Keeping The Game Alive

[poisonapple88]

Many of us use custom content. I know I have thousands of files. It's been several years since The Sims 2 came out and so many people here and at MATY know so much about the game. I'm amazed by the hacks and mods that come out. EA is never coming back to the Sims 2 so my question is...

Since so many creators for this game know so much about the files and programming, would it be possible to create completely new actions, and content? A new type of dance and animations? A huge group project of people who could add something like the pieces of a new expansion? It'd be fun to dream about. What are your thoughts? Is this possible?

[Kamilia1010101]

It Maybe Possible......There's always a possilbility :)

[Peni Griffin]

It would not be practical to do it as a coordinated activity because of the nature of fandom. You need a structured organization to do that. Past a certain point it might not even be strictly legal to do some things.

People do make new animations and content, though. Viable farm animals, a surfing mod, bicycles and horses...but it's a lot of work, of the sort that many people start and few complete.

Be glad for what you get, and if you want more, learn how much you want it by learning to do it.

[sushigal007]

Is it possible to create new animations and interactions? Yes. Will the CC community join forces and bring out a brand new expansion pack (because that's pretty much what you're asking here)? I'm going with no. Well. Unless you want an 18+ one.

[hannahmh87]

I agree with Peni_Griffin & sushigal007.

The problem is different people want different things and finding, organisating, and implementing something that not only everyone who is creating it but also the community will want would take ages. The difference between EA and the modding community is the EA sims team get paid to do as the board tells them. The modding community create what they feel the community wants in their spare time. The EA sims team all work in the same building & the modding community come from all over the globe.

[M.M.A.A.]

Many of us use custom content. I know I have thousands of files. It's been several years since The Sims 2 came out and so many people here and at MATY know so much about the game. I'm amazed by the hacks and mods that come out. EA is never coming back to the Sims 2 so my question is...

Since so many creators for this game know so much about the files and programming, would it be possible to create completely new actions, and content? A new type of dance and animations? A huge group project of people who could add something like the pieces of a new expansion? It'd be fun to dream about. What are your thoughts? Is this possible?

Here's the thing, if we are able to plan out everything, and by everything I mean EVERY SINGLE THING for the game then we might be able to join forces with EA, since all they need to do is put the interactions, animations and ideas into a new EP.

For example, a group pf people can act out several new interactions, send the video to EA with a description of what is going on. (Okay, right now, I'm definitely dreaming!)

And everyday, I see alot of people saying how sims 3 suck and that they came back to sims 2, for this, I see a light of hope (with an angel chorus tone :D) that EA might come back to sims 2. (Definitely dreaming! But keeping my self optimistic, positive and looking on the bright side).

*Stops dreaming*

Anyway, yes, it might be possible to create a new EP, however, the animation might not be as unique as that of EA, there is just something about their animation that no one seems to be able to get it right like theirs.

And even if the community created an EP on its own, it may not be for free, which means kaching is needed!

Also, if you watched the producer interview for FT, you will notice that she will constantly say that due to timing and deadlines, not all ideas can be implemented, only those that seem to be unique and catchy.

[Peni Griffin]

MMAA, if the community created an EP on its own, and charged for it, that would absolutely, positively, beyond doubt be illegal! Fair use does not stretch that far.

The modding community exists because EA recognized the knock-on benefits to itself of tolerating it. It can clamp down on this kind of activity any time it feels like because it's a corporation and it has people on retainer who can file motions, apply for injunctions, and write scarily-worded e-mails all day if it has a motivation to do so, even if it's overstepping its rights. That it's never felt motivated to do so, even in the face of the existence of pay sites, is a blessing. The cost-benefit ratio of such action favors the prosecuting corporation over the defending individual, even if there's an official, incorporated fan organization - which there isn't.

Even Star Trek fandom isn't organized enough to do what you're proposing. Sorry.

[Vladora]

I've yet to make CC for Sims 2, but I've done 3D modeling, texturing, and animation and while it can be fun but it is also, well... work. EA had paid full-time employees working on the EPs likely under an experienced director who made sure everything stayed on schedule, and probably all together in one building and able to easily communicate with one another. The Sims 2 CC Creators, no matter how talented, are essentially hobbyists who probably have other work, school, or family related responsibilities.

[lazzybum]

I've daydreamed that If I won a huge lotto, I'd try get a small team of programmers & artists to add more stuff to TS2 :P I also thought about trying to find a few of the old employees for TS2 to be part. I know animation myself, but wouldn't know how to program and put it into the game :(

And yes, its all work. This little animation of just a body and legs I did, took a month of free time, outside of school.
http://youtu.be/kthXBY2wCwI

[M.M.A.A.]

I've daydreamed that If I won a huge lotto, I'd try get a small team of programmers & artists to add more stuff to TS2 :P I also thought about trying to find a few of the old employees for TS2 to be part. I know animation myself, but wouldn't know how to program and put it into the game :(

And yes, its all work. This little animation of just a body and legs I did, took a month of free time, outside of school.
http://youtu.be/kthXBY2wCwI

Its fantastic, but what could it be used for (exactly)?

[julmoo]

Actually there are unofficial EP's, however they are mostly of a very...errr....let's say you wouldn't let your little cousins play with your Sims if they're visting... >.>

I think the game is already amazing as it is, as you said there are so many mods to change the nature of the Sims and you can play in so many aspects.

You can have a supernatural neighbourhood, a self-sustaining hood, a BACC, a royalty challenge, a medieval hood.

So many idea, so little time xD

Right now I'm trying to set a self-sustaining hood up with plasticbox' Baskerville, great thanks to him/her <33 btw.
I have created a founder and 7 more random Sims through the Tombstone of L&D, then I let them pick their mates and I have now 4 founding families.
I will play them until no more breeding is possible or until I get bored of them...we'll see...

[lazzybum]

Its fantastic, but what could it be used for (exactly)?

That exercise was for me to practice weight,timing,fluid animation (stuff not everyone will care or notice xP) I was just showing how long it could take, if I added that to a sim model, plus animate arms, upper torso, head, face, etc. I would love to have new interactions, but not everyone is motivated enough to group up and make such projects like a new unoffical EP, unless there's money involved :/