turning Lucky Palms into Sim Vegas

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I recently got stupid and went on a buying spree. I bought Lucky Palms with the casino, the arcade lot, and a bunch of other stuff. I begrudgingly admit that EA did a nice job with the layout of LP, and I do appreciate the generally flat topography that let's me add lots, in addition to the empty lots the world has out of the box.

I've been trying to turn LP into Sim Vegas (I just don't buy the line about LP being Palm Springs and the Salton Sea. I'm familiar with both so I know better). I've had mediocre success turning the stretch of road from the interstate to the center of town (Casino Blvd.) into a mini version of the Las Vegas Strip (most of which is actually in Paradise, NV, not Las Vegas, though it is S Las Vegas Blvd. so I'm splitting hairs), though I wish I could make that stretch longer. I have had to continue on to the other side of the center of town (Sonora Street).

I've replaced some rabbitholes with SHT versions - city hall, the school, working on a spa/bookstore, kicked out the diner in favor of the coffeehouse which goes well with the new bistro, planning to build the supermarket. Generally, I find the SHT rabbitholes look good in LP.

I've used the casino lot and am trying to casino/arcade-up other lots (really glad that EA did not give us new lot types for those as I like having options for including other features in my casino lots), plus some SHT venues like Los Suenos which I think fits the theme well. I don't currently have any LN lot types in town (bandsuck!) but I should probably try building some new venues using the shiny highrise shells from LN to simulate the tall hotel structures on the Strip.

I've been scratching my head about what I want to do with the 'Salton Sea inspired' part of LP. I've thought about turning it into a Roswell-type area with space aliens and stuff. I know Area 51 is in Nevada, and EA named the science lot Area-52 Test Labs, but Roswell is the cooler space alien town!

So, has anyone else turned LP into Vegas? What did you add? Are you happy with the results? I guess I'm looking for some ideas as I seem to be stalled.

[eskie227]

I think Los Suenos is a natural. Also, the bonus large live venue that came with SHT also works well. My only attempt at Vegas so far was the Mojave area of Los Aniegos. I also threw in the SHT live venue with the mechanical bull in it (sort of fit the Western motif). I would also consider adding the LN movie theater. It's a nice height, and adds another piece of entertainment to the area. I also swiped the poolside club from Jericho (the one with the bordello in the basement), it fit in nicely as well. That other SHT live venue, I believe it's the Warehouse, it's the one with the large neon sign outside, fits the look as well. Good luck.

As far as the Area 51 look, I know I saw a large crashed UFO which can be placed as decor. It's big, and apparently can be placed from edit town. Take a look at http://www.theninthwavesims.com/2012/02/sims-3-ufo-crash-conversion.html

[olomaya]

I've never been to Las Vegas but I tried to do the same with my LP. In addition to the casino, I added the coffee house and large and private venues from Showtime to the game, turned Diamondbacks into a dance club and put a strip club/house of ill repute in the rundown part of town. I also placed some arcade games and modded food carts in the empty lot at the boardwalk.

Now I'm just working on getting a steady roster of entertainment acts in the neighborhood that will play gigs around town so my Sims will have something to see when they visit this world.

I'll have to check out the poolside club from Jericho, I've been looking for another nightclub to add.

[Artimis]

Cool idea :)

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I think I like the crashed ship/science rabbithole from Lunar Lakes for my space alien ghetto. Probably some of the other LL rabbitholes will work there also. I don't know why I forgot to add a house of ill repute. Doh!