience in set design for film and television to create the most stunningly expansive Lore Olympus universe we’ve ever seen, and all using the Sims video game.
how long have you been playing sims?
I started playing in 2008 when I was 13 years old. I grew up learning the language and game terminology; with each game’s advancements, I was able to advance as well.
How did you get so good?
I think good is a relative term. A lot of people play for different reasons; some enjoy the gameplay and customization of characters while others enjoy the building or speed builds. Personally, I’ve looked at Sims as a tool to work. Since I was 14 I’ve known I want to work in Film and television, now I’m set design/builder and master props. Sims 4 gave me the opportunity to design and building virtually, to my hearts desire.
Although, this isn’t my first time designing a TV show or comics within Sims. Other shows that I’ve done before Lore Olympus include; X-Men Evolution, MHA, That 70’s show, Pirates of the Caribbean and a few others. But Lore Olympus is my first attempt at designing an entire world using all the maps.
What inspired you to devote your world to Lore Olympus?
I feel the best way to explain this is to use a meme quote.
“At first I thought I could just be a casual fan, but then I thought, why don’t I just let it consume every part of me”
This is how I feel about Lore Olympus. It’s so easy to become surrounded and enveloped by these characters and their world. I think Rachel is a fantastic writer and comic book artist.
Greek mythology is something I have deeply studied in art school, so I felt familiar and invested from the first. But it is also an invigorating spin of modern meets ancient, harmonizing sub themes of mental health, relationships, the importance of self reflection to self awareness, and trauma. That content alone is enough to leave me in anticipation.
Furthermore, I love Rachel’s original style, eye for colours, her panels, character design and environments! When the series ends, it will be like saying good bye to a good friend. Personally, I would love to say:
“Thank you Rachel for all the good memories and the wonderful, warm, loving, kind fandom you have created”
Hera and Zeus’ Palace
What’s your Lore Olympus story?
I came to the fandom (late?) in November 2019. 😅 I saw Lore Olympus advertised on Instagram. I knew the mythology of Hades and Persephone, but I’d never seen it as a comic book! 🤩 Since I was a small child I’ve adored comic books. I was diagnosed with Auditory & Visual Dyslexia severity level 5, as well as ADD & ADHD at 8 years old. Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities.
Essentially, reading and writing have always put me at odds with myself, but comic books break up the confusion. I’m not overwhelmed by walls of text. I can absorb the words and visually consume the emotional imagery. I came for the comic, stayed for the captivating content, and got happily lost in the fandom along the way. I just have to know how it’s going to end for Rachel’s Persephone.
Do you create CC (custom content) as well?
For someone like me who uses so much custom content, I surprisingly do not create my own. I’m happy you brought this up, as I would love the opportunity to design and create some custom. Perhaps 2021 is the year I should start to learn and try. But if you are looking for custom content for your Sims game, I highly suggest reaching out to the Sims community. I find many wonderful individuals who would love to help level up your gameplay.
Artemis & Persephone’s Home
What part of your Sims world are you most proud of?
As an artist, when people ask me what is my favourite piece, I always answer my next one.
But personally for Sims, I am very proud of Hades’ house. Season two of Lore Olympus has graced me with enough concept images to confidently start Hades ridiculous impossible glorious house, dogs and all. I was very happy Artemis went on a rampage house inspection. 😍 I absolutely love what Rachel has done with Hades’ house - from his Hogwarts looking bathhouse to his Poseidon perfect Olympic sized pool to the breathtaking glass atrium roofs and many winding cascading flowing staircases.
It’s the most complicated and enjoyable challenge.
Hades’ Home
(construction in progress)
Any big plans in the future?
My plan for the future is a continuation. I’m going to create the entire world of Lore Olympus using every map the game has to offer.
The Underworld: Underworld Corp, Tower 4 (aka Tartarus), strip club, night clubs, pawn shops 7 & 1/2, restaurants, car junk yard, banks, dog groomers and daycare, Minthe’s apartment, and the motel. And let’s not forget Hades, Hecate, and Thanatos’ homes too.
The mortal realm of Demeter: Demeter’s Pantheon, Persephone and Hermes skinny-dipping pond, Persephone’s green house (prison), the immortal forest, the flower nymph garden, the Barley-fields, the village of Persephone‘s act of wrath, and lastly the volcano 🌋.
Olympus: Zeus‘s office building, Hera’s office, Zeus’ brunch strip club complete with mermaid strippers, Ares and Aphrodite‘s house, Eros and Psyche’s floating house, Persephone‘s university, the music shop, restaurants with a patio, Poseidon’s underwater mansion (need reference images Rachel! The zoom call was not enough of Poseidon lol), Daphne and Echo‘s apartment, and I need to finalize Hermes and Apollo’s house.
But with the story still continuing, I can guarantee the future of the Sims Lore Olympus universe will continue as well. Thank you to Rachel and the fandom for sharing this adventure. Being able to feel connected with so many people through this comic was an experience I do not take for granted.
Sneak Peak: Hermes’ home and Sydney’s character designs
Sydney Rae is a 26-year-old Canadian working in film and television; specifically the art department for set design, building, scenic painting, props and fabrication. She has worked on shows from; MasterChef Canada, Amazon’s The Boys, Netflix’s Titans and more.
Sydney’s hobbies include; sketching, sculpting, Sims, archery, blacksmithing, sewing her own clothes, baking, gardening, anime and watching a lot of film and television. She loves to travel, the crazier the trip the better, and is a comic book enthusiast and history nerd.