Things I've Seen/Heard/Read About in The Sims 3: Seasons

[frankie]

Issie, may your dream come true for every Simmer's sake. :)

[rian90]

Where do all these weather specific lag fears come from?

My guess it comes from not really wanting a Seasons/Weather pack but afraid to say so or they will be crucified by the masses. ;) I think you have made it pretty clear that fearing lag is irrational as long as the game runs okay on your computer now. If it doesn't, then any additional EP will probably put you over the top. I can't imagine what they want to take the place of a Seasons pack now that they are getting magic!

Minimum specs listed by EA are not with all packs. I suspect they are for the base pack and whatever EP you are buying at the moment. Plus...no CC. Not sure what they would be with all EPs, SPs, store items, and CC. Probably much higher.

[tizerist]

Where do all these weather specific lag fears come from?
Being probably the most mainstream series in gaming, theres a lot of simmers that run the game with minimum spec computers (or even laptops) as they are not commited gamers. In fact, TS3 is probably more of a construction set than a game.
Things that have been touted as game-breaking additions are weather, retail stores and (before LN) nightclubs.
These things will break your game if you insist on sticking with your ZX Spectrum. This is also the reason alot of user created worlds are small: they cater for the lowest common denominator.
It's a shame because each gameplay enhancement is immediately slammed by a vocal minority who complain* of forthcoming lag, which is just ridiculous. The game has to get bigger and progress, those who don't upgrade must get left behind, or run a cut-down game, in my honest opinion.

*Not anyone in particular, just in general.

[aeval99]

My guess it comes from not really wanting a Seasons/Weather pack but afraid to say so or they will be crucified by the masses. ;) I think you have made it pretty clear that fearing lag is irrational as long as the game runs okay on your computer now.

LOL! Since when has anyone around here been afraid of saying they don't like something ;)

More like the opposite. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/aeval99/smileys/mob.gif
I think the fear of lag comes from the Sims 2 Seasons release. IIRC there were many players who had been cruising along with rigs that could just play the game, and the additional requirements of Seasons made the game pretty much unplayable for them.

Personally, I don't expect the bump to be that steep this time, but all those extra visual effects are going to play havoc with some low-end machines. Let's just hope that the reason Weather took so long in development, was because the devs were finding a way to implement weather that wouldn't affect performance too much.

[Arisuka]

Personally, I don't expect the bump to be that steep this time, but all those extra visual effects are going to play havoc with some low-end machines. Let's just hope that the reason Weather took so long in development, was because the devs were finding a way to implement weather that wouldn't affect performance too much.

Interestingly, the weather effects that can be found hidden in the game aren't very different from TS2. So even though TS3 has the open world, it doesn't automatically mean a more complex weather system. Like I've explained so many times here, the weather visuals already found in game are themselves very simple. Sure you'll get lag if you only have 1GB of RAM, but with a low-end machine like that, the game can't have been running exactly smoothly before Seasons anyway.
I guess Seasons can cut off those very low-end PC players, but other EPs have done the same in TS3 before. Bridgeport, anyone? :P So Weather really is not going to be the worst performance stoop in TS3, since the worst have already been done in other EPs.

[BartholomewMaximillion]

Interestingly, the weather effects that can be found hidden in the game aren't very different from TS2. So even though TS3 has the open world, it doesn't automatically mean a more complex weather system. Like I've explained so many times here, the weather visuals already found in game are themselves very simple. Sure you'll get lag if you only have 1GB of RAM, but with a low-end machine like that, the game can't have been running exactly smoothly before Seasons anyway.
I guess Seasons can cut off those very low-end PC players, but other EPs have done the same in TS3 before. Bridgeport, anyone? :P So Weather really is not going to be the worst performance stoop in TS3, since the worst have already been done in other EPs.
Bridgeport in winter, anyone?

But seriously, I have major respect anybody who plays TS3 (+all/most/some EPs) using a computer with only 1GB of ram. They must have godly patience.

[lisfyre]

Bridgeport in winter, anyone?

But seriously, I have major respect anybody who plays TS3 (+all/most/some EPs) using a computer with only 1GB of ram. They must have godly patience.

I have 1.5 GB of ram and can't up that because my puter is old and I need a new one. I have Base + WA + AMB + LN + GEN, 13 GB of Store and 3rd party CC. My game loads from start to lot in 5 - 7 minutes, no lag and my graphics is on medium setting.

[frankie]

Bridgeport in winter, anyone?

But seriously, I have major respect anybody who plays TS3 (+all/most/some EPs) using a computer with only 1GB of ram. They must have godly patience.

Considering that my 8GB desktop runs the game far more quickly than my 4GB laptop, I'd have to agree. It's somewhat tolerable just on my laptop with all settings low (with only slight lag). I can't even imagine gameplay with 1GB. At least, the Sims 1 can run perfectly on a netbook. That's the nice thing about a game like that.

[BartholomewMaximillion]

I have 1.5 GB of ram and can't up that because my puter is old and I need a new one. I have Base + WA + AMB + LN + GEN, 13 GB of Store and 3rd party CC. My game loads from start to lot in 5 - 7 minutes, no lag and my graphics is on medium setting.
There's a big difference between 1 and 1.5GB of ram. 1GB doesn't even meet minimum requirements.

That aside, I'm fairly confident it's the video cards Seasons will be frying first.

[Anniversary]

My game didn't start running well until I got 8GB RAM (it doesnt use more than 4, supposedly, though) and a 3.8Ghz CPU :)

It's all about the CPU. Before I had 2.7...and my sims would jump around like I was playing a PS1 game with a scratched disc. But now they walk around in full 60FPS animations just like on the video chats they have for new expansion packs! :)

[NAJ P. Jackson]

My game didn't start running well until I got 8GB RAM (it doesnt use more than 4, supposedly, though) and a 3.8Ghz CPU :)

It's all about the CPU. Before I had 2.7...and my sims would jump around like I was playing a PS1 game with a scratched disc. But now they walk around in full 60FPS animations just like on the video chats they have for new expansion packs! :)
I don't think your CPU is solely to blame for that. I have 1.6 dual core CPU and the walking animation is just fine. I even run the game with an integrated chipset.

[orkhid22]

i have no idea what yall are talking about, as far as what's needed to run the game (RAM, CPU). I'd never even played games on my laptop until i bought double deluxe two years ago. then last summer i fried the harddrive. I had no idea the graphics card is attached to hmm i believe it's called the motherboard? in a laptop? i dont know. i'm a critical care nurse, i work intensive care. I know absolutely nothing about computers, but i could save your life with my eyes closed. But i did read the section here on mod the sims that breaks down the system requirements needed to run the base game plus the expansion packs, and stuff packs and any CC i may want to download. So i had a custom laptop built and i just chose the biggest of everything. the biggest hard drive, the biggest graphics card, HD screen, hmm even got some boost sound speakers.. whatever THAT means. and something else ..dual core? i dont know but it speeds up the processing too. all i know, is i play the game without any lag.

[Anniversary]

I don't think your CPU is solely to blame for that. I have 1.6 dual core CPU and the walking animation is just fine. I even run the game with an integrated chipset.

It's not just animations. It's processing. Things were jumpy because I couldn't process the game properly with all the crap it has going on. Animations can look great but that doesn't mean a thing if the game jumps all over the place.

I somehow really doubt you have a properly running game with a 1.6Ghz CPU, especially since that doesn't even meet the minimum requirements of the game with no expansions whatsoever.

[NAJ P. Jackson]

My game is just fine. I have all the expansion except ST. I play with default settings which is medium settings and it runs fine. The only time my game lags is when Story Progression messages pops up and we all know how much of a resource hog that mod is.

[twallan]

we all know how much of a resource hog that mod is.

True that. :)

[CeJaye]

Bridgeport in winter, anyone?

But seriously, I have major respect anybody who plays TS3 (+all/most/some EPs) using a computer with only 1GB of ram. They must have godly patience.

I run the game on 1GB of ram, with all EPs (although I am hoping to upgrade to 2GB by the time Supernatural is out) and can play just fine as long as I have Twallan's Overwatch and velocitygrass's memory mod, as well as CC Magic to handle the hoards of CC I can't seem to stop downloading. But then again, my CPU is 3.20GHz and my grapics card is pretty decent.

My only complaint is I can't run Twallan's Story Progression. But I'm hoping with 2GB of ram and a tiny tiny town I'll finally be able too. :rofl:

[Mera Benzema]

I have a 2GB Ram PC and god, i really can't play it. Even though i've put everything in the lowest setting, but again i'm experiencing those fu**ing lags. What's wrong with my computer? I've got over 700 packages in Mods folder and over 4000 custom content (Mostly 3rd party). Maybe i should stop using most of them but i just can't! :D They're awesome! That's them which makes the game more beautiful and more realistic. SPECIALLY Mods! Which is the game without them unplayable. I'm looking forward to buy a new Laptop for Seasons. Asus N53. Details here (http://www.t3.com/reviews/asus-n53-review). You think i should buy it for TS3 and also doing my normal tasks like browsing web or using Photoshop? What's your other suggestions? Please, i really wanna know them and migrate to the new one with all my Sims 3 & its files in the document folder. :D

[shante090]

I don't know much about computers but the first thing you should do for sure is to download CC Magic (http://www.modthesims.info/d/461888) and combine your CC.

[DigitalSympathies]

I go between computers as I have a shop and I build them just for kicks, when I feel up to grabbing a box o' parts off the shelf and my trusty old toolkit. The very least I've played the game on is 3 GB DDR2 RAM, the most . . . around 40-ish on our one unsellable computer, "A Doctor A Day Keeps The Apples Away," ("Doctor" for short - it was coined when a customer said that we were like doctors for his old computer, and that's how the term was coined), just for shits and giggles. It ran really well. It was surprising.

[gege_sml]

My pc used to have 1GB and it ran all the EPs just fine..now I have 3GB and of course it's much smoother.. On my mom's laptop, with 2 GB, on the other hand it's such a pain to play

[heaven]

I've got 4GB of RAM on my laptop and have awful lag. Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that I run the internet with multiple tabs, trillian, microsoft word, and multiple folders open all at once. Without Sims running, my laptop uses at least 1.5GB of RAM already.

Can't wait until fall when I can get my new computer. Haven't decided what it will be or have yet, but it most certainly will be better than this.

[purexevil666]

Anyone knows what's Simguru Graham's "secret Unannounced project" it could be Seasons

[rian90]

LOL! Since when has anyone around here been afraid of saying they don't like something ;)

Good!! Glad I was able to get a reaction out of a few crusty adventurous folks. :)

Comparing Seasons 2 to Seasons 3 is like comparing the entire Sims 2 game with Sims 3. It really can't be done. I had huge problems running Sims 2 on my computer and it was not a low end computer. I have much less problems with Sims 3 and when I do, it is almost always custom CC or routing issues, which came with LN and Pets for me at least.

Far too many people are running this game on too little memory. 1 GB? No wonder they get lag! If EA makes an EP for those people it will be even less content than Generations! I suggest at least 4 GB. Memory is not that expensive and if you can't add 4 GB, then you need a new computer. EA has stated over again that laptops with integrated graphics card will have problems with the game and that also goes for those with low memory. Yes, not everyone can afford more memory but it would be a much better investment than an expansion pack at this point.

I have 8 gb, a very nice graphics card, and an i7. I upgraded my computer for both The Sims and my job. It runs the game very well but even I still get a little lag, but it is my fault. Too much CC and Story Progression will do that. :) Cutting down a stray pets helped as well as the fixes on MTS for the EA worlds. But my best bet would be to lay off the CC.

If Seasons does lag for me, and honestly, I doubt it will any more than what I am lagging already, then it is time to cull all that CC.

BTW, replacing Firefox with Nightly helped a lot.

[gege_sml]

Anyone knows what's Simguru Graham's "secret Unannounced project" it could be Seasons

it probably is since we have many evidences by now and since he's working on this project since Pets was released :) I just wish he would give us a hint of when we're going to see an annoucement, but I know he won't say a thing

[NAJ P. Jackson]

I wonder if they'll include calamities with weather? Like tornadoes and storms and floods. Would be cool I think. The Sims 3: Calamities has a nice ring to it :rofl:

[Mera Benzema]

I love it when this topic's up & running! :D

[birdyfly]

Since I'm assuming this will be similar to Sims 2 Seasons/Bon Boyage and Sims 1 Vacation, here is a general list in all three:

Sims 1: Vacation
• Six vacation area with three different season based themes.
• Hotels similar to the base camp in WA, but you had to pay each night to stay. You also got room service (not sure if this one is true or if I installed a mod for this) and a vacation director to tell you information about what you can do on vacation.
• Recreational activities like fishing, archery, snowboarding, and volleyball. We also received some fun amusement park games including a ticket booth to win cool prizes.
• Included in the recreational activities are some cool new items. This includes a booth to be able to get a metal detector, snowman kit, and sandcastle kit. There were igloos, Souvenirs, and a snow slide.
• Water slides!
• The addition of winter wear and the ability for children to change their clothes other than everyday.


Sims 2: Bon Voyage
• Vacationing in three different types of worlds, or you can choose to create your own world.
• Sims were able to stay in vacation homes, hotels, or campgrounds. Each type has advantages to disadvantages.
• Vacation Mementos
• Souvenirs and collectables
• Secret vacation lots
• A beach with the much needed ability to swim in the ocean.
• Jewelry
• Bigfoot
• New NPCs such as: a bellhop, tour guide, house keeper, ninja (can teach you skills), witch doctor, wise old man, pirate captain, the unsavory charlatan, and locals to teach you different skills and dances.
• Four new radio stations. Reggae, Surf, World, and Big Band.
• Hula Dance, Slap Dance, Fire Dance
• The ability to have a real honeymoon after getting married.
• Pagoda Roofs
• Tents
• Hammocks
• Tea Time Table
• Four Blessing Mahjong Table
• Sauna
• Pirate Ship
• Zen Garden
• Massage Table
• Toddlers can eat sand
• Water Slides!
• Sunbathing?


Sims 2: Seasons
• Temperature
• Gardening with the introduction of the Gardening Club
• Fishing
• PlantSims
• Penguins
• Two new radio stations. New Age and Jam Bands.
• Weather Channel
• Hot Chocolate Maker
• Greenhouses
• Gardening Tools
• Curved Swimming pools
• Roller and Ice skating rinks
• Sims can play Marco Polo in the pool
• Bug catching
• Many interactions according to each season.
• Introduction of outerwear
• Pets are able to interact with the seasons as well.



Reference: http://sims.wikia.com


For me, I'd love to have some of this old stuff back. I would love to have the massage tables and saunas back and the roller rinks. The biggest thing I'd love is the addition of diving boards and water slides! I'm bored of the current pools and would love to create a water park, even if it is just a small one.
It would be nice to have the tea time table back, but I highly doubt it since it is not a weather based object. I am hoping EA will eventually make a vacation expansion pack that is a lot calmer than World Adventures. I would love to go on a vacation with a family and be able to just interact with the locals and have hotels. Maybe they will add vacation themed premium content in the store instead. I'm fine with that too. :bunny:

I am curious as to what they will do with the weather, and what activities will be created for this expansion pack.

[bassoon_crazy]

it probably is since we have many evidences by now and since he's working on this project since Pets was released :) I just wish he would give us a hint of when we're going to see an annoucement, but I know he won't say a thing

Yeah, most certainly not (https://twitter.com/SimGuruGraham/status/217766934773628928).

I just wish we could get a trailer already (of Seasons).

[gege_sml]

Yeah, most certainly not (https://twitter.com/SimGuruGraham/status/217766934773628928).

I just wish we could get a trailer already (of Seasons).

*waiting for EA Russia to leak the trailer *

Anyway, the only thing I want now is to know once and for all if these rumors are real or not :( I'm getting tired of speculating forever

[frankie]

Aren't official announcements made at least three months prior to the release of an EP?

[purexevil666]

it probably is since we have many evidences by now and since he's working on this project since Pets was released :) I just wish he would give us a hint of when we're going to see an annoucement, but I know he won't say a thing
Actually since LN

[heaven]

Aren't official announcements made at least three months prior to the release of an EP?

Which, if it's true that it's coming out and coming out in November, we won't hear a peep until August.

[zigersimmer]

Since I'm assuming this will be similar to Sims 2 Seasons/Bon Boyage and Sims 1 Vacation, here is a general list in all three:

{list of stuff}

For me, I'd love to have some of this old stuff back. I would love to have the massage tables and saunas back and the roller rinks. The biggest thing I'd love is the addition of diving boards and water slides! I'm bored of the current pools and would love to create a water park, even if it is just a small one.
It would be nice to have the tea time table back, but I highly doubt it since it is not a weather based object. I am hoping EA will eventually make a vacation expansion pack that is a lot calmer than World Adventures. I would love to go on a vacation with a family and be able to just interact with the locals and have hotels. Maybe they will add vacation themed premium content in the store instead. I'm fine with that too. :bunny:

I am curious as to what they will do with the weather, and what activities will be created for this expansion pack.

Don't expect to see any kind of vacation stuff in any future EP. WA is their Bon Voyage, the same way AMB is their OFB.

[purexevil666]

Don't expect to see any kind of vacation stuff in any future EP. WA is their Bon Voyage, the same way AMB is their OFB.
Yeah when i first saw LN i thought they'll include Pool Table and Karaoke Machines from Nightlife in TS2 but they came later in SHT. Point is: Don't loose hope..

[Issie]

WA is going on vacation though, I don't see why they would add another vacation world?

My guess is they might add sea/beach/outdoor type stuff in an SP or something. It would make sense to add swimming/beach related stuff to a weather related pack too, who knows?

[frankie]

Which, if it's true that it's coming out and coming out in November, we won't hear a peep until August.

It does seem to be three months, roughly. I believe Supernatural was announced this month, and the release for that is September. Late Night was released in October 2010 with a July announcement. I believe Pets was announced last July, and that was released October. It would seem about right. Jeez... August. We're still in June! ;)

[lisfyre]

It does seem to be three months, roughly. I believe Supernatural was announced this month, and the release for that is September. Late Night was released in October 2010 with a July announcement. I believe Pets was announced last July, and that was released October. It would seem about right. Jeez... August. We're still in June! ;)

Only for 3 more days :D

[frankie]

Only for 3 more days :D

True. And when that time comes, it will be the best announcement yet. It will coincide perfectly with Seaside Stuff, provided that Seaside Stuff is not just a rumor.

[Anniversary]

I hope there's no stupid moodlets associated with weather. I love rain. In Sims 2 I would get the weather machine and make it storm 24/7 until the entire lot was covered in puddles.

If the Sims 3 sims all get a "OH MAN IT IS RAINING MY LIFE IS RUINED BY EXACTLY -30 POINTS" moodlet whenever it rains I'm going to punch somebody!

[Elyasis]

I hope there's no stupid moodlets associated with weather. I love rain. In Sims 2 I would get the weather machine and make it storm 24/7 until the entire lot was covered in puddles.

If the Sims 3 sims all get a "OH MAN IT IS RAINING MY LIFE IS RUINED BY EXACTLY -30 POINTS" moodlet whenever it rains I'm going to punch somebody!

I wouldn't mind so long as it was restricted to sims with a certain trait. Hates/Loves Weather or something.

[Elphiron]

Oh no! We need the moodlets, even if they're annoying! I want my little Sims children to be really exited at the prospect of snow and gain positive moodlets after frolicking in it! I want my poor business man, who I send for a jog every day after work, to grumble his way round with a negative moodlet when I force him to jog in the rain. However, I do not want a Sims 2 "It's raining!" animation. PLEASE. Also I'd be nice if roofs actually acted as roofs, so attic rooms aren't considered as outdoor spaces as the were in Sims 2. Any one else think this 'announcement' will simply be a Justin Bieber stuff pack? D:

[bassoon_crazy]

There quite simply has to be weather related moodlets. However, I most certainly want them to be more complex than every single Sim gets depressed when it rains. Some Sims should be happy when it rains, others should not care about it all.

They really need to add a 'Season' category to Favorites, so each Sim would have their own favorite Season. Or perhaps they could have it be a Favorite Weather type instead.

I don't know what they could do with Traits. Perhaps some Traits could determine whether or not a Sim liked rainy weather or not. However, I think it is essential that there is a trait called something like "Weather Enthusiast" and that would be the Sim that would run to the window when it rained/snowed. The rest of the Sims wouldn't care.

Any one else think this 'announcement' will simply be a Justin Bieber stuff pack? D:

What announcement?

[Elphiron]

Oh sorry if I got your hopes up- there wasn't any announcement, I was talking about this mysterious 'project' that the Simgurus are apparently working on :)

[gege_sml]

this guy here http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/15/535838.page said that Seasons was listed on amazon.com but I searched it and didn't find anything :S

[writerchick]

They really need to add a 'Season' category to Favorites, so each Sim would have their own favorite Season. Or perhaps they could have it be a Favorite Weather type instead.

I don't know what they could do with Traits. Perhaps some Traits could determine whether or not a Sim liked rainy weather or not. However, I think it is essential that there is a trait called something like "Weather Enthusiast" and that would be the Sim that would run to the window when it rained/snowed. The rest of the Sims wouldn't care.

Some people naturally prefer the heat over the cold while some don't care. Some people hate having to deal with rain or snow (like, if their house tends to get flooded during the rainy season, they're probably not going to find it all that "romantic"...) You could do the same thing with the Sims.

Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) is a real thing. People get depressed because of the lack of sunlight in the shortening days of winter. The cold and snow probably don't help the matter, either...

The point being that that could easily be written into the trait system. If your Sim is already kinda pessimistic/negative frame of mind, then they'd be more likely to suffer from SAD.

[wolfsbayne]

There is a summer seasonal affective disorder too - a lot of people find very hot weather to be equally as depressing because it is too hot for them to do anything and they feel tired and ill all the time.

I don't think being pessimistic = more likely to have depression or get SAD though. It is a medical condition same as any other.

[Mera Benzema]

this guy here http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/15/535838.page said that Seasons was listed on amazon.com but I searched it and didn't find anything :S
It was removed quickly.

[Anniversary]

Obviously there need to be moodlets, I just don't want the game to automatically assume all sims like or dislike the same things.

[gege_sml]

It was removed quickly.

Too bad no one got a printscreen..but amazon.com, that's a good sign

[bassoon_crazy]

this guy here http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/15/535838.page said that Seasons was listed on amazon.com but I searched it and didn't find anything :S

He was most likely talking about the European Amazon site that leaked it earlier. Otherwise I think he would be making a much bigger deal out of it.

[frankie]

However, I do not want a Sims 2 "It's raining!" animation. PLEASE.

Oh, God! I remember that annoying plague! I think it also happened when it snowed. I seriously hope Sims won't end up queue-stomping just to run to the damn window as if they struck gold. That was probably one of the only annoyances with Seasons, and Seasons didn't have very many annoyances, in my opinion.

[coltraz]

Though I agree it was annoying when Sims dropped all other tasks to go and look out the window, it seemed kind of realistic and charming to me. One of my first and fondest memories of Seasons was seeing an adult Dirk Dreamer go to the window and be amazed at the first time he's ever seen snow. I took a gazillion screenshots of his face in the window from outside. I'd say most of us humans stop to look out the window at weather changes, especially for rain and snow. It's natural to want to know what it's doing outside. Problem is, for us, it takes mere seconds to look. But seconds are minutes for Sims. So there simply isn't time for them to walk to the window and enjoy nature and contemplate the shifting skies when they're consequently starving to death or pissing themselves or passing out from exhaustion with work in three hours. However, I think I'd rather my Sims at least ATTEMPT to acknowledge the weather than be oblivious to it. Perhaps with Sims 3 moodlets, a Sim will now get an "It's Raining!" or "It's Snowing!" icon just by being NEAR a window - but without having to actually pause their very fleeting lives to gaze out it.

[rian90]

Though I agree it was annoying when Sims dropped all other tasks to go and look out the window, it seemed kind of realistic and charming to me.

I agree! I remember looking out the window to see if it was snowing when I was a kid. Even now, I often check the weather by parting the curtains or even feeling the window...I live in a very hot climate now.

Maybe it could be trait oriented. Those who like the outdoors might look more often. They could add weather oriented traits that might cause a Sim to check more often like hates snow or loves the rain. Those sims without the traits might have a very small chance of checking. What was annoying in Sims 2 is that all sims checked and there did not seem to be any chance connected to the action. No one checks 100% of the time. But some folks might check once in a while.

[chyrun]

Lucky Palms

Clearstory 3-Tier Window
This lovely window is clear, which is quite a feat! And it lets the light in, as most windows should. It even protects from the rain. What a great window!


Clearstory Rectangular Window
Will the wonders of windows never cease?! This stunning little window is sturdy, durable, and weather proof! Buy one today and look through it tomorrow!


Weather Blocker
Block out the sun, the sky, the rain, the stars, this clever Weather Blocker blocks out everything! Except wind. Weather Blocker is not recommended for windy environments.



Hint? :)

[kiwi_tea]

No. Not a hint. Windows keep weather out. Yes, Seasons is coming. In the next EP. I have an uncanny hunch not informed by anyone who might know that this is the case. No, not every reference to weather and seasons no matter how appropriate it is to the object is an Easter Egg.

[matrix54]

Not at all.

[Captain THPS4]

Hey wait, I remember those descriptions of the window from somewhere. Were they leaked in a patch? I think we've already had object descriptions talking about weather so those probably aren't hints. The official announcement must be coming soon since EPs and SPs leaked on Amazon always get announced a week or two later. Makes sense since there's no point listing a game for pre-order if it's not supposed to be known to the public in the near future. The only thing that may break the pattern is Seaside Stuff since it's supposed to be released before Seasons, even though the Seasons listings were discovered first. It wouldn't make sense to announce Seasons before Seaside, and it wouldn't make sense to announce Seaside when Diesel isn't even out yet. Maybe Seaside will be announced a week or two after Diesel's release, and then Seasons will be announced at Gamescom in August despite how early the listings were leaked for both.

[matrix54]

EA makes reference to a lot of stuff we do no have yet, or will never have. Like, In lucky Palms, one of the Sims graduated from a cooking university, and no one blew up about that.

[chyrun]

and no one blew up about that.

Gee, thanks...

[Anniversary]

No. Not a hint. Windows keep weather out. Yes, Seasons is coming. In the next EP. I have an uncanny hunch not informed by anyone who might know that this is the case. No, not every reference to weather and seasons no matter how appropriate it is to the object is not an Easter Egg.

You really don't think three windows in a new store world specifically mentioning various types of weather isn't a hint?

How many windows in the base game say "This weathery window sure does weather well in a weathery weather! Weather wont get through the weathery glass of this weathery weather-blocking weather weather weather."? :blink:

[matrix54]

EA has been hinting at weather since the base game. We know it's coming, so no need for everyone to bring it up every other thread. It's very annoying.

And I'm sure someone is probably gonna post, or is probably thinking "Well people reference other EPs". There's a difference between everyone bring up the idea every now and again, and everyons shoving weather down everyone else's throat.

You know it's annoying when the person who made this post has custom content CATERED to weather/seasons is complaining about the utter annoyance of the subject matter.

[kiwi_tea]

Really my reaction right now is very:

"Outdoor furniture & windows that have close relationships to weather."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/walruskeeper/17.jpg

[coltraz]

Yes chyrun you annoying thing you how could you be so stupid???

:rolleyes:

EA better announce this EP, and soon - Simmers are getting nasty.

[ButchSims]

Yeah when i first saw LN i thought they'll include Pool Table and Karaoke Machines from Nightlife in TS2 but they came later in SHT. Point is: Don't loose hope.. Maybe some Items, but I don't think they will add a new world to travel to, since they STILL haven't completely fixed the ones that are already in place. It'd be like throwing alcohol on a fire.

[kiwi_tea]

Hey, to be very clear, I do not think chyrun is being stupid. I know the next EP *is* weather, but there's more than enough room in this world for it to be coincidence that three items out of many - three items that are solely outdoors/structural - mention weather. It's in their very nature to resist and exist in many weather conditions, and we have a world set in an environment that might very well see powerful weather conditions. The Easter Egg hunt mentality has gotten a bit too uncritical and eager for my liking, but that does not mean I think chyrun or anyone else is stupid, and I am sorry if I came across as nasty - I'm definitely feeling impatient with the determination to uncritically read all content that might very well not be an "Easter Egg" or "hint" as one or the other.

Part of this is caused by a year or so of simprograms.com and official forum members fueling these uncritical "hint" fests since Jud Hudson stepped down. Sometimes the hints are unambiguous. The paw print on the baby gnome in Generations, for example. But it is totally ambiguous whether these are hints or just coincidence.

It's also just not very important whether they are hints or not because they are so ambiguous.

[Anniversary]

You probably wont want to see what I found when I was playing World Adventures today, then.

http://i.imgur.com/Ccdp3h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jKunTh.jpg

[kiwi_tea]

I guess you're implying that's a pile of autumn leaves. I can't remember what that is, but I recognise it, I've seen it 1000 times. I think it might be from Pets?

[matrix54]

It's from Pets. I was going to type a really long and bitchy post about how annoying this whole situation it, but I'll just leave this here:

Let. It. Go.
It's. F**king. Annoying.

[bassoon_crazy]

Hold on a second, you all are being way too dismissive this time around. I get annoyed by all of these things that constantly are claimed to be 'hints' as well. Like the snow on the mountains in Supernatural, and even the clouds in Supernatural. I've seen those listed as 'hints' before, and that is definitely stretching it.

However, here we have three items in the same world that make specific references to weather. Not general references, specific. And we're pretty much certain that Seasons is next. This isn't people grasping at straws to find anything that might remotely hint at weather, these are direct references.

I'm sorry, but it's a bit annoying. Reminds me of the people who swear that there are no hints in the game whatsoever. Like even though there is a unicorn doll in Generations (the EP right before Pets) that's "just a coincidence". Yeah, right...

[kiwi_tea]

I'm not dismissing it. They may be hints. They *could* read that way. They could also, just as easily, be coincidence. For the record, I don't know if the unicorn doll was a hint either - it came alongside other similar deco, and it wasn't the first reference to unicorns in the game. Some mofits are just popular. I'm interested in pretty unambiguous signals, not ambiguous ones where we don't, and will never, know either way.

[frankie]

Coltraz, I was mostly referring to the constant "it's raining/snowing" interaction, even after they have seen it a million times. Once or twice was cute, but it eventually got old. Your idea for Sims 3 is actually good, though. I'd totally welcome that.

And what's with all this nastiness going on? "Can't we all just get along?"

[QueenJimmyIV]

I think they should get "It's *insert weather here*!" only if they are in a room with a window and it's the first time that the weather has happened that season. I get excited about snowfall more than once in my lifetime, but not after it's snowed a bajillion times that winter. I think it would be a cute thing to have, but not something that's constant and they're going to drop taking a shower in order to walk across the house that they can't route to because the five other sims in the house have decided they would look out the SAME window.

As for hints... I think that the sims team drops hints on purpose. Not everything is a hint, but some things are, IMO.

[purexevil666]

I do believe all of this hints to Seasons, People (Like Curtis Paradis) said that the snow on the mountains of Moonlight Falls could be referring to Seasons O.o although there's a mountain in the back of Bridgeport with snow on it :/

[kiwi_tea]

Snow. On a mountain you say?

Preposterous. I think you're lying to get a rise out of me. ;)

[matrix54]

Curtis Paradis... I've personally certified him as one of the more ignorant, less informed member of the Public Sims community. Funny, because he has a news channel devoted to it, or at least he did. He could do better, and could certainly get his facts and information straight before talking about it. I know, I'm subscribed to him, sadly.

The whole snow on a mountain thing... there's snow on the distant terrain in Riverview. I guess no one saw that. And the Heat Wave in Egypt is a reference to summer, obviously.

*sigh*

If anythign, EA saying they were saving weather for a pack after Late Night is a hint. Not... a bundle of leaves and twigs... or a description on a window...

[kattenijin]

Some mofits are just popular.

What's a mofit? Are they like muppets? Kinda like a "Kremit teh Froog" rather than "Kermit the Frog"? ;P

[purexevil666]

Snow. On a mountain you say?

Preposterous. I think you're lying to get a rise out of me. ;)
I'm not lying! Go check it out yourself, or should i prove it with a picture?

[kiwi_tea]

What's a mofit? Are they like muppets? Kinda like a "Kremit teh Froog" rather than "Kermit the Frog"? ;P

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mofit

[DigitalSympathies]

Curtis Paradis... I've personally certified him as one of the more ignorant, less informed member of the Public Sims community. Funny, because he has a news channel devoted to it, or at least he did. He could do better, and could certainly get his facts and information straight before talking about it.

I have to agree with this, he's very hyperactive and jumping onto every conclusion. It creates a lot of false hope but also a lot of misinformed consumers. Too bad threads like these weren't more "out-there."

[~MadameButterfly~]

I am really out of the loop on this one. I have never heard of this person until now, and I guess I have to do some homework.

[matrix54]

Everything I described is all there is too it. You're missing nothing.

He's an avid simmer, who love the series (like all of us), who runs a news series on Youtube, and his site, and makes lots every now and again. What's the problem? Like many simmers, he jumps to conclusions about the slightest bit of news, and while people do this all the time (no biggy) he posts them, and often as fact, not speculation. He's popular, and this will lead others in a false state of hope and excitement, and they run around passing around lies, etc. He really could benefit from checking his sources rather than passing around BS like hotcakes.

Also, I'm not a fan of his lots that everyone else is so fond of, but that's just a personal gripe of mine with him.

[999rozes]

The things I've been read and heard about Sims 3 Weather was angry fans nagging about it on The Sims Youtube Page.

I'm just kidding... (kinda)

Well I can't wait until Weather Arrives (if it does). It sound great and I hope there are a lot of things that the Sims 2 didn't have so we can have something unique for the Sims 3 Franchise (and in a way troll those people who just want Sims 3 Weather and expect it to be a Sims 2 Seasons Convert).

[Artimis]

I would like a weather ep if you could have some freak weather or something special or it will be just like seasons only with sims 3.

[Laisanae]

You probably wont want to see what I found when I was playing World Adventures today, then.

http://i.imgur.com/Ccdp3h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jKunTh.jpg

This is what's left over plants after a horse eats them.
Nothing season related.

[olomaya]

I just want a trailer that I can watch 30 times, pausing every 4 seconds in order to dissect the frames. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?????

[Mera Benzema]

I just want a trailer that I can watch 30 times, pausing every 4 seconds in order to dissect the frames. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?????
I absolutely agree. Everytime i come here i hope i can see a post that starts with: Hey guys! EA Russia (:D) has leaked a Seasons trailer! or: EA officially announced The Sims 3 Seasons! (Well it won't be possibly like the 2nd one cause it's less likely that they will announce EP8 before that SP8 Seaside) and has like 30 loves! and 24 helpful! :) And 2 or 3 funny! :)))
But seriously, EA should give us something. At least after Diesel SP. Gee, i was really hoping for Seasons to come in summer & i could play it all day & night long! But no, due to those listings, it's gonna be out in Christmas which is not too perfect for me! Because there is no Christmas Holiday in our contry (Iran).

[tizerist]

So, is this about 70% comfirmed* then? Including the fabled French announcement, it's quite likely this will come I reckon.


*Oxy? A bit like being 70% pregnant!

[Mera Benzema]

I suppose you're right then.But i was meaning EA's confirmation. I know the fact that when there is a couple of listings, it's nearly confirmed but when EA confirms it, i can rest easily in my bed. :D

[Devan]

I lurk in this thread mostly, but I don't think I've seen a link for this yet. :bunny: I apologize if it's already been posted, but for those looking for a screenshot of the Amazon listing...

http://www.simprograms.com/41843/the-sims-3-seasons-listed-on-amazon-france/

^ click that! Sims 3: Seasons listed on Amazon France. :)

[rian90]

The things I've been read and heard about Sims 3 Weather was angry fans nagging about it on The Sims Youtube Page.

There are angry fans about EVERYTHING! I remember the ones angry because of the lack of a werewolf in Pets. Oh, and isn't there some guy who really wants a violin or clarinet or something or he will never buy another Sim 3 pack? And the bunny guy! Then the ones who hate magic with such a passion they can't stand anyone talking about. And of course those who love magic with such a passion that they hate anyone who says they won't buy the magic pack.

LOL Are these people really that angry? Seems to me that life is much more convoluted and crazy than any Sims game. My guess is most people are being overly dramatic because it is so easy to do on the forums and it gets attention. Nothing wrong with that....just an awareness that the word 'hate' probably isn't as intense here as it is in other situations.

My teen daughters 'hate' everything with a passion that they don't love with a passion. I sometimes stop them and remind them that they really don't hate that thing/person/whatever as much as they think they do.

[coltraz]

There are angry fans about EVERYTHING! I remember the ones angry because of the lack of a werewolf in Pets. Oh, and isn't there some guy who really wants a violin or clarinet or something or he will never buy another Sim 3 pack? And the bunny guy! Then the ones who hate magic with such a passion they can't stand anyone talking about. And of course those who love magic with such a passion that they hate anyone who says they won't buy the magic pack.

LOL Are these people really that angry? Seems to me that life is much more convoluted and crazy than any Sims game. My guess is most people are being overly dramatic because it is so easy to do on the forums and it gets attention. Nothing wrong with that....just an awareness that the word 'hate' probably isn't as intense here as it is in other situations.

My teen daughters 'hate' everything with a passion that they don't love with a passion. I sometimes stop them and remind them that they really don't hate that thing/person/whatever as much as they think they do.

Clicked LOVE on this post because it made me giggle and smile. Hehe. You're a wise one. I like that. :)

[QueenJimmyIV]

I'm just going to throw this out there.

I want seasons. I'd love seasons. I'm excited about this potential EP and my imagination is running wild at the possibilities that might be in the future. I want weather and whatever awesomely fun activities the EP centered around it brings to the game.

However, one of the top reasons I want seasons is so that the people on the official forums will finally be able to stop asking about it.

It's seriously almost every other thread in any given sub-forum on the official boards. They don't get the point that piling up thread after thread about "WHO WANTS SEASONS???????////ASFDALSKDF" will NOT make it come any faster.

[matrix54]

Reminds me of the whole Half Life 3 thing...

[Issie]

Well if there is a Seasons EP, then at least it worked!

Now we need to start multiple threads on something new as soon as this one is announced :)

[QueenJimmyIV]

I say the next EP Thread Spam should be about allowing our sims to fly fighter jets in space.

[ButchSims]

I think there is snow on the mountaintops because there USUALLY IS.

[eskie227]

I won't be satisfied until they bring us a cruise vacation including an adult university. That way, the family gets a vacation, the adults learn new skills to help them in their careers, and they get a tax deduction for the trip as it's "educational". They MUST have singers integrated with bands for the nightly entertainment, and you should be able to dive off the ship and swim in the ocean. Of course, the ship won't stop, and you'll eventually drown, but it would add realism back into the series.

[kiwi_tea]

Pdennis, "snowy mountains" are unheard of. Heard of them? Thought not. Mountains are like volcanoes, and volcanoes are too hot for snow.

It's as much a sign of seasons as if EA had just randomly for no reason put a sun into the same world as they put a beach.

[eskie227]

Pdennis, "snowy mountains" are unheard of. Heard of them? Thought not. Mountains are like volcanoes, and volcanoes are too hot for snow.

It's as much a sign of seasons as if EA had just randomly for no reason put a sun into the same world as they put a beach.

Well, there's Mount Everest. And then there's places like Mount Rainier, which is snow capped and is a (dormant) volcano. Of course, there's the Alps in Europe, the rest of the Himalayas in Asia, the Rockies in North America, and of course, Mount Erebus (another dormant volcano) in Antarctica. So, I guess you're not much a of skier, then.

[LE102071]

Snow. On a mountain you say?

Preposterous. I think you're lying to get a rise out of me. ;)

Pdennis, "snowy mountains" are unheard of. Heard of them? Thought not. Mountains are like volcanoes, and volcanoes are too hot for snow.

It's as much a sign of seasons as if EA had just randomly for no reason put a sun into the same world as they put a beach.

Umm...

Mount Rainier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rainier), Washington
http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/washington-mount-rainier-national-park-olympia-wa101.jpg

Mount Everest (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Everest), Nepal
http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/02/climbing-mount-everest-cost.jpg

Rocky Mountains (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountains), USA
http://static1.channels.com/thumbnails/assets/www-nps-gov/feeds/97-2145/198977/Rocky-Mountain-National-Park--jpg

Gudauri (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudauri), Georgia
http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/asia/images/gudauri-skiing01.jpg

So.. um... either you're really young... and know nothing of geography, or you're trolling.

[~MadameButterfly~]

^^ I thought it was just sarcasm.

[kiwi_tea]

Er...? What is happening? :wtf:

[LE102071]

^^ I thought it was just sarcasm.

If it was sarcasm, then I offer my apologies.. I read through the thread and didn't read it as such. The comment to PDennis was the one that really made me think it wasn't sarcasm.

Peace

[matrix54]

That clearly was sarcasm. :rofl:

[eskie227]

It took me a minute to realize that Gudauri, Georgia referred to the country (in the Caucuses) , not the state of Georgia (in the US), as I was about to say that there's nowhere in Georgia that looks like that. Then again, I didn't know that Georgia, the country, had ranges that looked like that as well. Must be hell during heat waves there.

[eskie227]

Er...? What is happening? :wtf:

Sometimes a dry wit is met with a blizzard of responses. (sorry, couldn't resist).

Don't feel too bad, someone disagreed with my demand for a cruise ship university vacation idea.

[matrix54]

Some people on here will disagree with the sky being blue. Those "disagrees" you ignore lol

Edit: Oh, a disagree? Classy. :beer:

[iheartcowcapoos]

i really hope this is all real. i've never gotten to have the full seasons experience. when i got seasons for TS2 i remember being really upset when i discovered that my graphics card wasn't powerful enough to handle the snow. during the winter season my grasses were still green =P now, many years later, i have a new computer AND I WANT TO SEE SNOW ON THE GROUND IN MY GAME SO BAD!!

[eskie227]

i really hope this is all real. i've never gotten to have the full seasons experience. when i got seasons for TS2 i remember being really upset when i discovered that my graphics card wasn't powerful enough to handle the snow. during the winter season my grasses were still green =P now, many years later, i have a new computer AND I WANT TO SEE SNOW ON THE GROUND IN MY GAME SO BAD!!

I hope your new computer has a really good graphics card in it. Otherwise, just pretend you live in Florida or Southern California.

[QueenJimmyIV]

Snow can't exist on mountains because they're too close to the sun. It would melt.

[kiwi_tea]

Also mountains are *pointy* so it'd all slide off.

[~MadameButterfly~]

That would be 2 reasons why snow can't be on mountains...just 8 more to go to finish our "Top Ten Reasons" list.

Hrm. Thinking. Thinking...

Snow can't be on mountains because snow crystals are natural born fallers, and mountains just hold up progress.

[kiwi_tea]

Official MTS Top Ten Reasons Why Snow On Mountains Is Scientifically Impossible

1. Mountains are too close to the sun.
2. Mountains are pointy and snow just rolls off.
3. There is no room for snow AND mountain lions.
4. Mountains are similar to volcanoes, and therefore too hot for snow.
5. Heat rises, so all the heat from the earth would melt any snow around mountains because mountains are high up.
6. All the planes and helicopters that fly in the air would blow all the snow off mountains anyway.
7. There is no ironclad proof that all the photos allegedly of snowy mountains are not photoshopped.
8. Snow falls on the ground, not on mountains.
9. The wind would blow it off.
10. Mountains are higher than clouds, so it's impossible for clouds to snow on them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/walruskeeper/73-sciencebitches.png

[QueenJimmyIV]

Official MTS Top Ten Reasons Why Snow On Mountains Is Scientifically Impossible

1. Mountains are too close to the sun.
2. Mountains are pointy and snow just rolls off.
3. There is no room for snow AND mountain lions.
4. Mountains are similar to volcanoes, and therefore too hot for snow.
5. Heat rises, so all the heat from the earth would melt any snow around mountains because mountains are high up.
6. All the planes and helicopters that fly in the air would blow all the snow off mountains anyway.
7. There is no ironclad proof that all the photos allegedly of snowy mountains are not photoshopped.
8. Snow falls on the ground, not on mountains.
9. The wind would blow it off.
10. Mountains are higher than clouds, so it's impossible for clouds to snow on them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/walruskeeper/73-sciencebitches.png

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4OoS2-1dk4/T7NyLptUdII/AAAAAAAAAQA/y6qIyC0JzDc/s1600/CaptainAwesomeBadge.png

[applefeather2]

Let the voting begin:
4. Mountains are similar to volcanoes, and therefore too hot for snow. < Gotta be a winner! :call:

[kiwi_tea]

It's science, so it's open to peer review.

[applefeather2]

But they're all too busy writing their latest thesis/theses on global shrinkwrappage. What to do, what to do. Oh, woe.

[eskie227]

2. Mountains are pointy and snow just rolls off

I think this one is the one with the most observational evidence, as it also explains avalanches.

[QueenJimmyIV]

I'm giggling at how the last seven in the mountain snow related posts have one disagree each.

[ButchSims]

It's science, so it's open to peer review.Go, my Robo-Scorpions! Sting them into stupidity in the name of SCIENCE!

[~MadameButterfly~]

We really need this expansion now, because I am certain EA will settle this for all of us once and for all!

[Shimrod101]

EA has already made up their mind I think. Far beyond the waterfall in Sunset Valley can be found these snowclad peaks.

http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab299/Shimrod101/SVSnow.jpg

[acid_fairy]

Oooh the sarcasm on this thread! :lol:

[Periandre]

The proof is conclusive regarding the impossiblity of snow and mountains. However, on the topic of sun and beach, I must quibble...


It's as much a sign of seasons as if EA had just randomly for no reason put a sun into the same world as they put a beach.

How can you just randomly dismiss what is surely a Season's Easter Egg? A sun with a beach...? Why surely that means sunbathing! And certainly Sims need light to swim the oceans... how else would they return to shore?


I am surprised these facts were not entered into evidence on this matter.

[purexevil666]

Snow can't exist on mountains because they're too close to the sun. It would melt.
Don't worry about that :) the sun is approximately 150 million KM away from us :lol:

[kiwi_tea]

That's impossible, purexevil66. If it was that far away we wouldn't even be able to see it. New York is 14393.04 kilometres from Wellington and I can't exactly point just to it.

Edit: "The Sun is a mass of fiery stone, a little larger than Greece." - attributed to Anaxagoras (but on a serious note, because I can't stand perpetuating misquotes, I can't immediately find any source suggesting he ever wrote this at all, and it's not on his meagre wikiquote page, but even then, we should take it as factual information about the size of the sun because anything anyone throws out is obviously just guesswork anyhow).

[zigersimmer]

That's impossible, purexevil66. If it was that far away we wouldn't even be able to see it. New York is 14393.04 kilometres from Wellington and I can't exactly point just to it.

Edit: "The Sun is a mass of fiery stone, a little larger than Greece." - attributed to Anaxagoras (but on a serious note, because I can't stand perpetuating misquotes, I can't immediately find any source suggesting he ever wrote this at all, and it's not on his meagre wikiquote page, but even then, we should take it as factual information about the size of the sun because anything anyone throws out is obviously just guesswork anyhow).

"An astronomical unit (abbreviated as AU, au, a.u., or ua) is a unit of length equal to 149,597,870.700 kilometres (92,955,807.273 mi)[1] or approximately the mean Earth–Sun distance."

Your Google Fu failed you, Grasshopper.

[kiwi_tea]

I have dyscalculia, so I have no idea if the figures are right or wrong. They're probably right though. I have an uncanny intuition for accurately stating scientific facts, as demonstrated in recent posts.

We should probably start talking about a Seasons EP again, now. ;)

[Rikachu]

... After watching this unfold for the past, what, 4 pages? BACK ON TOPIC.

All I really know is that I want tanning/burning back. I want a use for the red skintone slider...

Oh, and seasonal gardening of course! Lemons in Fall? perfect sense!

[DigitalSympathies]

I have dyscalculia, so I have no idea if the figures are right or wrong. They're probably right though. I have an uncanny intuition for accurately stating scientific facts, as demonstrated in recent posts.

We should probably start talking about a Seasons EP again, now. ;)

Another one! Dyscalculates, unite! (Now, how many of you are there again?) I've got a mild case of it, I can't do anything past 8+8, no dividing, no subtracting, no multiplying, no siree. However, I'm insanely good at banking, algebra, and . . . something else that I haven't used in a long time, I think it was that one where you do portions and quarters. I just can't do simple math.

For Seasons, do you think that soccer will be just a shootout or will EA go the extra mile for it and have a whole coordinated match?

. . . Ah, who'm I kidding, this is EA here. :Pint: 'Nother one over here, bartender.

[heaven]

Oh yes, definitely want the tanning/burning back as well. And the garden club along with the cute wishing well. Yes, yes, I know that LP came with a wishing well but that's not the one I mean. Hell, I'd settle for a deco well for my yards that looks like the TS2 one.

[purexevil666]

That's impossible, purexevil66. If it was that far away we wouldn't even be able to see it. New York is 14393.04 kilometres from Wellington and I can't exactly point just to it. The sun is just big bro :rofl:

[crocobaura]

That's impossible, purexevil66. If it was that far away we wouldn't even be able to see it. New York is 14393.04 kilometres from Wellington and I can't exactly point just to it.

Edit: "The Sun is a mass of fiery stone, a little larger than Greece." - attributed to Anaxagoras (but on a serious note, because I can't stand perpetuating misquotes, I can't immediately find any source suggesting he ever wrote this at all, and it's not on his meagre wikiquote page, but even then, we should take it as factual information about the size of the sun because anything anyone throws out is obviously just guesswork anyhow).


There's this children's book called "Adventures of Dunno" where a piece of the sun falls down and hits one of the characters on the head. This science discussion just reminded me of it. :rofl:

[MiniMimi]

Don't worry about that :) the sun is approximately 150 million KM away from us :lol:LIES.
If it was this far we should be frozen stiff. :sheep:

[olomaya]

All I really know is that I want tanning/burning back. I want a use for the red skintone slider...

Oh, and seasonal gardening of course! Lemons in Fall? perfect sense!

Yes, suntan/burns are a must for this EP. And I would love if certain fruits and veggies were better harvested in specific seasons, like the likelihood of producing perfect quality apples was much higher in fall than in spring, that sort of thing.

I'd also love to see pool games returns, like the "Timle Tourneau" game, and floatable rafts and other pool accessories. And above ground pools for our lower class Sims!

[kiwi_tea]

I just can't imagine them doing sunburn as anything more than a moodlet, sadly. Very "tell don't show", this game.

[eskie227]

I just can't imagine them doing sunburn as anything more than a moodlet, sadly. Very "tell don't show", this game.

They could just reuse the vamp animation of the sim smoking when exposed to the sun for too long. We know they like to reuse code. Besides, I bet there's no ozone layer in sim worlds anyway.

[crocobaura]

They could just reuse the vamp animation of the sim smoking when exposed to the sun for too long. We know they like to reuse code. Besides, I bet there's no ozone layer in sim worlds anyway.

That would be roasting, definitely not healthy for the sims. :lol:

[mickeymouse254]

I suppose for the tanning the sim's skintone slider would just got the the right a little bit temporarily, and for sunburn it would just be like a face/body mask

[eskie227]

I suppose for the tanning the sim's skintone slider would just got the the right a little bit temporarily, and for sunburn it would just be like a face/body mask

That should break just about every replacement skintone out there................yeah, that's probably the approach they'll take.

[Rikachu]

Knowing EA they'll find someway to break something that should theoretically be easy to do. For tanning, as stated above, just move the slider over to the right depending on how long the Sim was in the sun for, and for sunburns just give them the red skintone for a couple of days.

But, there's also the fact on deciding which sims burn/tan more easily. EA would need to make an algorithm that actually makes a use of skintones, so they're not just for show.

[meshes2get]

I really want weather but I dont want it to have to be patched a million times and mess up my game i want EA to get it right and not have so many problems with trying to get my game to work right and complaining to their customer service agents who I doubt even play the sims.

[QueenJimmyIV]

Knowing EA they'll find someway to break something that should theoretically be easy to do. For tanning, as stated above, just move the slider over to the right depending on how long the Sim was in the sun for, and for sunburns just give them the red skintone for a couple of days.

But, there's also the fact on deciding which sims burn/tan more easily. EA would need to make an algorithm that actually makes a use of skintones, so they're not just for show.

I'll be laughing when anyone creates a sim with a skin that has multiple colors in one slider, such as the rainbow one. Have a green sim, have them go sunbathe, and suddenly they're violet. :rofl:

[Laxley]

The title for this thread had me so excited. I was hoping for something more credible. :(

[bassoon_crazy]

The title for this thread had me so excited. I was hoping for something more credible. :(

Being leaked on four retailer sites is pretty 'credible' by standards of how EP's have been leaked in the past.

[fway]

That should break just about every replacement skintone out there................yeah, that's probably the approach they'll take.

If I recall with the Sims 2, when Sims got tanned with a custom skintone/default skin, the tan was just an overlay over the skin itself. HOPEFULLY, they'll go a similar route with tanning for the Sims 3.

Example, custom skintone with a sunburn:
http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=2355779#post2355779

[MiniMimi]

After all the vamp already use an overlay, so why not make a similar thing for a temporary sunburn effect. Plus it should be simple to code *knocks on wood* Add some moodlets and you're set. And I can bet you 1 million simoleons that knowing EA, pregnant sims won't be allowed to tan! :)
Traits interactions suggestions for EA: grumpy sims could whine about their sunburn and annoy other sims with that. Evil sims could slap the back of sunburned sims and enjoy the pain they cause LOL. Drama sims could fake fainting from the heat. Elders could lecture all those youngsters tanning about the dangers of tanning.

[Laxley]

Being leaked on four retailer sites is pretty 'credible' by standards of how EP's have been leaked in the past.
Whoops, my bad. I must have missed something somewhere, because I thought it was just one person's word.

No complaints here. Means I get to be excited again.


Edit: Oh my. Before, I had read the first and last few pages, assuming it would be clear if anything big came up. Now I've gone back and read some more of the meaty middle section and wow. Definitely my bad.

One ticket for the hype train, please. :D

[purexevil666]

LIES.
If it was this far we should be frozen stiff. :sheep:
Google the sun distance from earth :) as i said it's approximately 150 million km away :rofl:
And don't worry about freezing the temperature of the sun is over 5000 Kelvin.. :rofl:

[Laxley]

Google the sun distance from earth :) as i said it's approximately 150 km away :rofl:
And don't worry about freezing the temperature of the sun is over 5000 Kelvin.. :rofl:
150 million kilometres away. If it was just 150km away, all life would probably just vaporise. :lol:

The longer I watch those two smileys rolling around with eachother, the more I feel it's rude and I should look away.

[purexevil666]

i meant 150 million kms as i posted before :lol:

[Mera Benzema]

Damn, I'm getting more & more thirsty for Seasons everyday. :D

[AngelicScot]

This is one that I'm completely skeptical about. First it is speculated how "hard" the coding would be. Then it's speculated how easily it can be done. Until there's an Announce, I won't hold my breath. Even though I miss Seasons tremendously. Which is why I still have Sims 2 and have it loaded on a computer. I can have the seasonal cycle whenever I get too lonely without it.

[eskie227]

Damn, I'm getting more & more thirsty for Seasons everyday. :D

I'm breaking out the sun screen. :cool:

[shadedgrey63]

I'm kind of wondering if they're going to have new vacation options in this (more like TS1's Vacation) because of the floors and walls in the new patch.

[Elphiron]

I'm not looking forward to weather. Knowing me, the 'thunder' sound will be glitched and either play really loudly or randomly, when my sim is using the computer or something. Out of all the glitches in the game, the sound related ones are the most intolerable to me.

[QueenJimmyIV]

Hopefully we'll get a few locations to spend our new seasons in. For instance, a winter wonderland, an autumn mountain area, a spring lake, and a sunny summer beach on a tropical island.

Or it might be hints at a new world, like the space alien trees and such were for Lunar Lakes.

[Ive]

Makes more sense if they would release a complete world can showcase all the seasons instead of one for each.

[matrix54]

I predict a somewhat rural world with a river running through it that gets all climates. That, or leave hot-mild weather for Sunset Valley, and cold for The New World. I'd be cool to be a ski lodges on a slopes that Sims can ski on. ^_^

None of that will happen, but a boy can dream... *sigh*

[Ive]

Great Bear by Johnnywr, with a beach... Somewhere.

[DigitalSympathies]

I had a dream that the world was in a valley, it was very deep green and had cliffs, like a fishing town. There were newer houses on a newly-mowed-down forested area (the "E" shape to the right), and the town itself was very Three-Lakes-ish.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8184/mapzw.png

MY FAIL PAINT SKILLS SHALL MAKE MY DREAMS LIVE ON FOREVER. :heyhey:

[eskie227]

They could just pick something like a state in the US Great Plains like Nebraska. Broiling heat in the summer. Tornadoes. Flash floods. Hugh snowstorms in the winter. And it would be easy to lay out, as it's pretty much flat (nothing against Nebraska). Great farming, of course.

[Arisuka]

Hopefully we'll get a few locations to spend our new seasons in. For instance, a winter wonderland, an autumn mountain area, a spring lake, and a sunny summer beach on a tropical island.

It would be flippin' awesome to have two or three new worlds, but somehow I don't think EA would do that with an EP that has so much content otherwise... Maybe they'll release a second world in Store. :/ And a bunch of prerium objects to go with it, which have been taken out of the EP to cash in more!

I predict a somewhat rural world with a river running through it that gets all climates.

Maybe something New Hampshire like... Lots of trees, ocean or lake, brooks, rivers... Proper winter, a bit un-predictable summers with chance of rain & thunder storms, and not to mention, fantastic looking fall season!
Farms, charming old town center, suburbs, victorian homes, lakeside/seaside retreats... it would all fit for that style. :giggler: But we'll just have to see what they'll come up with!

[TheLB]

They could just pick something like a state in the US Great Plains like Nebraska. Broiling heat in the summer. Tornadoes. Flash floods. Hugh snowstorms in the winter. And it would be easy to lay out, as it's pretty much flat (nothing against Nebraska). Great farming, of course.This. As someone who lives in Oklahoma, it's always 100+ degrees in the summer, and blizzards in the winter that knock everything out for a week. Storms and tornadoes in spring.

Although I think Appaloosa Plains was already supposed to be midwest USA/great plains.

[QueenJimmyIV]

They could just pick something like a state in the US Great Plains like Nebraska. Broiling heat in the summer. Tornadoes. Flash floods. Hugh snowstorms in the winter. And it would be easy to lay out, as it's pretty much flat (nothing against Nebraska). Great farming, of course.

As someone who lives in Iowa, I can tell you that the midwest does not take it's seasons lightly.

Fall = Harvesting, frost, and beautiful scenery and especially gorgeous sunsets.
Winter = Snows every other day that doesn't have an ice storm and -13 weather.
Spring = Flooding with the melted snow and tornado watches every night in late spring
Summer = Might as well be walking on the sun and you can cut the air with a knife and serve it for dinner due to all the humidity.

[rian90]

As one who has unwillingly lived in Florida for 20 years, I would be thrilled with a world set in the midwest (not the great plains...but Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan). Winter in the Sims might just get me through these horrible summers! Our weather here is far too predictable...average of 92 in the summer (rains every day for an hour) and varying weeks of 60-80 in the winter (very little rain), no snow, occasional hurricanes, rare freezes. I only watch the weather for storm paths anymore! Very boring and rather like our current Sims 3 games! I could do with a blizzard now and then. :) You folks in more temperate regions of the world have no idea how lucky you are!

[eskie227]

As someone who lives in Iowa, I can tell you that the midwest does not take it's seasons lightly.

Fall = Harvesting, frost, and beautiful scenery and especially gorgeous sunsets.
Winter = Snows every other day that doesn't have an ice storm and -13 weather.
Spring = Flooding with the melted snow and tornado watches every night in late spring
Summer = Might as well be walking on the sun and you can cut the air with a knife and serve it for dinner due to all the humidity.

I've spent time in Iowa, and yes, the seasons are a big deal. I saw my first, well, only, tornado there. That image has stayed with me for many years. But Fall there is really nice. I also love Fall in the Northeast, where you get the changing of the trees and nice mountains to watch the change on (OK, really big hills, the Rockies it's not).

[harlequinzombie]

Crazy weather happens everywhere. I live in Texas and it's not just hot weather all the time like a lot of people think (I used to date a guy who moved here from Pennsylvania and he said when they first came here his family was convinced they'd never have to wear pants or long sleeves again). Our summers are freakishly hot - last summer was literally the hottest in state history with over 70 days of 100+ weather, and I think about 30 of them were consecutive, which lead to a drought that I think they still haven't said we're entirely out of - but our winters are freakishly cold in contrast. We've had snowstorms here that have lasted days and at times we've even had snowstorms in April. In the spring we get a ton of tornadoes, like a couple of months ago we had 16 or 17 tornadoes all hit the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex where I live all at the same time. And it will rain whenever the heck it wants to here; it's been storming like crazy on and off ever since Saturday and it's supposed to continue doing it until next week, even though it's always bright and sunny and clear before it storms. And fall just kind of does it's own thing but change drastically at the drop of a hat: it'll be 90 degrees one day, and the next it'll be 60.

[bassoon_crazy]

Hopefully we'll get a few locations to spend our new seasons in. For instance, a winter wonderland, an autumn mountain area, a spring lake, and a sunny summer beach on a tropical island.

I really hope not. I want Seasons to be just like it was in The Sims 2. I don't want to have to visit locations to experience the weather. That would take away what made The Sims 2 Seasons so great and game-changing.

Now that might not have been what you were suggesting, but I just can't help but be bothered by even the hint of suggesting that.

This. As someone who lives in Oklahoma, it's always 100+ degrees in the summer, and blizzards in the winter that knock everything out for a week. Storms and tornadoes in spring.

Although I think Appaloosa Plains was already supposed to be midwest USA/great plains.

We must not live in the same area of the state. There have only been two blizzards in recorded history in my county (in December of 2009 and then early 2011), neither of which knocked out power. And then last winter we had a grand total of two inches of snow for the entirety of the season.

But of course the summer is as hot as ever. **** Oklahoma, seriously. The world for Seasons needs to be set somewhere that is not screwed up. Somewhere where there are four seasons and not Summer, summer again, more summer, and then "winter" (which is really similar to what people in normal places would consider Spring/Autumn) like Oklahoma has.

[Tempscire]

but our winters are freakishly cold in contrast. We've had snowstorms here that have lasted days and at times we've even had snowstorms in April. ... Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex where I live all at the same time.
Not so in Houston. :( At least, not in recent years...winter's been very mild, though I'll say that that was a great break when I visited from the wintry wonderland of the north. It seems that any of our stronger cool weather is entirely cold front-dependent rather than just natural changes in climate.

Maybe we'll a get New Englandish world for Seasons. All four seasons included and autumn is gorgeous. :lovestruc

[eskie227]

(I used to date a guy who moved here from Pennsylvania and he said when they first came here his family was convinced they'd never have to wear pants or long sleeves again).

Wait, guys in Texas don't wear pants?? My daughter is looking at schools there, and I'm not sure I want her in a state with a bunch of guys naked from the waist down . Bad enough it happens in TS3 (still trying to find the bad cc for that one).

[TMBrandon]

I'm gonna be honest here and say that I definitely agree with everyone and anyone who said that it should be a New England town. Why? It fits the theme perfectly especially if they want to give us new activities/hobbies and even sports perhaps! Imagine this: A small fishing town, on the rigid rocky coast of the Atlantic ocean, dark sanded beaches, climbing hills forested up to the peak of the mountain where the small ski resort and lodge is nestled into it's own area. And imagine, the beauty of the town square (GILMORE GIRLS PEOPLE, GILMORE -********* GIRLS) during the fall, with all the reds, autumns, oranges, yellows. Simple a defined weather, a nice reasonable summer, very very friendly people. OH the architecture and the history that comes with the town...The senior home and then that one lady whose family has been in the town forever! And she's the last survivor. Just imagine it all. The Midwest theme was already covered with Appaloosa Plains with the stereotypical cowboy, and if EA is going for stereotypical then New England is the hit spot for anything seasonal. I'm sorry but the Midwest is so limited when it comes to seasons, because it all wacky, the summers get hot as ever! There's tornadoes everywhere, and then there's horrible winters with tons of snow. I don't think my Sims can handle that. Don't get me wrong though New England does have its own wacky winters and summers but it's at an equilibrium. Also the Midwest is landlocked, and I think it would limit the activities if added into the expansion, there may be beautiful lakes and all, but nothing can beat a coastal fishing town on the New England shore.

[rian90]

Also the Midwest is landlocked, and I think it would limit the activities if added into the expansion, there may be beautiful lakes and all, but nothing can beat a coastal fishing town on the New England shore.

I wouldn't mind a New England town. However, the midwest is not covered. Appaloosa Plains is more the plains, probably eastern Colorado, Wyoming, maybe western Oklahoma or Kansas. But it is not Illinois, Michigan, Wisconson, Iowa, parts of Missouri, etc. The midwest is weirdly defined. As one who is originally from Illinois, I consider myself a midwestern and those folks from Kansas westerners. :) My New England friends always considered me a westerner! LOL My California friend used to call me an easterner.

I love your description of a New England town...but I would probably call Riverview a 'midwestern' world, at least my type of midwestern. Although, I have heard Riverview defined as eastern too, so who knows.

If they do New England, I hope it is New Hampshire or a nice Boston-style town with some historical buildings. That would be nice. A European town would be very appealing as well but it seems they shy away from that other than as the vacation towns. Not sure why.

[eskie227]

While New England would be a beautiful setting, except for maybe 1 or 2 weeks of the late summer, I wouldn't be doing any open water/ocean swimming because the water stays real COLD there. Then again, I like to turn the pool water heater to high even in August.

[olomaya]

I don't know much about US geography so it's not as if it needs to be accurate, just pretty and able to show off most of the features of the EP. People like me aren't going to know the difference, or even care. :P

[heaven]

I love, love, love the idea of the New England town. It sounds gorgeous in my head! We could even have clam bakes around bonfires. :D

Also, I live in Southern California right now and the water is ALWAYS cold here too. Our first year here I went to the beach for my birthday (in August) and had goose pimples and turned numb after being in the water for 15 minutes. At least give me cold water with a variety of weather and gorgeous scenery.

[rian90]

I could do with some cold water! In Florida, by July, the water is like bathwater, not even refreshing! Ugh! I did field work along the mid-Atlantic in graduate school and LOVED the coasts there. Water was never too warm and stayed nice into the fall. I think if you live where the water is always cold, you don't care. I mean people visit the shore all the time, even up north. :)

[heaven]

I could do with some cold water! In Florida, by July, the water is like bathwater, not even refreshing! Ugh! I did field work along the mid-Atlantic in graduate school and LOVED the coasts there. Water was never too warm and stayed nice into the fall. I think if you live where the water is always cold, you don't care. I mean people visit the shore all the time, even up north. :)

Yeah, I spent the first 18 years of my life in Florida. Born and raised, left the day I turned 18 for college and have only been home on visits since. It's not a state I would ever want to live in again. So far, my favorite has been Virginia. Never lived more north than that but the north eastern states are SO pretty. I actually have an entire Photobucket album dedicated to a Maine town I want for Sims.

[zigersimmer]

Maine ain't so awesome when winter is dragging on and you just want March to be done.

[frankie]

As a Michigander, I actually wouldn't complain if Michigan inspired Season's new town, despite the crazy weather here. But this New England idea is quite nice. I'd totally welcome it. :)

[rian90]

Yeah, I spent the first 18 years of my life in Florida. Born and raised, left the day I turned 18 for college and have only been home on visits since. It's not a state I would ever want to live in again. So far, my favorite has been Virginia. Never lived more north than that but the north eastern states are SO pretty. I actually have an entire Photobucket album dedicated to a Maine town I want for Sims.

Yeah, my kids say they are leaving too. :( I am here only because of my husband's job. He promised 5 years and well...we have been here much longer. Now it is difficult to find jobs elsewhere...and can't complain since he has a good job. Ah well. I can always be a snowbird when I retire. :)

Maine would be fabulous! Very pretty, great small towns, and lots of 'season'.

[fway]

The weather in New England (maybe more of a Massachusetts thing) is too volatile to be a "Seasons" town. Living here all my life I've seen one day in the winter have 10-20 inches of snow and the next day it will be 60 and sunny out, with the snow gone by evening. :lol:

And on the 4th of July this year, my cousin who lives close to New Hampshire had a terrible thunderstorm that was headed our way, and all we got (we're 20 minutes away) was a light show and no rain. This had also caused a debacle in Boston on the esplanade where everyone was forced to seek shelter in a TUNNEL THAT FLOODS when it rains.

/rant.

[Elphiron]

What about an Englishy England? I'm thinking the Cotswolds and gorgeous little villages tucked into the lush green rolling hills... Beer gardens, cricket on the green and quaint antique shops, it's pretty much my perfect holiday. I'm really not a fan of dramatic weather, and I've never been to America so a lovely English theme would do me fine. I guess I'm alone on this one? :)

[Captain THPS4]

Yeah, they should make more places that aren't just in America. Even though the team is based there it would be nice to have more variety. England would be nice, it would be different but not so much that it would be jarring. A New England theme was already done with the town that came with the console versions of TS3 Pets so I'm not sure about the chances of that on PC.

[QueenJimmyIV]

I'd love a New England town. New England is renowned for their beautiful autumn scenery and gorgeous architecture. They could also include sea-side homes with the ocean beating against the rocks during a cold winter day. Plus, I've heard the fog is especially thick sometimes... and plenty of snow up north!

I think it would be an excellent focus for a new world.

[eskie227]

I think an English town would be great, except, no big snows (well, maybe never, but really rare). I think something original, that borrows on several locations, would be a nice way to go. Assuming, of course, that the team responsible for the world design have ever been allowed to travel when not chained to their workstations.

[grieralexander]

Well for all those of you who have waited patiently for Seasons, I have good news. A sims site based in Brasil posted photos of what happened to an user while updating the game to patch 1.36. To his and my surprise the icons for new EP's lit up and as he moused over them the names of the next Ep's appeared in the following order: Diesel, Supernatural, Seaside, Seasons and the last one Refresh. Unless EA makes some drastic changes, the future looks, better.

[TMBrandon]

Well for all those of you who have waited patiently for Seasons, I have good news. A sims site based in Brasil posted photos of what happened to an user while updating the game to patch 1.36. To his and my surprise the icons for new EP's lit up and as he moused over them the names of the next Ep's appeared in the following order: Diesel, Supernatural, Seaside, Seasons and the last one Refresh. Unless EA makes some drastic changes, the future looks, better.

Except for the fact that there was already a patch photo on Sims Program with the Diesel pack lit up already, and 5 other blatantly photoshopped or bugged icons...

[Sgloomi]

I'm sure i'm not alone in saying that DON'T have a US-based development team try to come up with an English Town.

There'd be the the Big Hoose with the Lords of the Manor, and a bunch of twee little hamlet cottages, where everyone goes the Simlish equivalent of cor, blimey, luvvaduck, I's just kicked the ole trouble an strife up the apples and pears.

'ave a banana.

[LadyLollerskates]

I'm sure i'm not alone in saying that DON'T have a US-based development team try to come up with an English Town.

There'd be the the Big Hoose with the Lords of the Manor, and a bunch of twee little hamlet cottages, where everyone goes the Simlish equivalent of cor, blimey, luvvaduck, I's just kicked the ole trouble an strife up the apples and pears.

'ave a banana.

As someone from England, reading this post was the worst thing to happen to me today...

[Anniversary]

As an American I can't figure out which part of it is inaccurate!

[QueenJimmyIV]

I'm still confused as to what that "Refresh" thing is. Since the title doesn't seem to hint at it, it kinda makes me sad that we won't see a Sports & Hobbies EP, if what SimsVIP theorizes is true and those last few icons are Sim 3's last EPs and SPs.

[Anniversary]

If Refresh is last, I'm hoping it ties into The Sims 4.

perhaps it will be a graphical upgrade. Maybe it'll be a texture pack and lighting pack that tweaks the visuals of the whole game to make it compare more to whatever they're doing with Sims 4. Or maybe it'll add a bunch of items previewing the next game?

[ninedoors]

From what I've seen from leaking Sims info, it all seems very intentional on EA's part. This supposed list of the future EPs/SPs doesn't, which makes me doubt its accuracy. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but I wouldn't spend too much time torturing ourselves over what Seaside and Refresh will entail (even though 'Seaside' does offer a lot of clues).

Now back to wondering about the specific seasons EP. I'm not sure if this was true for TS2: Seasons because it's been a while but last night I got to thinking that it would be fantastic if we had, depending on the season, longer/shorter daylight hours. In the summer months, they'd be at their longest (maybe going from full sun at 6am to full dark at 10pm) and in the winter, their shortest (7 or 8am until 6pm). I don't remember this being the case for TS2 so correct me if I'm wrong. Or if that was the case, hopefully they bring it back!

[Anniversary]

In Sims 2 daylight and nighttime started at the same time in each season because it would've been too complicated to change other things in the game to compensate, I think. But the seasons did have different lighting. Everything was more orange in autumn and kind of bright-but-desaturated in spring, and winter was high contrast so everything felt faded.

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/3/1/3/3/7/MTS_HystericalParoxysm-482926-LightingTweak-Comparisons.jpg

[Isalinnea]

Yeah, well, changing the time day and night starts depending on which season it is sounds like a bad idea to me. In the sims three, the different towns you can choose from are located in many different places around the world. That kind of thing sort of ties into the whole "how far away from the sun are you"-aspect, and I think that's a bit to heavy to start messing with. It would also screw with player-made towns. So unless you get the option to set which time the sun rises and sets depending on the seasons manually, I think it's not gonna work very well.

[kiwi_tea]

Custom worlds already have tuning files that define when lighting effects happen, including when sunset and sunrise are.

[Arisuka]

Custom worlds already have tuning files that define when lighting effects happen, including when sunset and sunrise are.

Yes, and considering how Supernatural will introduce moon phases it wouldn't be very hard for them to set four different sunrise & sunset times tied to specific seasons.

[kiwi_tea]

I was thinking that, I just dread the idea of tuning three more sets of weathers, so omitted the thought. :P

[matrix54]

NO ONE BUY SUPERNATURAL! D:

:rofl:

[lewisb40]

To his and my surprise the icons for new EP's lit up and as he moused over them the names of the next Ep's appeared in the following order: Diesel, Supernatural, Seaside, Seasons and the last one Refresh. Unless EA makes some drastic changes, the future looks, better.

I sure hope for all things sims holy that Seaside is an SP and not an EP. If Seasons don't come out after Supernatural, the official forums will explode. I don't even want to see the postings at the next EP announcement. :cry:

[yeabil]

From what I've seen from leaking Sims info, it all seems very intentional on EA's part. This supposed list of the future EPs/SPs doesn't, which makes me doubt its accuracy. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but I wouldn't spend too much time torturing ourselves over what Seaside and Refresh will entail (even though 'Seaside' does offer a lot of clues).

Now back to wondering about the specific seasons EP. I'm not sure if this was true for TS2: Seasons because it's been a while but last night I got to thinking that it would be fantastic if we had, depending on the season, longer/shorter daylight hours. In the summer months, they'd be at their longest (maybe going from full sun at 6am to full dark at 10pm) and in the winter, their shortest (7 or 8am until 6pm). I don't remember this being the case for TS2 so correct me if I'm wrong. Or if that was the case, hopefully they bring it back!

I used to do this in my game by manually changing the sun angle and the length of day in the ini file based on where I live. I'm sure they would be able to do this automatically with a few lines code

[ninedoors]

Thanks everyone, you've been very helpful! Once Seasons comes around, I'll definitely be looking into changing that if they don't decide to include it themselves. :)

[TheLB]

NO ONE BUY SUPERNATURAL! D:

:rofl:Sorry, but fairies.

[purexevil666]

Well for all those of you who have waited patiently for Seasons, I have good news. A sims site based in Brasil posted photos of what happened to an user while updating the game to patch 1.36. To his and my surprise the icons for new EP's lit up and as he moused over them the names of the next Ep's appeared in the following order: Diesel, Supernatural, Seaside, Seasons and the last one Refresh. Unless EA makes some drastic changes, the future looks, better.
Yeah i don't think it's Refreash. according to the community polls it should be Teen stuff.

[purexevil666]

NO ONE BUY SUPERNATURAL! D:

:rofl:
Sorry i already pre-ordered. :cool:

[PureFilth]

I'm sure i'm not alone in saying that DON'T have a US-based development team try to come up with an English Town.

There'd be the the Big Hoose with the Lords of the Manor, and a bunch of twee little hamlet cottages, where everyone goes the Simlish equivalent of cor, blimey, luvvaduck, I's just kicked the ole trouble an strife up the apples and pears.

'ave a banana.

I just spat my tea at my laptop reading this, how very English of me!

Back to serious business, as much as I dream about having this Weather EP, I just know I'll come to regret it once my laptop runs out of the door screaming and my sims all stop going to work because I want them all to play in the snow that my laptop can't even display properly (when it comes back, that is). I still haven't managed to be sensible with Pets yet, all of my households have an unmanageable amount of adopted strays because I simply cannot turn them away. :(

[zigersimmer]

NO ONE BUY SUPERNATURAL! D:

:rofl:
I'm with ya.
I sure hope for all things sims holy that Seaside is an SP and not an EP. If Seasons don't come out after Supernatural, the official forums will explode. I don't even want to see the postings at the next EP announcement. :cry:
Presuming you are correct, I hope that the seaside patch will allow my sims to go swimming in the surf. And surfing would be awesome!

[DigitalSympathies]

They could just pick something like a state in the US Great Plains like Nebraska. Broiling heat in the summer. Tornadoes. Flash floods. Hugh snowstorms in the winter. And it would be easy to lay out, as it's pretty much flat (nothing against Nebraska). Great farming, of course.

http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/demotivational-posters-untitled12.jpg

[eskie227]

Well, now you see what wild weather swings can do to people's moods.

[eskie227]

Presuming you are correct, I hope that the seaside patch will allow my sims to go swimming in the surf. And surfing would be awesome!

Well, judging from the presumptive title, Seaside, wouldn't just giving you the ability to swim in the surf for free take away a big motivation to buy the EP? Then again, is it really that hard to offer open water swimming that you have to plan a whole EP around it?

[Vintage_Eve]

Hope nothing for the best when Seasons for Sims 3 comes out and was hoping to have that beach swimmable during summer days or whatever weather it is. That sunset valley beach has been there for years with only fishing interaction not even sun bathing really ridiculous.

[Tempscire]

Well, judging from the presumptive title, Seaside, wouldn't just giving you the ability to swim in the surf for free take away a big motivation to buy the EP? Then again, is it really that hard to offer open water swimming that you have to plan a whole EP around it?
Stuff packs primarily give stuff rather than features. (I know there are some exceptions, but generally speaking...) I would see it as more likely that beach swimming would come in a patch (or possibly thrown into an EP) while the Seaside SP would be convenient miscellaneous beachy decor to tie into the newfound beach access. After all, once your Sims can swim at the beach, surely you'll want to buy new swimsuits and decorative shells and seaweed and lifeguard stands (lifeguard not included), right?

[olomaya]

Stuff packs primarily give stuff rather than features. (I know there are some exceptions, but generally speaking...) I would see it as more likely that beach swimming would come in a patch (or possibly thrown into an EP) while the Seaside SP would be convenient miscellaneous beachy decor to tie into the newfound beach access. After all, once your Sims can swim at the beach, surely you'll want to buy new swimsuits and decorative shells and seaweed and lifeguard stands (lifeguard not included), right?

Yeah, that would be a pretty bonehead move on EA's part to put swimmable bodies of water in a FREE patch. It would be great, don't get me wrong because then I would just patch my game and then wait to buy Seasons later since a proper beach is the #1 reason why I want a Seasons EP but I highly doubt they would do that.

If Seaside is an SP, I don't see them adding real beaches to that either likely just beach-related items. And if that's the case, then I would assume that the Seasons EP, object-wise, might be winter-heavy and so Seaside is to supplement that.

We definitely need more swimsuits, especially for males and kids and teens. And I'd love a toddler wading pool! (<-- would probably be in the Store)

[bassoon_crazy]

Isn't Seaside supposed to come out before Seasons?

That throws a wrench into the idea of Seaside being related to swimming in the beach, if that is to be added in Seasons. Seasons is coming out like a month afterward!

[gege_sml]

Well for all those of you who have waited patiently for Seasons, I have good news. A sims site based in Brasil posted photos of what happened to an user while updating the game to patch 1.36. To his and my surprise the icons for new EP's lit up and as he moused over them the names of the next Ep's appeared in the following order: Diesel, Supernatural, Seaside, Seasons and the last one Refresh. Unless EA makes some drastic changes, the future looks, better.

Sorry but that's just not true. The brazilian site just posted the image with the icons but they didn't say a word about the name of the EPs. Besides it's pretty much confirmed that Refresh isn't a EP but a relaunch of the base game with all the patches so far.

[twallan]

That throws a wrench into the idea of Seaside being related to swimming in the beach, if that is to be added in Seasons. Seasons is coming out like a month afterward!

Nothing stopping EA from releasing the code for such in the Stuff Pack Patch.

They added new code for [Fast Lane] for instance : aka Car relationships.

Though after that, the Stuff Patches have been pretty barren of unique innovation.

:)

[Bij0ux]

Sorry but that's just not true. The brazilian site just posted the image with the icons but they didn't say a word about the name of the EPs. Besides it's pretty much confirmed that Refresh isn't a EP but a relaunch of the base game with all the patches so far.

NOTHING has been confirmed. There are no facts, only speculations. :faceslap:

[matrix54]

Outdoor kitchens were unique to the series. Of course, people say they can TOTALLY add their own outdoor kitchen without it, but they do look like crap compared to having items built for outdoor kitchens. :)

After that, I'd say, they fell off the bus. Master Suite had potential to at least bring back new items, like backless showers or walk in closets (even if they faked it), but they bare-bonesed it. Town Life also had potential, but they messed that up. Shame.

[DigitalSympathies]

I remember when stuff packs brought in new items with TS2. Remember the Holiday packs in total? Mansion & Garden's pond fountains and "subtle" idle interactions? Holy shit, just thinking about how much crap that they included that was new makes my head hurt! D: /falls on floor

[Anniversary]

Mansion and Garden was, to be fair, considered by EA to be a mini-expansion, not a stuff pack. It's EP9.

[matrix54]

All stuff packs should be mini-expansions. Not on the scale of new features or anything, but at least something small, like sniffing flowers, for example, or how HELS actually gave out new items. Something like that.

[Captain THPS4]

HELS and FLS definitely did it right, I thought it was going to be standard for all Sims 3 stuff packs to have new minor features. To an extent I guess now that mentality has been applied to the Store instead, with a bunch of sets having new gameplay items. Now the more recent SPs have redesigns of previous EP items. Not sure if that was the best way to go. I'm guessing the stuff packs still sell better than store sets since not everyone can afford SimPoints and some people just hate the idea of buying stuff digitally in general. Yeah sure it's probably being done as an incentive to sway those people but who knows if it's actually working?

[iheartcowcapoos]

is it here yet?

[bassoon_crazy]

is it here yet?

No. =(

But today SimsVIP did latch onto some information (http://simsvip.com/?p=13151) about another rumored title "Refresh". Pending the reliability of this information, another rumored title has been given validation, giving the Seasons 'rumors' more credibility (as "Refresh" was also leaked in the same way)

[frankie]

So, "Refresh" is just a patched version of the base game to get new players to have the game, including those without internet connection. But it's not like the next patch will be the last one.

[Retarded_Pig]

I must say, this does sound like a pretty good idea to me, I'm sick (And I think everyone else is too) of waiting about an hour for the latest patch to download when reinstalling the game. Takes so long because I basically bought the game when it first came out. Still, pretty pointless to people like me, I don't really see any point in re-purchasing the game when you've already got it. Still, it'll definitely be helpful to new players though.

[purexevil666]

De Sims (The official Facebook page for The Sims in Netherlands) posted a hint of Seasons maybe?
http://www.sims3cri.com/images/articles/cc-web/ts3_rumor_seasons.jpeg
The post on fb said "After rain comes..." :)
Links: Sims 3 Cri (http://www.sims3cri.com/en/fun-facts.html)
De Sims on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/desimsnlbe)
Edit: Another listing for Seasons :) in SimsVIP (http://simsvip.com/?p=13223)
So we may expect the announcement soon?

[matrix54]

Le grain of salt.

[Sgloomi]

I just spat my tea at my laptop reading this, how very English of me!

You'll have had your tea, then?

[lisfyre]

NO ONE BUY SUPERNATURAL! D:

:rofl:

I'm not buying SuperNatural because I'm not interested in supernaturals in my Sims 3 game. I wasn't interested in them in Sims 2 so I ignored them since they came with the EP's, and punished any of my sims who wanted to be more than just friends with them. I'm looking forward to the next one after SuperNatural.

To all the players that have been asking for an MM remake, it's coming and enjoy!!

[PureFilth]

You'll have had your tea, then?

Oh yes! Tea time -> bed time. Just to keep it on the topic of Weather as well, I reckon the Weather EP should feature a British summer... definitely no chance of sunburn then! -_-

[Sgloomi]

'It was one of those long summer days that seemed to go on forever.' Classic British cartoon, if you wanna Google it.

[matrix54]

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/640/screenshottgw.jpg
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/332/screenshot2fs.jpg

/Temptation

[shante090]

One more listing of Seasons EP, info found on SimsVip (http://simsvip.com/?p=13370) :)

[frankie]

Damn, they had me going with the mentioning of TSM2 until it turned out to be a translation error. I would've totally welcomed a sequel for that game. :(

Oh, well. I'll still be happy with Seasons. Really, it's the ocean-swimming factor that has me the most excited for this EP. That alone can make "vacationing" in WA worlds a bit more useful in my game; though, I still do go to France on occasion as a honeymoon spot for my newlyweds.

[purexevil666]

More listings are coming in and EA still refuses to announce it :(

[Duxfever]

Well, we are in the middle of Supernatural marketing...

[writerchick]

Well, we are in the middle of Supernatural marketing...

Gamescom is next month. I'm thinking maybe EA will announce Seasons then...

[kennyinbmore]

I'm not buying SuperNatural because I'm not interested in supernaturals in my Sims 3 game. I wasn't interested in them in Sims 2 so I ignored them since they came with the EP's, and punished any of my sims who wanted to be more than just friends with them. I'm looking forward to the next one after SuperNatural.

To all the players that have been asking for an MM remake, it's coming and enjoy!!

Well the good news about Supernatural coming out for me is, with that EP and Show Time EA's saving me a lot of money. whenever Seasons is released I won't have to worry about where the money is coming from to buy it :)

[lisfyre]

Well the good news about Supernatural coming out for me is, with that EP and Show Time EA's saving me a lot of money. whenever Seasons is released I won't have to worry about where the money is coming from to buy it :)

I know it saved me tons of cash... that went to something else in RL that was needed at the time. The last EP I bought was Generations - I passed on Pets, SHT and now SuperNatural. :blink: :rofl: I still don't have that extra cash but I'll be sure to scrounge some up when seasons/weather is released. I've been holding on for a long time.

[bassoon_crazy]

Well the good news about Supernatural coming out for me is, with that EP and Show Time EA's saving me a lot of money. whenever Seasons is released I won't have to worry about where the money is coming from to buy it :)

Indeed. EA has saved me A TON of money with The Sims 3. Generations, Showtime, and Supernatural are all EPs that I would never buy, while World Adventures and Ambitions are iffy to me and I haven't bought them. Whereas in The Sims 1 and 2 I had to have all of the Expansion Packs.

While I'm sad that things just aren't the same anymore, $40 is way too much to spend anyway. I've just become much more picky.

[SimmerE14]

I hope they add storms in this version of seasons :d

-tornadoes

-Hurricanes

-Flash floods

-Blackouts during thunderstorms

-etc

8)

[shante090]

Two more listings (http://simsvip.com/?p=13431) :heyhey:

[Mishy]

OH, if only this 4 seasons EP could come next instead of the supernatural's.
my game needed weather from the start of TS3..
oh well, better late than never.

[Duxfever]

Save the best for last?

[Mishy]

Save the best for last?

lets hope not.

[AngelicScot]

I hope they add storms in this version of seasons :d

-tornadoes

-Hurricanes

-Flash floods

-Blackouts during thunderstorms

-etc

8)

If I recall correctly, when I first got Sims 2 Seasons, there was a "black-out" during a thunderstorm. And there was, at the time, a hot debate as to whether to include hurricanes and tornadoes. Those living in areas that are subject to these weather phenomenon were staunchly against it, while those who don't have to live through the real thing wanted it. I would be very surprised if those opinions don't still hold.

[lewisb40]

Before Sims 2 seasons came out there was a mod using the codes for weather in the game. Can't remember the site, but it was a pay site and I bought it because I was curious how it worked. I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked especially the thunderstorms, there were blackouts or power outages that was very realistic and cool. The only light was the fireplace or candles, so the environment scores were down and since you couldn't cook with any of the appliances, you had to BBQ outdoors, in the thunderstorm. LOL! Also the food in the fridge spoiled and the sim had to get groceries again. Oh, they could order pizza.

I was hoping when Seasons was released, EA would implement the blackouts in the EP. Was very sad when there were no power outages and wondered why it wasn't used since the coding was there. I did enjoy those mishaps. I live in an area with severe thunderstorms and always tornado warnings, although I haven't seen one in 25 years. I wouldn't mind having some storming mishap that causes some discomfort for the sims. I am kind of tired of Happy, Happy, joy in the world, sims.

[purexevil666]

Before Sims 2 seasons came out there was a mod using the codes for weather in the game. Can't remember the site,
No, it's here in MTS
You mean this Mod: http://www.modthesims.info/d/184494
More listing with a coverbox (Probably fake?) http://www.homeenter.com/sv/childrensclub/product_readmore/the-sims-3-seasons-pc/s272330/748500/?searchPhrase=sims