Livestreaming while Simming is so fun!

[Liv Lukas]

I just wanted to share a fun thing simmers have been doing, livestreaming.

Basically it is streaming your desktop while simming. So others can watch your game, see how you do things like pose sims or build homes. It is also great for teaching tutorials. In the last week I've learned:

How to swap shoes on a mesh
Recoloring and alphas
Posebox tips and tricks for great photos
How to really make my sim photos pop in photoshop

Plus, I've met all kinds of cool simmers from all around the world!

Finally, I have folks to talk about my obsession, er...hobby with!

Some simmers stream with a microphone, others just use the chat window.

And it's all free, to stream and watch.

(Can you tell I am excited?)

When I first watched another simmer, misstiikeri (http://misstiikeri.tumblr.com), I thought her game is so amazing, I would love to see how she does things...but I was amazed at how totally interesting it is to get a good look at how another simmer really plays the game. Her world is so different from mine, but I still learned so much!

I've streamed twice now, each time 10 or so folks showed up, some just watched, some chatted (very funny people!) and I would type along. I gave a tour of Acanthop, the new hood I am building and showed how I put it together, then they requested lots they wanted to see. I showed them the castle and the school and teacher's house.

So today I am venturing into the unknown and using a mic! So people can hear me talk as we go. Yep, I am putting my crackly old voice on the net. :-)

I am doing a tutorial on creating a custom hood in about 30 minutes, at 1:00pm PST

http://www.livestream.com/livlukas

Come see how it works!

So what think you? A great marriage of technology and gaming? Or a passing fad?

Me? I'm hooked!

[Bwinney43]

That sounds really cool. Sometimes picture tutorials are still confusing for me so it'd be neat to actually watch someone show you how something is built or created.

I'd love to do something like this but I don't think my game would be very exciting to watch. I mean it would literally just be normal game play. I don't have any special building techniques or anything to show off. I make recolors here and there but they're on my journal and they're nothing amazing.

Still sounds like a very neat idea, though. I'd love to be able to chat with someone while I play.

[M.M.A.A.]

Its amazing! I always wanted to find a live-stream website, but didn't know which one, but since a simmer is on this one, I thought I'd have to join! :beer:

[Johnny_Bravo]

You, si..erh madame, inspired me to do a livestream myself :)

[lazzybum]

I saw my first simming livestream a few days ago. It's pretty cool, I don't mind trying myself. But one question, does it show all your desktop or just the game window? I tend to surf the net alot when I play sims lol

[joandsarah77]

I just went over and signed up, that is quite cool.

[Liv Lukas]

So I will answer all questions when the livestream is over. We are taking a ten minute break and then using the modify hood terrain cheat.

So far, it's been BURPTASTIC!

LOL

Come join us!

http://www.livestream.com/livlukas

[joandsarah77]

That was fun.

P.S I'm Coffee

[Gazelove]

Yeah, I like watching livestreams of Sims 3 since I can't run it on my machine. Helps to inspire me when my own nhood is boring.

[FreezerBunny]

Oooh, sounds fun. I might join one later. I have some questions.

1. Do you need a program to record your screen (fraps, etc) or does the website do it for you?

2. How do you make your game screen smaller? I have no idea, lol.

[Saturnfly]

Man, I really need to get broadband. >:

[Liv Lukas]

Okay, so here is what I know so far:

You can stream right from livestream site: http://www.livestream.com/webcaster/

But I downloaded procaster, free: http://new.livestream.com/broadcast-live/encoder

I do not have a good computer, so I also use gamebooster to shut down everything not needed on my desktop computer and then use my laptop to watch my stream and make sure all is okay. Also, I use my laptop to respond to chat, when I am not using a mic.

I have always played windowed mode, so I just set the procaster to so that area of my screen. But yeah, it just shows your desktop. Whatever is in the recording area. I definitely recommend windowed mode when livestreaming.

You do not need two computers, you can do it on one and the chat window is visible while you stream.

Oh and I have DSL. The most basic and slow DSL. This is not advisable to try on wifi. You really need to use a wired connection.

[M.M.A.A.]

So, when is the next livestream Liv? *burp* ooops!

[labellavienna]

I want so bad to start meshing and converting sims 3 stuff, but all the tutorials look so intimidating and difficult...agh! Wish someone could teach me via livestreaming.

[Liv Lukas]

labella, I went to a livestream meshing tutorial - it was super fun and I knew NOTHING about meshing and I now I have a basic understanding. If you want to know when the next livestream meshing tutorial is, follow/rss/bookmark here:

http://livesimming.tumblr.com

People are putting promos there.

Also, if you follow me on tumblr, I will post any livestreams I find out about. I am desperate to find some to watch!

MMAA: I will be doing another tutorial on decorating your custom hood on Saturday at 1pm pacific, 4pm eastern, 8pm gmt

you can rsvp here: http://www.livestream.com/livlukas

[FreezerBunny]

Okay, so here is what I know so far:

You can stream right from livestream site: http://www.livestream.com/webcaster/

But I downloaded procaster, free: http://new.livestream.com/broadcast-live/encoder

I do not have a good computer, so I also use gamebooster to shut down everything not needed on my desktop computer and then use my laptop to watch my stream and make sure all is okay. Also, I use my laptop to respond to chat, when I am not using a mic.

I have always played windowed mode, so I just set the procaster to so that area of my screen. But yeah, it just shows your desktop. Whatever is in the recording area. I definitely recommend windowed mode when livestreaming.

You do not need two computers, you can do it on one and the chat window is visible while you stream.

Oh and I have DSL. The most basic and slow DSL. This is not advisable to try on wifi. You really need to use a wired connection.

So you can just stream your scrreen from webcaster? Kay.

How do you play in window mode? I play TS3 also, and I know where to toggle window mode on there, but I can't find the option in TS2.

I have wifi, but the wifi box thing is like right next to my computer. Would that be okay? I've played TS3 (in window mode) with my friend by showing the screen on skype and it was fine.

[Liv Lukas]

FB:

The best thing to do is to try it and report back if wifi works for you. I read in the livestream help that wifi is not as good, so that is why I mentioned that.

In the shortcut to launch the game - NOT that horrible launcher thingy, add a -w. Here let me link you to help:

http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Windowed_Mode

There you go!

I'm curious to see if a webcaster stream looks good, I just downloaded procaster as I though it would have more options and be more flexible.

But if all of us report back as we learn, we all learn.

HTH!

[FreezerBunny]

FB:

The best thing to do is to try it and report back if wifi works for you. I read in the livestream help that wifi is not as good, so that is why I mentioned that.

In the shortcut to launch the game - NOT that horrible launcher thingy, add a -w. Here let me link you to help:

http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Windowed_Mode

There you go!

I'm curious to see if a webcaster stream looks good, I just downloaded procaster as I though it would have more options and be more flexible.

But if all of us report back as we learn, we all learn.

HTH!

Okay, thankyou! I'll probably do a Livestream later, but I have a few more questions:

1. I have a laptop with a built-in webcam and microphone, instead of a headset. Would that work, or would the viewers not be able to hear me?

2. Will having livestream open lag my game?

[FreezerBunny]

:(

Just made an account. I have to download the thing to show my game. Very sad.

I'll be watching your though!

[Liv Lukas]

FB:

I did not notice any more lag when livestreaming so I am thinking, no? But YMMV!

You do not have to dl a program, you can stream from the webcaster, there is a link in one of my above posts.

I supposed you can just use your laptop mic, but it may not sound so good! There is a cheap, but well reviewed headset on amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FY7LBQ

[M.M.A.A.]

Sorry to bring up an old topic. :P

Hey, Liv, when are you going to do another livestream? Since school is over and I have nothing to do, other than simming (yay!). I want to help out with the links for the stuff you talk about.

[Liv Lukas]

I am getting married in less than two weeks! So until that is over, I am maxed out! I will definitely livesim again.

I am going to do a tutorial on how to keep your game from crashing, as well as a little known mods tutorial.

But in the meantime, you can check out the videos in the my library.

http://www.livestream.com/livlukas

I did an impromptu livesimming session last week.

[M.M.A.A.]

I am getting married in less than two weeks! So until that is over, I am maxed out! I will definitely livesim again.

Congratulations! Finally! I myself remembered you saying that in a few months you will be married to him, but hey, time flies! :beer:

Anyway, I can wait.

[jamini94]

Oooo, congrats on getting married Liv!!! I've never heard of this and it sounds awesome!! In fact I'm watching your tutorial on making a livestream account right now! (and jamming to the music while my dog looks at me like I'm insane). I just signed up for an account, but then I realized I'm not even on my computer! :) I'm using a back up because mine is broken (again), so I didn't download procaster or anything yet. So now I'm not only suffering from sim withdrawals and a need to download books for my e-reader, but now I have to wait till my computer is fixed to explore this livesimming.

[Liv Lukas]

Yeah Jamini! I am glad you are enjoying the music. I really try to make my videos fun. Thanks for the well-wishes.

[M.M.A.A.]

*No thread necromancy intended, as I don't see any reason for me to start a new thread just to ask a question on whether there are people livestreaming or not*

So, is anyone livestreaming? Is anyone thinking of livestreaming/strating a livestream channel for sims 2? I really like the chat on livestream.com, and would like to help an simmer.

[Darby]

There's a livesimming tumblr page that will let you know when a livesimming session is upcoming, as long as the livesimmer announces it ahead of time.
http://livesimming.tumblr.com/

[joandsarah77]

I keep trying to figure out when Jessa is livestreaming, but gosh it's hard. I thought it said in a few hours but I tried my time from 2pm until 5 and nothing.

[M.M.A.A.]

I keep trying to figure out when Jessa is livestreaming, but gosh it's hard. I thought it said in a few hours but I tried my time from 2pm until 5 and nothing.

Yeah, its been a long time since her last live stream, which was in July last year.

[Peni Griffin]

No, she's done it plenty of times since July, from here: http://thejessachannel.com/

It's been a couple of weeks, because she's been sick; but they're archived.

[M.M.A.A.]

No, she's done it plenty of times since July, from here: http://thejessachannel.com/

It's been a couple of weeks, because she's been sick; but they're archived.

Wait, she changed channels? That explains a lot. I did visit the new one, but thought it was for non-simming videos only.

[M.M.A.A.]

So I started my live channel and would like to make an intro video, but its really awful! Its horrible, I mean, I'm too shy to do it. I know that I'm going to burst up laughing (or even puke!). How do you lives-simmers do it? And do I play TS2 in full screen or windowed mode?

[sushigal007]

I think you're supposed to play in windowed mode, but I could be wrong.

[M.M.A.A.]

I think you're supposed to play in windowed mode, but I could be wrong.

The reason I ask is because the procaster has a game and desktop capture options. So if I play in windowed mode, which one should I choose?

[Darby]

I keep on top of Jessa's activities by checking her tumblr daily. She has links to her Twitter and YouTube pages on there too, and I check those out occasionally as well. Her "Let's Play"s on YouTube are a lot of fun!

[sushigal007]

I'm sorry, I don't know. I've never actually livestreamed!

[Katya Stevens]

The reason I ask is because the procaster has a game and desktop capture options. So if I play in windowed mode, which one should I choose?

I use the Encoder (http://new.livestream.com/broadcast-live/encoder) which offers you the option of broadcasting all or just a section of your desktop. Since my new hardware upgrade I've been running The Sims 2 in windowed mode at 1440x900 which, with a 1920x1080 resolution allows me space around the sides to put various things I don't want people to see.

There's also an FAQs page (http://www.livestream.com/userguide/index.php?title=Procaster) which should run you through the main, basic options.

[Darby]

MMAA is just finishing up a livestream now, so I think he figured it out. (Did a great job!) :)

[M.M.A.A.]

MMAA is just finishing up a livestream now, so I think he figured it out. (Did a great job!) :)

Thanks Darby! and thanks for the link, and as for the SC4 terrain, will send it soon.

It was tiresome, but it was worth it! You guys are awesome!

[Darby]

Thank you very much. Now go to bed. :lol:

eta:
full disclosure: My bedtime habits are horrible. And I'm getting too old to get away with it. :p

[M.M.A.A.]

Thank you very much. Now go to bed. :lol:

eta:
full disclosure: My bedtime habits are horrible. And I'm getting too old to get away with it. :p

You're welcome!

Check out this website: ibmemes.com/ and you'll probably know what I'm talking about. :rofl:

[joandsarah77]

I keep on top of Jessa's activities by checking her tumblr daily. She has links to her Twitter and YouTube pages on there too, and I check those out occasionally as well. Her "Let's Play"s on YouTube are a lot of fun!

It was her tumblr that said she would be on in a few hours.

Just to be sure, she is broadcasting American time correct? I figure if she is on Saturday night and I show up somewhere on my 2-3pm Sunday that should be about the right time. Time zones are tricky things.

[Darby]

Time zones hurt my brain, but this helps:
http://www.worldtimezone.com/

Jessa is on the west coast of the U.S. which is UTC-8 (Greenwich Mean Time -8 hours). I'm in the central U.S. time zone, which is UTC-6. I've been in on two of Jessa's livestreams. Both started at 1:00 p.m. (13:00) her time (I think - something like that), which was... 3:00 p.m. (15:00) my time. (I have to think it through every. time. Ugh.)

And I just realized that doesn't help much. What you'd need to do is relate Jessa's time to UTC (GMT). 1:00 p.m. Jessa time would be 9:00 p.m. UTC? So depending on which of Australia's three time zones you're in, 1:00 p.m. Jessa's time would be 5:00, 6:00, or 7:00 a.m. your time. Yikes!

Someone please double check me on this, because I really do suck at it. :lol:

eta: tl/dr
Add 16, 17, or 18 hours to Jessa's time, depending on which Australian time zone you're in.

Of course, daylight saving time will make a big mess out of all this here shortly. :faceslap:

[joandsarah77]

That sounds more like the English to Australian time. I know one time I managed to chat live to an English friend first thing in the morning and she said it was 11pm, but Americans I thought were night time anywhere from about my mid day. I'm East coast which I believe is 13-15 hours ahead of American time-just not sure if that is west to east or east to west though.... I've been asked how tomorrow is many times! :lol:

To give you an idea it's 7.34am on Tuesday right now.

I'm in Queensland so being the recalcitrant’s we are, we are the only State without DLS.

[Darby]

Okay, it is (was, when you posted) 3:34 p.m. on Monday where I am. So you're 16 hours ahead of me, and 18 hours ahead of Jessa, making her 1:00 p.m. your 7:00 a.m. next day. Yay, I got it right! :D

eta: I'll leave it to you to figure out which way it goes when DST kicks in here. :lol: That'll be March 10, by the way.

I envy you not having to deal with dst. I looooaaathe it. My daughter is in a state that doesn't observe dst, so she and I are either one or two hours apart, depending on whether it's dst or not. And again, I have to refigure it every single time. Bleh.

[gazania]

Errr ... with my game crashing upon exit if I so much as leave my AV on, this would probably NOT be a good idea for me.

Can I just watch someone else's? :)

[Darby]

That's all I do - watch other's livestreams (and Let's Plays on YouTube, in the case of Jessa). Livestreams are all archived, so you can watch them any time, but it's a lot of fun to get in on one as it's happening, when possible, so you can chat with other watchers. :)

[joandsarah77]

18 hours?! Okay, thanks Darby.

I watched the prison one on youtube and I was trying to yell, "Get that electric chair away or someone will get fried!" But of course it was only Youtube so her sim did get fried.

They have put DLS to the vote twice here and twice we have voted no. I experienced it down south and when I visited England and I'm like heck no, why do people want this?

[Darby]

For the most part, I think people don't want dst, but it's believed that there's some financial benefit to entities who have the clout to ensure that we keep doing it, even if the majority would prefer to do away with it.

Did you know that Captain Horngold, the pirate in the prison, is one of my CAS sims? I'm pretty proud of him. :D

[joandsarah77]

I'm sure she said, but I had forgotten. Congratulations on umm having jail birds for sims?

[Darby]

:lol: He's not a jailbird in my game (but he is a pirate), but I told Jessa she could do whatever she wants with him. I think she's only going to keep him in there for 3-4 sim days, and I can't wait to see what she does with him after that. :)

[M.M.A.A.]

I'm at school right now, but I'll be doing a livestream once I get back home. Just to show you my latest project.

[Night Racer]

Aw wtf! You just made a livestream a couple days ago, and you already have 5 videos, and I never saw a post informing about one on Tumblr. :( I guess you livesteam when Im asleep.
Also, Jo, Jessa didnt livestream saturday, I pmed her to make sure i wouldnt miss it and she said shes busy filming to catch up her lets plays

[M.M.A.A.]

Aw wtf! You just made a livestream a couple days ago, and you already have 5 videos, and I never saw a post informing about one on Tumblr. :( I guess you livesteam when Im asleep.


:lol: Actually, there's supposed to be only 2 vids, but I think, due to the internet connection, where to connected and disconnected, it accidentally created 4 vids. The whole thing consists of 2 hrs and a few mins.

[joandsarah77]

Aw wtf! You just made a livestream a couple days ago, and you already have 5 videos, and I never saw a post informing about one on Tumblr. :( I guess you livesteam when Im asleep.
Also, Jo, Jessa didnt livestream saturday, I pmed her to make sure i wouldnt miss it and she said shes busy filming to catch up her lets plays

Good to know I didn't get my days or hours mixed up. I'll keep trying. I haven't been on her live stream since before she got married and changed it from Liv to jessa.

[M.M.A.A.]

I found this website: http://www.timeanddate.com/library/abbreviations/timezones/na/est.html that gives the time in EST, so for those of you who are following the LiveSimming tumblr (http://livesimming.tumblr.com/), you should be aware that after approx. two hours from now, there will be a livestream by jessa/Liv Lukas.

[joandsarah77]

It's over now. It was great fun! :D

[M.M.A.A.]

Another website which is great for those of you following GMT timing: http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/

So you guys should be aware that after approx. 7 hrs from, Nepehris (http://www.livestream.com/nepheris) will be having a livestream broadcast.

http://livesimming.tumblr.com/

[TheJessaChannel]

I am so happy this thread is still going!!

I am livesimming here now:

http://www.livestream.com/thejessachannel

And Let's Playing here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJessaChannel

And having fun here:

http://thejessachannel.com/

But truly, livesimming is so fun, if you have not stopped by one - or even better, held one, jump in. I've connected so much to the community. There are so many fun people out there. And my youtube channel is a success because of the support of the livesimming community.

I will keep an eye on this thread if anyone has any questions.

Edit: Also, I am so sorry people got confused when I changed channels. I tried to put the change on each site so people could find me. I was Liv Lukas, now I use my real name, Jessa. The Jessa Channel is my youtube channel.

So now everyone can find me!

P.S.: I still have the dream of getting Peni in one of my livesimming sessions - and Mootilda. Then I will have "made it big"!

2nd Edit: Also, I will update this thread when I am livesimming, if the mods are okay with that. I livestream once or twice a month.

[mangaroo]

2nd Edit: Also, I will update this thread when I am livesimming, if the mods are okay with that. I livestream once or twice a month.

Thank you for asking: please don't update the thread with announcements about livesimming times. (This goes for other people announcing the times as well.)

If people want to discuss livesimming -- why they watch or play or don't, their favorite simmers -- that's welcome here. But the MTS Discussion forums have never been a place for individual promotion. I trust there are other means to let Simmers know when you're broadcasting: a tumblr, perhaps? Link that in your signature and people who are interested can follow you.