The Sims Megathread - Come on in! The house is on fire but it's ok. Have you seen my basement? - Games

[t]http://i.imgur.com/dJbL3.jpg[/t] We all know what The Sims are! But for those of you with Alzheimer, The Sims is a strategic, life simulation, God game originally created by Maxis and Will Wright. It's also the single largest selling PC franchise in the history of anything. It's has four main games, the latest being The Sims 4, and numerous amounts of expansions on top of each game. Expansions have ranged from the mundane to the insane. The thing about actually [i]playing[/i] The Sims though is that they can't take care of themselves all the time. You as a player need to motivate them to do things like pay bills, buy things that make them happy and, of course, making that torture basement and eventually burning down the house in an insurance/murder scam. The reason we love The Sims so much is because of all the insane things that could happen that you sometimes can't control. Like fire. [b][u]The Sims[/u][/b] [t]http://i.imgur.com/BmFSMPj.jpg[/t] The Sims is the first incarnation of this wonderful series and, looking back on it, it didn't have a ton to offer but it kicked the entire series off. The idea was that you played a Sim, or a family of Sims, that lived in a suburb in or near a city from SimCity (meta, right?). The Sims was a breakthrough at the time because it introduced amazing, autonomous AI and a wonderful architecture system. There were no objectives either. Everything you wanted to do was driven by yourself. The Sims had seven expansions during it's lifetime: Livin' Large, House Party, Hot Date, Vacation, Unleashed, Superstar and Makin' Magic. [b][u]The Sims 2[/u][/b] [t]http://i.imgur.com/Jc9uH6x.jpg[/t] This is where The Sims got good. The Sims 2 is what everyone nostalgia's over. It's also a big leap from what the original Sims was. Graphics improved dramatically. Sims has expressions and customization facial features. Animations were more detailed. Worlds were more vibrant. It also introduced more life stages, the aspiration system, genetics, alien abductions, a week cycle, career rewards, better architecture, and a million more things. The Sims 2 had eight expansions and also introduced "stuff packs", which were basically more customization items like clothing, furniture, wallpaper, etc. It's expansions were University, Nightlife, Open for Business, Pets, Seasons, Bon Voyage, FreeTime, and Apartment Life. Each expansion added more things than even the packs from the original Sims like new creatures (zombies, vampires, werewolves, etc.), new careers and new neighborhoods. [b][u]The Sims 3[/u][/b] [t]http://i.imgur.com/TptGgXp.jpg[/t] The Sims 3 is probably one of the largest jumps between main game versions as far as world building. Sims became a million times more customizable because of the new Create A Sim system. There are a larger selection of body types, more hairs, more clothing that could also be customized in colors and textures. Faces are far more mold-able. You can chose a Sims full name, age, gender, skin tone. You pick your Sims traits and what they will be like, what their hobbies can be, what their favorite food and color are, if they're afraid of water, like animals, hate kids, what skills they'll start out with, etc. Skills got an overhaul as well, some interaction options not even being available to Sims who don't have the trait or skills needed for it. Careers are expanded as well. You can find a job in newspapers, on the computer or apply right at the building for the job. You can also work from home as a writer, painter, guitar player, and more. You can also choose between a full and part-time job. Careers also branch out into different things, like in a music career you can chose between symphonic or rock music. Neighborhoods are now called "Worlds" and you can fully customize these. Edit lots and which families live in them. Have your Sim take a walk around the entire town and not just be constrained to one lot. Build and Buy modes are overhauled by a lot. Create A Style allowed everything can be customized from colors to textures. *breaths* There is a lot more but at this point you're just going to have to play it. While people might appreciate some of the things they liked in The Sims 2, The Sims 3 was, undoubtedly, the best version of the game (despite God awful loading times). The Sims 3 also has eleven expansion packs: World Adventures, Ambitions, Late Night, Generations, Pets, Showtime, Supernatural, Seasons, University Life, Island Paradise and Into The Future. [B]The Sims 3 Expansions[/B] Go watch [url=http://www.youtube.com/user/phreakindee]Lazy Game Reviews[/url] reviews for Sims ex packs. Register your stuff on Origin, even if you bought it on Steam. Watch Amazon, Steam and Origin for sales. [B]The Sims 3 Mods[/B] The Sims 3 has a decent modding community behind it, with some people making a monumental effort to make a ton of amazing mods on their own. Some Sims 3 mods are even considered requirements because they just improve the functionality of the game so much with pretty much nothing you, as a player, need to mess with. [b]Before you try to install any mods you need to make sure The Sims 3 will accept them. Follow [url=http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files/Setup_and_Files]this guide[/url].[/b] [url=http://nraas.wikispaces.com/]NRaas Industries[/url] - NRaas is a collection of mods done by a guy named twallan. There are a lot of extremely good mods here. Overwatch and ErrorTrap [B](Core mod! See next bold message.)[/B] make playing The Sims 3 a much smoother affair with no configuration needed on your part. StoryProgression expands the EA story system immensely. A lot of his mods are also good for just fixing a ton of little annoyances within the game. You can read about and download all his mods on that site. [url=http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/board,31.0.html]AwesomeMod[/url] - AwesomeMod is a tuneable core mod for The Sims 3. The reason I mention this is that [B]you cannot have more than one core mod at a time[/B]. Honestly, I don't think it will be that big of an issue, but you can't be too sure. AwesomeMod is a little more straight forward and less configurable than NRaas' mods, but it makes some good changes to the game. You can either download the mod straight or [url=http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/ts3/awesome/config.php]customize it[/url] before you download it. Just don't ask for technical help (or any help) on there. They'll tell you to blow yourself. [url=http://www.modthesims.info/]Mod The Sims[/url] - It takes some digging but sometimes you can find a good mod from here that isn't "make your sim look like X". [B][U]Sims 4[/U][/B] [t]http://i.imgur.com/VcpaZHt.jpg[/t] Sims 4 is out. It's pretty boring, but it has some neat stuff. idk. Buy an SSD and go play 3.

Ahhh The Sims 1 and 2 good times...

Mmmmmmmmmmm... New thread... [editline]8th January 2013[/editline] Put in some Let's Plays too.

I need to find symmetrical logos too.

That thread title... [editline]8th January 2013[/editline] [SUB][SUB]it doesn't have a version number[/SUB][/SUB]

-snip-

A couple nights ago we started a new family. Uncle Paul and Jerry Sandusky love house. 2 old men and 3 little boys and 1 little girl. We made sure to build a big fence to stop those pesky peekers from calling the cops all the time. Paul and Sandusky also share a room with all the children to make sure all the kids sleep well at night.

[QUOTE=Blooper Reel;39143412]Oh boy, guess I should go play some TS2 now that there's a fresh new thr- [img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18318949/whatthehell.jpg[/img] ...What the hell is going on with my walls?[/QUOTE] Im pretty sure this is because you're looking at it from the outside. try zooming out or in, or to put the walls on low.

Tried to replay the Sims 1 seriously, without any cheats : First day : buying the necessary stuff (fridge, shower, bed...) and looking for a job. Second day : back from first day of work, my sims is hungry, he tries to make some food, burn the house and die. Wow. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/hBDKp.png[/IMG]

[QUOTE=Kowalski;39145142]Tried to replay the Sims 1 seriously, without any cheats : First day : buying the necessary stuff (fridge, shower, bed...) and looking for a job. Second day : back from first day of work, my sims is hungry, he's trying to make some food, burn the house and die. Wow. [img]http://i.imgur.com/hBDKp.png[/img][/QUOTE] First day for me is [b]ALWAYS[/b] teaching them how to cook even if it means losing money for the day or two. [b]Edit:[/b] [thumb]http://i.imgur.com/z4Q2k.jpg[/thumb] A timeless classic of The Sims 3 storytelling.

[QUOTE=Atlascore;39146124][video=youtube;0w7hU7gAe00]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w7hU7gAe00[/video][/QUOTE] they need to work on a new sims instead of continuing to milk this one with pointless 'expansions'

Honestly what else can they add, core gameplay wise, that would warrant a new Sims? It's a good engine with good graphics that runs on a lot of computers, there's no shortage of shit to do, and each expansion brings a whole new major thing to explore.

[QUOTE=Atlascore;39146124][video=youtube;0w7hU7gAe00]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w7hU7gAe00[/video][/QUOTE] Don't forget that they announced two more EPs and they just announced some more sets. Island Paradise sounds wonderful in June, being able to build house boats and owning resorts and such while that time travel one sounds like it might be cool. [quote=http://www.beyondsims.com/45657/ea-announces-the-sims-3-island-paradise-further-expansionstuff-pack-line-up/]Coming this March, The Sims 3 University Life will give players an opportunity to leave home and attend university, where they will enroll in classes, earn degrees and discover the crazy antics and hijinks that go hand-in-hand with the college lifestyle. From juice-keggers to new social groups, to protests in the quad and young love, there’s much more to university than time spent in the classroom. Sims will explore an all-new college town filled with new locations to visit such as the bowling alley and SimBurger and discover hidden talents through an array of extra-curricular activities, including spray painting murals, playing games of kicky bag in the quad and so much more! The Sims 3 University Life opens a new chapter for young adult to elder Sims and anyone in between. Once a Sim is enrolled in university, they will pick from one of six majors and work towards earning a degree. From class activities to major-specific objects, The Sims 3 University Life will poise Sims for multiple benefits in their careers, including accelerated pay, higher career entry, new opportunities and more. Available for pre-order is The Sims 3 University Life Limited Edition Expansion Pack, which includes the Party Pack consisting of the Partaeus Maximus statue, a toga outfit and a masquerade mask. The Partaeus Maximus statue is an all-new object that will appear in the university world and enable Sims to choose from six different party themes and throw the ultimate bash. Dropping anchor this June is The Sims 3 Island Paradise, an expansion pack filled with adventure, exploration and a world of new discoveries set on the sunny shores and beneath the glistening water of a tropical paradise. For the first time ever, Sims can take the helm of fully customizable houseboats and set sail in search of uncharted islands, create, own and manage resorts or discover what lies beneath the ocean through the new skill-based scuba diving and snorkeling activities. The Sims 3 Island Paradise introduces all new ways to build – whether it’s a lavish five-star resort, a bungalow on the water or a houseboat that can travel the seas. Players can create their own idea of island paradise for their Sims in this new expansion pack and embark on an unforgettable journey. Launching this fall is an all-new stuff pack that is filled with clothing and décor inspired by iconic movie themes and settings. Additionally this fall, Sims will finally be able to travel to the future in an all-new expansion pack, currently untitled. More details will be revealed in the coming months, but Sims will certainly have the time of their lives this year with the offerings from The Sims 3.[/quote]

[QUOTE=Protocol7;39146242]Honestly what else can they add, core gameplay wise, that would warrant a new Sims? It's a good engine with good graphics that runs on a lot of computers, there's no shortage of shit to do, and each expansion brings a whole new major thing to explore.[/QUOTE] Of course they can add some stuff like newer graphics and sims that don't look like babies. Other than that, EA will find a way to add something new for a "Sims 4"

I'd prefer to see a new Sims altogether. It'd be quite interesting to see an indie developer do something of a remake, though. I'm sure there's money to be made doing something like that.

I don't mind all these new expansions, I just wish they'd fix a load of bugs. Stopped playing it because eventually everything would stop working

Wow. I actually like the idea of a houseboat. Sounds interesting to say the least and somewhat unique for the sims.

[QUOTE=Protocol7;39146242]Honestly what else can they add, core gameplay wise, that would warrant a new Sims? It's a good engine with good graphics that runs on a lot of computers, there's no shortage of shit to do, and each expansion brings a whole new major thing to explore.[/QUOTE] The sims 3 has always had performance and stuttering problems and the expansions are obviously unfairly priced. The problem is that you can keep adding new features and content because of the type of game it is, but they need to do it in a way that isn't so expensive. If there was a sequel it would have to have the same kind of core gameplay but, everything could be improved because it's a sandbox.

[QUOTE=Arietta;39147388]The sims 3 has always had performance and stuttering problems and the expansions are obviously unfairly priced. The problem is that you can keep adding new features and content because of the type of game it is, but they need to do it in a way that isn't so expensive. If there was a sequel it would have to have the same kind of core gameplay but, everything could be improved because it's a sandbox.[/QUOTE] The performance and bugs in general can be ironed out with mods, and the price gouging ain't really a secret. I'm honestly surprised they haven't been bundling the expansions together cheaply.

At least mods are abundant and easily installable.

So I have like a fucking bazillion expansion packs (my sisters real deep in sims and I play it occasionally). Will maps autooptimize themselves for expansions? Like if I have pets and ambitions, do I have to choose between one or the other to really play in or will it put some pet locations on the ambitions map and vice versa?

[QUOTE=Kirbyfactor;39144372]Im pretty sure this is because you're looking at it from the outside. try zooming out or in, or to put the walls on low.[/QUOTE] No, it's not that. I'm perfectly aware of semi-low view, it's just that I don't ever recall the inner part of the wall looking so... weird. Oh well, it's not that big a problem.

Why is my sim wearing his tuxedo in the bath tub? [thumb]http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/541822566658823948/A4115CBD9774A7C2AB42977466A593EC093292CB/[/thumb]

His tux needed to be wet cleaned obviously

[QUOTE=Stimich;39149269]Why is my sim wearing his tuxedo in the bath tub? [thumb]http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/541822566658823948/A4115CBD9774A7C2AB42977466A593EC093292CB/[/thumb][/QUOTE] Is your Sim Insane? Having that trait has them put on random clothing often unsuitable for their current activity.

[QUOTE=Spork-Juct;39149421]Is your Sim Insane? Having that trait has them put on random clothing often unsuitable for their current activity.[/QUOTE] He's not insane, no.

[QUOTE=Stimich;39149444]He's not insane, no.[/QUOTE] Is he never-nude or inappropriate?

[QUOTE=Rahkshi lord;39149869]Is he never-nude or inappropriate?[/QUOTE] Nope. Might be the fullmoon, he freaked out and he did that.

I haven't played the Sims 3 in a while, is there anyway to play like Sims 2 and be able to skip around families on their own separate timeline without losing track of the rest of the town? I got bored after playing with the same family for (irl) weeks straight and want to have a little variation without my old family all growing up and dying and shit, like in the old game. Is there a feature or something that you can turn off?

[QUOTE=FreakySoup;39150197]I haven't played the Sims 3 in a while, is there anyway to play like Sims 2 and be able to skip around families on their own separate timeline without losing track of the rest of the town? I got bored after playing with the same family for (irl) weeks straight and want to have a little variation without my old family all growing up and dying and shit, like in the old game. Is there a feature or something that you can turn off?[/QUOTE] I think there's a "story progression" option somewhere in the options menu. Disabling that stops any other sims that aren't part of the active household from aging/dieing and other things.