Some thoughts.

[dicreasy2]

Hey, how is everyone?

I'm still being a bit quiet, but things do seem to be going a bit better which is good.  I've been lurking a lot, including around the Sims 3 threads at MATY.  I've been saying for a long time that I'm not planning on getting the game, and reading those threads just makes me more determined not to get it.  There are just too many things that I don't like about it, from the fact that the sims seem to be having babies left right and centre when left alone, to the graphics.  It's not just the fact that the sims look really doughy, but the lighting doesn't seem to reflect from their skin right, making them look flat and dull.  It's hard to explain, but everything about the screenshots I've seen remind me more of the original game than the second one.  It might be the colours I think. 

I also don't like the fact that genetics appear to have equal weighting.  I love the gentics in TS2, I mean when A&A have a child there are 3 possible eye colours the kid could have: Allyn, William and Alexandra's light blue eyes, Beth's green eyes or Anthony's green eyes.  I love sitting and waiting to see the baby's eyes.  Having a 50/50 chance no matter what the colours are is s huge DNW for me.  Actually most things in it are a huge DNW, so I'll be sticking with TS2.

Speaking of TS2, I have done a bit of playing lately too, and gen 3 has started to go.  Somehow it does feel appropriate to me that the first one to die was Charlotta, the eldest.



As you can see, she looked very concerned about it all.



I had all of her siblings (well not Anne, because of course sun and all that) round as well as Edward, and they were all very cut up about it.




Doreen, (or is it Betty?) got a bit close to Grimmy too.




These two found a way to get over their grief though.

The next night Hannah went too.




I think that I have another rotation with William and Beth, but it is coming to that time, and I don't want it to happen.

I've also blocked out my next chapter, and it's two long parts as it stands now.  I'm in no hurry to get it written for a couple of reasons: 1) I have no idea when (or if) the exchange will be up.  I know I can upload it elsewhere, but I prefer the format of the exchange over the alternatives.  2) I've still not got my writing mojo back, or my inspiration and I don't want to force this chapter.  It's one of those that have lots of weddings and normal gameplay as well as some plot, and I find gameplay captions more difficult to write than plot.

Well, that's it from me at the moment, I hope that everyone has a good rest of the weekend,.

Comments

[thepiepers.livejournal.com]

Much like you I have been lurking a bunch lately around MATY to see what others think of The Sims 3.

I have always planned on getting the game, despite the fact that it will be much different that The Sims 2. I have basically come to the conclusion that to compare the two isn't possible. They both have very different aspects that I find appealing. From what I have read, creating a story or trying to plot out a plan for a family is basically impossible on The Sims. Therefore, I do plan to continue to use The Sims 2 for that avenue of my playing. For generally game play, The Sims 3 sounds much more exciting so I will probably turn to that if I want to just mess around and see what unfolds. It will be much more unpredictable.

Basically what I am saying is that I don't see the new sims replacing the old sims for me, but I am excited about the generally game play aspect so I will be buying it.

I know what you mean about the writing lulls. All I have to do to finish my next chapter is shoot two scenes and write them. Problem is... I just don't feel like it :( I had initially told myself that I would finish it all this weekend, but with the exchange still down there doesn't seem to be the same urgency :) At least that's what I have been telling myself.

Angela.

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

From what I've read the game has taken the things I like(and wouldn't change from TS2) and not improved on them, in fact it's made them worse. All the rabbit holes for instance, and the fact that people are reporting that the genetics seem to be 50/50 in spite of the colours. As for the new things, such as all the collectable items, well they don't appeal to me. I think that they will end up being like the holiday mementos, and once I've had one sim collect them all, I won't want to have another one do it. Sure they'll be fun if I come across them, but why keep doing it?

Yeah I've just not had the energy lately because of everything, but I have at least got it all blocked out and it's a bank holiday tomorrow so I'll see if I fancy doing a bit of writing then.

[hurrisims.livejournal.com]

Aww, goodbye Charlotta and Hannah, I really did love their story. I'm not looking forward to William or Beth going either, it seems like they've been around forever.

Eugh, I hope the Exchange gets back up soon, it's ridiculous that it has been down this long and my chapter is coming together very nicely, and I have to get it up by June 6 because I'll be gone for a week starting then. I'd rather get it up before the end of the month rather than the beginning of June.

I completely feel you on The Sims 3. On one hand, I want it to be good, I want it to live up to the Sims 2, but the photos are just not promising at all. It looks like all the prettiness has just been sucked out of the game. The backrounds and settings look fine, but the sims themselves are just ugly and puddingy.

They changed the genetics to be random crap? DUMB. I love my random blonde kid off of two redheaded parents!

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

I'm sad that they've gone, because I really did love the two of them, and their story too.

I am going to cry when it's William and Beth's turn, I know it.

I can't believe that the exchange has been down for so long, and it seems as if EA aren't doing much to fix it. Well at least that is the impression I get since there has been no update since the 11th. I hope that they get it fixed soon that's for sure.

*nods* Exactly. I expected it to look so much better than TS2, but it really does remind me more of TS1, especially the UI, and the fact that the sims' faces look flat and 2-d to me.

That's my understanding from what I've read. Because of the complexity of the colour wheel, there will be a 50/50 chance of the child inheriting an eye or hair colour. That sucks big time as far as I am concerned.

[snootcb.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know what you mean about TS3. I started lurking around MATY too, sort of half-hoping that it would be surprising better than I'd expected... but I've been disappointed so far. I'm no saying it's HORRIBLE, but a lot of what I like about TS2 has been dumped and I"m not willing to give it up yet. Partially because of the new gameplay style and partially because of how it physically looks, TS3 reminds me of a cross between the console version of TS2 and the short Sim Stories games-- and I enjoyed playing those for a little while, but they didn't hold my attention in the same way as TS2.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to your next chapter, but of course there's no need to rush it, what with the Exchange being down for so long and your want for inspiration. Thanks for sharing the pictures, though. It cracks me up when the Hulas have a bad landing and glitch through things!

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

That's my impression of it too. A lot of the things I like and wouldn't get rid of from TS2 have been made worse in TS3, and there are many things that trouble me and make me not want to give it a go. My reading at MATY hasn't changed my mind about that.

It's getting on fro 2 months since I posted my last chapter, but, yeah there's no rush at the moment, and I'd rather not force it and put together something I'm not happy with.

My hulas always glitch through something, it's hilarious.

[dgjamie.livejournal.com]

Awww. Sniff, It's going to be so sad to see this generation start to go! Especially William and Beth!

I was briefly intrigued by the Sims 3, but now quite frankly I'm just shrugging and letting most of the news bypass me. I was always unlikely to make the switch any time soon, if ever, and now it seems even less likely. TS2 still hasn't started looking like an antiquated mess, so I'll stick with it until it does :)

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

So not looking forward to William and Beth going, or quite a few of the others from this gen.

TS2 still has so much to offer and I'm enjoying playing with my current simmies too much as well.

[writeraissa.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to trying out TS3, but I'm not in any hurry to do so (if that makes any sense).

I'm firmly of the opinion that the Exchange probably isn't going to be fixed until at least a few weeks after TS3 rolls out. I'm making the interesting assumption that all of the The Sims Division staff are busy working on TS3 at the moment and the TS2 Exchange is low priority compared to that.

So, like you, I'm in no hurry to update at the moment though I'm at a point where I could--I'm going to be finishing up a rotation today.

It sucks being at the part of the rotation where everyone starts dying off, doesn't it.

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

That does make sense, yeah.

I agree with you on that one. I've never known it go down for so long, and I'm sure that if they were looking at it, it would be fixed by now, or there would at least be an update somewhere on the website.

*nods* No point in rushing to get something out if the exchange is down. I know I can publish it elsewhere, but I prefer the exchange.

These sims have been in my game for nearly 2 years now, and I'm really not looking forward to them all being gone.

[lauriempress.livejournal.com]

It's good to hear from you, Di! I'm glad the pressure's easing somewhat.

I'm not in a hurry to buy Sims3 either. I would prefer to be able to look at Sims3 take out the parts I like and blend them into Sims2 myself, but that will never happen. ;D

Awww, Charlotta and Hannah. Their daughter must be heartbroken. I'm with you though, I'll cry when William and Beth go.

I agree that the exchange is a must easier option for posting, but for me, I've come to the conclusion that I want the chapters out more than I want to wait. But if you want to wait, that is fine, I have no problem with waiting however long it takes to read your chapters. You always do a good job on them.

Lauri

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

It's got to the point with work where I think "I can't do it all, I'll do what I can." I mean last week almost the entire office was off sick, and so on one day there were only 2 of us in.

Elle is devastated, but because I couldn't marry Charlotta and Hannah she didn't see Hannah as family, also Hannah got a pittance from Charlotta when she died.

I prefer the exchange over the other options: I find reading stories on LJ more difficult than the exchange, plus putting a soty up here takes a hell of a lot longer than on the exchange. (Punishment took me 5 hours just to post, and I had to rename all the pictures first which took ages). Putting it all into Powerpoint distorts the pictures, which I really don't like.

[regacylady.livejournal.com]

Aw, Gen 3. :( I hated it when mine started to go, and especially when they were ALL gone. However...Generation 3 in legacies always seem to be the ones that make the challeneg or break it, you know? So I guess the good news is you're moving along in it? Still sad though...and I feel your pain. My gen FOUR is getting old. D=

I'm sorry you're still not in the mood to write, and GRR Exchange. It did always sort of annoy me, though, so I'm pretty happy with using Authorstream now, possibly for good. Then there's the added bonus of me being able to write whatever I want as long as I put an adult content warning on my chapters, instead of having to censor myself to the kiddies on the official site, which is nice. XD

I hope you're enjoying the weekend. =D

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

Yeah this gen was the one where I really fell in love with the family and to see them start to go is very sad. I've still got a couple of rotations before A&A get old, so that's good.

I've written one caption, so yay? Whilst I'd love to not have to censor myself, the thing I really don't like about Authorstream is the fact that the pictures get distorted. I have a hang up about the quality of my pictures anyway and the experimenting I've done in Powerpoint has failed to stop that distortion.

Weekend's been good, and I still have another day off, yay bank holidays!

[hbcirce.livejournal.com]

It’s always sad to see your sims go. I am dreading the moment Al & Lucy have to pass on. I get all tear thinking about it. *sniff*

As for the sims 3 when it was first presented I was so excited. I loved what I saw. The trait system looks awesome and the ability to customize everything is appealing. No more recolor files. However, the whole reason why I play the game is for the stories and to have my characters grow up, make important decisions, and even die without my knowledge or permission is a no go for me.

I will wait to pass my ultimate judgment until I start seeing more reviews. The game isn’t out yet they could still change things or push through a patch or something. This is the part where you say ‘sure they will Circe’ and pat me on the head. I can dream, can’t I?

I did find a post from Maxoid_Hydra on the BBS. It was from May 11th, but at least it’s something from EA about the exchange.
“Hi Simmers,
We've been seeing the sporadic issues with users not being able to upload onto the Exchange. We wanted to let you know that we're working on the issue.
We apologize for the inconvenience. “

She says “sporadic issues” but isn’t it everybody? Anyway, at least we know that aren’t ignoring it completely. I have this feeling it’s not going to be fixed anytime soon though. :(

[jenga218.livejournal.com]

I think it's sporadic because sims *seem to be* uploading fine, but yeah, everyone has been kicked out for stories...

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

I will cry when William and Beth go, no two ways about it.

My inner control freak screams at the thought of my sims living their life without me, and story telling goes out the window. I mean, can you imagine what might have happened to Alexandra and Joe if I hadn't of been there controlling it? They might have actually got married and had kids, and poor Anthony would either be on his own, or married to some random sim.

I think that there have been a few "lucky simmers" getting their stories through every couple of days or so, but most people can't post to the exchange. I read that lots and sims were also affected.

[rosefyre.livejournal.com]

Aww, sad to see Charlotta go! And William and Beth will go soon? Ouch.

Also, grr at the Exchange. I just need to stage some scenes (and move Dawn into her new college house) before being ready to update, but with the Exchange being down... Yeah, I'm considering moving everything, but I also have way less chapters than a lot of people do.

As for TS3? Nothing is really making me all that interested. Plus, no way could my computer run it. So, probably not going to get it, definitely not for a while, but if my friends who are planning on getting it do, I will probably try it out on their computer.

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

I think I have one whole rotation with William and Beth left, and then they will go. I'm really not looking forward to that.

The exchange issues are very annoying, and I hope that it gets sorted soon, but I'm not holding my breath. the problem I have with moving my earlier chapters is the fact that I rebuilt so lost the families and web entries and it wasn't until chapter 8 that I started wring in Word, so I have no record of the captions.

Yeah the game doesn't appeal to me, and I still have far too much that I want to do with TS2.

[rosefyre.livejournal.com]

Couldn't you just copy the blog entry format off the Exchange? That's what I intend to do if I ever do switch - since the Mac version of TS2 won't let me copy and paste in it or from it, and that format will.

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

That's what I'd do, but I also wasn't archiving my pictures at that point so they are all jumbled up in folders that are approximately right, but possibly not.

[rosefyre.livejournal.com]

Ooh, the lack of picture archiving could be a problem. Mine are all in folders by chapter, though there are also unused photos in them, so at least it would be easier to sort through them for the right ones.

[jenga218.livejournal.com]

I've been on a roller coaster for TS3. When it was first announced, I was beyond excited. Then I got more into the TS2 comm, and hated the prospect of the new game coming out and replacing this one. Then a few weeks ago I looked at the website a little more and some of the stuff appealed to me again, so I decided that if I ever got a computer that could run it, I'd get it. Then Lettuce posted some stuff about the game (that she pirated), and I have now decided that I DO NOT WANT. The sims are really ugly, and the genetics are wierd, and the lighting is wrong, and it's just not anything like TS2.

Aww, no! Not gen 3! I feel for you Di. If we're all so attached to your sims, I can't imagine how much more attached to them you are! I don't like thinking about William and Beth leaving at all!

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

I have to agree that there are far too many things that I'm reading about in TS3 that I DNW. I'll stick with TS2, and my lovely simmies in Regalton.

Charlotta was born 8th July 2007, and William on 18th July 2007, so I've been playing gen 3 for a long time. It's tough seeing them start to go, and I will cry with William and Beth do go.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

*sniff* Aw Lotta...

I always hate saying goodbye to a generation.

[mysterymusic7.livejournal.com]

Aww Generation 3 is starting to leave Regalton. I'm going to cry so badly when William and Beth go. Seriously they are my favorite legacy sims in any story I have ever read.

And I'm not interested in the Sims 3 at all. I've never really been all that excited about it to begin with and the more I hear about it the more I think my plan to not get it is a good one.

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

I am going to bawl when William and Beth go. I've been playing them for so long it's going to be a real wrench when they die.

TS3 hasn't grabbed me either, and there is too much I want to do with TS2 to stop playing it.

[dicreasy.livejournal.com]

Yeah I'm really very sad to be saying goodbye to this gen, they were the ones that cemented my love of this family.