ModTheSimsSTORIES? Yes!!!

[Numenor]

Well, it seems that the new stand-alone game "Sims Life Stories" - that was supposed to be un-moddable, and could not accept custom content (except the one purposely released by Maxis) - IS definitely moddable :)

I could only examine the new game for a couple of hours, and I have some brief info that might interest modders and players.

The folder structure is quite similar to the known EP; the game installs itself, by default, in [program files]\Electronic Arts\The Sims Life Stories; therefore, its installation won't interfere with the normal game (which is installed in [program files]\EA Games).
All the game files are located in the TSData folder (note: the scenegraphic packages are located in "3D", not "Sims3D" like the base game).
The Savegame folder is located in [Documents]\Electronic Arts\The Sims Life Stories, so not to overwrite the normal savegame folder ([Documents]\EA Games).

The Registry keys set up by the game are also very similar to the ones already used by the Sims2 game, as for its content; but there are differences in the location within the registry:
HKLM/SOFTWARE/Electronic Arts/The Sims Life Stories (main key)
HKLM/SOFTWARE/Electronic Arts/Electronic Arts/The Sims Life Stories (secondary key)
As you can see, both keys are located in the same registry section, while in the Sims2 game, the two keys are in different sections (EA Games and Electronic Arts).

Custom Content: Life Stories seems to manage quite well the custom content :) There is no Downloads folder, but it can be easily created by hand; the first time the game detects custom content, the usual annoying window pops up, stating that the custom content is turned off. And we have to turn it on in the usual way. Once done that, the custom content works fine in the game (both in the "Story Mode" and in the "Free Play").

The CEP works perfectly fine in Life Stories :) Of course, it must be installed manually, because the installation path are different then the normal Sims2 game, but it's easy to do. Even SimPE, if properly configured to read the new folders, can easily list the objects from Life Stories in Object Workshop, clone them and create recolour packages.

A little (and late) gift for the BHAV modders: the "Behaviour" text lists are back :lol: The are similar to the old ones, but I could spot some differences, related to the new play style. Also, in the Res\Objects folder there is a package containing an excerpt from the PetsGlobals; the good news is that there are some useful TPRP and TRCN that will help us understanding the related BHAVs.

The TTAB files are built in various versions, up to 0x50; I couldn't see any TTAB in version 0x54 (after all, there a re no pets :))
The OBJD don't seem to have any unusual value; the objects in the game come from various EPs (there are also some new), and they all have the "Version_1" set to 0x8c (EP required), but the field 0x40, i.e. the game version required to use that object, set to 0x0001 (Base game).
The BHAV formats range from the old 0x8003 to the new 0x8009; as far as I can see, there's nothing new under the sun in this department, either :)

NOTE: as said, these are just some brief facts that I'm reporting after only a couple of hours of game play (well, not actually play, but it was amusing nevertheless :D ). I just wanted to share the news that the Sims Life Stories can be modded, and custom content can be shared fairly easily between it and our "old" game ;)

[tiggerypum]

Numenor someone on s2c reported that adding 20 items to their game made it not run well. I was at EA for the presentation of the game. Maxis did not want the game to accept user made content (and I bet they will patch this problem quickly) because they were working to keep the needs of the game on the lean side.

[Numenor]

Yes, I knew that. Infact, I was surprised; I was basically interested in the script system (the stories) but I couldn't help but noticing that the game manages the custom content as usual...

Spencer, thanks for the info :)

[callum91]

Numenor,does a Bodyshop come with it? And does SimPe load the packages ok?

[Numenor]

Exactly, no Bodyshop; but on the other hand Life Stories comes with a Package Installer. It is registered as default installer for .simsLSpack and .simsLSskin files.

As for SimPE, I could easily open any package and read their content; the new paths can optionally be added into SimPE's file table, so to allow it to access the new packages automatically (but be careful with that: it might unknowingly pull the wrong resources when cloning objects or viewing semiglobal BHAVs).

[callum91]

Ahh cool,thanks :)
I was wondering to see if there are any hidden meshes,or ones that dont come with Ts2 :)

thank you ^-^

[Numenor]

Sure :) There are several new objects; some may be bought from the catalog, others are gift from other sims.
Here is an example...
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6259/02082007161758yc7.th.jpg (http://img166.imageshack.us/my.php?image=02082007161758yc7.jpg)

[WesHowe]

Your findings piqued my curiosity, so I ordered this last night.

The screenshot looks like it uses very low poly models with small texture images. Look at the pattern stretching on the model and the countertop.
I am curious to see how they are handling the video. From the design claims in their press releases, I expect they are leaning heavily on software emulation to get the 'laptop friendly' architecture.

I would not be surprised if it turned out that the custom content was intentionally made to look like an oversight. EA knows the modding community is good for a few extra simeoleans.

If someone knows of a site that has some additional screenshots, I'd like to see them. Some of the places I usually cruise for news, like Snooty Sims, are ignoring this completely.

<* Wes *>

[Numenor]

The Italian official site (http://www.thesimsstories.it/ProductsView.aspx?id=9707) (the american one, for some odd reason, opens a yahoo group...) has some screenshots that basically confirm your thoughts, and not only for the objects, but also for clothings and sims: look in particular at this picture:
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5470/98358screenshot8bighk4.th.jpg (http://www.thesimsstories.it/Images/screenshots/98358-screenshot_8_big.jpg):
look at the seams visible on the girl's arm and shoulder, the poor definition of the girl's dress and the sharp bends in the guy's hands...

Yes, I think that all the meshes and textures has been reduced (I didn't check them personally), and this might explain why Maxis claimed that CC from the Sims2 game is "not compatible"; it is technically compatible, but it gives problems to the LS game, slowing it and causing lags (as discussed in this thread (http://forums.sims2community.com/showthread.php?t=34603) at S2C).

I've also read that LS runs quite differently on laptops with a T&L-capable graphic card, but it's not required. In my desktop PC (the same I run the Sims2 on), it automatically set all the graphic options to minimum. I've changed them to set them at the same level I usually play the Sims2, and I get more or less the same results (i.e. lags and slowdowns with larger lots or crowded community lots)

[Sulky]

If someone knows of a site that has some additional screenshots, I'd like to see them. Some of the places I usually cruise for news, like Snooty Sims, are ignoring this completely.
<* Wes *>


Here are some I took in the game trying out various cheats, custom content and so on.

http://surlysims.com/slspages/SLSscreens.htm

So far, custom content (not game mods) work fine between the two games. I can use the same cheats for SLS as I do in Sims 2. And, the modified userstartup.cheat file and modified cameras work too.

As I said in another post - its the same game in freestyle - just "lite" - I don't experience the "lag" others have talked about but it may be my machine, which was built to load Sims 2 with several gb custom content and be able to run other programs at the same time. Also, I need more time to crash and burn it. I am sure I can get there. ;)

[JadeInsane]

Might be a bit off topic but I'm curious about whether or not it would be possible to stick the LS hoods into TS2, I'm guessing because of the slight differences in bhavs or what not that this might not be as possible as I first suspected?

[mike19]

if any ones interested i found this link:
http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sims_stories/index.php

[Sulky]

if any ones interested i found this link:
http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sims_stories/index.php

Thanks for the shortcut I have been looking on their site with no success, I checked it out - I am thinking I will load it onto my travel laptop for play during travel. So far, it's been the same as Sims 2 without the detail or resources. I have put in about 1 gb of custom content and it all works fine with the game. Something in one of my creator's folders causes it to crash (custom content) and I am investigating that right now.

-----findings on custom content-----
I created a family using Sims 2 custom content and found that because of their limitations on the graphics, the Sims 2 content shows up and works fine but is not as detailed as in the Sims 2. If you are zoomed out you dont see much, if any change. If you zoom in tho, detail goes down the drain. If Sims 2 creations were optimally created, I don't think there would be any difference. But, I'm no programmer, so what do I know?

I have not experienced any lag but it may just be because of the machine I am using which is not the typical computer.

I also cannot get any mods to work at all but most cheats do, except for the blur removal, intprop does not work and quaxi's either. e.g. Merola's asp painting which worked for any ep since day one does not work and causes the game to crash.
---------


hope this helps anyone interested - onward and upward!

[Numenor]

As for the blur removal, the old Nightlife version created by Quaxi and posted on SexySims2 works fine with LS.
Merola's painting I guess conflicts with the scripting new system: the game, in story mode, needs to direct the sims to perform specific actions; I think that they changed something relevant in the way the sims are managed, and therefor all the sims-oriented hacks might give problems.

I've personally tested the SmarterLights hack, and it does NOT work...

[Sulky]

As for the blur removal, the old Nightlife version created by Quaxi and posted on SexySims2 works fine with LS.

Thanks for the heads up on the blur remover. Got and installed it, and voila - no more stupid blur, the whole idea of a sensor blur is just stupid. blah blah blah.

Using the testing cheat works the same as Merola's painting which is my fav but carrigon's oven doesn't work either. I figured if anything would, it would be the old hacks that have worked through all ep's.

ah well I continue to crash and burn, hack by hack - its the thing I live to do best in Sims ;)

[aao2003]

Can the new objects from Life Stories be incorporated in The Sims 2?

[maxpax318]

Will we be able to play around with the scripts and create our own stories or not??

[saramkirk]

Might be a bit off topic but I'm curious about whether or not it would be possible to stick the LS hoods into TS2, I'm guessing because of the slight differences in bhavs or what not that this might not be as possible as I first suspected?

Yes, they can be stuck into TS2.

You guys may be interested in what I have discovered. The Life Stories neighborhoods, houses, and sims can apparently be fully used in Sims 2, with minimal editing of the files.

http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,7267.msg203973.html#msg203973

I think this is amusing. :)


On second thought, I guess I'll copy the post over here.

==========================================================

Okay. Here are my findings so far.

About Life Stories Lot Binned Houses

The six houses located in the LotCatalog folder of Life Stories can be safely moved to the LotCatalog folder of The Sims 2. They will show up in the game and sims can be moved into them. However, I have not tested whether everything works okay, and I have tested them only with all EPs installed. I have determined that at minimum you must have Uni, NL, and OFB. Content such as wallpapers and floors will vanish, as will most furniture, but the houses themselves are intact.

Here is a picture showing the Singles moving into the Contempo Cottage. Debug mode was on and no errors were generated on load.

http://i14.tinypic.com/35n37r9.jpg

LotCatalog for Life Stories: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims™ Life Stories\LotCatalog

LotCatalog for The Sims 2: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\LotCatalog

==========================================================

About Life Stories Neighborhoods, Houses, and Sims

I'm currently in the process of assessing whether the Life Stories neighborhoods and their houses can be made fully playable in Sims 2.

Here's my progress so far:

http://i17.tinypic.com/29e2b1c.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/3zhftyv.jpg

Getting to this point is trivial. You simply dump the three neighborhoods from Life Stories into the Neighborhoods folder of Sims 2, taking care not to include the Tutorial or the NeighborhoodsManager file, which would cause the game to crash when loading a neighborhood.

The houses crash on load. Yanking the families out is successful, but the empty houses still crash on load if they were occupied (others load okay). The sims themselves can be placed in empty lots with no problems.

http://i6.tinypic.com/4e1f1w5.jpg

However... this is how it works WITHOUT changing ANYTHING inside the files. Once a little editing is done, things get better.

When Version Number is deleted and Number ID's are replaced with Sims 2 versions (yanked from original Maxis 'hoods), the occupied houses load with no problems. However, only two houses were tested, so this is not for 100% sure. SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT END OF POST (it turned out to be not quite so simple).

Here's a shot of What's-his-face-Kincaid in his house, which loaded just fine.

http://i3.tinypic.com/2lu4aqs.jpg





INSTRUCTIONS

Note: You have to complete the stories before you can do this. Otherwise some of the lots will continue crashing.

Note 2: Many (but not all) of the lots go into a loading loop (and never load). To solve this, you must load each lot (occupied or not) in Life Stories, make a small change, and save. Vincent and Riley's stories need to be loaded at least once more after they reload into free play mode after completing the story.

Note 3: Your Sims 2 game must have Uni, NL, and OFB in order to accept the neighborhoods. Otherwise either the neighborhoods or the lots will crash on load. Life Stories includes bits of all three EPs.

Step 1: Go to C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\ and remove your Neighborhoods folder (to somewhere safe, of course).

Step 2: Go to C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims™ Life Stories\ and COPY the Neighborhoods folder over to C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\

Now your Life Stories neighborhoods are under C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\ Neighborhoods

Step 3: Open C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Neighborhoods\ and delete the file called NeighborhoodManager.package and the folder called Tutorial.

Step 4: Open C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Neighborhoods\ and you will see three folders called N001, N002, N003. Inside each one is a file called N00#_Neighborhood.package. Open these in SimPE.

Step 5: Delete Version Number. It will be an item on the very bottom of the list on the left-hand side. When you click on it, it will appear on the right-hand side. Then you right-click and choose Delete. Then save the file.

Step 6: I've made extracted ID Numbers available for download: http://www.box.net/public/75d090iaah After downloading this file, unzip it and you will have three folders called 1, 2, 3.

Step 7: Open one of the N00#_Neighborhood.package files and find ID Number on the left. Click on it and it will come up on the right. Right-click and select Replace. rowse to the folder called 1 (downloaded from me) and select either of the files inside. Save. Open the next file, and replace ID Number with the one from the folder called 2. Then do the third file.

[JadeInsane]

awesome, thanks for that saramkirk, I was able to get the free play working in ts2 but was unable to get the others to work, I'll have to read that a bit more when I'm more awake and see what I can do in my game...

[diamok]

I realize it's a bit early to be thinking about this, but. Has anyone looked into editing/modifying the actual "Stories", where in we would be able to create our own and in turn offer them to the community for their playing pleasure?

Take care,

[WesHowe]

Here are some I took in the game trying out various cheats, custom content and so on.


Thank you very much.

I noticed some rendering oddities in the floor of house, but I am not sure if this is related to the custom content or not.

I noticed on the Italian site link Numenor provided that the "Sculpture - Venus" in some form is lurking over in the corner. I am wondering if LS might be the place where we have a use for all those "LOD15" meshes...

<* Wes *>

[Lammashta]

Is there any way to extract the new objects in life stories and import them into the sims 2 using simpe? And what about the new floors/walls?

[saramkirk]

I posted a (so far) short list of compatible hacks here: http://forums.sims2community.com/showpost.php?p=765979&postcount=23

[Numenor]

Thanks, saramkirk: a useful list! I've added the Smart(er)Lights hack to the "not working" list-

[Lammashta]

In case anyone's interested, I am currently converting The Sims Life Stories walls and floors to the sims 2. I will post the rar files containing them as soon as they're ready. It's a long way to go, but I have converted about 50 floors so far.

[Mary Nanda]

Does anybody convert clothes and hair of the the sims 2 for the the sims life stories?

[Numenor]

I'd like to issue a warning to all people that are thinking to convert or maybe just copy custom content created for the Sims2 to LifeStories.

LS is not as "powerful" as the main Sims2 game; in order to be less demanding and run smoother, it requires not to be overloaded with custom content. High poly-count and large texture size are the two "enemies" that LS users should always battle at best.
A clothing mesh, perfectly normal for the Sims2, becomes a monster that quickly eats up resources in LS; an object containing a (often useless) 1024x1024 DXT3 texture may be normal in the Sims2 (and sometimes it's not normal even there), but becomes a no-no for LS.

So, these are my (rough) suggestions:

1) LS users: be careful with what custom content you put in your game; always read the poly count from the download thread and possibly check the texture size within the package. In particular, install the fewest custom clothings and hairstyles possible: despite the efforts that a mesh creator can put in lowering the poly count, clothing and hairstyles meshes are always complex and require a lot of vertices/faces.

2) Creators of custom content for LS should keep at the lowest level possible poly count and texture size; this means - of course - less details for your mesh and texture; but LS users will thank you for that.

[niol]

I see, that's the attention is at... :D
Where's the thank button?
Alright, I thank you, Numenor here... it's cool to know these infos...

[Numenor]

Actually, the recommendations about the texture size are the same that I've tried (in vain) to give when dealing with normal Sims2 objects :lol:
But I still see monstruous textures, sometimes only partially used, in some custom objects... :P

[WesHowe]

I noticed yesterday that my copy of LS does not have either a snapshot button or a movie capture button, although the log file shows the capture and option parameters. I thought I had use them before, but I have to be confused because the Storytelling folder has no entries.

Functionally, the screenshots is not a problem, as there are alternatives for screen capture. The videos might be nice, although I can still stage things in TS2 if I need to.

So I wondered if that is the way somebody else's LS game is also configured, or if I have some parameter skewed here?

<* Wes *>

[delonariel]

In case anyone's interested, I am currently converting The Sims Life Stories walls and floors to the sims 2. I will post the rar files containing them as soon as they're ready. It's a long way to go, but I have converted about 50 floors so far.

Thank Goodness. I've been dabbling with that as well, but I had to PrntScn from the game, and reshape them in photoshop :lol:


**EDIT**

is it possible that someone could make a tutorial (or some quick guidelines) on how to find the wall and floor tiles with simPE?

[delirium210]

Does anybody convert clothes and hair of the the sims 2 for the the sims life stories?

I love how smooth the game is, and I really wouldn't want to jeopardize that. So I was (optimistically) thinking that maybe there is compromise with custom content. Like a way to recolor meshes already in the game? If there is a way to recolor could someone point me in the right direction? thanx

[SarahKjrsten]

I love how smooth the game is, and I really wouldn't want to jeopardize that. So I was (optimistically) thinking that maybe there is compromise with custom content. Like a way to recolor meshes already in the game? If there is a way to recolor could someone point me in the right direction? thanx

I downloaded a small handful of maxis clothing and object recolors from MTS2. I filtered the downloads so that base game maxis recolors would be the only things to show up. And then was very, very choosy in what I put in my game. Like I said, a small handful. So far my game has been running great. But I've avoided anything with a non-maxis mesh.

[Lammashta]

is it possible that someone could make a tutorial (or some quick guidelines) on how to find the wall and floor tiles with simPE?

Here are the steps I've been taking so far:

For the walls:

The wall textures are in c:\program files\the sims life stories\tsdata\res\3d\objects09.package

Open that package in simpe and select Large Image File (LIFO). Scroll down to the W, where you will find the wall textures.

Note: only the ones with a '0' in the end matter, because those are the most detailed textures.

Select the texture you want to extract and on plugin view select export. This will save a .png file. Since HomeCrafter Plus only accepts .bmp files, you have to convert it first. You can manually convert it with windows paint, but I recommend that you use the program Imagicon (http://www.deviouscodeworks.co.uk/imagicon.html) which converts automatically large ammounts of files at one time.

After you have the textures, use Homecrafter to make the new wall. Right now, in order to copy the name of the wall and the description, I use two computers running simultaneously, one to run sim life stories and check the descriptions inside the game, and another one to run homecrafter, because homecrafter won't run while lifestories is running. There must be an easier way to overcome this problem, since not everyone is lucky enough to have access to two computers with the minimum specs. I haven't found it out, though.

For the floors:

Use the same proccess, except that the floor textures are located inside c:\program files\the sims life stories\tsdata\res\3d\objects08.package.

I haven't found some floors, though, they must be located elsewhere. However, most textures are inside that file.


I am currently converting the floors, but I could use some help with the walls, if anyone is willing to...

[delonariel]

I am currently converting the floors, but I could use some help with the walls, if anyone is willing to...

Providing everything goes well, I can start today ^^ Thanks for the help.
Since I don't have two computers, I've been going back and forth between homecrafter and SLS (thank god it loads fast), but I haven't been adding the descriptions, seeing as I have to write everyhing down manually :rolleyes:

**EDIT**

Ok, I've got the hang of it now and I've gotten started with a good 100 walls (descritions and all). I've got a whole week's vacation coming up (though I should be studying for exams), and way too much energy, so I could gladly take the walls off your hands :)

[Lammashta]

That's great! I hope I'll finish the floors soon :) maybe tomorrow

[$RaMRoM$]

great work numenor and by the way... is Sims life stories is called the SIMS3 or its just what people say?

[Simosity]

Numenor,

A downloads folder is created when you download the 3 custom objects from the Life Stories site ~

http://sims.yahoo.com/downloads

[Numenor]

great work numenor and by the way... is Sims life stories is called the SIMS3 or its just what people say?

From what I have read, Life Stories (and subsequent instalments) are not a part of the "Sims saga", it's not the Sims3.

[niol]

No way... for a graphic-technically backward sequel...! :P

I guess Maxis is testing out how the story scripting works before implementing it into TS3. :rolleyes: or just start a new product line...


Added after Numenor's pos, the next post:

Hopefully, LS is not as lame as WinMe...:lol:

[Numenor]

This reminds me Windows Me, used by Microsoft as a testing ground for Win2000 :lol:

[Lammashta]

I have finished converting the floors of life stories, except for some tiles which I couldn't find the texture, but now I don't know how to upload. I have got a rar file, but I still have to find out how to submit the content :|

[Numenor]

On the top-right corner of each page there is the "User Tool" link. Click it, then "Upload", then choose the right section.

[Lammashta]

Thank's for the tip. I have uploaded the file, it's now awaiting aproval :)

[danvoybra258]

I want to add wall and floor to LS ... And even CC (New meshes) ...
How can I do??

Thx

Dany

[delonariel]

Thank's for the tip. I have uploaded the file, it's now awaiting aproval :)

I finished the walls on sunday, and they are now pending too. Good work, us ^^
can't wait for the floors!

[Zruda_Trinact]

Is it just me who can't find the Life Stories objects in the download section?

[Blaxun]

Is it just me who can't find the Life Stories objects in the download section?I was just searching for them myself... with no success. I was wondering if they were still around too.

[IgnorantBliss]

The Life Stories objects have been removed from the site according to Maxis/EA's wishes. As it was posted in the download thread from the beginning, there was always the chance they'd have to be taken down.

[Zruda_Trinact]

I guessed that was what had happened, its shame though. It's like saying that people without SimCity4, are not allowed to download the new terrains people make.

Personally, I bought LS, because I buy anything with the label, "The Sims" on it, and I'm glad I managed to download it, as the objects are just like a normal stuff pack.

Does this mean the walls and floors aren't going to be posted either?

[Blaxun]

The reason I was looking for the post was because I think there's an issue with some of the bed. Everytime my sims woohoo or try for baby I get a cut scene like it's the first time they've done anything. I was wondering if I was the only one who was getting this.

[Numenor]

Well, thanks anyway for letting me know; I guess I will take a look, though I can't post the fixed package any more :P -

And yes, Zruda, this means that there will be no walls and floors, here ant MTS2; but the users that extracted them are free to post them elsewhere, if they like to.

[Blaxun]

Not a problem. I'm not 100% sure that its the beds that are causing the problem. I only assume its them (or one of the other lifestories objects) because it wasnt until I added the lifestories objects that I started seeing this problem. I havent had time to remove them yet and check to see if it solves the problem because I've been too busy at work. It's a pity you cant re-post the fixed package, but I know if it were me, and something I created was a little buggy I'd want to at least know about it. Even if I couldnt re-post a fix. Nice job by the way, the objects are great. Glad I got them before maxis asked to have them taken down.

[Numenor]

Blaxun, In my game this doesn't happen; I have the cut scene only the first time that two sim woohoo or try for baby; if the sim changes partner, of course the cut scene runs again.
I've run my experiment (you can do the same) in a brand new lot, with a brand new couple, using my All-EPs game (like yours). And the cut scene only occurred once.

But I remember that once I had the very same problem, with a Maxis bed; or better, it happened in the whole game: every single time a bed was used, I had the cut scene.
I don't remember when or how that problem was solved; probably installing a patch or an EP; or one of the rare times I reinstalled the game.

Try removing the LifeStories objects and start again the game; replace the Fertilinator (that will disappear from the lot) with a Maxis bed and... woohoo at will! :lol:

Just out of curiosity: when in game, open the memories panel of both sim, and check if there is the memory "Had woohoo with (name of the other Sim)".

[Blaxun]

No new memories are being created, I did check that for some reason, not sure why. I'm also going to try moving the family to a different lot. I've had to odd things happen during play (on other lots besides the one in question) that moving the family to a new lot has solved.

Honestly, I'm seriously considering re-installing everything anyway. I have got way too many mods/custom objects/clothes/walls/floors installed and I know I'm not using most of them. My game's performance is starting to suffer.

I do apperciate your help. I'll give your suggestions a shot and let you know what I find.

[Blaxun]

After some testing I think I figured it out. It's NOT the lifestories objects. Tested the problem household with and without the LS objects, cutscene everytime they woohoo. 2 other households in the same neighborhood, both with and without the LS objects only get a cutscene for the 1st time they woohoo, everything is normal with them. The only difference I can find between the households I tested was that the problem household was brought over from veronaville to a custom neighborhood. The other's in that 'hood were created there.

So, as far as I'm concerned the mystery has been solved. Again, I apperciate the suggestions and help, and of course all your great work you've shared with us. Thanks!

[anglesims2]

Hello, I searched every where and could not find anything about why the build mode is disabled in the stories play? Unless it gets unlocked when a certain chapter is done, I have completed 10 chapters in Riley's Story and 1 chapter in Vincent's but why the disabled build mode? It dosen't say in the booklet that came with the game..Help me soon...Or how can I find the file to edit it to enable it? Thanks...Oh P.S. In the downloads you created from SimsLS to convert to The Sims 2 games you forgot many other objects as the new game player looks like the playstaion 3, and then there are some other awsome objects in the Career Rewards and Aspiration's rewards you forgoten or are working on? Anyways help me with the build mode disabled in story play..

[Numenor]

@Anglesims2, and also to anyone keeps asking me about the "converted" LS objects: As said, we posted those object convinced that Maxis would not be harmed by our "conversion"; we are still strongly convinced of this, but anyway Maxis kindly asked us to remove all the objects and careers immediately, and we complied, as promised.
However, I've been informed that someone else had a different idea (LINK (http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php?topic=7314.msg206171#msg206171)). I just want to state that I'm not involved in any way with the Yahoo group mentioned there, and technically those objects have been posted there without our consent; but nevertheless, they are there, for anyone interested. Personally, I'm not interested, because of course I already have all those objects :P

As for the supposed "missing objects", we converted them all, including the aspiration rewards; the career rewards, in particular, were originally posted by us along with the careers themselves (now the careers are gone, too; but I guess that who collected the objects collected the careers, too).

About the missing "build mode" in LS: the "Story Mode" can't possibly support the build mode active, because the sims must rely on a particular layout of the lot; if you could change the house, there is the risk that the game can't execute correctly the scripts. Therefore, the build mode has been grayed out (and the cheat box is inactive, too). I don't know any method to restore it, and anyway I would not advice anyone to restore it, even if possible. If you play LS in normal mode, the Build and the cheat box function regularly.

[anglesims2]

Oh okay I see all you are saying, I did not want to get anyone in trouble....Thank you for letting me know, I see it was on another web site about the grayed out build part, so I see why now....Thank you very much....That is okay dose not matter any more of this game, I like it more now by actually it is like watching a sit com and beeing a part of the show in a funny way...LOL....I am sorry if I up setted you about this....Thanks..

[Numenor]

No need to apologize: on the contrary, you gave me the chance to clear up something I wanted to state since the beginning :)

[anglesims2]

Oh cool I helped some one and it is you how cool.....Thank you!!!! So what did you figured out? The chance to clear something out? If a secret you can pm me and I do keep secrets...I am good at keeping secrets....lol....also I slowed my avatar to slow down and could not change my avatar at all using my settings here so I could not replace it unless I did something wrong....Thanks :king: :rofl:

[anglesims2]

Well I found a way to reset the games, example the Vincent Story if you wanted to reset it alone first Copy & Pasted the Neighbourhood N100? I forgot the one he is in, move it to another folder that I made in my documents Electronics The Sims Stories Neighborhood I made a new folde and called it someting like Vincents Story Backup pasted his neighborhood and saved it in there. Then I also did the same for Riley's Story in another new folder named it Riley's Story and pasted her neighborhood in there, Now You can deleate or rename the Story part Backup like The Sims Stories Backup and when starting the game again you can restart the game and there a new stories and neighborhoods are staring all over...LOL...Hope this helped you understanding how to reset your game....LOL

I am now completed the stories and now to play seasons for awhile, But a few days break from my computer...lol....It was fun to play it twice and when playing the second time round I noticed some few plays that werew slightly diffrent in Rileys story and I ended the vicents story the second time letting her stay dead, He keeps crying over her so now he is off trying to make just some new friends and try to recover old friends and he plans to stay single for now..I am going to continue his story with my own ending maybe late? lol...Now waite for The Sims Pet Stories lol..... :lol:

[Numenor]

Thanks, I ended Vincent's story choosing to revive the girl and lose the money; but I still had the curiosity to know what happened if I'd chosen the other option :) I'm NOT going to play it a second time lol! :lol:

[SerenaInuyasha]

I was wondering what happened to the set. At least now I know what happened.

[Lammashta]

Ok, the walls are now ready here. (http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/TS2LSpack/)

[Reyn]

I wonder if there is a way to get the statue and keep the girl....its a lovely statue that I'd use in my lots if not for EA....I never know when I'll want to upload it here.

[Screamo*Kid*4*Life]

Does SimPE work with this?
if so, which version?

[NNNNatali]

The new version SimPe (0.62 ) supports to STORIES . But I have not understood, what recolor objects from it ? :(

[LuneGoddess]

Here are some I took in the game trying out various cheats, custom content and so on.

http://surlysims.com/slspages/SLSscreens.htm

So far, custom content (not game mods) work fine between the two games. I can use the same cheats for SLS as I do in Sims 2. And, the modified userstartup.cheat file and modified cameras work too.

As I said in another post - its the same game in freestyle - just "lite" - I don't experience the "lag" others have talked about but it may be my machine, which was built to load Sims 2 with several gb custom content and be able to run other programs at the same time. Also, I need more time to crash and burn it. I am sure I can get there. ;)

I have a HUGE problem. It seems that cheats from Sims 2 cannot be executed in my LS. It's just that whenever I type Ctrl+shift+c, no prompt box appears.

What will I do? :cry:

[WesHowe]

In story Mode, all the cheats are turned off.
They work in free play, and they will begin working in the stories after you reach the goal of the story.
<* Wes *>

[adelewen]

After playing some Life Stories, I've discovered that I can't find anything (even within the cheats) that edits faces. While I don't mind playing Life Stories without a lot of custom content... being stuck with ugly sims does not make me want to play with certain households. Does anyone know of anything so far that works or is actually within the game that might let me fix an in-game born Sim with ugly features?

[SymplyTrish]

I am looking hard for objects that are in Life Stories that have been modded to play with The Sims 2 and their EPs. Anyone know where I might find them? The Bedroom set and TV are just wicked cool. Thanks for any direction.

[koalena]

I started to play Vincent story and got a weit bug -- when he came to bowling to meet Naomi, first there were not Naomi there, I could only see her for a second or two and then she dissapeared.
I've restarted the game and got anothe thing -- there were 8 Naomi, and Vincent could interact with all of them, although when he hug one, the others leaved the building -- but no worry, after a few seconds they all reappeared again. Once I counted 18 Naomi. :) It was funny, but since I wanted to play, I restarted again.
Now I have one Naomi, but there is no option to kiss her, not her not anyone else in any circumstances. I can't finish this date at the bowling and have no idea what to do.

Please, do anyone know what is it? May be I beter restart Vincent's story? But how(without reinstalling the game)?
I finished Riley's story without any problems :(

[WillyMilano]

hi there ok here is my question... im have bougth the sims life stories and want to put some custom content but im ne in that so im askin someone if he can teach me or maybe give me a little of his custom content

[Numenor]

An extensive discussion has been going on for a while at S2C about this; read this thread (http://forums.sims2community.com/showthread.php?t=34603) at our sister forum; if you have questions about this subject, that thread is the best place where to ask.

I will just remind here briefly that all the normal Sim2 custom content compatible with the base game is also technically compatible with Life Stories, but you should choose wisely what to install. Read that thread for more info.

[flame]

which mods can be use to get rid of the nasty blur and what skins can be used safely any links i be very happy and be waiting to c what other mods can be used safely gl to u ppl on finding that out ty

[Brooke89]

hey im having a problem with my sims pet stories and simpe, it keeps telling me to specify the correct savegame file in the options dialog.
please help me fix this problem

[Numenor]

I can't find any place in SimPE options where to specify the savegame file for Pets Stories; in the options there is only a field (in Preferences -> System Folders) where you can specify the game installation folder for Pets Stories; and anyway it should be an automatic field.

Am I understanding wrong? Exactly, what message do you get, and what are you doing when you get that message? Are you cloning or recolouring an object? Are you opening a Pet Stories neighborhood?

[Kabuto]

About Castaway Stories, neighborhood isn't compatible anymore with TS2, lots haven't road connector and the maximum size is 8x8, the seasons sub-neighborhood is an EP7 FreeTime version !

I tried to use the Castaway neighborhood N002, but it stop the game while loading !

So I use an empty neighborhood (no sims/NPC/townies) where I replaced the NHTG, NHTR, TATT, LDEF and STR# by the Castaway ones but it shows dirty !

[Kabuto]

Well, I know why the Castaway neighborhood doesn't work with TS2, because it's a medium simcity4, its size is 256x256 instead of 128x128 !

[prozacwoman]

I only have Pet Stories on my laptop, and it seems that Homecrafter won't work unless the original Sims 2 is installed. Is there any way to get around this, or do I need to dig out my original Sims game (God only knows where it is after we moved. grrr) and put it on too? I could probably make walls and floors with something else with no problem, but Homecrafter lets you see what the pattern looks like in a house before you put it in your game, and that saves alot of time if something looks like crap when it's over the whole floor, KWIM?

Thanks!

AJ

[latin_lunatic]

I'm trying to save a character to place them back in the game. (There was a glitch and I messed up trying to fix it with an object so I want to just start over with this guy again). Using the export with Sim Surgery in SimPe (the one updated for CS) I was able to get him out but I'm not sure how to get him back in.

[Numenor]

The Export feature ofthe Sim Surgery creates a clone of the selected sim and puts it in the "SavedSims" folder: when you open BodyShop or the CAS, you will see - among the pre-made sims - the extracted sim. You can use it as a base to create a new family (of course, you can assign him the same name, clothings, wants and traits as the original sim, but he will NOT be the same sim!).

[burton01]

Numenor,

I'm basically retarded when it comes to this stuff. I've been using the clean installer for flat TS2, but now I've bought LS.

Can I use regular MTS2 stuff? If not, which ones can I use?

[Numenor]

Read my post #76 (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?p=1728730#post1728730) above, and visit the mentioned thread at sims2community.

The golden rule is "Keep it low" :)
- Keep low the number of installed packages (choose wisely what you really want to install)
- Keep low the complexity of the objects (only choose objects with a low poly count: the creators, here at MTS2, usually post the poly count at the end of their post, read it).

[adelewen]

Here's a question for you... does anyone know how to extract the Sims themselves from in the Life Stories game to get them to run in Sims 2? I've been wanting to do some storytelling but there are aspects that I'd REALLY like to have from the Sims 2 and not just pure LS.

Does anyone know how hard this is, or if it's possible?

[technolover]

Well, it seems that the new stand-alone game "Sims Life Stories" - that was supposed to be un-moddable, and could not accept custom content (except the one purposely released by Maxis) - IS definitely moddable :)

I could only examine the new game for a couple of hours, and I have some brief info that might interest modders and players.

The folder structure is quite similar to the known EP; the game installs itself, by default, in [program files]\Electronic Arts\The Sims Life Stories; therefore, its installation won't interfere with the normal game (which is installed in [program files]\EA Games).
All the game files are located in the TSData folder (note: the scenegraphic packages are located in "3D", not "Sims3D" like the base game).
The Savegame folder is located in [Documents]\Electronic Arts\The Sims Life Stories, so not to overwrite the normal savegame folder ([Documents]\EA Games).

The Registry keys set up by the game are also very similar to the ones already used by the Sims2 game, as for its content; but there are differences in the location within the registry:
HKLM/SOFTWARE/Electronic Arts/The Sims Life Stories (main key)
HKLM/SOFTWARE/Electronic Arts/Electronic Arts/The Sims Life Stories (secondary key)
As you can see, both keys are located in the same registry section, while in the Sims2 game, the two keys are in different sections (EA Games and Electronic Arts).

Custom Content: Life Stories seems to manage quite well the custom content :) There is no Downloads folder, but it can be easily created by hand; the first time the game detects custom content, the usual annoying window pops up, stating that the custom content is turned off. And we have to turn it on in the usual way. Once done that, the custom content works fine in the game (both in the "Story Mode" and in the "Free Play").

The CEP works perfectly fine in Life Stories :) Of course, it must be installed manually, because the installation path are different then the normal Sims2 game, but it's easy to do. Even SimPE, if properly configured to read the new folders, can easily list the objects from Life Stories in Object Workshop, clone them and create recolour packages.

A little (and late) gift for the BHAV modders: the "Behaviour" text lists are back :lol: The are similar to the old ones, but I could spot some differences, related to the new play style. Also, in the Res\Objects folder there is a package containing an excerpt from the PetsGlobals; the good news is that there are some useful TPRP and TRCN that will help us understanding the related BHAVs.

The TTAB files are built in various versions, up to 0x50; I couldn't see any TTAB in version 0x54 (after all, there a re no pets :))
The OBJD don't seem to have any unusual value; the objects in the game come from various EPs (there are also some new), and they all have the "Version_1" set to 0x8c (EP required), but the field 0x40, i.e. the game version required to use that object, set to 0x0001 (Base game).
The BHAV formats range from the old 0x8003 to the new 0x8009; as far as I can see, there's nothing new under the sun in this department, either :)

NOTE: as said, these are just some brief facts that I'm reporting after only a couple of hours of game play (well, not actually play, but it was amusing nevertheless :D ). I just wanted to share the news that the Sims Life Stories can be modded, and custom content can be shared fairly easily between it and our "old" game ;)


may i used this for the sims pet stories?
please answer
thanks

[rainbowwarrior]

As for the blur removal, the old Nightlife version created by Quaxi and posted on SexySims2 works fine with LS.
Merola's painting I guess conflicts with the scripting new system: the game, in story mode, needs to direct the sims to perform specific actions; I think that they changed something relevant in the way the sims are managed, and therefor all the sims-oriented hacks might give problems.

I've personally tested the SmarterLights hack, and it does NOT work...

So The Nightlife Blur Removal works for LS.If so can you tell me where to put it?
And gald to be around theses forums

[natashaharton]

id like to appologize in advance - im one of those.. im newww to this site and new to TRYING to add custom content to Sims Life Stories. HELP ME PLEASE!!! ive found some hair id like to add - but i seriously dont know what the hell im doing! lol

any help is greatly appreciated - try to dumb it down for me too.. remember im new :help:

[Talanta]

I realize it's a bit early to be thinking about this, but. Has anyone looked into editing/modifying the actual "Stories", where in we would be able to create our own and in turn offer them to the community for their playing pleasure?

Take care,

Will we be able to play around with the scripts and create our own stories or not??

I apologise for dragging this thread up but I didn't want to create a new thread for the sole purpose of asking my question. These two questions above are basically what I want to ask, but nobody ever answered their questions!

Is it possible to edit the scripts that come with Life Stories, Pet Stories and Castaway Stories, in order to create our own stories? If it is possible, it could be great - people could create plots with goals and missions and share them with others, providing a more structured form of challenges and the like.

[Mootilda]

If no one has answered, then I'm guessing that no one has figured out how to do it yet. Feel free to figure it out for us. ;)

[SerpentsKiss]

Is it possible to import my characters from Pet Stories and Life Stories into my Sims2 game?

[Mootilda]

Look through this thread. There are instructions on moving things like your sims and lots over from Life Stories to TS2:
http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,7267.0.html

[SerpentsKiss]

Thanks, I'll have to try it out.

[equinora]

Hello numenor i just got sims life strorie and its been 3 weeks now that i am trying to install our program CEP i found that the folder are not the same then i found this article could you explain me how to install it manually pleasseeee i am deseparate.
my email is [email protected] if it help you on answering me.

thanks so much anyway your doind a fantastic job here :-)

[Mootilda]

Numenor has been inactive for a long time (last post 21st Mar 2010, 02:11 AM). I doubt that he'll answer. As suggested in the first post, try the manual install (MAC).