When you Alt+Tab out of the game (or minimize if you play in windowed mode) the game will stop functioning until you go back into it, just for gameply reasons incase you miss anything. If you enabled "Sim while minimized" the game will continue playing even if you are minimized out of it, so when you go back into the game you can see all the damage your Sims have done while you were away
thanks. i figured that, but was afraid to try it without making sure first. does this only affect the current lot your playing or all of them? can your sims go to community lots on their own and such?
No, your sims won't go to community lots on their own. Even with free will on there are many things that a sim will not do without being told. Leaving sims to their own devices is useful only if you wish to reduce them to poverty, pestilence and poop-plugged-potties ....
Not a pretty sight ... although I've noticed that they do OK on their own as long as you're watching. That way, they have you to occasionally make them use the potty, etc., before things get ugly. I leave them to their own devices when I just need time to pass, for example, when they need to graduate from college so I can hatch a plot.
yeah, i'm too attached to my sims to leave them on their own for too long. I don't want them making a disaster of their lives. I was very controlling over them but have lightened up (a little) and started to see nice surprises that i didn't see controlling their every move.
I'm having a problem letting my sims go. I'm definietly a micro-manager...but I do leave free will on! Seems like all they ever want to do though is play that stupid SFX video game on their computers if they have one...then again...what am I doing in my free time...playing the sims! LOL! They are more like us than we think! I think I need to let them loose though. Maybe I'll work on giving them their own space tonight.
I'm a micro-manager, too. I'm always worried that the kids won't get their homework done, or I'm trying to get their parents to gain skills for promotions even if they have no desire for promotions. When I take them out it seems I'm always trying to get someone to make friends with someone else. Maybe I should start loosening up by taking a group to the bowling alley and see what happens without my interference. The bowling alley with the pool tables, juke box and the dining area always attracts a lot of sims who interact in all kinds of funny ways, including slapping each other. I think Robin Futa is now mortal enemies with Xavier Esquire even though I haven't played with either household for days (or weeks?)
When I leave them alone, i find that they act/socialize with those that i wanted them to anyway. The sims i started off with and wanted them to be friends became best friends instantly. The ones i want to get married wind up liking each other and fall in love quickly without any interaction from me. Example, I saw a cop NPC that I thought would be perfect for my single mother sim. I had her call him up on the phone and invite him over. her relationship score with him was in the mid 20's low 30's so imagine my surprise when she greets him with a big kiss! I had her check him out and she had 2bolts for him. all night they were kissing each other and flirting, no interaction from me. (score for the matchmaker - me!) what was also funny was i didn't have her son (Joey) meet him yet so he didn't technically "know" him. While playing a child in another house, i had him call Joey and invite him over. Joey wanted to invite a friend and I let him. I thought he was going to bring his mom or another child but instead he shows up with the cop NPC who was dating his mother. It was like Joey knew he would be his step-dad soon. LOL
