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).
(Please click the images below to see the full-sized versions.)
Each Sim was posed individually in a program called Simposium (thanks for reminding me of the name, VJ!), and then I cut and pasted them into the scene of a computer gaming cafe.
At the center of each picture, you can see the Sims1 version of John and I. If you look very closely, you might be able to see that one of us always has the current scene displaying on the computer in front of us.
I had made so many different scenes because I couldn't figure out which one I wanted to use in my design. I think I had decided to use all of them and set them up to appear randomly on page load so that each time someone came to the site (or reloaded the page) they would see a different picture.
Wow…I'm impressed with my self for doing all that work. haha Thank you to the artists who created all the custom objects and Sims in these pictures. Unfortunately, I can't give more specific thanks (e.g. links) as I have no idea where I got any of them. I don't even have the Sims1 installed on my machine anymore.
A special "no-prize" to the person(s) who can somehow see the miniscule screens and tell me what games the cafe customers are playing.
And now for some bad news. Due to some stupidity on my part (i.e. losing a house I was working on because it got bugged and I had to restore an older version of the neighborhood thereby losing all my previous work), as well as it being a busy month in the real world, chapter 3 of "Worlds Apart" has been postponed. Now, I know I've said there is no set release schedule; however, I was trying to post a chapter at least once a month. Whelp…not gonna happen this month. Oh, well, I will make every effort to get it out next month. *knocks on wood*
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15 Responses to “From the Past to the Future”
July 21st, 2006 at 1:01 am
OMG, thank you for posting these great shots (Rei is a hottie!)! I'm feeling very nostalgic for Sims 1 right now. 😛 Heh, I reinstalled TS1 during that time when I was trying to iron out my game problems but couldn't find all my disks so I wasn't able to install Hot Date as well. I did manage to get Makin' Magic on there though. Still, I didn't stay long in the world because I just couldn't get used to the camera again; TS2 has spoiled me rotten.
I'm very sorry to hear you lost all that previous work — I know how you feel, what with all that lost time and effort, having to catch up with one's own schedule. 🙁
Sending posotive thoughts and energy you way — tons of it! *hugs*
July 21st, 2006 at 4:28 am
And in my excitement at the fact that you updated, I totally forgot to wish you Happy 10th! *face palm*
*whips out the champagne*
*toasts*
Happy 10th Anniversary to you and John!
ps: I love the lighting — the shots stay soft and dim but retain their definition! 🙂
July 21st, 2006 at 5:37 am
It's interesting to see your Sims 1 work! Mine certainly looks absolutely rubbish in comparison!
Happy 10th Anniversary to you and John, it's a great achievement when you think of how many people divorce these days.
Also, I was fascinated by the lighting. Maybe I should try it! Thanks for inspiring me!
July 21st, 2006 at 8:36 am
Aww! What lovely pictures. I'm happy you updated because I was starting to think that maybe you had just given up on the project…*whew! wipes sweat*
I think the program that you used for the sims 1 pictures was called SIMPOSIUM. I can't find a link, though.
And most importantly, Happy Anniversary!
July 21st, 2006 at 1:18 pm
Thank you, all, for your anniversary wishes! I'll pass them on to John. I know he'll appreciate them as well.
Eph: Thank you! Yeah, I like Rei too. I was reading Mars at the time I was first putting this together and I named him after the the main male character. It was fun remembering Sims1. It's been such a long time since I played it. I can't believe how different Sims2 looks from it though.
I know you know how it feels to lose work and time. And I've decided to take a page from your book and not dwell on it overly much. I've already moved on and found a new house for the Hillocks to live it. So, work is commencing. 🙂
Amalimaball: I love getting all nostolgic about Sims1 stuff. I also found some pictures from a Sims1 "swingin' 60's bachelor pad" that I designed. Perhaps I'll share those someday as well. And, have fun experimenting with the lighting. It's one of my favorite things to do. I'm always moving lights around. My photo shoots sometimes look like a movie set with all the lights I have pointing at the actors. haha 😀
VJ: Ah, Simposium…that sounds right to me. I'll edit my post. Thanks, VJ!
And, no need to worry about me giving up on this project. I'm on board for the long haul. 🙂 I'm just slow. *blush*
July 22nd, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Congrats on your ten-year anniversary, Kara! Hope you & your hubby had a great celebration! 😀
The screens are amazing! Wow, you've gotten me all nostalgic for the original game, lol.
You've got a real flair for design, too. The colors you used in the screens really make the sims stand out. Amazing work, thanks for sharing!
July 22nd, 2006 at 2:13 pm
Oh, & I've got to mention I love the way you bring back memories for me: we loved American McGee's Alice back in the day, I even had a screensaver & desktop theme of it! 😀
July 24th, 2006 at 7:57 am
Christin: Thank you! Yeah, I had fun reminiscing about all the games we were playing back then. American McGee's Alice and No One Lives Forever (1 and 2) were my favorite games. Well, I didn't exactly play them (I suck at FPS games). I was more of a back-seat driver while John moved the characters around. 😉
July 24th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
Well I can't leave one of those longwinded and absolutely ridiculous comments tonight because I'm not feeling too well..I guess it comes with being a 16 year old sitting around and watching the television when i know i should be doing my school's summer work. Anyway, I ENJOYED the blast from the past. WOW! My Sims 1 people were always stupid looking. I never experimented with their looks because it was way harder than it is now. Anyway, sorry for being a LOT late, but happy tenth anniversary. I imagine marriage is pretty hectic, I don't know how my parents continue to go after 24 years, but i guess it comes naturally. I hope you had a wonderful anniversary filled with emotional memories and…other stuff that adults love. 😀
July 26th, 2006 at 6:58 am
Happy Anniversary!! That is super exciting! I am about to get married in December, so I can't wait for my turn! Hehehe, and I love all the classic Sims 1 pics you have. I totally forgot how in depth you could go with that game. I'm so spoiled by not having to think too much with the Sims 2! LOL! =D
July 26th, 2006 at 7:46 am
Eva: Thank you, Eva! We enjoyed our anniversary very much and did something special since we believe we reached a milestone. I hope you're feeling better and not letting the schoolwork get you down. I don't remember my schools giving out summer work. Well…except for college.
Mandie: Thank you and congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Yeah, Sims 2 is almost a completely different beast than Sims 1. Although, there are some objects that I wish would have made the transition from Sims 1 to Sims 2.
July 27th, 2006 at 6:12 am
Hi there, long-time/shy reader stepping out a moment to say, "Congratulations!" and thank you for sharing your lovely talent with us all. You're really a fantastic inspiration to Simmers everywhere.
Is that Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness I see on the last picture? Lara is my favorite VG-gal! ^_^
July 27th, 2006 at 9:10 am
Kitty Demonika: Aw! *blush and huge grin* Thank you so much! I'm glad you decided to step out and comment. I've said it before, but I'm usually a shy lurker as well so I know how it is. 🙂
And, yes, you're correct! That is Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness in the last picture. You win a "no-prize." (Which is in fact, nothing…but, hey, this site's on a budget…hehe. 😉 )
July 27th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Congratulations on your 10th Anniversary!
I love the Sims1 flashback, and the john and kara luvin'
Makes me all warm and mushy.
Kiri
July 28th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Kiri: Thank you! The "John and Kara luvin'" made me all giggly. As I said in the post, I had put them on the couch where they intiated cuddling and then I made them kiss. But, after I was done with the impromptu photo session, I left them on the couch while I continued to decorate the house. Even when I unpaused the game for lengths of time, they stayed on the couch alternately cuddling and kissing. It was funny.