Archive for the ‘Site News’ Category

Last week’s delay in the poll was caused by the Oscars, so sorry about that!  Although it was beneficially the fact that it turns out you guys don’t mind me blasting about the dumb decisions EA makes.  With a total of 341 votes, only 60 prefer to read the news only while the other remaining 281 folks think that if they do something stupid, then they deserve every rant they get.  Good to know I’m not pissing off that many of you   Like I mention in the past, I’d love for more than anything to praise EA and The Sims Team for the awesome things they do.  Problem is, they haven’t exactly been awesome.  Perhaps one day they’ll claim that status, but as of right now they are still continuing a downward spiral.  They are bound to hit rock bottom though – it’s just a matter when!

Anyways, I didn’t put much thought into this week’s poll.  Just your generic “What career will you decide to choose when you get The Sims 3 Ambitions” question.  So lets hear them…You already know mine!

Where did February go?  Wasn’t it just February 1st the other day?  LOL.  I thought of a pretty good question for this week’s poll, but first we need to take a look at what the previous polls results were:

Which console/handheld would you perfer The Sims 3 to appear on the most?

• None (21%, 107 Votes)
• Wii (19%, 94 Votes)
• PS3 (17%, 88 Votes)
• Xbox 360 (15%, 78 Votes)
• All (15%, 76 Votes)
• DS (7%, 36 Votes)
• PSP (6%, 25 Votes)

Wait, what? How in the world did “none” get the highest result? I’d figure everyone would be thrilled to see Sims 3 appear on other various consoles! Is it because you don’t happen to own any other gaming devices or do you just fear that it’ll suck? I’d like to know! It’s good to see Wii taking the second lead…The Sims 3 would make a killing on that console, it is pretty family friendly after all!

This week’s poll question…well it may spark a debate, but I’d like to hear what you think on this matter. As you know, this site reflects my personal opinions about the games and EA’s activities around the game. Well, I want to hear what you think about them… Most of the time I’m pretty harsh but that’s because it is my belief that…well EA sometime screws up. I’d like to know if you want the news reported to you without sharing my opinions (like professional sites do it, only listing the highlights and ignoring their faults aka kissing butt) or keep on doing what I have been – praising when they do good, and blasting when they do bad. Let me know via either the poll or the comments!

Reader and friend Jack Griffiths sent in a few wallpapers promoting Simprograms based on a screen from The Sims 3 High-End Loft Stuff.  Can’t say for sure how many of you would be interested in it, but I’ve added it to my lineup of wallpapers.  Thanks for the gift, Jack and I like the logo

1280-800 | 1920-1200 | 2560-1440

The site has been run under the domain name: simprograms.com for 9 years now, so happy 9th Anniversary SimPrograms!

P.S. – Sorry about the whole deal with the original post.

***NOTE: This is the 9th year at this domain name, the actual 10 year anniversary of this site is coming up in August, so I hope everyone will still be with us then (minus one person due to recent circumstances)***

I’d like to clarify a little something with Luke’s last post and the comments that were left for him.  First, I want to thank him for even thinking about the fact that the site is 9 years old.  While yes, the site was created around the timeframe of August 16-18 of 2000 (I can’t quite remember which day it was, but I know it was launched around the same time I went back to school) the actual domain name was registered around this time back in 2001.  Before then I was hosted by Homesims (which was http://simprograms.homesims.com) and The Sims Resource (http://simprograms.thesimsresource.com).  Just thought I’d let you know a little more about the site’s history

Now, about the comments about being unprofessional and writing with bad grammar.  I don’t know Luke’s or Frankie’s feelings about this matter, but I’ve stated time and time again that you’re going to see many grammar/spelling mistakes.  I can’t write worth a damn and quite frankly, don’t care.  English was always my most hated subject even though somehow I always managed to ace each class (I suppose I may of been a teacher’s pet).  As for the professionalism of this site…well…I just run a blog fansite about the games I love – that we all love.  I’m not looking to branch out into the journalism industry or even the games industry.  Just a couple of fans posting things that you may be interested – or not.  If a post isn’t interesting to you – that’s alright, I understand…but just scroll on down until you find something you may like

And for future references, there even may be times where I decide to post something completely unrelated about EA/Maxis…like Left 4 Dead, Ghostbusters, movies, tv shows, my vehicles or mules.  Yes, you may wonder why I would be posting this at a Sims site…truth is it’s always been sort of a personal blog hence the tagline under the title “and other useless stuff!”.

So that’s all I have to say about that, until then gotta run, weekends/holidays are usually my time spent taking care of house-related and real-life work.  Will check-in later!

I’m doing a poor job keeping track of my poll…I know it’s there, it’s just that some Sunday nights I completely forget about it!  Lucky for me I have some spare time – and a question worth posting.  But first, we need to view the results from the previous poll!

Plan to pick up The Sims 3 High End Loft Stuff this week?

• Sure (38%, 149 Votes)
• Pass (34%, 132 Votes)
• Will, but not this week (28%, 111 Votes)

Total Voters: 392

Looks like the majority chose to pick up the first Stuff Pack! Something tells me they are here to stay and that The Store will not be replacing them anytime soon. Of course, it came in pretty close with many passing on it…but give it time, if you can find it for dirt cheap I’m sure you’ll give in

This time, let’s focus on the soon-to-be-mentioned console versions of The Sims 3.  What console would you like the game to appear on most?  I’m curious to know how many of our readers own the various video game setups. 

EA…I’m happy that you are putting out patches for the game – even though the bug fixes are minor ones, you are on the right track.  But seriously, uploading 22 patches is not fun.  Spent most of the night uploading them all and I finally just finished.  So here’s the details for the latest patch.  If you have the base game, it’ll update you to version 1.10, if you have World Adventures it’ll update to 2.5 and if you bought High End Loft Stuff your game will be updated to 3.1.

Oh, and with all patches be warned that your computer may spontaneous combust into flames after installing (well, not really but you may have gameplay problems)

****** For Download instructions, read below! ******

• Fixes issues with the Input Method Editor for players on the Japanese SKU. Also addresses some functionality errors in the launcher.
• Fixes a bug that prevents collectible Beetles from showing up in game.
• Fixes a bug that causes Sims to teleport off of some of the new beds in SP01.
• Fixes crashes and stalls when multiple patches are being installed.

For those that have The Sims 3 High End Loft Stuff and need to update to 3.1, here are your files (I’m missing the Mac versions, if anyone has a link then please leave it in the comments area!)

IF YOU HAVE A PC, THESE ARE YOUR FILES

• If you have 3.0.38.004001 and need to update to _3.1.7.004001: Download Here
• If you have 3.0.38.004017 and need to update to _3.1.7.004017: Download Here

IF YOU HAVE A MAC, THESE ARE YOUR FILES

• None at the moment, if you have a link to the Mac patch please contact me.

For those that have The Sims 3 World Adventures and need to update to 2.5, here are your files:

IF YOU HAVE A PC, THESE ARE YOUR FILES

• If you have 2.4.7.004001 and need to update to 2.5.12.004001: Download Here
• If you have 2.4.7.004002 and need to update to 2.5.12.004002: Download Here
• If you have 2.4.7.004003 and need to update to 2.5.12.004003: Download Here
• If you have 2.4.7.004005 and need to update to 2.5.12.004005: Download Here
• If you have 2.4.7.004017 and need to update to 2.5.12.004017: Download Here

IF YOU HAVE A MAC, THESE ARE YOUR FILES

• If you have 2.4.7.004001 and need to update to 2.5.12.004001: Download Here
• If you have 2.4.7.004002 and need to update to 2.5.12.004002: Download Here
• If you have 2.4.7.004003 and need to update to 2.5.12.004003: Download Here
• If you have 2.4.7.004005 and need to update to 2.5.12.004005: Download Here
• If you have 2.4.7.004017 and need to update to 2.5.12.004017: Download Here

For those that have The Sims 3 base game and need to update to 1.10, here are your files:

IF YOU HAVE A PC, THESE ARE YOUR FILES

• If you have 1.9.22.004001 and need to update to 1.10.6.004001: Download Here
• If you have 1.9.22.004002 and need to update to 1.10.6.004002: Download Here
• If you have 1.9.22.004003 and need to update to 1.10.6.004003: Download Here
• If you have 1.9.22.004005 and need to update to 1.10.6.004005: Download Here
• If you have 1.9.22.004017 and need to update to 1.10.6.004017: Download Here

IF YOU HAVE A MAC, THESE ARE YOUR FILES

• If you have 1.9.22.004001 and need to update to 1.10.6.004001: Download Here
• If you have 1.9.22.004002 and need to update to 1.10.6.004002: Download Here
• If you have 1.9.22.004003 and need to update to 1.10.6.004003: Download Here
• If you have 1.9.22.004005 and need to update to 1.10.6.004005: Download Here
• If you have 1.9.22.004017 and need to update to 1.10.6.004017: Download Here

Before installing an Update for The Sims 3, an Expansion Pack, or a Stuff Pack, it is a good idea to run through the following checklist to ensure your game continues to work smoothly.

If you have any questions about the below steps, please visit the Technical Support forum on the official Sims 3 community found at this URL: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/forums/show/10.page

Step 1: Disable Custom Content

Custom Content is all Sims content that did not come from an official The Sims 3 Update, The Sims 3 Store, Expansion Pack, or Stuff Pack. Custom Content is created by 3^rd Party Developers that are not regulated by Electronic Arts or The Sims 3 Development Team and may not work with new updates. Custom Content may cause the game to behave unexpectedly or not function entirely.

To disable your custom content, undo whatever you did to install this content to get your game back into an unmodified state. If you placed it in a Sims 3 directory folder, move it to a new folder that is outside your Sims 3 file directory. Your Sims 3 file directory can be found using the paths listed below:

• Windows File Directory: C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3
• Mac File Directory: User/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims/

Once you have installed the official update you may re-enable your custom content. If you experience problems, disable it again until the 3^rd party developer updates their content to work with the official Update, Expansion Pack, or Stuff Pack.

Step 2: Back Up your Save Files

It’s always a good precaution to back up your save files before installing an Expansion Pack, Update, or Stuff Pack. To do this, copy the “.sims3” folders found in the Saves folder onto your desktop or another file directory.

Your Sims 3 Saves folder can be found using the paths listed below:

• Windows File Directory: C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Saves
• Mac File Directory: User/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims/Saves

After the Update is installed, run the game to verify your saves still function correctly.

Step 3: Let the Update Complete Entirely

Updates can sometimes be rather large and may take a while to download and install completely. Cancelling the update before it has completed may cause unexpected problems, so it is always best to let it finish entirely. Do not close the Launcher until you have confirmed the update is completely installed, as this will cancel the update.

I’ve been a slacker…I am pretty good at keeping up with the latest news in the Sims community, but very bad in keeping track of the latest programs.  While on Mod The Sims I came across 5 programs that I’ve yet to add to our programs section.  I’ll add their information below.

The Skininator
Source: Mod The Sims
Copyright: CmarNYC

Non-default replacement skins for the Sims 3 are here. This is a small program to create the necessary support files and package them with your modified skins, all ready to be put in the game.

A couple of sample screens are below. The process is pretty simple: give your new skin a name and decide if it’s a non-standard/fantasy skin (like blue or green). If you’re using a new color ramp (the color gradient applied over the skin), select it along with the corresponding png thumbnail ramp. Load up the skin files you’ve modifed. Anything you don’t import into Skininator will use the game default. Then click the button to save your new skin package.

Since a new skin may involve dozens of files, you can save your project and reopen it later.

MorphMaker
Source: Mod The Sims
Copyright: CmarNYC

This program is a tool to make new morphs for body meshes and new CAS sliders for faces.

Features:

• Accepts morph meshes and converts them to BGEO files containing the morph information.
• Creates the necessary supporting files to use new morphs in the game.
• Edits clothing packages to import the new morph and link it correctly.
• Creates packages for sliders.
• Has help screens with brief instructions for the basic tasks.

What it does not do:

• Does not create morph meshes. Use Milkshape with Wes Howe’s plugins for that: Download here.
• Only runs on Windows.

Sims 3 Log Generator
Source: Mod The Sims
Copyright: ShanOw

The log generator can be used by game help and support people and everyday players to help find out exactly whats wrong with there Sims 3 game.

Information it lists:

• Game settings
• PC Hardware/Software + configuration
• Installed Custom Contents
• Check if Caches are present
• Checks for Awesomeware location
• Game Version
• External Game Options
• Resource.cfg file locations
• Correctly installed package framework

Using this tool you can determine:

• Whether the users hardware is sufficient
• Whether the game supports the users graphics card
• Whether package framework is correctly installed
• Whether it is a game setting that is causing isssues
• What Custom Content they have installed

Sims 3 Dashboard
Source: Mod The Sims
Copyright: Delphy

It’s basically designed to let people easily clear the cache and identify problem content.

This tool has 4 main tasks:

• To easily show you which games you have, whether or not they have a full framework, and to browse to that games root folder.
• To show you the contents of the Sims 3 cache files, and clear them
• To show you all of your custom content in .package format, and display any “corrupted” files, or Sims 2 content, or stuff that just plain wont work.
• To fix any problems with corrupted files, empty files, generally broken files, and allow you to fix conflicts yourself

Sims 3 Framework Installer
Source: Mod The Sims
Copyright: Delphy

This tool is a replacement for the Sims 3 Framework installer part of the Helper Monkey program. It only checks and sets up the Framework to enable you to use .package file custom content with your TS3 games. It does not in any way help you to actually install that content. It is only a framework installer.

Sigh, I’m getting pretty bad at keeping up with the poll…but taking on too many projects at once doesn’t help, thus leading me to forget that it even exists!  Anyways it’s time to check in on the long overdue poll about the new Sims 3 Shirts from Hot Topic.  Out of 220 votes, 204 voted ‘No’ while the remaining 16 picked up the shirts.  Going by this poll, I’m not sure if those are good statistics to base how well the shirts are doing overall.  I suppose I can understand – I mean $20 for a t-shirt is outrageous – well in my case it is as I often buy shirts at Walmart for about $7.  Not to mention in order to get them you have to brave walking into Hot Topic (or be smart and order them online).  That place gives me the heebie-jeebies.  They have cool shirts but that is about it :/

Ok, let’s jump to this weeks question – how many of you are planning on heading out to pick up The Sims 3 High End Loft Stuff this week?  I just came back from the store with my copy – I guess luck was on my side today (as well as a good friend that helped me out in getting one)   Below is a poor imitation of the Awesome smiley face that I tried to pull off – FAIL.

You may love it or you may hate it…either way Flickr has become the home for all images posted at this site.  After 2 months, I took it to the next level and did a complete revamp of my gallery.  Surfing the net, I did my best to collect as many images for just about every sim game out there.  Now I’m proud to present that after 13,000 images later the improved SimPrograms Image Gallery is fully up and running!  Organized into proper sections, you shouldn’t have any issues with finding images for the games you are curious for.  Its just one of many new features that this site will introduce for this year   Now I get to look forward to playing around with my YouTube profile as well as creating game pages!