You set a lifetime achievement goal, a few characteristics about your sim, and then get to choose you house

They incorporate skills, traits, lifetime goals, and aspiration awards as seen in other Sims games all to decent (but not stellar) effect

The karma powers are all locked, achieving higher Lifetime Happiness points seems to be what unlocks them

For instance, you may choose to accept a workout routine, upon completion you will receive a bonus of 250 lifetime happiness points

All the while of keeping your sim happy you earn these lifetime happiness points