Well, then. I can live with that in 1440x900. Thanks for the reply.

OK, folks, after more than a decade absence, I decided that it was time to play Sims2 again. My old installers didn't work under W10, so I downloaded the Ultimate collection from Oldgamesdownload.

Now I ran into a few problems. The game starts in 800x600, since it doesn't recognize my card. So I tried to change resolution as described in here.

https://simsvip.com/2014/07/20/the-sims-2-ultimate-collection-increase-resolution-guide/

Problem is, after editing the file, the game doesn't start at all, but comes up with the error message, no dx9 device was found. Only rolling back to the old Graphics Rules.sgr fixes that, but at the cost of the ultra low resolution.

Anyone ran into similar problems and has a fix?

Edit: Solved. Well, kind of. The solution lies in windowed mode. I still can't run it in fullscreen.

I did a search, but either I didn't use the right phrases or it hasn't been asked.

I'm looking for a tool to extract and repack packages in order to get to the meshes. Wanted to try my hand on some custom clothing.

I wonder what they might say about their leaked online shop. Oh yes, it's also there.

Probably because she's playing on a different computer. EA isn't my cup of tea with all the things going on there, but not everything can be blamed on them.

BTW, the contents of the EA online store is already "online", and I don't mean at EAs site.

Nice try keeping the pirates out by using their own installer.

No game company is doing that. By expecting them to listen you're falling into a similiar mistake the fanboys over at official sites are making - to believe that there are companies who care for their customers. They haven't even included what they think their customers want, but what their businessplan allowed. Their only interest is in sales figures and in avoiding lawsuits. Everything else is just PR talk to fuel the money machine. There haven't been game developers caring for their customers since the last genuine gamers are out of business.

You can fully expect to be sold horse manure at the release date. The last time I was making the mistake of preordering, I was awarded something I wouldn't even want to scratch from my shoes. That was five years ago and lesson learned. Better safe than sorry.

Just remember the movies for TS2. The butler holding the door for his employers, the fancy car in the driveway. If they haven't learned it by then, they will never learn.

Maybe they're biding their time. It wouldn't be the first company and not the first time this happens - but then they come down with a vengeance to set an example. Right now they're busy patting themselves on the shoulders, but I'm pretty sure their legal departments are already weighing their options.

You can be quite sure that most reviews in the magazines have been bought also. Maybe not directly, but EA is the Big Spender of the business. A word from the eidtor and the writers will have very much fun playing TS3 and enjoy the endless possibilities.

I think they have deliberately chosen a more childish approach. The Sims look like dolls, chubby in the face with big baby eyes. This, if nothing else, is intentional. If, and I think it's the truth, they have sold their 1.4 million copies, their strategy pays.

And they probably won't change that. They have already reached dry ground and every additional sale is a bonus. What's more, and I think that's the real reason behind banning the modding community, they don't have to think of the lobbies and pressure groups, moaning about the possibility to introduce adult content.

They have created a toy and as with every shiny new toy, their target audience will throw it into a corner when the novelty wears off. But I don't think that's any reason to worry for EA, since they already made their cash.

They look cute like dolls, but in no way realistic. I'm pretty sure it's intentional, that all Sims you can create are looking like toy dolls.

Ever seen night of the living dead? 

No, it was a game produced by Jowood. They were making decent games until then. Last thing I know, they went into mobile gaming after that desaster.

Does that come as a surprise? And EA isn't even the worst developer in that department. I remember buying a game that wasn't even playable on most rigs - and the developer was fully aware of that before the release. Their argument was, if I remember correctly, the more people are buying the sooner the first patch will arrive.

So I'm used to expect the worst and pleasantly surprised if something happens to hit the market that doesn't come straight from the bin.