The Simmers Society

I’ve asked peacemaker_ic to oblige me with an interview. He is a featured member here, at TheSims3.com and a Select Artist at TSR.

 

How long have you been playing The Sims?

I have been playing the Sims not as long as some might think. I reckon some people think I have since the beginning but surprise surprise it has only been about 3 years. I didn't start off playing the Sims 2 but started with The Sims Life Stories but got more into the building aspect then the game play. Once I learnt that there was more content for the Sims 2 I changed over, then to the Sims 3. I think I am still a newbie with a lot more to learn

Have you always been a builder?

I would say I have always been a builder. When I was younger I never made cars or boats with my Lego but I built houses. When it came to playing the Sims 2 and 3 I guess that enjoyment returned. I still do play the game though. I do a lot of playtesting and when I get builders block I like to make a new family and play for a bit. Then I get an idea and abandon them in the sea of townies and start building again. It’s a cycle I guess.

Who, if anyone, inspired you to build?

Well there are many builders that have inspired me in this community. They all have something they are extraordinarily good at and I like to take inspiration from their commitment to detail and their ability to create life like lots which are my favorite sorts. These people include Lightside, Miamibound, ruthless_kk, Jisgr8, and Mch (sorry can't remember the digits). the Flip This Lot team also inspire me time and time again so you could say the community itself inspires me as they always surprise me with new ideas and a new interpretation of old ones.

What was the most challenging aspect of building for you to learn?

Well the most challenging aspect would be decor. Its just one of those things that either you are good at or it takes time to master. I never uploaded any lots from my Sims 2 games but there is a big difference that can be seen in them. I hear a lot of people say that mastering cfe is difficult and I get comments asking how I do it. I think every aspect may be difficult for one person or another, I am just happy that the created CAS to help me out and all those cc creators for creating brilliant life like patterns.

Which was the hardest lot you have ever built?

Well that is a difficult question. I would have to say Jade Palace. It is also the build I am most proud of. It was way out of my comfort zone and that’s what I like the most. I also get some very kind comments regarding the lot as it is uploaded to TSR. It seemed to blow people away and that’s what I had hoped for. It took a month to create and I see it as time well spent.

How do you come up with your builds? Do you use floor plans or just your imagination?

Well the Sims community inspires me, houses I see when I am driving, floor plans I see while googling and also facade renderings as well. It’s a mix of different sources you could say. I find floor plans limiting but it helps you study how to set up a lot so it’s functional. Renderings tend to give me ideas on how to incorporate a different style into a build or help with colour choices. The community on the other hand has encouraged me to try new things and develop as a builder. The Jade Palace I mentioned before was inspired by Jisgr8's Dragon Castle tomb build. I loved the Edo design and wanted to create a palace like residence without the tomb for my Sim. My eco homes also had a lot of input from the community and that’s why I also participate in Flip This Lot as those builds inspire me to try new things which I may not usually try.

What building features would you like to see added to the game?

Well I really wish they would make changing roof slope easier. It’s just so time consuming that I tend not to use it that much. I would also like to be able to change the eaves length. Wide eaves just took funny on a modern house. Also I really wish they would give us more floors to work with. Five is just not enough. Also what happened to diagonal pools? There is definitely plenty I would like and plenty I want back from Sims 2 like half walls but assuming this game has a lifespan similar to Sims 2, we can probably assume plenty of new and exciting things may be on the horizon.

What do you have in the works now?

Well I have about a dozen WIPs at the moment. A lot I know. I just don't seem to have the time to finish and package them together. Uploading can be so time consuming. Most of these builds are family homes, mainly on the larger side with a contemporary Australian design. I have a modern flat roof build, a Victorian classic, a warehouse, a large Spanish estate using that hacienda set from the store and another eco home. Will be great when uni dies down. I might end up having a lot to upload every week.

Thank you, peacemaker_ic for taking the time out of your busy schedule for this interview. You can find all of his very talented work by clicking here.

 

 

Replay Value by XOX1-

I used to play other video games on my old XBox console, but ever since I found the Sims series, I do not play anything else. I like the open ended gameplay option. To me,WA does not have very interesting replay value.

It would have been better, in my opinion, if they had provided us with "designators". These would have given us the opportunity to make our own exotic locales, that showed up in the Main Menu, where the population dressed, and behaved like they should in that locale. It would not be very hard for me, using "designators", to create an Italian, Japanese, or Arabic custom made locale. It would have provided much more depth, and interest to my game.

The replay value of WA loses it's charm for me, after I have collected everything, and passed all of challenges. It would have been nice to be able to create my own adventures, but that too would not have much replay value, except for sharing it with the community. Most of my sims have level 3 visas in all locales, but I seldom visit any of them, it's just plain boring to me. They are desolate, and unexciting after the storylines have been accomplished. The loading screen time, to me, seems like a betrayal of the open nieghborhood factor used in the base game's promotions. It's true, we don't have to suffer through loading screens for every lot, but changing the locale's loading screens seem to defeat that idea. I do not build much in the 3 locales, because of the long wait to get there.

Sims 2 Castaways is one of my favorite games, but has little replay value, because it is a standalone game. If it had been an expansion pack, that plugged into the main series, I might still be playing it more often. It would have most likely have been given embellishing support from the Custom Content faction of our community. I will say, that I recognize many features from Castaways that has been introduced into Sims 3. I loved the swimming in oceans and ponds. Spear fishing is a gas! It was the first time my sims chopped/hacked vegetation, and broke rocks. Scounging for "resources" was a lot more fun than getting a job. Pet orangutans were fun, and they did even have a few wild animals, like jaguars and hyenas, that provided a danger element. After the storyline has been played a few times, it has very little replay value. It also doesn't have cheat functions, like moveobjects on/off. It is amusing to me though, that there are scenes from Castaways on the TVs in Sims 3. Which, I guess, is a little inside joke inserted by the EA designers.

I like to build the most. When I get bored with the repetition of the game, I build, to keep interested. We do have many varieties in approaching how we use the game, and in that respect, it does resemble replay value to a great degree.

I would like to see us get more control over game design tools that would allow us to enjoy all of the aspects that could be available to us, if we had them. I would like to see EA follow the lines of when they gave us CAW. Ambitions, if rumor serves, is supposed to let us place whatever sized lots we want, anywhere we want. I like this very much, if it comes to pass.

Following this line of reasoning, it would be nice if we had animals and weather, with "designator" capabilities. We could then be able to make pre-electric time periods. A "designator" could be used to assign a time period setting that only allowed, say, Victorian, Wild West, Samuri, and Medieval periods, etc. Also as seperate locales that could be saved, and entered via the Main Menu, not exotic locales buried deep within the game, requiring yet again another time consuming loading screen.

Mini Eps/SPs could be released in more frequent intervals that feature the "designators" of a time period, and provide us with collections of clothes and items appropiate to that period. They would also prevent an out of place doofuss, like that Alvi kid walking around, and destroying the mood.

The options would then become almost endless, and could quite possibly turn The Sims 3 series into one of the greatest and most popular games ever produced. It kind of is now, but I think it could be so much better, with a few additions.

It would be like owning my very own Holodeck!

Thanks for reading this! XOX1

FL - F.Luciano

JA - J.Alan

What, where and who do you get your greatest inspiration from when you build?

FL: Sometimes I dream up an idea, and dive into the design of the structure - sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't. I like to browse architectual styles on the internet, which helps to give inspiration.

JA: Inspiration for me, can come from the great works of others, or it can come from something simple like a walk through a nature preserve or even a grocery store! Take a look at the different structures, shapes and colors in nature and you can see where the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei and Mies Van der Rohe got their inspiration.

 

What is your favorite style of building?

FL: I really don't have a favorite. From traditional to modern, there is something to be treasured in all styles. I try to cover many different styles in my collection of work. Right now I'm in the mood for a beauitful modern in Boca Raton, or perhaps the cliffs of Malibu.

JA:I have an affinity for modern, sleek steel and glass structures. The works of Owens-Skidmore & Mills continue to impress me. The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, I find to be a masterwork.

 

What is your favorite form of creativity within sims 3 other than the obvious love of building: skinning, modding, recolors, or creating textures?

FL: I enjoy maintaing the website for Sims Investment Properties and Luxesim, that is a source of creativity for me. I also just did my first movie with The Sims 3, which can be found at Luxesim.

JA: I have really only tried my hand at building, but the aspect I love about our building tools is the landscaping abilities. I love to create a life-like garden with paths and sitting areas and, where possible, water features.

 

What other Games/hobbies do you enjoy other than the sims?

FL: I don't plany any other games at the moment. The Sims is pretty time consuming. I enjoy spending time with friends, shopping, travel and the movies.

JA: I indulge in Sim City4 when I am not playing with the Sims3. Other than that, I am outdoors, in nature either hiking or walking my Boxer and Sharpei.

 

What is your favorite simlish main dish and dessert? As well as your real life ones?

FL: I love the buffet table.... because it requires no cooking... the food just magically appears. In real life my favorite is sushi! I think I'm always in the mood for good sushi!

JA: Lobster Thermadore: it sounds so exotic for the PB&J crowd of Sims  past! Real life: a really good lasagna!

 

What would be the one most ultimate building tool you would want in the sims 3 game?

JA: Ultimate? Multi-levels, above five floors with a copy/paste feature. Highrises would become de rigueur in my Sim Worlds.

FL: I have to agree with J.Alan. I would also add a ceiling customization tool, as well as rounded walls.

 

If you were given the opportunity to work with the developers of sims 3, what main changes/addons would you concentrate on doing?

FL: I would concentrate on game stability. It seems that every time we have a new patch, something goes wrong. With The Sims 3 I think there is a large focus from EA on making money through the TS3 Store, I don't think this is right. They need to focus their energy on building a stronger game.

JA: Probably, modern items for the build/buy modes. I would love to see walls of glass without framing, glass half walls and glass floors and ceilings AND ELEVATORS/ESCALATORS!!!

 

What 10 traits most sum up what the real you is like?

JA: Wow! Ten requires more introspection than the real me is capable of! Five I can manage: Creative, Loves outdoors, Hopeless romantic, neurotic and neurotic! (in that order)

FL: I will stick with five as well. Ambitious, Artistic, Dislikes Children, Friendly, and Good Sense Of Humor.

 

What is your favorite color scheme/style for decorating interiors?

FL: I try to work with different colors. Experimenting with color is fun, and makes things interesting.

JA: Bauhaus designers in  white, steel blue and shades of gray. Now and then, a nice Victorian parlor in jewel tones will do too! ( I did mention "neurotic" as a trait!)

 

Who are your most favorite top creators/builders in sims?

FL: Sims Art Gallery, AweSims and FreshPrince.

JA: F.Luciano: I am constantly amazed at his ongoing creativity and breadth of knowledge. Fresh Prince: those automobiles are wonderful, and I am still waiting on my Rolls Phantom Drophead Coupe! Sims Art Gallery: for putting life into our various rooms!

FL: How kind of you! J.Alan is a great builder as well - he is always there when I need an opinion or advice. Somtimes I don't agree with him at first, but normally he is right. He has a great eye!

 

What is your most treasured creation (that you created) and why?

JA: I try to love them all,but as a master once said: "My favorite is the next one..."

FL: I think that is a great quote... as a lot of the time I find myself loving whatever I'm working on at the moment the most.

 

And finally what is the sims 3 franchise to you and what draws you in and keeps you going back for more?

FL: It's a tool for creativity. The Sims 3 really takes it to the next level with Create a Style. I look forward to future expansions of TS3 and eventually TS4.

JA: I totally agree with FL, a tool for creativity that does not involve hammers, nails and glue guns!

To see all their gorgeous lots visit Sims Investment Properties

Interview done by TnT_Terry

Hello everyone! I am glad to inform you that my reviews will now include interviews!

Todays interview is with S.I.M. Award winning builder Smokytopaz!

Me: Hello Smoky! Congratulations on your recent S.I.M. Awards triumph. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about it, an interview?

Smokytopaz: Goodness, I have never been interviewed before (except by accident, honest officer it was an accident!) But of course.

Me: Thanks so much! What was the first thing you felt when you saw you had won?

Smokytopaz: First thing? Disbelief - do you know how many good builders there are in this community? I was very pleased indeed to be considered, mainly because I build for fun. I tend to build to please my current fantasy, not really to please anyone else.

Me: Were you expecting it?

Smokytopaz: I certainly was not....... but you can't take it back! Its announced and mine!

Me: Do you think the judges made the right choice in the placings?

Smokytopaz: Not being a hundred percent sure of the basis of their judgement I just accept what they said! Without a lot of help I couldn't have even been considered. First 101, then Darkside now here. A lot of real help in how to and kind critique, its very encouraging here. And friendly.

Me: What's your next move/ What are you currently working on?

Smokytopaz: At the moment I am trying to make my game work, but DS mentioned an aquatic build for April, now how on earth am I going to achieve that? Bit of trawling I think through tutorials and googling settings and landscapes. I can't resist a bit of magic as well! I am going to rebuild my wizards abode having lost it (ty ea), but I learnt a lot doing that in the first (two) places! Oh and sort out my modern build! In other words there is always something on the cooker.

Me: Who do you think will be the top three in the Best New Sim Creator category?

Smokytopaz: Best new sim category? I am amazed at what people achieve with sims, I really don't do it - I really liked Judyworks' sim for the girl singer, whose name I now forget...... but she was lovely. Then Judyworks lost her stuff as well. I don't think LadyFB can be classified as anything but experienced, professional, but by golly she takes your breath away!

Me: Thank you so much for your time Smoky! (Turns to face camera) This has been Micky101037 reporting in the field for The Sims Daily. Back to you Rics ;)