Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2

"tooly" <rdh11 DeleteThis @bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:3wQ4j.19997$mb.3634@bignews9.bellsouth.net...
> I'm new at Sims2.
> 1)I read a reference to 'community' buildings' where I assume, you could
> send a Sim outside their own household or something? I can't find
anything
> on that in the manual though. There are aspirations that come up every
now
> and then that also suggest a Sim can be instructed to go or do something
> outside their own household [like go on a date maybe]. I'm in the dark on
> this. Any help appreciated.
>
> 2)Also, I downloaded a couple of new objects from EA website...but a only
a
> paultry few I found there. If I start a new community of households, I
find
> I go through the same dull repetition of same furniture choices with each
> new family until a household can afford better [which seems to be never].
I
> mean, if a Sim needs to develop logic for example, there's only a couple
of
> items to choose...right; a telescope or chessboard etc. Seems like there
> should be more choices for a game this popular that's been around for
> awhile.

p.8 of base game manual: "During gameplay, have your sim call a taxi to go
to a Community Lot so she can catch up with neighbours or stock up on the
fixings for Baked Alaska."

If you're still using the neighbourhoods that came with the game, there are
community lots which cover all the activities sims can do while out and the
manual does cover them (albeit briefly). If you don't want to read it, just
go out and have a poke around - click on stuff.

As for custom content, there are plenty of websites out there which offer
different sorts of custom content and there's some really nice stuff. If
you stick Sims 2 in Google, piles of sites will pop up. Some are better
than others, of course, and no doubt someone will immediately recommend mod
the sims 2 - quite rightly it is both informative and useful as well as
having packs of stuff which is generally reliable in quality (i.e. it works
as advertised). Other reliable sites I like (and others will like other
sites) are Parsimmonious, All About Style, Mermaid Cove, Around the Sims,
Marina Sims (nice build stuff) but there are plenty of others. Don't be
tempted to pay for stuff.

Before you go on a binge though can I suggest some caution. There are dodgy
bits of CC (custom content) out there and we've all downloaded some. It can
be very hard - sometimes practically impossible - to spot amongst piles and
piles of other files. It sounds like you have Deluxe (yes?) - general
advice is to sort your custom content files into sub-folders within
Downloads by type or by site. I'm not sure how far you can do this with
Deluxe because it only contains the base game and Nightlife. The ability to
sort files into sub-folders has increased with time until OFB when you could
sort everything without problems. Before that, the game would ignore some
files in sub-folders. OTOH Deluxe came out after OFB so Maxis might have
the changed coding that allows sorting. Anyway, I would advise you to try
and keep some sort of order, especially if you end up downloading a lot,
otherwise you will run into problems. There is a useful wiki page about how
to download here:

http://forums.modthesims2.com/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Downloading_for...acking_

Notice it's a MTS2 page - told you it was an informative site.

Also, at some stage, you'll need Clean Installer - avoid using the Maxis
Installer that comes with the game.

http://sims2pack.modthesims2.com/

Final bit of advice: only download and install small amounts of CC at a time
and check everything is working. It's a PITA but it saves a lot of grief in
the long run.

Regarding things for logic, I don't think there are that many alternatives
out there. I'm sure there are some but I've found, after a while, that I
don't notice it. I think it does depend how you play. I focus very much on
the story and the objects are just props, but if you are a builder, I think
it would probably matter more. If you're just starting out though, you
generally only want to build logic for their job promotions - you can always
sell the object once they've used it.

Best wishes
maxon
 >> Stay informed about: Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2 

"maxon" <maxon RemoveThis @NOSPAMntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:dLR4j.515$h35.108@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
>
> "tooly" <rdh11 RemoveThis @bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:3wQ4j.19997$mb.3634@bignews9.bellsouth.net...
>> I'm new at Sims2.
>> 1)I read a reference to 'community' buildings' where I assume, you could
>> send a Sim outside their own household or something? I can't find
> anything
>> on that in the manual though. There are aspirations that come up every
> now
>> and then that also suggest a Sim can be instructed to go or do something
>> outside their own household [like go on a date maybe]. I'm in the dark
>> on
>> this. Any help appreciated.
>>
>> 2)Also, I downloaded a couple of new objects from EA website...but a only
> a
>> paultry few I found there. If I start a new community of households, I
> find
>> I go through the same dull repetition of same furniture choices with each
>> new family until a household can afford better [which seems to be never].
> I
>> mean, if a Sim needs to develop logic for example, there's only a couple
> of
>> items to choose...right; a telescope or chessboard etc. Seems like there
>> should be more choices for a game this popular that's been around for
>> awhile.
>
> p.8 of base game manual: "During gameplay, have your sim call a taxi to go
> to a Community Lot so she can catch up with neighbours or stock up on the
> fixings for Baked Alaska."

Ha..son of a gun...but it's not page 8...look on page 6. I thought I had
looked the manual over pretty careful but missed this one. Thanks for
pointing out the specific reference.

I've tried calling a taxi though and there is no reference in the game [via
the phone or computer]; but then, I haven't created any community buildings
either.

Thanks a lot. Being able to create community lots will add a lot I think.

>
> If you're still using the neighbourhoods that came with the game, there
> are
> community lots which cover all the activities sims can do while out and
> the
> manual does cover them (albeit briefly). If you don't want to read it,
> just
> go out and have a poke around - click on stuff.
>
> As for custom content, there are plenty of websites out there which offer
> different sorts of custom content and there's some really nice stuff. If
> you stick Sims 2 in Google, piles of sites will pop up. Some are better
> than others, of course, and no doubt someone will immediately recommend
> mod
> the sims 2 - quite rightly it is both informative and useful as well as
> having packs of stuff which is generally reliable in quality (i.e. it
> works
> as advertised). Other reliable sites I like (and others will like other
> sites) are Parsimmonious, All About Style, Mermaid Cove, Around the Sims,
> Marina Sims (nice build stuff) but there are plenty of others. Don't be
> tempted to pay for stuff.

Well, yes, a google picked up so many hits, I thought I'd ask some seasoned
players first for the better advice. I've had occasion in other games to
get burned on moding a game from third parties.

>
> Before you go on a binge though can I suggest some caution. There are
> dodgy
> bits of CC (custom content) out there and we've all downloaded some. It
> can
> be very hard - sometimes practically impossible - to spot amongst piles
> and
> piles of other files. It sounds like you have Deluxe (yes?) - general
> advice is to sort your custom content files into sub-folders within
> Downloads by type or by site. I'm not sure how far you can do this with
> Deluxe because it only contains the base game and Nightlife. The ability
> to
> sort files into sub-folders has increased with time until OFB when you
> could
> sort everything without problems. Before that, the game would ignore some
> files in sub-folders. OTOH Deluxe came out after OFB so Maxis might have
> the changed coding that allows sorting. Anyway, I would advise you to try
> and keep some sort of order, especially if you end up downloading a lot,
> otherwise you will run into problems. There is a useful wiki page about
> how
> to download here:
>
> http://forums.modthesims2.com/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Downloading_for...acking_
>
> Notice it's a MTS2 page - told you it was an informative site.
>
> Also, at some stage, you'll need Clean Installer - avoid using the Maxis
> Installer that comes with the game.
>
> http://sims2pack.modthesims2.com/
>
> Final bit of advice: only download and install small amounts of CC at a
> time
> and check everything is working. It's a PITA but it saves a lot of grief
> in
> the long run.
>
> Regarding things for logic, I don't think there are that many alternatives
> out there. I'm sure there are some but I've found, after a while, that I
> don't notice it. I think it does depend how you play. I focus very much
> on
> the story and the objects are just props, but if you are a builder, I
> think
> it would probably matter more. If you're just starting out though, you
> generally only want to build logic for their job promotions - you can
> always
> sell the object once they've used it.
>
> Best wishes
> maxon
>

Yea, thanks for your time in helping maxon. I find the symbolism provoking
of art imitating life imitating art... etc.
 >> Stay informed about: Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2 

"tooly" <rdh11.RemoveThis@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:PJa5j.8683$Mu4.7626@bignews7.bellsouth.net...
> > p.8 of base game manual: "During gameplay, have your sim call a taxi to
go
> > to a Community Lot so she can catch up with neighbours or stock up on
the
> > fixings for Baked Alaska."
>
> Ha..son of a gun...but it's not page 8...look on page 6. I thought I had
> looked the manual over pretty careful but missed this one. Thanks for
> pointing out the specific reference.

If you have the Deluxe manual, it might be on a different page but it is p.8
in my manual - I bought the game when it came out. Or it might be a
different version for Europeans, I guess.

Best wishes
maxon
 >> Stay informed about: Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2 

To add to what kat and maxon said...

The Sims 2 Wiki has some very useful pages, the Content List being among
them.

http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?title=Content_Lists

It is run by mods from Mod the Sims 2 and Sims 2 Community and the sites in
the list probably tend to be less dodgy than others. I say "probably"
because you can find dodgy stuff just about anywhere.

And speaking of dodgy, try to stay away from downloading from the EA
Exchange. The objects there tend to be more dodgy than on other sites and
the lots you download from there can be unplayable once they are in your
game. The downloadable sims are far less pretty than ones found on other
sites, as well If you like downloading houses, plasticbox is one of the
favourites within the community.
http://www.modthesims2.com/creator/plasticbox

For a beginner, playing the hoods that came with the game is probably a good
idea so that you get used to the controls and to fulfilling your sims' wants
and needs. After that, you may want to create your own neighborhoods,
populated by your own sims. Since you seem to have Nightlife, you can also
attach a Downtown to the neighborhood you are playing. One word of advice -
in Downtown there is a lot called Crypt O'Night Club, in which there is a
restaurant. In the back of the lot there are three tables with candles on
them. If your sims visit this community lot and get seated at these tables
they will not be served food because the candles do not allow additional
objects to be places on the table. You need to swap them for the little
candle with roses, like you see on the other tables in the main building of
the lot. Your sims will then be able to eat at those tables out the back.
This is the first thing I do when I attach the Downtown that came with the
game, otherwise I forget and my sims just end up paying for meals that don't
get served.

You asked about going on a date. If your sim knows someone well enough, they
can either use the interaction Ask On Date or you can use the phone to
Call... Transportation... Ask Sim to Community Lot (or something like that,
I rarely send my sims on dates outside the house). Keep in mind that if
their relationship is not high enough, the request for a date may be
rejected. You can also have a date at home, which can be easier for a first
timer than going out, as you have a bit more control over what the two sims
do on the date, and you can always call a taxi and go somewhere if you still
have enough time left.

Once you attach a Downtown, at 6pm on the first day your sim's phone will
ring and they will be asked if they want to go out Downtown. If your sim
accepts, a taxi will show up and your sim will go to a community lot of your
choice. This will be your introduction to controlling groups. Keep in mind
that your sim has to be able to pay for everyone so if they have 10
simoleons left it's probably best to reject the invitation, unless you send
them to a park or somewhere else where they are not going to do any dining.

Rather than turning this into something rivalling a 10 volume space opera, I
think I'll shut up now and let you discover the rest for yourself. Don't be
afraid to ask questions. We don't bite. Well, most of us don't

Engram
 >> Stay informed about: Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2 

Engram wrote:

> Rather than turning this into something rivalling a 10 volume space
> opera, I think I'll shut up now and let you discover the rest for
> yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We don't bite. Well, most
> of us don't

There's just so much to say, isn't there. I would have added more than I
did but I suddenly realised I should have been out of the door 5 minutes
earlier!


--
kat
>^..^<
 >> Stay informed about: Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2 

"Engram" <engram_au.DeleteThis@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:4754d998$0$20842$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
> Rather than turning this into something rivalling a 10 volume space opera,
I
> think I'll shut up now and let you discover the rest for yourself. Don't
be
> afraid to ask questions. We don't bite. Well, most of us don't

Perhaps the only other thing to say is, if you really want to talk to us,
you might be better off posting in the other sims newsgroup (what I always
call the Main Sims Group - usually to confused howls in here).

alt.games.the-sims

There's far more traffic and information in that group.

Best wishes
maxon
 >> Stay informed about: Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2 

"kat" <kat.news RemoveThis @ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:Om85j.2810$jy3.1586@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
> Engram wrote:
>
>> Rather than turning this into something rivalling a 10 volume space
>> opera, I think I'll shut up now and let you discover the rest for
>> yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We don't bite. Well, most
>> of us don't
>
> There's just so much to say, isn't there. I would have added more than I
> did but I suddenly realised I should have been out of the door 5 minutes
> earlier!
>
>
> --
> kat
> >^..^<
>

Ha...sorry if I made you late kat.
Speaks well of the community to offer so much information though...
Thanks to kat, maxon, and Engram here. I'm sure the comments will help
others as well.
 >> Stay informed about: Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2 

tooly wrote:
> "kat" <kat.news.DeleteThis@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:Om85j.2810$jy3.1586@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>> Engram wrote:
>>
>>> Rather than turning this into something rivalling a 10 volume space
>>> opera, I think I'll shut up now and let you discover the rest for
>>> yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We don't bite. Well,
>>> most of us don't
>>
>> There's just so much to say, isn't there. I would have added more
>> than I did but I suddenly realised I should have been out of the
>> door 5 minutes earlier!
>>

>>
>
> Ha...sorry if I made you late kat.
> Speaks well of the community to offer so much information though...
> Thanks to kat, maxon, and Engram here. I'm sure the comments will
> help others as well.

I wasn't late in the end, a few minutes on the drag picking up a workmate
but we got where we had to be when we had to be there, so it was ok.

And you're welcome!

--
kat
>^..^<
 >> Stay informed about: Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2 

"kat" <kat.news RemoveThis @ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:mif5j.3200$jy3.2095@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
> tooly wrote:
>> "kat" <kat.news RemoveThis @ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>> news:Om85j.2810$jy3.1586@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>>> Engram wrote:
>>>
>>>> Rather than turning this into something rivalling a 10 volume space
>>>> opera, I think I'll shut up now and let you discover the rest for
>>>> yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We don't bite. Well,
>>>> most of us don't
>>>
>>> There's just so much to say, isn't there. I would have added more
>>> than I did but I suddenly realised I should have been out of the
>>> door 5 minutes earlier!
>>>
>
>>>
>>
>> Ha...sorry if I made you late kat.
>> Speaks well of the community to offer so much information though...
>> Thanks to kat, maxon, and Engram here. I'm sure the comments will
>> help others as well.
>
> I wasn't late in the end, a few minutes on the drag picking up a workmate
> but we got where we had to be when we had to be there, so it was ok.
>
> And you're welcome!
>
> --
> kat
> >^..^<

Might be too late but do the crossword in the newspaper, that puts your
logic up
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Community builidings and new object downloads in Sim 2