Mod The Sims - Watch TV from all chairs

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Watch TV from all chairs

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MogHughson

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Posted 29th Nov 2011 at 04:44 PM - Updated 29th Nov 2011 at 11:24 PM by MogHughson - Viewed 81105 times. Direct link to this thread

158 Comments / replies (Who?) - 40 Feedback Posts, 118 Thanks Posts , 207 times favourited , 2258 times thanked

Tags: #gameplay annoyances, #TV, #chairs

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I like to make living rooms which use 45-degree angle positioned chairs or sectional sofas that turn a corner. However, these realistically positioned chairs are no use for your Sims to watch TV from which has always annoyed me.

So this is a mod that allows the watching of TV from those sorts of chairs. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, have a look at the pictures for more information. This mod also allows the watching of TV from much further back making large cinema rooms usable. From my testing, a Sim can watch TV sitting in a chair that is 10 squares back from the TV, and probably much further too.

A variety of arrangements of seating can be used now to watch TV. The picture shows a selection that I tested out, but you can no doubt find many more. Any issues with particular arrangements, let me know and provide a picture of your layout (indicating where the Front of the Lot is).

Sims will endeavour to choose the nearest chair that has a clear view of the TV. When there are a selection of chairs at the same distance to the TV they will try to pick the best viewing position first.

Quirks
This mod does not work with the Base Game. You require an EP (any EP) to use it. It would seem the function that determines whether you have a clear view of the TV only works some times in the Base Game which may explain why Maxis didn't do this to start with. I have also seen it not be perfect when determining whether chairs that are not facing the TV (for example a dining chair around a dining table in the same room as the TV) with Uni as well, but the same layout works perfectly with later EPs. It seems that the function by which you determine whether you have a clear view of something - Ray Trace (0x0078^wiki) - has been gradually improved by Maxis over the later EPs. Even at Uni this mod should give you benefits because you can at least use chairs that are not looking straight on at the TV, i.e. those around the sides or at angles. You may just have to watch out a little in open plan houses in early EPs for TV watching with a lot of neck craning.

While developing this I had to deal with the fact that Sims sometimes both go for the same chair, and so then the second one to arrive would go back to standing - that should now be fixed. There may be other cases that I haven't seen where Sims will revert to the old behaviour of standing to watch TV (I have kept that behaviour as a catch all) - if you see any, let me know. If you do see this, you can cancel the action of watching the TV and re-do it, to redrive looking for a decent chair to sit in. Of course, if there aren't any chairs to sit on, then standing to watch TV is by design.

A quirk I'm going to try to do something about
Have been asked why a computer desk chair, which was close to the TV, was chosen for TV watching instead of a sofa which was further away but face on. As per the current mod, this is correct - however, it is a quirk that is not perfect, so I am going to enhance this mod to make chairs that are at a desk/table less preferential unless all other chairs in the room are taken. Watch this space.

I don't know of any mods this clashes with. There is always the possibility of course, so the pertinent information for the owner of the other object is here.

Additional Credits
Quaxi for SimPE^wiki.
Numenor for the AnyGameStarter.

2258 people have said thanks to MogHughson for this download.

For more information about this creator and their policies or details, click here.

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158 Comments / Replies (Who?) - 40 Feedback Posts, 118 Thanks Posts
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2nd Dec 2011, 05:06 AM	#76
billielith	awesome, awesome, awesome!

2nd Dec 2011, 05:33 AM	#77
terame	This makes me so happy! My college Sims and movie-goers will be so pleased!

2nd Dec 2011, 12:26 PM	#78
ohdangshel	THANK YOU. A couple days ago I became extremely annoyed with this problem. Amazing, thank you.

2nd Dec 2011, 06:00 PM	#79
simology	OH SWEET BABY JESUS FINALLY! Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's always annoyed me that they didn't add this in the original game mechanics. Thank you SO much for doing this!

2nd Dec 2011, 07:19 PM	#80
CatOfEvilGenius	A million thanks for this, very, very much needed.

2nd Dec 2011, 08:39 PM	#81
WooHoo31	Thank you so much! This is just what I've always wanted.

3rd Dec 2011, 12:54 AM	#82
jessemar69	This is great :D

3rd Dec 2011, 05:19 AM	#83
andromeda_368	adds my love for you to the ever-growing multitude

3rd Dec 2011, 01:00 PM	#84
gymmom4 Test Subject Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 25	plezzzzzzzzz tell me, do i have to have UL?
gymmom4 Test Subject Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 25	.(\__/) You wanna Know were to get free mirror floor tiles? .(='.'=) .(")_(") here u go!

3rd Dec 2011, 05:23 PM

#85

Darby

Alchemist

Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,720

Quote:

Originally Posted by gymmom4

plezzzzzzzzz tell me, do i have to have UL?

From the overview page in the section titled Quirks:
This mod does not work with the Base Game. You require an EP (any EP) to use it.

3rd Dec 2011, 10:53 PM	#86
kdevereaux	I. LOVE. You! This tv thing has been driving me banana sandwich recently. I spend days desiging beautiful homes with original floorplans (not my strong point) only to have my sims unable to sit on any of the lovely sofa or chairs I so painstakingly arranged. You are a Goddess <3

4th Dec 2011, 12:28 AM	#87
DGV441982 Lab Assistant Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 106	Wow I'm one of the many people that had the Sims sit on floor mod by Squinge but this seems like a much better for me be cause of much of the same reasons others have mentioned. I cannot have both but what's the use in sitting on the floor if you can sit on a chair anywhere. Thanks for making such a mod I like it already and it's good to see that people are still creating for this fossil game I love so much. Looking at the demo set ups you have in your screen shots does the distance the chairs are away from the television matter?? Could the chairs couches be further than two or three squares away?

4th Dec 2011, 04:34 AM	#88
drinkmorecocoa	Awesome, finally!

4th Dec 2011, 04:38 AM	#89
Skarlin	I too am really hoping for a merger of sorts with Squinge's "sims sit on floor" mod, like REALLY hoping. It's cute (and pretty realistic) to see sims, kid-sims especially sitting on the floor watchin cartoons or something. But either way, we'll finally be able to make proper use of the 45degree angle cheat. I am so glad this issue was finally tackled and can't wait to use this mod in my game when I can finally reinstall it. THANK YOU!

4th Dec 2011, 04:41 AM	#90
shellybeans2	I have wished for this so many times! Thank you!!

4th Dec 2011, 10:06 AM

#91

MogHughson

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DGV441982

Looking at the demo set ups you have in your screen shots does the distance the chairs are away from the television matter?? Could the chairs couches be further than two or three squares away?

As noted - this mod also makes big cinema rooms possible since Sims can sit in chairs at least 10 squares away (I gave up counting after that!). But distance does make a difference since Sims will choose the closest chairs first if directed to watch the TV. If Sims are directed to sit in a chair first, and then told to watch the TV, they will stay in that chair so long as it is an appropriate one to sit in, even if not the closest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skarlin

I too am really hoping for a merger of sorts with Squinge's "sims sit on floor" mod, like REALLY hoping. It's cute (and pretty realistic) to see sims, kid-sims especially sitting on the floor watchin cartoons or something.

I am currently working on it, however, I didn't like the way the Sims sitting on the floot would sit in front of each other, so I am working on something to improve that. So the lack of response from him for a merger is now not an issue as the code is certainly nothing like his mod anymore.

Mostly I fix Gameplay annoyances. I take requests and have made a few Requested mods already. Visit me on MTS Yearbook
My other projects: British High Street, Postal System for the Sims and Better Parking for Sims

4th Dec 2011, 11:20 AM

#92

Pleun

Test Subject

Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 35

Quote:

Originally Posted by MogHughson

That is awesome news. I too have been using squinges mod up till now, but i'm definately going to use this one now, and am really glad to hear you working on a sit on the ground version yourself.

I have to say that squinges mod brought it's own little annoyances. To me, seeing the elder sims sitting on the ground was weird. It's great for kids and teens, and an possible option for adults, but it seems illogical for elders. Especially if you have the kids sitting on the couch, and then have granny sit on the floor... Normally you'd expect on of the kids to move to the floor, so granny (or even adults) can sit on the couch, but that'd probably be impossible to make happen in a game like this.

But maybe if you are working on a new version of sitting on the ground anyways, it might be something to consider, if at all doable, to exclude elders from sitting on the ground and have them stand where the other sims would sit on the floor.

Or, just having another idea, due to another little annoyance of sims sitting down on the floor before the tv in the bedroom to watch tv, while they have a tv with a couch downstairs, it might be an idea to work with preferences, if that's possible? Something like the following;

Elders would prefer to sit on proper furniture to watch tv, or else they will stand. That includes them choosing a tv with furniture available to watch it from rather then the closest one or the fanciest one.
Adults same preference, except they'd sit on the floor rather then remain standing.
Teens (and YA) wouldn't care if they'd sit on the floor or on furniture, and being impulsive, they'd pick the first tv they'd see, and sit on the furniture if available, and on the floor if not.
Kids might actually prefer the floor? They'd go for the closest tv, like the teens.

That's just some idea's i had on the topic. I don't know if any of it would even be possible to make. Or if anyone else would even like it. And you might find it way to elaborate, but i figured sharing idea's could never hurt.

Avatar made from artwork by Kagaya

4th Dec 2011, 12:10 PM	#93
maxon	Oh well done Moghughson - thanks.

4th Dec 2011, 06:13 PM	#94
XanderGC	You seriously made my day when you released this mod thank you so much Mog! :D

4th Dec 2011, 08:40 PM	#95
lil_princess_of_evil	This is a beautiful mod and I too hate that when I build long sectional couches, my sims will only use one or two seats on the entire thing to watch tv. I'll be definitely favoriting your mod and trying it out. Nice work! I look forward to seeing the future mod that you were discussing as well.

5th Dec 2011, 06:51 PM

#96

jbeach34

Field Researcher

Join Date: Aug 2009
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Quote:

Originally Posted by MogHughson

...But distance does make a difference since Sims will choose the closest chairs first if directed to watch the TV...

I didn't direct my little sim child to watch TV, but I found him (soon after installing this!) downstairs in the basement/media room at the BACK of the room watching TV! There is a nice sized L-shaped sectional right in front of the TV, but he chose (on his own!) to sit in a chair in the way back with no one else in the room! lol It was shocking at 1st to see him actually watching TV from that distance! But then I remembered that you had mentioned that they could sit a ways away! It was rather kinda cute!!!
Thank you again for such a much needed modification!!!

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5th Dec 2011, 10:22 PM

#97

lazzybum

Scholar

Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,172
Thanks: 1178 in 10 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by MogHughson

I actually don't have a problem with floor seaters right infront, it seems more realistic that they are all bunched infront of the TV. Only thing is having the ones on the sofas not being stuck there and held hostage. But just my thoughts.
Heres a random picture I really like using your mod:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...00-58-09-73.png

http://katween.livejournal.com/

5th Dec 2011, 11:00 PM

#98

MogHughson

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Miss BHAVing

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jbeach34

There is a nice sized L-shaped sectional right in front of the TV, but he chose (on his own!) to sit in a chair in the way back with no one else in the room!

This suggests something with the choosing of chairs isn't quite right - can you tell me what the L-shaped sectional is please?

6th Dec 2011, 10:11 AM	#99
xptl297 Instructor Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 492 Thanks: 3373 in 99 Posts	There are too many answers and I do not have time to read them all to see if someone has already reported. I thought that there was a conflict with any of my mods but then I realize that you have to buy new seats after installing the mod otherwise in certain moments, mainly when a child seats to watch tv, all sims jumps and reset. The other funny thing is that kids try to use chairs that are not at all facing the TV. It happens mostly with children. They try to watch tv from a chair that is in another room (jump and reset), or watch tv sitting on chairs that are in opposite direction (back). Maybe it is only for me, but my kids are watching tv in much more positions than 45 degrees. It is really funny and I laugh. I wonder if in my apartments they will try to watch tv from another flat. Anyway, thanks for the mod, it is awesome!

6th Dec 2011, 02:24 PM	#100
ennoidyam Test Subject Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2	This came just in time- I just finished a cozy Christmas bakery with a lounge and fireplace to eat cookies and warm up with hot chocolate. The overstuffed recliners just looked better at a 45 degree angle facing the fireplace and TV but none of the Sims could watch TV that way so I had to turn them square which looked ugly and NOT cozy. GRR!! Now I can change them back, YAY! Now if someone can MOD the Zombies so they can Eat another Sim's brains like Zombies are supposed to do instead of cooking meals in the kitchen -WTF??? Or at least make it so they don't need to sleep or bathe...Since when to ZOMBIES to that?? (Sorry, I'm a huge Zombie fan and Maxis just pissed me off with theirs :< )

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