- Site Map >
- Community >
- Sims Discussion >
- Sims 3 >
- Gameplay - *WIP* Skilling Townies Hack: introducing "Studyholics" tuning file for Moar Interactions
- Site Map >
- Community >
- Sims Discussion >
- Sims 3 >
- Gameplay - *WIP* Skilling Townies Hack: introducing "Studyholics" tuning file for Moar Interactions
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
I tend to be on the "data freak" side of simmers when it comes to not only my active sims but also townies. One thing I like particularly is to keep track of how well my world population is doing, especially LTWs and career progression wise. After tracking 7 generations of townies in Bridgeport (I switch randomly between households), I got frustrated with my results: most townies get stuck at low career levels through their lifetime (I play with the 90 day lifespan). Certainly the game was never set to pay much attention to townies, but when you consider them to be somehow your active sims' descendants or your active sims' future spouses, you certainly want to tune the game so townies are not left out from career and LTWs progression.
I spent years trying to figure out ways to push townies to autonomously skill up so they'd make significant progress in their rabbithole careers / active careers / skill-centric LTWs:
- adding skill objects to townie lots: they never used them;
- adding skill books to the library lot: townies never bothered reading them - let alone driving to the library lot;
- adding skill books to townies' inventories: they never autonomously picked up the books from their inventories.
So in March 2019, I asked over at Nraas and genius simmer @sittingbear redirected me to Buzzler's Moar Interactions mod, saying:
Buzzlers Moar Interactions also has a setting for inactive sims to read skill books and it'll work for libraries I believe |
I was super excited at first, but weeks after installing the mod, nothing had really changed in my game . Very few townies were skilling up and most who did, had the same old basegame traits and were skilling up in the same old basegame skills, despite having all EPs installed.
So I looked up the code of Buzzler's mod and it turns out that...
- it only affects townies who have any 1 or more trait(s) in this list (7): Bookworm, Genius, Ambitious, Charismatic, Handy, Natural Cook, Green Thumb,
- it only pushes townies to learn any of the skills in this list (7): Charisma, Nectar, Logic, Cooking, Gardening, Handiness, Inventing
- it only pushes townies to autonomously visit 1 lot: the Library
- it is not very appealing to townies, because the fun value advertised to townies for the "read skillbok" interaction is set to "40"
- it only affects child-aged sims and up
- there is 103+ traits in TS3 (including hidden traits, see list below)
- there is 100+ skills in TS3 (including hidden skills, see list below)
- there is 30+ lots you can target in XML / tuning files (that I know of, see list below)
- autonomous interactions generally happen in my game when the fun value advertised to sims/townies for any action is anywhere between 200-400 (correct me if I'm wrong)
- I want my townie toddlers to autonomously read toddler skill books so they have some skill boost when they age up (more on this below)
So that's when my "Studyholics" tuning file was born (I tested the first iteration of this mod on October 9, 2019).
The name came from that cute moodlet that sims get when they study hard:
Incompatibility / Clashes
This is a tuning of the ITUN file "TwoBTech_ReadSkillBook_Bookshelf" inside of Buzzler's "Moar Interactions" mod's package file.
Since this tuning file is affecting a custom interaction created by Buzzler, there should be no incompatibility issue whatsoever with any other mod. If you do run into issues, please let me know.
The interaction name:
<Interaction name="TwoBTech.Mods.MoarInteractions.Interactions.ReadSkillBook+Definition" />
EDIT 16.03.21: "Spring Cleaning + New Skills + Toddlers Update" mod progress announcement in this post.
EDIT 07.09.20: Added zip file that contains a lite version of Buzzler's mod. Requested by beta testers who do not want to install Buzzler's full mod but still want to enjoy his original, custom "read skill books" interaction for townies. Installation instructions can be found in this post .
EDIT 28.07.20: Tuning file data removed as it is being queued to the uploads.
Studyholics_v1 - 28.07.20.zip (7.2 KB, 97 downloads) | |
Buzz_Moar_ReadSkillBook_Only_v3.zip (42.8 KB, 63 downloads) |
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
Thanks for the compliment on data collecting, I've been struggling with my nerd side because it can be overwhelming for people to sift through all the geeky deets. Will do more of this overtime
Looking forward to your feedback!
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
Can't wait for your feedback - hopefully it'll be game-changing
Posts: 3,654
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
1) The tuning file depends on Buzzler's mod.
2) Buzzler did not provide a tuning file for this specific area of his mod, namely the XML file "TwoBTech_ReadSkillBook_Bookshelf".
My understanding is that my tuning file does not work on its own. You cannot install it in the root "packages" folder and have it running. It only works if you overwrite Buzzler's version of it, which *I believe* can only be achieved by manually placing the tuning file inside of Buzzler's mod package file.
That's why I'm thinking it's mainly a "gameplay" file.
Does it make sense?
Posts: 7,900
Thanks: 204744 in 302 Posts
You could put all your data in the upload, or you could continue your discussion of this mod here while the actual files are uploaded to the queue. You can either upload this to the queue, I can move it to Creator Issues if you need more time to craft a less tl;dr text or any other adjustments, or it can be removed. Let me know how you want to move this.
Life Stories || EA Sims 2 Store Items || EA Pre-Order Incentives || Pet Stories || Dog Agility Items || Castaway Stories || Holy Simoly Add-ons || Overrides and Defaults
4esf Archive || Holy Simoly Archive || Sims2Artists || tumblr || CEP-Extras List || Buyable Game Ojbects
If you enjoy the content on s2a or GoS, consider donating to support hosting costs.
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
I'm deleting my post attachment and heading to the uploads queue. Will reduce the post length, too.
EDIT: I can't seem to be able to delete the post attachments, feel free to delete it. I'll continue the discussion of the mod here while the files are in the upload queue. Thanks!
Posts: 3,444
Thanks: 938 in 5 Posts
Ah ok, sorry I didn't realize CC file attachments were not allowed in this sub-forum. I'm deleting my post attachment and heading to the uploads queue. Will reduce the post length, too. EDIT: I can't seem to be able to delete the post attachments, feel free to delete it. I'll continue the discussion of the mod here while the files are in the upload queue. Thanks! |
It might be worth copying and pasting this thread in the Creator Feedback Forum, just for a bit of testing beforehand!
Definitely super interesting though- I do love mods that increase sim autonomy!
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
Posts: 3,444
Thanks: 938 in 5 Posts
Thanks jje1000! Autonomy tuning fans unite! |
Definitely so- the wonderful thing about TS3 is basically people watching, especially if you have NRAAS tagger on so you can see what other households are up to.
I personally would love to see some more things made autonomous, like paying the bills (there was a mod for it, but it broke), or fulfilling needs when they reach yellow (usually sims only fulfill them when they're in the red).
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
Yeah outside of using Nraas type script mods, I don't know if there are other ways to achieve autonomous bills payment.
@HugeLunatic: unfortunately after further testing, I've confirmed that my ITUN file has zero effect when it's placed in the root "packages" folder along Buzzler's mod. Opening Buzzler's mod in S3PE and copy/pasting stuff is required to make this "hack" work, so I'll move my tuning file elsewhere on the web along with instructions.
Should this thread be deleted, then? I'm fine with that.
Posts: 542
Thanks: 6331 in 104 Posts
@HugeLunatic: unfortunately after further testing, I've confirmed that my ITUN file has zero effect when it's placed in the root "packages" folder along Buzzler's mod. Opening Buzzler's mod in S3PE and copy/pasting stuff is required to make this "hack" work, so I'll move my tuning file elsewhere on the web along with instructions. |
If you made an edit of the resources of the mod and put both the original and your new one in Packages, that's probably why it's not working. Yours would need to go into Overrides.
Posts: 7,900
Thanks: 204744 in 302 Posts
unfortunately after further testing, I've confirmed that my ITUN file has zero effect when it's placed in the root "packages" folder along Buzzler's mod. Opening Buzzler's mod in S3PE and copy/pasting stuff is required to make this "hack" work, so I'll move my tuning file elsewhere on the web along with instructions. |
Buzzler has a very open policy, so you could combine and upload here if you like. But if you wish to create the actual upload on say, your tumblr, and link to it from here to keep an ongoing discussion/feedback, that's fine too.
Life Stories || EA Sims 2 Store Items || EA Pre-Order Incentives || Pet Stories || Dog Agility Items || Castaway Stories || Holy Simoly Add-ons || Overrides and Defaults
4esf Archive || Holy Simoly Archive || Sims2Artists || tumblr || CEP-Extras List || Buyable Game Ojbects
If you enjoy the content on s2a or GoS, consider donating to support hosting costs.
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
If you made an edit of the resources of the mod and put both the original and your new one in Packages, that's probably why it's not working. Yours would need to go into Overrides. |
That's such a good insight, I completely overlooked I even *had* an override folder (I have and there is like, 7 files in it). Going to test it and report back!
But if you wish to create the actual upload on say, your tumblr, and link to it from here to keep an ongoing discussion/feedback, that's fine too. |
Sounds like a plan! Will create the Simblr post in the next 2 days and confirm when done.
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
I'm going to take some pics and get the file ready for prime - upload queue - time.
Posts: 3,444
Thanks: 938 in 5 Posts
@jje1000 Oh I didn't know that needs were not autonomously fulfilled *before* reaching red. Interesting. Yeah outside of using Nraas type script mods, I don't know if there are other ways to achieve autonomous bills payment. |
They sometimes do, but usually the fun attractor for fulfilling needs is far below doing other stuff.
The billpaying mod was this one here:
https://modthesims.info/d/383084/au...5-5-and-10.html
While I like the NRAAS autopay mods, I like having sims physically do it on their own, rather than some abstract amount of money being deducted from the accounts- makes it more tactile!
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
The billpaying mod was this one here: https://modthesims.info/d/383084/au...5-5-and-10.html |
I understand your bill payment preference, actually - it's more realistic especially for the active family. I'm looking up the code of the mod above and I'm finding this:
- there's a bunch of extra lines in its XML file "Mailbox_0x894944a6dad4a2cf" that no longer exist in the same XML file for a game patched up to 1.67
- also in the XML file "PayBill_Bill" the code says "BaseGame", while EA now writes it with a spacing: "Base Game".
- a couple of these XML / ITUN files have code lines that no longer exist in their patch 1.67 versions.
Have you also reached the conclusion that the mod is broken due to higher patches? I can look into that for you next week if you want. We can start a topic over at the Creators forum threads
Posts: 3,444
Thanks: 938 in 5 Posts
Have you also reached the conclusion that the mod is broken due to higher patches? I can look into that for you next week if you want. We can start a topic over at the Creators forum threads |
I tried the mod, and sims still seemed to not pay their bills autonomously even up to the due date.
Maybe an ongoing 'Sims Autonomy Tuning' thread could go in the Modding Discussions forum?
https://modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=547
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
Posts: 113
I only changed DisallowUserDirected="False" to true.
Posts: 1,235
I agree that the townies skill/work progress is just as important as the active sims. I play families in rotation but I stalk the inactives in the library and their workplaces (if open) to see what they're doing, what book they're reading etc. They mostly read trashy novels lol. I would love for them to read more skill books at least!
I look forward to the official release of it and trying it out Good Luck!
And I'm obsessed with anything to do with money in Sims 3, so any mod that would improve bills, investments and stocks, banking, loans etc would be fine with me lol. I really wish Buzzler's Lost and Found Stock Market mod was still working
Posts: 845
Thanks: 371 in 3 Posts
I do plan on looking up the money mods:
- I love the "Money" module of StoryProgression. I hit up the "accounting" feature to see what households have been spending their money on and always find it fascinating. I could get lost in these details.
- If my modding skills increase, I do plan on looking into why Buzzler's Lost and Found Stock Market is broken, or even why EA's own Stock Market mod (which Buzzler's mod is built on), is broken. Fingers crossed on that one.
- I did bookmark a ton of money-related stuff from the TS2 downloads section of MTS. Certificates! Ingots! Bank notes! Money Jars! Make. It. Rain.
- I've heard great reviews about the online banking mod but I find it intimidating for now. I am going to test it at my pace and see what it inspires me to achieve in the game.
Posts: 1,235
Heya desiree, I echo 1000% your feelings regarding all the idling / trash reading of townies! I mean come on folks, get your stuff together and get educated on your non-user directed time! I do plan on looking up the money mods:
|
Well, I thought I was the only one obsessed with Sims money! So glad to see I'm not I'm always looking at their accounting on NRaas SP when I rotate households, that's the first thing I check!
Oh yes I did remember reading Buzzler based his mod on EA's stock market! How can EA justify abandoning something like that in their own game??
LOL, YES to all the lovely TS2 money stuff! My town bank will be very happy :D
I included the Online Bank mod into my bank, well sort of - the computers are there, the sims have to go to the bank to open an online bank account to be able to use it at home. That online bank mod is awesome! It's very easy to use, there's not much to configure. Try it when you get a chance
Who Posted
|