From the Past to the Future
July 20th, 2006
(From left to right, Backrow: Malcom, Kara, John, Lara Croft, Alice, Cate Archer, Dee Dee, Emily, Ray, Yukino; Frontrow: Felicia, Rei, Zheng)
[Background Music: "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds]
Years ago…maybe back in 2003 or 2004, I had this idea for a fansite for girls (and guys) who liked to play computer/video games. Nothing ever came of it…I think I had too many other things going on at the time (I don't really remember). But recently, while digging through some files on my computer I came across the "design" folder for the fansite. I love when I stumble across stuff like that on my harddrive.
I guess I had decided that I would use images of the Sims (the original game) in my design layout. Looking though the pictures, I had forgotten how much work I put into the site (a lot of work for never completing the project).
Strip Down + Comic
May 12th, 2006
Since I've been updating at least once a week lately (and it's now been well over a week since I last posted), I thought I better at least poke my head in and let you know that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth or anything. Of course, once the story starts I won't be updating weekly. Most likely I won't be on any set schedule at all—I'll just be updating when each chapter is done. Will that be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly? I don't know. I guess the best answer I've come up with is: it will be done when it's done. I thought about trying to adhere to a schedule, but then what if I'm then unable to maintain it? You'd be disappointed and I'd be annoyed with myself for failing to meet a deadline. And that just starts a cycle of suckiness.
Progress Ramble
April 5th, 2006
No teaser this week. I didn't have time. But I did want to keep you updated on my progress.
Things are still chugging along, although I'm having a little trouble picking a neighborhood map. I'm leaning toward the Starling Springs map by Gethane as it perfectly fits my story; however, it's a bit bigger than I really need. My second choice is the Autumn Bay 'hood by the same artist. So, I've been designing both…trying to pick out which one I like the best—they are both being designed as downtown (Nightlife) neighborhoods. Of course, making two neighborhoods slows my progress down. I really just need to pick one neighborhood and concentrate on it.
I use Gunmod's camera mod which makes it possible to use the whole map to place lots. But I have to be careful about how far I zoom out. If I zoom out too far (when all my lots are placed down) my computer slows to a crawl as it tries to process all the information on the screen. The hard drive practically seizes up and I have to restart the game to clear its memory. Poor computer. My husband says getting another gig of memory will help. I hope so.
I also redecorated my 511 Kincaid house to use in the story. I actually had to download it from The Sims 2 official site as I didn't have it on my own computer any more. I had another house up there too at one point, but it looks like it was deleted. Too bad, I was planning on using it as well (as if I don't have enough houses already!).
Progress Report
March 20th, 2006
I'm trying to do (semi) weekly updates just so you know that I'm still committed and excited about this project. It's just taking a lot more time to get this thing rolling than I thought it would. At first I was annoyed and depressed with how slow my progress has been, but then I realized, not only am I having to plan out a story (which takes awhile on its own) but I'm having to plan the sets, cast the "actors", furnish the wardrobe, create objects, recolor skins and hair, etc. At least it won't be like this for each chapter, most things will be able to be reused. I'll only have to worry about writing and doing sets.
I hope I haven't built up this story too much in your minds though. I mean, I'm really exicted about it, but I still have some kinks to work out. And perhaps it won't even be "your cup of tea." That's the insecure writer in me poking her head up. Haha! Go away, insecure writer! We don't need your kind around here. Besides which, you're supposed to be thinking of scenes and conflicts to write about.
I installed OFB last week. I haven't played it much, so I don't know if there are any problems with it. So far, so good though. *knock on wood* At least all my cheats are compatible. I also used Loverat's descriptive icon set to organize most of my downloads into in-game collections. That should make finding stuff easier. Although, I have a feeling it may prove to be a pain in my ass keeping it up-to-date when I download new objects in the future. Hmm…just had an idea… Maybe I can disable all my old downloads with the Clean Installer, extract my new downloads into my download folder, start the game up (in which only the new downloads will appear) and then shuffle the new objects into their respective collections. Then I can reenable all the old downloads. I wonder if that would work? I'll have to try it out.
Nostalgic Saturday
March 11th, 2006
A little update on the progress of Worlds Apart: I finished the default skins I mentioned last time. I've also created my first outfit (and probably the last for awhile…it took me forever! I'm so glad there are many talented clothes creators out there so I don't have to do it). I made some necklaces for my Sims and recolored some hairstyles for one of my characters. So…that means I still need to create the neighborhood and finalize the characters' looks. Concerning the neighborhood: I'm going back and forth on whether I want them to live in a downtown (Nightlife) neighborhood or the regular neighborhood. Perhaps I should just design the regular neighborhood and then make a copy of it for the downtown neighborhood then I will have identical neighborhoods for what ever I need. Is that even possible? Or even needed? I've heard that the Nightlife downtown neighborhoods load slower than regular ones (as you can tell I haven't actually played the game much since I've started this project). I don't know…I'll have to do more research.
As I also mentioned last time, I found an old entry about the Hillocks that I never posted. I had started writing it a little over a year ago, but didn't finish the story. I decided to post it "as is" simply for nostalgic purposes. I considered writing out the rest of the story, but decided that it doesn't really matter as I don't have have these Sims anymore. So, enjoy this little walk down memory lane. I know I did!