The Sims Deluxe - Why I bought it - Why I like it!!

[RentechD]

I have not entered the Sims Deluxe discussion as to whether it is fair or not for Maxis to put out this packaging for several reason. Most software companies eventually put several of their titles out in a 'package' at some point in the marketing cycle and usually this package gives you noting more then a small price break for buying 2 or 3 titles instead of just one. Most times they just republish the software with no improvements, fixes or enhancements and rarely give you anything more then just buying the titles separately would give you. For the most part no one yells that its a way for them to get a bit more money out of a title. Maxis never had to give anything for the Sims away for free - they could have saved every object, every add on and included them only in expansion packs. The fact that they have, from time to time given some away amidst the advertising has at least kept me coming back to read the ads... Good marketing, and nice of Maxis.

Now they package up The Sims and LL and include a couple of things they could have given away free as incentive for you to buy it .. again good marketing, and everyone goes bonkers over it. Folks, in realities of life they don't owe us anything but a good game for the money we spend on it - and that is what we got. They do not owe us things like The Creator as a freebie - if they want to sell it to us they can. If you read on you will see why I think this is not a case of "reselling an old product or charging for something they should have given away free". This is not Bob Newbies old The Sims and Living Large... and The Creator is not a 'little tool'....

Now ... why did I buy Sims Deluxe?

I bought the Sims Deluxe first and foremost cause I am a Sims nut and want a copy of every version/expansion they release, if for no other reason then to say I have it. Its sort of like being a collector .

Secondly, I am a serious object maker - if there was one new object in there that I could could use as a base I wanted to have my own original - I did not want to clone someone elses clone.

Yup I wanted "The Creator" - if the only way to get it was in the Deluse version - well so be it - I would buy the thing.

ANd NOW...

Why I like The Sims Deluxe:

This is not just a re-run.

Interestingly enough, it was not the new objects (which are very nice - more in a minute) or The Creator that grabbed my attention but the increased performance.

Walking away from EBX with my purchase and opening the package as I moved through the mall my curiousity was raised whe I noticed the install instructions saying that if you already owned HP, HD and VAC then Deluxe should be installed AFTER these are installed and if you later buy any or all of the other expansion packs (although if you have delux you do not need the LL expansion reinstalled) then you should uninstall Deluxe, re install the Sims and then install the expansion pack(s) and THEN re-install the Deluxe version.

Now, this seemed to me to be much nore like an upgrade then a replacement and with those instructions obviously it changed things in all packs... I do remember reading a post from someone from Maxis saying this was not just a repackaging with The Creator added - perhaps it was....I could not wait to get to my computer.

First, thing I did was install Deluxe as a stand alone. First noticable thing was that it was much 'crisper' then The Sims with the LL expansion pack and it ran super on the crappy little under powered backup machine I tried it on (this machine is a bit less then Maxis claims is minimum requirements - ME on a 133 PII with 64 MB RAM).

I spent some time looking at the new ojbjects - a Roman bathroom set, a SciFi bed room and Greco-Roman living room furniure to name a few. One nice thing that delux brings to you that you did not have with just The Sims and LL is the with the wardrobe - like in later releases you get a window that allows you to preview clothing without having to change outfits over and over - you now have that with Deluxe.

So I uninstalled it (plan to get a second copy to run on little crappy abckup machine since it does) and set out to see what happened on my primary machine with The Sims and all the expansion packs installed.

The installation appears to remove and replace some game files and adds in its own .far for Deluxe. Athough no real mention was made in any of the writings about this version that I remember that there was performance improvements its was immediately noticable soon as I loaded the game. I presently have over 4500 objects that I load and even with them packaged into far's my load time is usually about 7-10 minutes. With Deluxe installed I loaded in 4-5 minutes.

The game runs smoother then before, it scrolls nicer and the graphics appear cleaner and crisper.

I was a bit excited about this and popped into The Sim's chat room to comment that although I had not heard that there was performance enhancments there obviously were some. I then learned that some of the Maxis folks had mentioned that there were - apparently the were not kidding ;)

And now a few words about The Creator. Once you load this you realize why this was not really a 'give-a-way' item. Its good enough to sell as a stand alone tool. There is a great wizard that takes photos and applies then to the Sim, a great collection of textures, and paint tool that rivals PSP for usability, and the logo tool to add logo's or designs to clothing is a nice addition. The Creator is very user friendly and I was able to take a snap shot of my daughter, apply her face to a mesh, and make her a new outfit in under 15 minutes.

The down side of The Creator will be for all the mesh makers and skinners out there. The Creator uses all teh skins it finds loaded into the game as meshes/skins to be used in the tool - and I expect this will cause "giving credit" nightmare's and arguments galore.

Having had some time to play with the new objects and to clone a few I will warn you that these objects are made in the same way that Maxis changed objects for Vacation, or are affected by Vacation being installed - and you will need a way to convert/patch/clean them up after cloning to use them for recolors if you desire to do that with them.

All in all .. I went to buy The Sims Deluxe just to have it, but I was not necessarily that excited about it....

Now I am really excited... its a great addition to my Sims!

Rentechd :bunny:

[FaeLuna]

wow... I think I need to find out more about this!! I LOVE making objects, and faster performance would be GREAT considering it now takes about 18-20 minutes for my game to load up!!!

[Helén]

Thanks for that infomation. I've been wondering whether or not i should by it.. i most probably will now..

[ManagerJosh]

Looks like I got to post up a link to purchase The Sims Deluxe..

[LordBrain515]

At first, I was almost certain that I'd never purchase TSD. Now that I've learned more about it, I think I might. I'm not sure though, I only have so much money :)

[RentechD]

On the subject of 'only so much money' and two Sim releases in the same month; I would opt for Unleashed and see if it too contains any performance pluses - it just might or it might not. Its been my opinion that most of the performance issues were the result of the underlying original version and none of the other expansions contained much that affected it - but since Deluxe apparently replaces some of those original files it was a good way to make that fix.

If I had limited amounts to spend I might wait and get Unleashed - then see what people say that have both Deluxe and Unleashed - compare it to your experience with Unleashed and the buy Deluxe if your able.

I still think anyone who can should get Deluxe - I think you will love it as much as I do - on the other hand I am a realist - you will get a great deal more objects plus puppies and kittens that interact and that next to 25 new objects and a performance improvement... well there is no argument - you have to get Unleashed.

But if you can afford it - its definately worth the money...

Okay I am off to make all the pics I took of Family and friends into Sims ;)

Hey Josh.. send me a pic... we will make a Manager Josh Sim!!

[ManagerJosh]

Dear God No! I don't want people stocking me!

[Andy (TSZ)]

I had pre-ordered TSDLE in order to review it for TSZ and to tell people probably not to buy it. From everything I am reading, I think my review may be on a more positive note.

Don't expect me to shout Maxis's praises from the rooftops. I am sure there will be something in the review that will not be so complimentary.

Review of TSDLE & SU scheduled for 1 week after UK release.

[ManagerJosh]

There has been lots of conflicting reports on The Sims Deluxe. Some people have said to buy it. Others said it isn't worth it.

[LordBrain515]

Originally posted by ManagerJosh
Dear God No! I don't want people stocking me!

Stalking, Josh..not stocking.

[FaeLuna]

Maybe he is afraid they will put him in stockings?? heehee!

[ManagerJosh]

Whooops......a minor typo :D

[RentechD]

I thought he meant stocking as in stocking him in a store as a sims download :)

I had visions of 100 sim sites all offering various versions of Josh...

he is right a very scary idea :)

[FaeLuna]

haha yeah my first thought was putting boxes of stuff on shelves.... Hey, we're fresh outta ManagerJoshes!! Go get another load outta the back!! hehee! :P

[FaeLuna]

...OK now I just had an Army of Darkness flashback... anyone see that movie? There is a scene where there are lots of little miniature imp versions of the main character running around wreaking havok....

[ManagerJosh]

Army of Clones :D :p

[Helén]

LOL!!!! I would love to have Josh as a skin!!! At least I could make sure to beat him in chess that way... :laugh::laugh:
Anyway.
According to SMCarol this morning you should first get the exp. packs if you haave sims already.. then deluxe. So that's hoe I am gonna do it... even if it takes some time...

[Gib24]

ok so what if all you have is the sims and house party do you need to uninstall them to put the sims delux on? cuz i sold my sims game to my friend since i could run house party and didnt need the sims to run house party and my friend moved and i havent heard from them in a month so i dont know where they live

[Gib24]

and when does sim delux come out?

[ManagerJosh]

Originally posted by Gib24
ok so what if all you have is the sims and house party do you need to uninstall them to put the sims delux on? cuz i sold my sims game to my friend since i could run house party and didnt need the sims to run house party and my friend moved and i havent heard from them in a month so i dont know where they live

Once you purchase Deluxe, you install it like any other expansion pack. All you do is pop it in and it runs. No need to uninstall.


Originally posted by Gib24
and when does sim delux come out?


It is already out.


Order Here (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006CRUN/worldsims-20)

[FaeLuna]

I think if you DID uninstall and then install deluxe that would work... because I believe they are making it so that people who DON'T have the game yet can get that to get started, right?? So you wouldn't have to worry about having sold your original sims to your friend. :) At any rate, if you get it it should come with installation instructions!!

[Helén]

Both Deluxe and Unlesshed ar scheduled to Sweden for oct. 3rd.
That's what the gameshop got anyway. Probably similar for the rest of Europe.

Want it, want it, want it
lol

[Gib24]

ok cool because i went to get sims delux at the start of semptember at electronics boutiqe the game shop here that handles games and they didnt have it in yet so now when i get money in october i'll get it since its out it's a toss up between sims delux and wwe smackdown 4 but i hear smackdown 4 dont come out till the end of october so i'll get sd and then wait and see how much money i have left maybe get hotdate

[ManagerJosh]

Better get your stuff installed in order. Otherwise you may have a problem..

1) The Sims
2) Livin' Large
3) House Party
4) Hot Date
5) Vacation
6) Deluxe
7) Unleashed

[RentechD]

Josh is correct. The installation instructions say that if you already own the expansion packs then you should have them installed first, then install Deluxe. You do not have to have all the expansion packs or even any expansion packs or The Sims to install Deluxe.

They suggest that if you own The Sims and get an expansion pack after you install Deluxe you uninstall in order of release (skipping LL since you will not need that once you install Deluxe).

If you never owned The Sims and started with Deluxe you can still install the expansion packs. When you go to run the game it will tell you it has recognized an Expansion pack install and must run an update on it - which it will do.

[Gib24]

thanks rentechd thats what i wanted to know hehe but i liked all the other input too

[FaeLuna]

so... if you just had deluxe and NOT the original release of sims, you would uninstall it and then install the expansion and then reinstall the game if you got an expansion? whew!!

[ManagerJosh]

uninstalling isn't needed in the case of deluxe. Just treat Deluxe as an "expansion pack".

[Helén]

Better still to have all the other exp.packs installed (if you want them) and then install deluxe. I think so..

[Wolf]

in Germany, Sims Deluxe and Unleashed are both buyable on Oct.4th.
So when I own both, should I first install Sims Deluxe and then Unleashed or vice versa? I have all expansion packs

[ManagerJosh]

In my personal opinion, I believe Deluxe should be installed first, primarily because in the US edition of Deluxe, there is an Unleashed Ad.

[Helén]

Simmasters and Maxis recommends all exp packs first then Deluxe.That is if you have original sims and LL.

[ManagerJosh]

Who are we to challenge the SimMasters then :D

[Helén]

Hehehe.
Yeah. But it also has instructions in deluxe saying this.
At least that 's what i've heard.:)

[reniusa]

At first I was so anti-Deluxe, but now I'm thinking of buying it. I'm really interested in the creator and thanks Rent for the info. I've gotten over my "Maxis is cheating us" with this one. I understand now it is a new package, not just a combo pack with some new stuff thrown in.

Now.....if I only had the money.

*checks couch cushions for spare change*

:p

[FaeLuna]

Yeah, I just showed Deluxe to my hubby and he moans, "I guess we have to get you THIS one too?" but it was teasing me kind of thing. :p Maybe I'll get it for Christmas.... :D

So... what's the opinion of the voices in your head Reni?? I'm going to go check out your site next....

[reniusa]

I just might ask the hubby for the same thing, good idea...FaeLuna. ;)

Btw........the voices can never decide, they are always arguing. Usually it is about the quality of dryer lint......

<Nods head solemnly>

[FaeLuna]

hmmm dryer lint... mmmkay.... :D Glad you like the ask for Christmas tactic. :) I'm just glad he didn't make me wait till Christmas for Unleashed!!

[reniusa]

Yeah, waiting for unleashed would have been awful. Originally I thought I was going to have to wait, because of money issuses. But I got a surprise check in the mail for about $140, which was enough to buy both Deluxe and Unleashed. But the hubby said no deluxe......he wanted to go golfing!! :( Well he does make all the money.........so hmmmm, lol, I guess he gets some say so in how we spend it. :D

[Helén]

But I HAVE to wait... buhu...

tiddelipom! ;)

[reniusa]

Sorry Nina :(

*gives Nina a big hug*

[chatterbox]

why did u say sorry!!

[Gib24]

i went and got deluxe today i like it i also got the buffy the vampire slayer season one on dvd and guess wich i havent played with so far...buffy ..i been playing the sims all night since i got it at lunch time hehe

[chatterbox]

What Buffy the Vampire Slayer why r u telling us that?????

[ManagerJosh]

Another TV Show on UPN, Chatter

[Helén]

It's Ok Reni, really but thanks.
*hugs back*:classic:
I'll survive ... I think .. (joke)

I need to upgrade and stuff so it will take time for me... but that's fins.. I will have direst access to all eventual patches and stuff then instead...

*hops to the next thread*

[FaeLuna]

tiddllepom?? I know I've heard that somewhere before!! I can't think where though... it's a fun word isn't it? :p

I think it's funny you got the Buffy season on dvd but haven't watched it yet Gib!! I saw a tv commercial for a Buffy game on x-box, I think it was, and I was watching going, hey, she looks like a sim! :p Now I'm wondering if there are sites with good quality buffy skins for sims.... I've seen a lot where they take a photo and try to make it work on a maxis head mesh... but most look funky to me....

[chatterbox]

Sim can get her as a sim go to thesimresourse!!!!!!

[Gib24]

fae there are sites that have good buffys i seen them and one had a mess but they either dot have them now or my browser isnt working right anyways i wanted to know if any of ther other deluxe users have had any odd things happen like when your sims sit to eat or get in the hot tub and talk if they all hate the subject and not have the throw a party invite on the phone * wonders because he's had this done to him 3 times now couldnt throw a party and when the sims sat or got in the tub they didnt like the subject of talk any of it and then hated each other*

http://www.buffysims.com/ the buffy link i have

[Helén]

Yes. It's a funny "nonsence" word to express joy and playfulness. (can you say that?) And it's typical Swedish I think.

And about my upgrade.. now I've decided what to go for anyway.
But as I said.. It'll take time.. *sighes* (If I only could win the lottery..hehe)

Hippetihopp

[lewdini]

Good Luck Nina!

[Helén]

Thanks Lew!

*hugs*

[Gib24]

hey anyone find any new skins for sims delux yet? you guys know bout 7 deadly sims? they have it on the sims home page area they got like gi joe skins and elvira and i dunno what all and the skins are nice so are the objects too

[reniusa]

Yeah, 7deadlysims is cool. :) I even suscribed to 8th for a bit. I really like their objects. I don't have deluxe yet........so no idea on new skins, but I would think all skins would work with it?

[Gib24]

they do but i wondered if anyone made any and said they was just for deluxe and i'm still wondering why when my sims are sitting at a table or hot tub and they talk everyone's talk bubble has an x through it but they have the little + box for likeing it . when they talk to each other one on one ie: hitting talk to person everything is normal maybe its cuz i dont have hotdate vacation and unleashed yet i dunno its just weird is drew carey in the house party anywhere? my friend online once told me way before i got into sims that they seen him come to their party and everyone left and i wanna see my people abducted like it advertised on the liveing large box in the stores

[reniusa]

Being abducted by the aliens is kinda neat, they come back talking and thinking about it! LOL

I think when there are X's in the thought bubbles it means they don't like the subject, but I think why they like it is because the people they are talking too don't like the subject either. So maybe they are complaining about it to each other. ;)

[Gib24]

i have no clue but all i know is its kinda weird and it never happened when i just had the sims

[Helén]

I think you're right about that Reni. I've noticed it too about those thoughtbubbles.

*gives Reni a carrot*

[chatterbox]

o i want 1!!!!!!!

[reniusa]

thanks, Nina ;)

*sits in the corner and happily munches her carrot*

[ManagerJosh]

Can we actually understand their thought bubbles in the first place??? It is already confusing.

[lewdini]

Alien abduction...I thought we would get to see the aliens at least

[Gib24]

we dont get to see the aliens? aww man that sucks only thing thats happened to my people are once they got robbed..the mime shows up alot and the clown poped in once oh and i didnt have money for the maid so she took my tv and i had a baby and couldnt get it to be happy so the social people came and took it is drew carey in the game? my friend told me a long time ago before i even got into the sims that she threw a party and drew showed up and people left it because of him

[Helén]

It would be cool to see the aliens after all... If they should look like E.T. i would really love them...

*hops out of the thread*

[ManagerJosh]

Nah...the scariest part is if the alien was really a Sim Version of Will Wright coming to take our sim away and reprogram him :p

[Helén]

Eeekkkk!!!
*hides behind her ears with trembling whiskers*

[Gib24]

well what if they looked like the aliens off of the alien movie? oh yeah i downloaded the tombstone like the goths have and i got haunted a few times too

[Helén]

Sounds cool.. Well what if they look scary, but i don't think they would. Otherwise how about aliens like those in the serie V?

[Gib24]

* loves nina now* yes! that would be cool hey anyone haveing anyproblems downloading dates from the date exchange on the sims webpage?

[lewdini]

How bout the aliens looking like Vulcans?

[Helén]

Thanks Gib :)
There's no end of what they could look like I think.
Hehehe what about a neighbourhood with only aliens - custommaid? And a downtown with spaceshipshops?

*giggles*

[Gib24]

that'd be cool i'd dl it if some one made it hehe

[lewdini]

Maybe a cafe that looks like the one from Roswell?

[Gib24]

hehe hey is anyone else haveing problems with dling from the exchange on the sims webpage? i cant down load any of the hotdate dates or downtown things or the sim familys been like this for like a day now maybe they're updateing their downloader? i can upload things just not download

[lewdini]

well I dont know about that,....

[Helén]

Sorry I can't help you with that Gib.
Try the BBS and put you question there or search for answers under "Hot Date discussion", "help" and "general".
Or go to the chatroom..
Good luck :)

[Gib24]

yay!! i was right they are doing maintance on the sims homepage i went to the tech help chat and asked why i kept getting an error when i tryed downloading familys and such from the exchange and they said the website was doing maintance and when they do that you cant exchange

[Helén]

Thaks Gib. That clears a lot of things. Why the site's down and you not even can login. It has happened quite a lot the last days.

*smiles and hops away*

[ManagerJosh]

But when we do maintence...we don't go offline...at least I don't see it.

[Helén]

Then it's even stranger. I could get into caht on cheeta, but i couldn't even login the usual way??? This at 2 out of 3 days now.

Well I can manage.. I can always sneak over here.. ;)

[Gib24]

blah november i'm gonna try and get vacation after i get my ps2 wwe wrestleing game i got like 7 dvds and 1 ps2 game for my ps2 and my brother was like why bother haveing a ps2 if you dont have games for it you coulda just bought a dvd player

[Gib24]

ooo i was playing sims today and i had the mime and the clown together and they was danceing and then i looked at the road and seen a bear walking up the street...odd day for the newbie family

[Helén]

Lol Gib.
Yes very odd.. Never heard they come all of them at once. Hehe.
How did you fix it?

[Gib24]

hmm i didnt fix it

[Helén]

Oh. I see. Should be a way to fix it though. Hmm. I see them so seldom I always forget how to do. ;)

[BabyaSim]

Why I bought-mainly because it was very hard for me to buy a copy of Livin Large (it's about three years old now), and my The Sims diisc was scratched. Haven't played it yet (it'sfor my birthday).