Insimenator.org

ive been looking through this part of the forum and cant help but notice that so many people are not exactly happy with the idea of the sims 3 coming out and i was woundering why as no one really can tell what the game is going to be like until they have actually played it everyone seems to be going on how it looks when i would of thought the game play would be more important
i mean i can understand why so aspects of the game seem a bit peculiar (i mean im a picky control freak so the idea that i cant control my sims all the time terrifys me) but i dont really see at the moment what is so bad about the game?
any comments, thoughts, ideas? good or bad?

hello

here is my comment i am hopeful that the sims3 game will bring new challanges to the game.

Thank you

i hope the game will bring new challeges to as thats why i play the sims 2 and why i will buy the sims3 i guess only time will tell how good (or bad) the game is

Hello

If i find anything new i will post in your thread and when i buy the Game the first thing i am going to do is check if i can create random sims in the sims 3 and see if its possible to upload.

great news as i really enjoyed the familys you created and i am useless at finding out new info on the sims 3 so that will be very useful
only problem i will have is i only own a laptop which can just about handle the sims 2 and some download content(very good laptop) but i dont think it will be as good as to handle both games so i think im gonna have to start saving
thanks very much :worship::worship:

I’m… cautious. I’m going to wait and see how easy it’ll be to make new skins and retextures before I buy it. I’m liking the idea of the open city and everything I’ve heard about the gameplay, but I’m not too keen on the graphics and if it’s too much of a hassle to make skins, then it’s a no-no for me.

i think i am mostly looking forward to the sims 3 as long as i can still build and the gameplay is good then i will def buy it im liking the personality traits they have added and i love the idea of being able to go around the neighbourhood with out loading times other than that i am hopeful that it will be a good game (and i will prob still play the sims 2 anyway)

Honestly?  I am really, really apprehensive.  I don't think I'm going to get it, guys.  Primarily due to what happened to my Sims game when I got Sims 2; i.e., it has gone untouched for the last nearly six years (or however long TS2 has been out).  And I don't miss it at all.  Which makes me worry that I would want to leave my current game behind and not look back.  I guess what I'm worried about is that I will get attached to TS3 and never play my neighborhoods again, and I don't think I could bear that.

I sure understand that. I go out to my original Sims, but it just isn't the same. I'm bored to distraction within minutes. So far, I've not reached that point with Sims 2. I've recently gotten AL and will install it after the dust settles from the mods. Guess I'll defer the decision until the game comes out and then see what the reviews are.

I played Sims and Sims2 with Maxis only stuff up until about a month ago so I may be a bad one to ask but I can't wait for Sims3. I don't have the amount of CC that most everyone else seems to so I guess other than several generations from my original families, I am not going to miss much. I look forward to seeing gameplay for Sims3. I worry how it will be having my Sims do things with out my direction though.

*Some* of my biggest issues are the look of the sims themselves (doughy is the only way I can describe it) and the fact that all sims will age regardless of the fact that you are not playing them (if that makes no sense I need coffee).

Right now I'm still thoroughly enjoying my Sims2 game so the urge to move over to something new just isn't there. I say it's new because from what I can see all my sims won't be able to be used.

Sims 3 looks promising - I'm not too worried about the skintones and such, because I'd expect those will be customizeable, even if meshing isn't viable.

My concern is in meshing - will we be able to change meshes, and if so, how hard will it be - they make a lot of noise about modding textures, so I expect those will be easy enough to replace.

Also, concerned about building - I rarely actualy -play- the sims, I build.  This is likely going to change with FT and AL being out, but unless they have magic or crafting type stuff out of the box, or gardening, fishing and seasons....

I'm just worried because of the whole lack of info, and the fact they seem to lack QA at any level.

Here's from someone who used to be hopeful:

I may be interested in its development, but I don't want it for the pure fact that I'd be supporting EA's bad reputation with customer service once again, not to mention how frustrating the company as a whole can be.  When people first cried out about having problems with the change in anti-piracy protection that messed around with stuff it shouldn't have on their machines, EA pretty much blew them off for a while, because they had no idea what to do about it.  And a good amount of everyone else who didn't have problems with it claimed those with problems were nothing but software pirates.  Even with the fix that they put out for removing said "anti-piracy" protection, playing the game was useless for those who did not want it back on their computers... unless they used "illegal" means to bypass having the game CD/DVD running and re-installing the program.  It's annoying when it seems like they try to have you run around in circles with certain issues... the same "cut and paste" response whenever you run across something that's easily fixable without the desperation of re-installation... I say "meh" to them.  :roll:

Not only that, I have a difficult time believing in what's in store for Sims 3 will even stay in the game.  With sims 2, if you look at all the previews and such (which a lot weren't in-game footage, but certainly made you think it was what you were getting at first) there was so much hype about what it would be like, and how cool it was that sims could do all of those actions... toddlers running on counters and beating people upside the head with toy bats, kids swinging around on ceiling fans, sims actually sitting down while holding babies... a lot of that "fake" stuff never really came around, and I'm pretty sure people were looking for them hard, too.  Don't get me wrong, Sims 2 is still fun... but those little extra joys would've sealed the deal for a lot of people.  Kinda makes one feel cheated.  :?

Anyways, the last thing that's keeping me steered away from it has pretty much been mentioned... that being the amount of "outside" custom content creation, like meshing and using custom-made genetics.  I know with the sliders in game to change various parts of the sims, it may be difficult in seeing any custom made meshes around at first... at least until someone finds a way to break that barrier.  Hopefully there will be a way for those who may want to have more than just what EA gives them.  The whole reason Sims and Sims 2 are successes is because of how easily "manipulative" the games are... the game has a bit of charm vanilla, but pretty much after a few months (that is, without any new EPs/SPs that might rekindle their simming passion) it gets a little boring at times.  But when one finds the mother lode online, it keeps them playing for longer than expected.  Personally, I wouldn't have thought I'd be so hooked on sims for so long... it'll be three years next month that I would've had Sims 2, and already within 8 years of having the original Sims.  I guess it's the pure feelings of control and personalization you get that once you find out more about customizing your game.  And with the constant contributions from the community, no wonder a lot of people have stuck around for as long as they have.  ;)  If Sims 3 limits those aspects, I can see why a lot of people may or may not find themselves playing for long, if at all.  :dontknow:

I voted 'pessimistic'..but am more just not excited about it.

One of the main reasons I am cautious is due to the ability of custom content, or rather the lack of ability to make CC in TS3. If thats true, well I am not interested in it much.

Otherwise..the game does not look improved in gameplay where I, personally, would like it to be. So its more my personal preference then anything else :)

Or maybe I'm just grouchy :P

First : I don't want to lose the wonderful Sims universe I've got right now. With all my beloved characters and families with their awesome custom contend. (My thoughts are exactly the same as JOOwish & Tenshii)
I've got no desire to keep two sims games going.
Second : I always thought that the real future challenge & evolution for the sims would be on line playing.
So, for now I say NO.

Online playing was poorly executed - TSO was one of the biggest travesties of ignoring most of their beta-testers in favor of the few going 'But MMOs are all about the GRIND'

Anyway, I'll wait and see, but honestly, I doubt I'll be buying sims 3.

ive never really considered online playing personally
i cant decide with the sims 3
on the one hand i dont like the way EA have handled some things (all the bugs, videoes of things not in the game, store to buy things on line...etc)
im also still happy playing the sims 2 and see no reason to stop just yet im trying to build up a perfect neighbourhood complete with lots of sims
im also worried about custom content which is what keeps you playing the game after your bored with all the maxis stuff
also for me to really want to buy the sims 3 i would want to see a **** of a lot more imimprovement from the sims 2 which at the moment i dont

but on the other hand after a while when ive found out if there'll be custom content, what other people think of the game (and knowing EA) when the first expantion packs come out i will be easily swayed to buy the game
also some videos ive seen are very intriging

so as you can see  ireally cant decide

For me personally, I'm kind of viewing it as a completely different entity in a way. I should imagine I will enjoy it for itself, just like with Spore or any other fun game that catches my attention, and I can happily play different games alongside each other.
I hope there will be a bodyshop style tool with it , but as yet I haven't heard of any such thing being provided by EAxis officially. I think we should have heard by now.
Neighbourhood creation tool, yes apparently...I will still continue to make content for the Sims2 anyway as its something I love to do, whether I get Sims3 or not.
As far as I can gather from all I've read and seen so far , it looks like you can save your fave hue and pattern of the swatches provided in Sims 3 as presets...however, I would be anxious to hear if we can actually load our own seamless textures or skin textures etc.
The way its going at the moment, it seems Sims3 is being engineered to make CC creation as we know it for the Sims2 unnecessary (as far as 'they' are concerned....not me though!!! I want to be able to use my own stuff/textures etc)

Hey, I voted pessimistic. I get excited thinking about it I suppose but in reality I know it will have no pets, no universities, no weather, nothing, and it will be just an extra £20 everytime they decide to add something that they could have added all at once, except obviously that would mean making less money. When I had the sims 1, when I got the sims makin' magic I got that Sims 2 preview disk and almost had heart failure with excitement. But the sims 3 looks like one of them pop ups you see sometimes to create avatars (don't know if any of you know what I'm talking about?) Also the sims in it look like they are made of plastercine???

I duno, I'm just not excited... mainly because it will be more hassle. I'm quite happy with the sims 2 to be honest.

In the sims 1 I was always like "i wish you could change their appearance not just their clothes" or "i wish i could zoom in or make better neighbourhoods" but the sims 2 took care of that.. I'll probably buy the S3 out of curiousity but the way it's going I think I'll prefer the sims 2.

xx

I said pessimistic not so much because of what Sims3 may be like. We don't really know yet. A lot of the hyped features sound to me like the old features slightly enhanced.

I am pessimistic because I think the company is moving away from the Sims mods fanbase, which is the draw for me. My reason for thinking so? The new EA store is a micropayment system. I think they hope to make that the main or possibly only source of new content, and I suppose I can't blame them for trying, but if it eventually replaces stuff packs, they are going to charge you more per item. It will be much more expensive. You can add it up yourself. Also it means for the first time individual modders who make a single new bed will be directly competing with Maxis and since EA will be charging for each item individually...are they really going to allow primarily free distribution of items much better than they can produce? I don't see them continuing to encourage that when they start making sales per item. I guess they could license pay sites, since pay sites don't provide most of their items for free and they could get a cut of not much, but sites like this one, I think they will begin to thwart. I think if they have the Exchange at all, it will probably be recolors only. If they keep supporting modders, it will hurt their store. How optimistic are we they will under those business conditions?

All that makes me pessimistic, but I am also pessimistic about customer relations as revealed during the Securom controversy. They have been reading the stories about people having to buy new hardware, and they have committed to using it in Sims3 anyway. I am really not that tempted and I think some other people aren't.

Hey guys,did not you see new graphics?New features?

I'm perfectly disgusted!Sims 3 ........!(You got it,lol)

Why?I was waiting for MUCH MORE about new features...

I don't know,I don't think so nice about sims 3.

I heard something about creating...Meshing and importing game will be too hard,so it means we won't have downloads early.I did NOT enjoy original sims skins-hairs-eyes etc...So if it doesn't look nice,i cant play "happily".

): I won't buy the sims 3...Actually I will wait and see the news,i will analyse player comments...So maybe they can change my mind...

I had no idea about the micropayment thing! That is rediculous! To be honest, I wouldn't have played the Sims2 for as long as I did (and still am) if it wasn't for all the lovely free CC we have available! I have AL here just now and installed it then immediatley uninstalled it because the inSim wasn't updated yet! So I think maxis have to pay a LOT of credit to the CC makers because, I don't know about the majority of people but, I know that I would have been bored with the sims 2 long long ago and not bought any of the packs after, what, Nightlife?

I honestly don't think I'll be buying it. I'm plenty happy with what is possible in TS2 right now. That, and I don't really like how the people in TS3 look.

I doubt my computer could even handle TS3, and besides that, it's coming out right around when I start college, and I'll be moving to a laptop, which definitely means no Sims. ) :

There's still so much that can be done in TS2 with custom content, mods, etc. and creators are releasing new stuff all the time. I think it might be too soon for a new Sims game. I'm still very happy with my TS2.

I am not going to buy it, fullstop. My reason is that I am very content with my sims 2 game. Sims three to me is my Sims 2 with custom content. I can give my sims different bodyshapes and more lifelike looks. I can give my sims fancy furniture and give them different foods and careers with mods made by excellent modders. So I am sticking to sims 2, I can not afford to upgrade another computer for sims 3 if it is basically sims 2 with a bit more perks (which mods will figure out and make anyways :D

The one thing that makes me undecided is are the sim sites we all come to will be able to host sim3 content or will there only be a maxis exchange for that game?

I have Pre-Ordered it,the two things that scares me will you be able install CC to it and the Open Ended of the Game will be new to and it will take time to get use to it,it you can not Install CC  the game wil be VERY,VERY,VERY boring

I just don't know.  SecuRom?  I bought Bon Voyage.  SecuRom came with it.    I'm still trying to fix my computer.  EA still plans using SecuRom in Sims3.  I'm not a hacker or have I copied any games, but I'm sure paying the price of a greedy (or should i say paranoid) EA that sees thieves in all of us.

(This could be rumor) However, I understand Sims3 is going to be like Spore.  You have to have internet capabilities for the game to verify every 10 days.  No verification, no play.  No more support from EA, no more play.  You don't own it, you rent it at EA's pleasure (or profitability).

Custom content?  The way I understand it, you customize everything within the game.  If you believe what EA says, there's a lot.  Want new textures, so far there isn't any indication we will be able to put it in.  I guess we'll have to pay EA for those extra swatches at their site.  (I for one, replace just about every one of EA's swatches in my game, how about you?  I just love their swatches.)

I waited before getting Sims2.  Patches were out, Modders were online and expansions were out when I fired up Sims2.  Then I started joining sites.  Within a short time, I had a game going I could really enjoy.

I will wait and see, but I suspect there's going to be some major complaining.  You can't do this, you cant do that.  Why can't someone make this for me. I also suspect there will be some that will just love it and have nothing but praise about EA.  However, if the game isn't open ended (like Sims1&2), their praise will be short lived.  Because the rest of us will have moved on to something else, or are happily still playing Sims2.

I truly hope I'll have to eat my words.  But I have no confidence in EA.  Maxis (who I did have confidence in) isn't making this game, EA is.  Remember that wonderful game Maxis made called Sim City?  I still play it.  Ever hear about the sequel, SimCity5.  Well, it was called Sim Societies.  I say "Was" because it is now bundled with SimCity4 in hopes of salvaging flagging sales.  EA killed SimCity.

Will they kill TheSims?  I'm not placing any bets either way.  I do know there's a lot of hype, but they are being very tight lipped about answering any of our questions.  Something is up and we're not going to like the answers.  They weren't this way with the releases of Sims1 or 2.  We were treated with actual programs to begin creating before the games came out.  There were online meetings with the creators to field questions and answers.  We were given the red carpet treatment and we ran to them with fistfuls of money.

My answer is:  Wait and see.  SecuRom?  No.  Pay for items only on EA site?  No.  No custom content from us?  No.  No modders from us?  NO.  I'll just continue with TheSims2, and when I'm tired of it, don't look back.

I'm probably saying the same thing as everyone else but I'm so so on it because I'm not sure what custom content it will allow.  All the slider stuff sounds great but it all seems to have been designed in order to eliminate the cc.  Hair growing - love it, a slider for skin tone/eyecolour - love it but with both of these it sounds like you wont be able to have fantasy skins or eyes.  I use a lot of enalya skins and Amun-Ra eyes (my favs) and it'll be a bummer if I can't do that.

I'm also not sure about this everyone ages at the same time.  It's great for your teens and kids who's friends grow with them but I have multiple families running and would hate to drop back in on them to find they've all died of old age or the kids grew up without me.  

I'm not sure much about it we all know EA video's/screen captures are crap that some of the stuff shown never shows up in the game, so until it's out and I have it in my sweaty palms I'm reserving judgement.

The final designs might be a bit more refined once the game is actually released.  I'm more concerned about the company's treatment of their customers.

Securom doesn't touch pirates - a pirated copy of the game has had the DRM stripped.  It only harms the people who buy the game, who are then accused by the EA CEO of being idiots or pirates - neither of which is less than insulting.

There are plenty of people up in arms, and multiple lawsuits against EA now for their DRM - Penny Arcade ran a series of articles on the subject not too long ago.  Its finally hitting national attention.

And EA has learned that us americans are willing to pay out the nose for content - look at the prices at the 360 store to download music for Rockband 2 - estimated average per song is over a dollar.  Substandard hairs from the Sims 2 store are a dollar a piece - they make the other EAxis hairs look like works of art, comparitively.  Not even animated when they should be.

Just saw this article linked from Lebensim:
The Sims 3 to Have Dynamic Ads
http://www.lebensim.com/
"Electronic Arts, maker of "Sims 3," is working with IGA to provide dynamic in-game ads -- which can be switched in and out of the game via an internet connection -- to the latest version of what has become the world's most-played PC game."

Oh joy. Now they can try to sell me real life things while I try to build a castle. That will go great in my fantasy neighborhoods...oh...maybe I wouldn't be able to make fantasy neighborhoods anyway. Maybe there won't even be a Ren/pirate dress this time because it doesn't fit in with multimedia ads. Come to think of it, I haven't seen anything remotely period, even retro/50s in any of the screenshots yet. Interesting. IGA's tech is considered by some to be a privacy threat. Here is one article on that debate:
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11300

and a scarier recent one:
"IGA can measure the exact amount of time that an ad is viewed by a gamer and then report that data back to the advertiser."
http://venturebeat.com/2008/10/21/iga-worldwide-delivering-in-game-ads-to-30-million-users/

They claim 80% of gamers don't mind these ad billboards. Maybe we aren't the same demographic they studied though? Sims players are erm...well...we're sort of control freaks. We are into customizing. We use Insim because it gives us more control over our sims and our game. Major and minute control. Are we going to like product and political ads showing inside our Renaissance neighborhoods, or or ancient Romes? Somehow...I doubt it. And I am pretty certain that like with SecureRom there will not be any opt out. Oh, and this thing phones home a lot. I guess that means you may even have to be connected to the internet at all times you are playing, but maybe someone who has already played a game which uses this stuff can tell us for sure.
Here's IGA's page for advertisers:
http://www.igaworldwide.com/advertisers/ourapproach/radial-network.cfm

So let's see...so far, we know we will have to allow SecureRom (or resort to alternative means which many of their paying customers will not use). We know there will continue to be a tight limit on reinstalls which might be exceeded quickly if you experience problems. We know we will be required to be connected to the internet at least some of the time during normal gameplay so that this adware/spyware can let Eaxis and ANY advertiser that participates know exactly how much time we spend playing and when and how much ad exposure we got. I doubt we can opt out of that either. Your game habits will absolutely be logged as per the quote above. Oh, supposedly not your name, although if you register the game or download anything from their store, they can surely put that together with your "unique ID" pretty easily, can't they? "Unique ID" combined with "no personally identifiable information." Gosh, I've heard that before and it's always BS unless you play on public computers. They will know it's you or a family member/roommate. That's personal. And identifiable. And information in spades. So you pay money, you BUY the game, for the honour of enduring potential hardware issues (SecureRom), potential security and privacy issues (SecureRom and IGA), and are then subjected to paid advertisements, which unlike cable ads are not one way. They track you. IGA's prolific PR will tell you all about it. How much do you want to bet you can't play if you remove the billboards or disable them? How much do you want to bet when you install it, it will NOT warn you about this billboard ad software OR SecureRom? They don't need this advertiser money, by the way. It's true their stocks have dropped recently during the SecureRom controversy, but they are hardly going to lose money on paying customers. They're not giving away a free ad supported version. This is called GREED.

I still really love the Sims 2 and I used to think I would never stop upgrading to the newest Sims product. I guess they don't want people like that anymore. They want a mythical target audience that will buy a product or see a movie or vote for a candidate because a billboard in their game says to, so they get a cut.

I had hopes, I really did, that the class actions suits forming against them over SecureRom would make them rethink their customer relations and business ethics. Better late than never. I thought maybe they'd reverse their position, that they would remove the SecureRom from Sims3 and admit it was a mistake. That maybe we could all kiss and make up. Sure doesn't look that way, does it?

No thanks. I've given up hoping. People who pay to get scr**ed often regret it later. I don't plan to be one of them.

My standpoint on the new game is this, it'll all depend on many factors as to if I or a number of like minded people I've read will ever get TS3:

1. The Look - As Odessa pointed out, the game doesn't look that visually appealing. The Sims themselves have a very odd look to them, and the skin complexion looks as she so eloquently put it "Doughy". Skinning is pretty much going to be a mandatory CC requirement if you even want to make anything close to what you have on TS2.

2. Content - Speaking of skins, CC in general is going to be a major issue. It'll more then likely take a good year or so before any good CC is available, let alone from some of the "famed" content creators out there. And who's to say any of them will rush out to get the new game immediately either? Most of the Maxis default stuff is trash, so chances are we will see a lot of recolors to start, but as far as meshes go, or new body types...I wouldn't hold my breath.

3. Longevity - There are people who (like me) have invested YEARS on the TS2. While I'm new to this board, I've played the game for 4 years now. I have generations of sims in double digits now. Neighborhoods that have all kinds of history behind them. There's no way I myself can pack all of that game time in and start all over. It wouldn't even be worth it. Now there are some people who are like me in that regard, and some people that aren't. But for the majority, they've put to much into the game to start from scratch on a new one.

In summary, I'm not at all saying I'll never get the game. I am saying it'll be a good, long time before I do. I'm still quite content with TS2, and there will still be a strong surplus of CC well into and after the release of TS3. Just like it took a few years for the 2nd game to pick up steam, so to will it take years for the 3rd one. For anyone new to the series, yes...it's a definite good idea to get the new game. If you're a casual simmer, good purchase. But if you're die-hard about it and want to be able to customize things to your liking, do yourself the solid of waiting it out. Unless Maxis opens the doors up to creating different body shapes via in game sliders (Like any OTHER game that allows you to create an avatar...let's get with the program, Maxis) don't expect any varied content to emerge on the 3rd game for a while. That's my 2 cents.

What the fUDGE?? In game adverts...I'm almost speechless. I'm pissed! I hate hate HATE commercials and feeling like I'm trying to be sold everything under the sun. Now there're supposed to be ads in a GAME...with no regard to the people they're (EA and this AGI shite) advertising to, and what we feel about it. That's so wrong. It's kinda funny too, because if I DO end up getting this game and I see any of these billboards, no more Sims for me! In The Sims Resource forum topic ABOUT these billboards in The Sims 3, some people say it'll add realism to the game. In REAL LIFE, commercials aren't "realistic". Grown women trying to sell toys for a company by talking in a 5 year old voice doesn't reek realism to me. >_> It doesn't compel me to go out and buy a toy truck for my baby cousin, either. No need for that in-your-face advertising in a game! And maybe I'm naive n' don't know what I'm talking about, but doesn't it ultimately cost SOMEONE some money to advertise? GRRRR. I'm turned off completely.

securom = bad illegal spyware, breaking and entering, etc, mmkay?

On Tuesday December 16th(U.S),it will be 2 months until Sims 3 comes out

I'm looking forward to the sims 3 cause i'm getting a little bored on sims 2. I'm not to keen on the way the sims in the game look though. I was hoping for more realism where the sims look like real people so i won't have to rely on mods that change the default eyes and skins.

Keep in mind that EA doesn't allow for file sharing between games, only eps and sps.  So when you install Sim3 you will lose everything you had and will have to start all over again.  I have not been playing for long and have been keeping my games simple in anticipation of the new game but my heart goes out to all the people who have been simmers for years and have collected libraries full of custom content it will be back to square one for them if they install this game.  I son't think that Ea takes into account that many player have been playing through generations of sims and they offer no way to continue that into the next game.

There are several reasons folks are pessimistic about TS3. For one, when TS2 came out, you were going from 2D to 3D. The differences were massive, but clearly they won't be so massive going from TS2 to TS3. With TS2, you literally got a whole new game. However, TS3'll probably come off like a really big EP rather than a giant leap forward. A second reason is this-you won't have all the custom content going straight into TS3. It'll take about eighteen months to two years to really get good custom content out, and that's a big factor when you're used to rigging the game the way you want. Third, we are in a bit of a recession, and people are wondering if they'll need bigger machines to handle TS3. Lastly, a lot of people flatly do not trust EA to use quality software in the game. I keep remembering something GunMod mentioned when he made his magnificent hack for lighting. He'd mentioned Maxis deliberately used a "broken" program for it-in other words, they were cutting costs, pretty pathetic when you consider how much money they've made off of TS2. We'd see more of the same with TS3 I'm sure. Furthermore, you flat burn out on TS2 in time unless something really new comes along, and I'm not sure just how "new" TS3 will be.

Just so you know, I have played Sims2 on a laptop with every EP and nearly every stuff pack (and 30,000 download files) for the last four years and, yes at first on the 2003 models with XP the game lagged badly (It was only a 50 Gig computer with Sims2 up to OFB on board.)  However, if you get even a mid-range laptop by today's standards, the Sims2 and especially Sims3 should play fine. I got my new HP laptop in 2007--it plays incredibly well.  Newer models with 2GB of RAM and a 1.6 GB core work great, and those are now way lower than the $1,200 US I paid two years ago.  I would like to have a 200 GB hard drive, but I am quite content with the 160 Gig that I got.  The trick is to ask your dealer, specifically, for a gaming level video and sound card (mine's an NVidia 7600 and works great even with high poly meshes) Your computer dealer should be willing to get one that is comparable without overcharging you at all.  If not, walk out of the store.   

In addition it has been advertised by EAxis that Sims3 will play fine even on older laptops.  They are using the same engine that they built for their "Sims Stories" series, I think.  I bought Castaway because it looked like a fun, unique Sims2 game, and I was right. However, there is less depth to the textures and the game is equal to the Sims2 basegame.  Sims3 is advertising that they are "simplifying" the imagery which makes me think "lower graphic quality."  For that reason, I am holding out on Sims3. (I did the same with Sims2) for the first year.  I'll get my presents from Santa for Christmas 2009, if I see the game is inviting to free-site  CC creators.  If not, EA is losing a 10-year customer, and they'll get a personal letter so they know it.  No Sims games have been worth a dime without all you dedicated meshers, hackers, and modders who were more interested in building a fan community, than profiting from your talents. 

SecuROM. No CC. SecuROM. Shrek-like graphics. SecuROM. Not much new stuff added to the game. SecuROM. No universities, etc. SecuROM.

Oh, and did I mention SecuROM?

Joowish is correct. I hope we can do something about the way they look like cabbage patch doll. LOL

Oh, and the fact that we're PAYING for advertisements. And SecuROM.

My expectations of TS2 are varied, and at the same time a little of what most fans have mentioned above.  But my biggest doubts are how reserved EA has been about the info they've put out.  TS3 is obviously not designed as a PC game from the ground up, it just doesn't look "PC" like the early shots of TS2 in 2004, and that becomes more believable after the recent announcement that PC and console versions are being released at the same time.  I keep thinking that EA wants to avoid the headache of so many users complaining about crashes and program features that stop working as a result of hacks and mods, so I wouldn't be surprised about a good loss of modding flexibility there.  I'm not looking at TS3 as a continuation of the Sims series, but rather as a continuation of EA's recent attitude to be more in control of everything they want us to buy, and I don't mean just their employment of SecuROM or whatever new method of making the game less enjoyable they're planning.  One important aspect of concern to me continues to be the fixed neighborhood, and not only fixed, but ONE neighborhood with a set layout of roads and elevation.  They've promised a 2nd neighborhood download upon registration of the game... if it will be available when the game ships, why not include it as well?  That sounds a bit fishy.  All in all, my current decision is NOT to buy.

i think it looks good screenshot wise but it sounds like EA is a little low on cash so they decided to pump out another piece of crap game. they never test any of their software and SecuROm has so many conflicts its not funny (although, even ONE conflict wouldnt be funny)

I will buy Sims 3 once Ive read reviews either here on MTS2

I am very much looking forward to the game, but after spending the better part of two years tweaking the sims2 to the adults only realism i have grown to enjoy, i am wondering how hard will it be to make them nude, seeing as EA Games is more worried about pissing off the hard right conservatives who believe nudity is a mark of the devil

As much as I love The Sims (I've been playing from the very first release of TSO) I'm holding back on TS3.  Mostly because of all the things that have been promised seem as though they'll take a big computer.  I can barely run TS2 (all EPs gigs of downloads) so I don't think I'll be able  to run TS3.  Besides, I'm still happy with TS2.

I'm pretty pessimistic..I'd rather not have anything to do with securom, so unless they sell it on steam like they are doing with Spore now I won't even consider it. (and even downloading from Steam doesn't guarantee that there would be no securom...Afaik, some other companies have released stuff on Steam with securom/drm/whatever in it...)

i think most people are apprehensive and pessimistic because they are going by screenshots and whatnot, and they also aren't sure what to make of the seemless neighborhood and side-by-side age process. Personally, i'm going to buy it. i've been looking forward to this kind of gameplay for forever!

Also, on Securom... it was included in TS2 stuff packs, but i heard that they might take it out of TS3 because they are taking it out of Spore already...

clarice.

hello,

Can someone explain to me why securom is hated so much? thank you ;)

http://www.reclaimyourgame.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=13

Answers your question and so much more!

 :confused: Not rushing to pre-order TS3. Did with TS2 cos it was a massive improvement on TS1 or rather so it looked with the pre release videos/pics.
I don't like the look of the new sims, although the sims in TS2 ain't perfect, they look [at the mo] better than the new sims. Like the idea of a seamless neighbourhood. Like the idea of sims aging whilst you're playing others.
There's too many issues, securom, ingame advertising etc that makes me think no, ain't buying. Plus what's shown in the pre release vids/pics isn't always what you get in game. The more I read the more I'm thinking I'm not buying it. Plus like many others I've not played TS2 enough, have on going storylines etc.

My sentiments exactly.  Something about their faces, especially their chins is really annoying.  Doughy is a great analogy because their faces look a little fat and unrealistic.  Everything else in the Sims 3 has made great strides to be realistic, but the sims themselves look cartoonish compared to sims 1 and 2.  They all look like they are related too.

The Securom and DRM along with EA spying on the things we do isn't kosher either.  I want the game to build houses and see the new world graphics, but I don't want people spying on me. I don't know if I'll get the game now. 

 

 

rats, rats, rats... things do change by the time a title is released, but my hopes for sims3 is fading fast. I knew it would be a while before I could move up to that game, but now I feel like settling back into my comfortable old sims 2, where Wonder and Havoc reign supreme. many things listed in the Parsimonious preview are downright distressing to me, personally. [ no custom or Enayla level skins?? wtf ] so, I'll just wait, and see what the truly talented people are even able to develop [if anything] for 3. I have 2 main worlds, Halloween Horror World, with everything from benign pumpkin patch people to Hell itself, and Christmas World, from Santa's Workshop and village to the Gates of Heaven. a little hard to put all that into only one neighborhood, I think.  it seems like it's always been the reaction of the gaming world to try to make "the sims" into everything possible, and the reaction of ea-xis to try to thwart that same creativity that made it such a world wide success. Good luck, to all of you that try to fix it and improve it, and I mean that. maybe it will actually get better, and I can see incredible haunted houses rise out of wonderful sims3 swamps. [ but it don't look too likely from here ] [more rats]

Cartoonish was the exact word that came to mind when I saw their faces as well.  :p


That's my plan, as well. I might get the game and try it...I'm not sure I'll be able to look past the cartoonish faces, and the skintones and eyes...Ugh! I know I'm going to miss Enayla's beautiful skins and eyes! I'm not sure I'll be able to stand the game without those...and the Insimenator, of course. Haha.

I'm hoping that creators find ways to make the kind of amazing CC we have now in TS2 available in TS3. I mean, I'm pretty optimistic about it. We've come a long way since TS2 first came out...I'm hoping the same happens with TS3. There are a lot of very talented people in the Sims community, and I believe that in time, if there is enough interest, people will find a way to make it happen. Of course, I don't know much about making CC...so I could be wrong.  :p

Theres even some elements of sims 1 I prefer , The sims 3 doesnt look like they bothered too hard with those sims. I really want it just to see how this seamless neighbourhood works and some of the new features, then it will eb shelved gathering dust until ethier a super duper expansion comes out or talented creators can find a away ovf vastly improving those doughy sims.

I'm a little pessimistic. Mainly because I won't buy the game until an insimenator mod for the third game comes out.

Then again, when I heard the release date was pushed to June 2, I was mad...

Then you'll be in for a long wait indeed. The insimenator mod is no longer being developed. In fact I distinctly remember telling you that in this thread here (http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,102166.0.html). So, I'm curious, even after knowing it's not going to be done, why do you still insist on waiting for it? Not going to happen. There's a better chance that Simblender (which pretty much does what the Insimenator does and is constantly being developed) will be updated for it.

Let me just yell something really quick before I give my opinion on TS3? -ahem- JUNE 2?! WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS COMING OUT FEB 20! sorry ;) okay I must have missed something because I had no idea they pushed the release date does anyone know why? I am pretty upset now. . . I was really looking forward to getting TS3 for my birthday next month :( so anyway here's my view I am very pessimistic about the game because like others have stated I more than likely will not be able to stand the game without the aid of CC and the default sims look very dissapointing in my opinion very unrealistic and cartoonish but maybe EA has noticed this and there trying to improve them but I doubt it :rolleyes: and also I really don't think my computer will be able to handle TS3 and there is NO WAY in hell I am going to uninstall all my TS2 games and downloads and whatnot and risk messing up on my backup and lose all my games and families just to SEE if maybe without all that available space my computer can run the game NAH UH :p but I have to admit I am really excited about the seamless neighborhood and the aging process BUT if for some reason those idiots at EA make the game where no CC can be made for the game, well I'm sorry Maxis but you my friends will be loosing alot of money I thank you

I'm frankly very pessimistic about it; from the delay that they announced to the screen shots and the hoohaw from EA, I do not see anything to get excited about.
One seamless neighborhood-as Pescado has said himself, it is going to lag badly on most computers. The number of character files will grow expotentially with families growing up without any input from the player-I'd rather play it myself, thank you.
The specs for the game are for high-end computers. Not everyone has the money to shell out for the RAM needed or the video cards required if they don't have them already installed.
Securom will be present as well. As a mod of Prism, I'm aware of the stealthiness of that program and we're having a debate on whether or not the newest version of Securom will be put into the game. We have no idea and don't even know how bad this one is. It's still in Beta Test. We're hoping against hope that it will not be in the Sims 3, or else we're going to be working very hard in the future to help others out getting it out of their computers.
The lack of modding tools will be a hindrance, and one that I don't even believe most modders will bother to develop if there is not enough interest in them.
EA has a history of releasing buggy, crappy work. I don't think they're going to break the mold now. They're just looking forward to ending this franchise on their version of a high note-for the rest of us, I fear it will be a major disappointment and let down.
I, for one, will not waste time or money buying it in the future. It sounds like SimsSocieties redux and because EA is laying off their quality assurance people I don't think it is going to be a great improvement from Spore-and in fact it will be a complete repeat of it in customer review and satisfaction.
Caveat Emptor: Let the buyer beware.

I totally agree, the sims 3 looks cartoonish, like clay ppl. although they are adding alot of new cool features i still don't want it. the sims 2 graphics look better, i mean even in the sims 2 screenshots they looked better then thesims3. well i am just not too excited either cuz i love my sims2 games and wouldnt want to start over, wats the point in changing something that doesnt need to be changed? EA just wants more money, before u know it there will be a sims 4, then 5, 6 and so on...lol rock on sims  :p2!!

I think they could have done with improving the sims 2 more and releasing a few more expansions before releasing this nonsense, If it comes that no cc is allowed whatsoever then it will make a fastrack back into my local game shop to be traded in. Im not happy at all with those default sims.

Been away for a long time, but stopped by to see what everyone's been up to here, and saw this.

I am not that excited about the upcoming game; for a few reasons. Maybe others have thought about some of them as well.

The Securom issue is a BIG one!  I was one of those who battled the Mods in the "now you see it now you don't" Securom area of the BBS.  We were told we were not having problems, that we were just wanting to get attention. Now being an actual customer of EA/Maxis products for many years this was totally uncool in my book.  That area should have been resolved. EA/Maxis would not have been in the middle of so many lawsuits if they had just listened to us when we asked.
There is Securom in this new game. The letter the company wrote me told me personally that Securom is what they are using from now on.  That bites.

Another area is a big worry.  I saw the specs for the new game, and know that my computer won't be able to handle it.
In Sims 1 the files were small for each of the items you could download-custom content- and so not a real problem for my computer. And you still had the ability to play a good game.
In Sims 2 the files were bigger. Eyeshadow, glasses, clothing, most of it is at least 1 mb. Houses or sims are usually at least a couple mb, then you have the meshes that go with your chosen hair and outfit. Takes up lots of room on the computer.
My question is that with all this new, even More detailed stuff in sims 3, how much More room is that going to take up on our computers? Most computers are tetering on the brink of destruction as it is; especially after the securom junk attacked us! Will this Sims 3 make the pcs crash and burn???? Also, I have two computers here. Will I have to again buy two games so my kiddo here can play too? (more money in their pockets)

After EA/Maxis showed such little concern for those of us with problems, after they added a "Sims Store" rather than giving us those downloads for free any longer, after all the quirky games they barely tested that were always filled with stuff that needed to be patched; I doubt they are worth it any longer.  They don't care about us, just our pocketbooks, and to bleed us dry there. And when we complain about our problems with it, it's easier to just call us pirates than to actually fix what the problem was in the first place. 
They think their items are so wonderful that we will run out and just go grab up yet another EP, like the sheep they think we are.

Sorry, but I'm happy (well, semi-happy) with my game I have. If I get bored with it I can always pull out Sims 1 that I already have, and play that. I may look but I think that's as far as I go. I've given EA/Maxis enough of my money for securom.

Ah well, that's just my opinion, which everyone is entitled to. Not everyone had problems with the game, and I'm jealous of them! They go blissfully along, having a great time! I was not so lucky. Securom hated my pc, and my daughter's as well!

pessimistic, the move from sims1 to sims2 was fantastic, i realy enjoyed the game and still do, but then came securom and all the proposed dmr for sims3, nah enough is enough no more software from ea games or anything with sony involved, my pc cost me far to much to allow ea games to destroy it with their half baked dmr.