Mad Poster
Original Poster
#1 Old 11th Sep 2024 at 6:26 PM Last edited by HarVee : 29th Sep 2024 at 9:26 AM.
Default Plot of Land - BETA 2 out now! (Testers still wanted)
*This neighborhood is made using Jawusa's empty and clean templates, so it's free from Maxis bloat. An all EP/SP game setup is required to play.

WELCOME TO PLOT OF LAND!
Founded in 2013 by the Babybat family, Plot of Land is a small rural census-designated place south of Strangetown in a region known as "SimValley". The town is now opening to tourism and as such it has attracted the eyes of some rather interesting Sims.

STORYLINE PREMISE:
When the Babybat family sold all their land to local SimNation real estate mogul and current president, Malcolm Landgraab, it was only a matter of time before issues would start to arise. Having spent most of their money trying to build the town originally, the current living head of the Babybat family, Lucien II, knew that it was time to 'let go' of the town so that it can prosper and so that his family, particularly his son, Lucien III, would have a better future. But with the new influx of immigrants with radical ideals, will the town be able to prosper in peace or will these ideals tear the town apart?

SUMMARY OF CONCEPT:
The idea of Plot of Land takes inspiration from real world politics and from the very town I live in IRL, of course, names have been changed and a lot of creative liberties taken so it's not a carbon copy of anything in particular but rather has molded into a unique town of its own. Plot of Land makes parodies on several things that currently are hot topics. Immigration, Global Warming, Real Estate, Presidential Elections, etc. but it does so in a way that's fun, quirky, and fits in with the drama of The Sims 2.

Many families and townies in this neighborhood are a continuation of the storyline told in the PlayStation 2 version of "The Sims Bustin' Out". I've always liked the story concepts introduced in that game and wanted to expand on them further. You don't need to have played Bustin' out to enjoy this neighborhood, however.

PRE-REQUISITES:

These are things I couldn't include in the Custom Content Collection (found below) because these things include files that go into your actual install files and not your downloads folder. So, to make it easier and reduce headache for everyone downloading Plot of Land, I've decided to just link to them instead of including them in the collection. These may not be required entirely to play, but they're ideal to have for the neighborhood to function as intended.

Color Enabler Package (CEP)
Stuff Pack Objects Fix Collection for AL by Lord Darcy
More Decorative Slots for Maxis Furniture by Lord Darcy
Rugs - zMOG!! Off Grid!! by HugeLunatic
Neighborhood Lighting Remedy by Criquette

CUSTOM CONTENT:
THIS IS REQUIRED FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO FUNCTION AND LOOK CORRECLTY. DON'T REPORT ISSUES IF YOU DON'T DOWNLOAD THIS!

Plot of Land uses about 1.60GB of carefully selected Custom Content made by several unique and amazing creators, as well as some recolors, walls, floors, and a terrain paint made by me exclusively for Plot of Land. This download has been compressed into a .7z archive and weighs in at around 470MB. As it is such a large requirement, it is ideal to be ran independently from your existing Custom Content. You can do this by backing up your existing downloads into a folder outside of your main The Sims 2 documents, and then placing this collection into your downloads folder. I would not reccomend adding this to an existing downloads folder as this collection includes hacks and merged files.

This collection of Custom Content includes everything from walls, floors, objects, default replacers, and even useful gameplay hacks and fixes.

Plot of Land Custom Content Collection


EXTRAS:

This is entirely optional and isn't needed to run the neighborhood at all, but they're nice little things to have. It includes 8 custom music theme songs made by me exclusively for Plot of land and its story, a hider for most Maxis walls and floors not used in the neighborhood, and even a collection file for Build mode Custom Content and a small icon file. You can pick and choose exactly what extra(s) you want. Use them all, use half of them, use none of them. It's up to you.

Plot of Land Optional Extras

DOWNLOAD:

Lastly and finally the meat and potatoes of this whole thing, the latest build of the neighborhood itself. Make sure you download the required CC collection and the prerequisites before commenting about any issues.

Plot of Land Neighborhood (BETA 2.1 'hotfix')

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

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The Babel fish is a dead giveaway
retired moderator
#2 Old 14th Sep 2024 at 4:31 PM
Hey @HarVee I managed to test this a bit and take some sims to community lots, and I have to say I really love it! Very cool aesthetic and really imaginative lots.

I made a few notes about things I noticed, would you like me to post them here or should I PM you? All just little things which you probably have already noticed or changed, as I know you are still working hard on it!

I will choose a path that's clear- I will choose free will
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The Babel fish is a dead giveaway
retired moderator
#3 Old 14th Sep 2024 at 11:34 PM
Okay then!



That's all I noticed for now, as I mentioned before I absolutely love this!

I also bumped into Sim Sample and Haywud!

I will choose a path that's clear- I will choose free will
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Inventor
#4 Old 15th Sep 2024 at 11:08 PM Last edited by Sokisims : 16th Sep 2024 at 2:10 AM.
I'm downloading to see, but I can't test anything because I'm busy fixing mine xD But know that I support you!!

Edit: I didn't see Cass, didn't I send it to you? XDD The houses look very nice, and the story of the sale of the land seems very interesting to me. ^^
Mad Poster
Original Poster
#5 Old 16th Sep 2024 at 5:52 AM Last edited by HarVee : 27th Sep 2024 at 3:11 AM.
Quote: Originally posted by Sokisims
I'm downloading to see, but I can't test anything because I'm busy fixing mine xD But know that I support you!!

Edit: I didn't see Cass, didn't I send it to you? XDD The houses look very nice, and the story of the sale of the land seems very interesting to me. ^^

You did... I think... idk I have gone through many revisions and backups of this 'hood over the last few years, sometimes I forget to add things or things get lost in the matrix.

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

Mad Poster
Original Poster
#6 Old 27th Sep 2024 at 3:13 AM Last edited by HarVee : 27th Sep 2024 at 10:55 AM.
Plot of Land BETA 2 out now!
The OP has been thoroughly updated so make sure you take 5 minutes of time to read it. Anyway, without further ado welcome to Beta 2!

The BETA 2 includes a list of changes so long it'd reach the sun. But overall, the neighborhood is almost complete now. Give it a play and let me know if you find any glaring issues so that I can try to fix them. So, I'll try to keep it brief of what I've done in with Beta 2;

Added several new memories to playables and a couple townies.
Organized memories so they make better chronological sense.
Added secondary aspirations to all playables aged teen and older.
Adjusted and changed interests for all playables and townies to better reflect their personalities.
Changed the predestined hobby for most playables so that they reflect their interests and personalities better.
Renovated several of the lots with new floors, walls, and different objects.
Expanded the lot for Frenz family.
Expanded the lot for Boulder family.
Expanded the Babybat Mini-Manor lot.
Added a couple story entries into the neighborhood storybook thing.
Edited a few relationships - Lucien II now properly knows Malcolm Landgraab for example.
Renamed the carpool driver and the deliveryman NPCs with names that better reflect the neighborhood theme.
Cruelty Hart has now given birth to a boy named Gabriel.

What I've done with the new updated Custom Content Collection;

Reorganized the custom content collection folder structure.
Changed descriptions of several custom content (to better reflect the neighborhood theme)
Changed and fixed pricing for some custom content objects.
Edited the advertised motive values for a couple decorative objects - A toilet paper roll is no longer worth 7 room motive for example.
Merged a majority of the objects into merged package files.
Included gameplay fixes and useful hacks into the collection - should stop the Sims resetting as @simsample reported with the original Beta 1.

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

Inventor
#7 Old 27th Sep 2024 at 7:59 PM
Is there any mod that is essential? I say this because I probably download it without cc, I don't mind having to color walls or change the look of the sims, it's just that I like to download it that way and currently it's easier for me since I don't want to make backup copies on my computer, I'm trying to avoid confusion with my folders xD.
Mad Poster
Original Poster
#8 Old 27th Sep 2024 at 9:03 PM Last edited by HarVee : 28th Sep 2024 at 5:21 AM.
Quote: Originally posted by Sokisims
Is there any mod that is essential? I say this because I probably download it without cc, I don't mind having to color walls or change the look of the sims, it's just that I like to download it that way and currently it's easier for me since I don't want to make backup copies on my computer, I'm trying to avoid confusion with my folders xD.

The popular anti-corruption hack is included, "nounlinkondelete.package"

"BetterNightlife_win_v1.package" (included in the collection) is also needed because you'll get graphic glitches underneath the neighborhood street lights without it as shown by @simsample earlier in this thread.

Honestly it would be easier to just use the collection instead of trying to run this without it. It was designed to be played specifically with it, and I can't really offer much proper support to anyone if they don't have it.

Edit: Turns out User00006.package and user00006.1.package are the newspaper boy and his newspaper. So, no need to worry about Vicente's ghost and/or resurrection! It's all good!

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

Inventor
#9 Old 27th Sep 2024 at 10:26 PM Last edited by Sokisims : 27th Sep 2024 at 11:47 PM.
Well everyone uses nounlinkondelete.package and I think I also use BetterNightlife_win_v1.package So it won't be any problem. I understand that you prefer the cc you have prepared to be used, but I won't play seriously until I finish my projects, so currently I only download hoods to test the gameplay and stories.
Also congratulations for having the hood almost complete, when I play a little I will comment on the stories!!

Edit: When you upload the neighborhood remember to use SimPE to make the names appear correctly in all languages. Otherwise, people who have the game in another language will get random names.

Edit2: I really like the design of the Babybatt house!! I wasn't expecting Cass to be playable, but I loved it! And yes, the cc is necessary because otherwise the roads do not appear correctly. Hopefully in the future you will make a version without cc!! Although I will download it anyway when I play seriously.^^
Needs Coffee
retired moderator
#10 Old 27th Sep 2024 at 11:04 PM
I was coming to try this but I am surprised you included Better Nightlife. I never use it as it causes me (and others I know) pink flashing.
So basically It can't be removed or I remove it and delete and replace all street lights? I will have to see how it goes. It's a mod I always wanted to work that never did, probably due to the amount of other CC that I have. If I play this long term there is no way I won't be adding more to it lol.

Will Better Nightlife ^ work without the Lighting Remedy fix? I don't want to change my install for a hood.
Also looking at this mod list, I have a lot of other mods. For example Shift Everything and Community Lot Time are must haves for me. I am tempted to just swap out your mod list for my own.

"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives." - Unknown
~Call me Jo~
Mad Poster
Original Poster
#11 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 2:05 AM
Quote: Originally posted by joandsarah77
I was coming to try this but I am surprised you included Better Nightlife. I never use it as it causes me (and others I know) pink flashing.
So basically It can't be removed or I remove it and delete and replace all street lights? I will have to see how it goes. It's a mod I always wanted to work that never did, probably due to the amount of other CC that I have. If I play this long term there is no way I won't be adding more to it lol.

I included it as it has never caused me any pink flashing, I figured it was a relatively harmless thing to use. To answer your question, you can delete the package file and remove or replace the streetlights in the neighborhood with Maxis ones. I suggest also removing the two files from the collection's NHOOD folder "crqtt_mm_wood_lightpost.package" and "crqtt_mm_metal_lightpost.package". These two are higher-quality addon streetlights that are, as the name suggests, Maxis-Match. They use Better Nightlife iirc.


Quote: Originally posted by joandsarah77
Will Better Nightlife ^ work without the Lighting Remedy fix? I don't want to change my install for a hood.


As far as I know, yes it will! Better Nightlife edits the material shader for the neighborhood, Lighting Remedy Fix doesn't edit the shader, but rather forces the actual lot imposters to use lighting values defined in the lighting.txt. Lighting Remedy Fix only includes one file though that goes into your install, a lighting.txt file. Lighting Remedy Fix can actually be used without that lighting.txt file even installed. I know this because when I reinstalled my game, I had the original Maxis lighting.txt for the longest time.

Quote: Originally posted by joandsarah77
Also looking at this mod list, I have a lot of other mods. For example Shift Everything and Community Lot Time are must haves for me. I am tempted to just swap out your mod list for my own.
You're free to do that, and please let me know how it goes! Only thing to note, is that by changing the mod list (they're in the collection in a folder titled zzHACKS) is that The Sims may reset when you first initially load each lot as reported earlier by simsample.

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

The Babel fish is a dead giveaway
retired moderator
#12 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 2:18 AM
I have been testing today @HarVee and will test a bit more tomorrow.
Quick question, the coastline hedges seen in my pink lights pic in post #3 are gone now, is that a deliberate edit or am I missing something?

I will choose a path that's clear- I will choose free will
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Please send me a message if you would like a SimsFileShare account, I can send you an invite!
Mad Poster
Original Poster
#13 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 2:23 AM
Quote: Originally posted by simsample
I have been testing today @HarVee and will test a bit more tomorrow.
Quick question, the coastline hedges seen in my pink lights pic in post #3 are gone now, is that a deliberate edit or am I missing something?

This was a deliberate change. I felt they were a bit... excessive and wanted the beach/shoreline to look emptier and cleaner and less like a jungle.

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

The Babel fish is a dead giveaway
retired moderator
#14 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 2:37 AM
Oh good, thought I'd messed something up! I like it! Will get back to you when I've tested some more.

I will choose a path that's clear- I will choose free will
-RUSH- -RADIO- -RADIO- -EON- -ARCHIVES-
Simpeople and Me Archive- 11Dots Archive- My Sims World Archive- Adele Archive- Sims 1 Archive
Please send me a message if you would like a SimsFileShare account, I can send you an invite!
Mad Poster
Original Poster
#15 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 4:57 AM Last edited by HarVee : 28th Sep 2024 at 6:29 AM.
Quote: Originally posted by Sokisims
Also congratulations for having the hood almost complete, when I play a little I will comment on the stories!!


Thanks It's people like you that give me inspiration to keep at it.

Quote: Originally posted by Sokisims
Edit: When you upload the neighborhood remember to use SimPE to make the names appear correctly in all languages. Otherwise, people who have the game in another language will get random names.

Hmm, I did not know this was going to be an issue. I can always do a quick hotfix for you (and others). Shouldn't take more than about 10-20 minutes to do.
This is fixed in the BETA 2 hotfix. Please redownload the neighborhood. @Sokisims

Quote: Originally posted by Sokisims
Edit2: I really like the design of the Babybatt house!! I wasn't expecting Cass to be playable, but I loved it! And yes, the cc is necessary because otherwise the roads do not appear correctly. Hopefully in the future you will make a version without cc!! Although I will download it anyway when I play seriously.^^

Yeah they use custom floor tiles as an overlay and the neighborhood roads themselves use a custom edited version of the Maxis desert roads, a small edit by me, that essentially got rid of the dashed lines and added dual sidewalks. This was all done so that way the driveways would blend better with the roads.

Anyway, depending on the further feedback I get from this, I might make a no CC version, but if I do that'll be in the far future since it'd require large edits to everything from Sims themselves to lots and yada yada. But it's not impossible to do though.

I made Cass playable because I really her story and concept. Plus, I'm thinking of doing more with her story-wise in the future. Perhaps something that might involve Borris Frenz looking into her past.

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

Mad Poster
Original Poster
#16 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 6:09 AM
Posting to say that I did a quick little hotfix to correct the Sim names from not displaying correctly in non-US (and UK) English games. Please redownload the neighborhood file. There's also a new residential lot in this hotfix that I was working on.

There is no need to redownload the CC collection or the Extras. These two have not changed.

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

Inventor
#17 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 12:34 PM
I really liked the Maple family, also the sim that came from a war! I found it quite creative. About the names, it's great that you changed it. I usually leave that step for last, because when you enter a house it is deconfigured and you have to do it again, I say this so you know when you update again. As for Cass, I would like her to be called Cassidy 086 as a first name and Proieto as a last name! Since all clones usually has that last name and is called that. Although if you want, leave it as it is,"Cassidy Clone" also gives it some vibe. xDD
Mad Poster
Original Poster
#18 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 3:00 PM
Quote: Originally posted by Sokisims
I really liked the Maple family, also the sim that came from a war! I found it quite creative. About the names, it's great that you changed it. I usually leave that step for last, because when you enter a house it is deconfigured and you have to do it again, I say this so you know when you update again. As for Cass, I would like her to be called Cassidy 086 as a first name and Proieto as a last name! Since all clones usually has that last name and is called that. Although if you want, leave it as it is,"Cassidy Clone" also gives it some vibe. xDD

I changed it to Clone because I figured that if she was trying to escape her past, she might not want to be formally called Cassidy 086 Proieto by the townsfolk, but I did leave 086 in the lot description though.

Also, thanks for the heads up about possibly having to do it again in future updates. Luckily It isn't that difficult of a thing to do!

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

Lab Assistant
#19 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 4:35 PM
Hey, @HarVee!! I'm itching to play your 'hood, I'm downloading it right now to take a peek!
Mad Poster
Original Poster
#20 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 4:57 PM
That's awesome to know!

@ed95 please let me know if you find any major issues, especially with the lot and story text strings. I'm still unsure if they'll all show up properly in Spanish. I'm committed to making sure they do though, and with your help that can be possible.

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

Lab Assistant
#21 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 5:24 PM Last edited by ed95 : 28th Sep 2024 at 5:38 PM.
Fantastic!! I was gonna edit my other messagge, but it's better if I write a new one. Let me say, your biggest feat is undoubtedly the ambiance of the game!!! All the lots have a very distinctive visual personality, and they're beautifully planned and built!! I love you TS3-like way of interconnecting the lots, and the subdued colors that give the whole game a different flavour. I can see you and me have similar taste in downloads and music teehee

I'm just looking around, but so far I've only encountered one text glitch, the two leftmost community lots (when entering from the fields) show the default lot names and descriptions. I believe every other lot and sim is correctly named.

EDIT: The Hart, Mackenson and Dudley's Trailer lots also have this problem.
Mad Poster
Original Poster
#22 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 5:44 PM Last edited by HarVee : 28th Sep 2024 at 8:45 PM.
Hmm, they likely need their text strings properly copied to all languages (as I did with the Sims themselves) It won't take too long to do actually and could probably have a hotfix for that within the next hour or so.

Edit: This is now done. See OP for new updated hotfix download.

@Sokisims if I copy the lot text strings to languages now, would I have to do it again in the future as I would with the Sims?

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

Inventor
#23 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 5:50 PM
Quote: Originally posted by HarVee
Hmm, they likely need their text strings properly copied to all languages (as I did with the Sims themselves) It won't take too long to do actually and could probably have a hotfix for that within the next hour or so.

@Sokisims if I copy the lot text strings to languages now, would I have to do it again in the future as I would with the Sims?


I don't know, I don't know how to copy the lot/sims text strings, I had seen it before, but I don't know how to do it. I do it one by one.
Mad Poster
Original Poster
#24 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 5:59 PM Last edited by HarVee : 28th Sep 2024 at 6:25 PM.
Quote: Originally posted by Sokisims
I don't know, I don't know how to copy the lot/sims text strings, I had seen it before, but I don't know how to do it. I do it one by one.

For lots, Open neighborhood with SimPE > "text lists" > click on one > "copy string to all" > commit > save.

Sims themselves require you to open each Sim's user.package and then go to "catalogue description" > click on one > "copy string to all" > commit > save.

For objects you'll need to open the package file that has the Mesh file itself in it and then "catalogue description" > click one > "copy string to all" > commit > save.


Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

Mad Poster
Original Poster
#25 Old 28th Sep 2024 at 7:30 PM Last edited by HarVee : 29th Sep 2024 at 6:43 AM.
I am releasing another hotfix. Because this fix includes more than one change I'm titling this as update 2.1

Changelog is as follows;

Copied all lot text strings to all languages - They should hopefully show up properly for all supported game languages. If not let me know!
Fixed 3 college memories for Lucien II Babybat - I apparently forgot to add him as the owner and subject to these memories.
Fixed the 'blue ceiling' and a misplaced foundation walling on the Mackenson family trailer lot.
Completed the exterior of the Daisy Manor lot included in the prior hotfix. It was missing a couple posts on the porch.
Same thing as above for the two residential lots in front of the Sloppy Seconds community lot.
Updated a couple of the bios for both playables and townies. Some of them are kind of humorous now.

That is all for now. You can redownload the updated neighborhood again if you've already downloaded it before, but it's up to you. These things, excluding the language support, are rather minor and don't affect gameplay all that much. but I thought I'd go ahead and fix them anyway.

Because the earth is standing still, and the truth becomes a lie
A choice profound is bittersweet, no one hears Cassandra Goth cry

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