IllusoryThrall's Blog
:
February 2012
Update on Queen Bee Challenge, and the other challenges I'm working on...
POSTED ON
02/19/12
For anyone who was interested in the challenge I posted earlier in my blog, I've have a post up on modthesims outlining the rules. http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=467665
I've also got some comments in there, and there are a few other people who are trying it out too. So far, it's one of the toughest challenges I've ever attempted. I've been forced to re-start my game out of frustration at a world I picked up on the exchange. The load times were horrid - I was spending half my playtime loading. So I ditched that save after the first drone - and am starting over.
Meantime, I've found a challenge I absolutely adore.. and has completely addicted me.... the "Nothing is Free" challenge on modthesims by Avalikia. http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=468464 It's a re-vamp of the "Build a City Challenge that was originally in Sims2, got redone for Sims3.. and never seemed like it was quite right for the actual Sims3 gameplay. Basically, you start on a completely blank world.. and earn all job buildings and venues. There's a whole bunch of people doing the challenge now, and watching all the very very different towns and stories evolving out of this challenge is SOOOO much fun!
The other challenge I just started up is an Alien/Rainbow world challenge. http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=427790 More to play with lunar lakes and skintones than anything else. As well as exploring sim-genetics. The Red Rover guy I uploaded is from that challenge, obviously.. and is the reason all these fun Lunar Lakes lots are getting uploaded.
Sorry I didn't get the rest of the Pets lots uploaded today, I will be able to tomorrow. Spent most the day in bed, sick.. somehow I managed to catch the cold I thought my family was done with. (So much for rejoicing that it had passed me by... d'oh!) .. why is it the last person to get sick is always the one who gets it the worst?!
One other thing: there are two other challenges I'm going to be starting soon... one, the 50 foals challenge - only I'm going to tweak it a bit and make it into a Horsacy (Horse Legacy) as well, and possibly even go to 100 foals! /whew .. I'm such a horse nut. I rode horses in real life for 25+ years of my life, so getting to play with virtual ones (who, I might add are FAR cheaper!!) is a huge attraction on the Pets expansion for me. The challenge is hosted by our lovely SIMyth, and is also generating some really fun stories - and awesome looking pets!! http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/450566.page .. The second challenge is the Micronation challenge from modthesims http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=458258 I want to start it on a really tiny island, and sorta compare/contrast what happens vs. the Nothing is Free challenge.
In all likelihood, the Nothing is Free challenge and 50 foals challenge are going to take most my sims time though.. ;)
Lunar Lakes Equestrian center and Warrens lot upgrade for horses.
POSTED ON
02/18/12
I spent a couple hours.. well.. ok, more than that.. on doing a "quick" upgrade to the EA Lunar Lakes "The Warrens" lot. Of all the existing lots I looked at, it seemed the most likely to be able to house a couple of horses. I didn't touch the house itself, other than to lessen width of one stairs, move a few walls and doors, and put some flooring in for the barn roof. It's designed to be a two-stall barn with tack area, grooming rack, and covered hay storage. There is no race training posts included, but there's full jump training available. Full amenities for the horses, NO CC. Should work just fine - although I have not play tested it yet. PLEASE let me know if you find any problems with it. - I uploaded some actual screenies from while I was building it if you want a closer look - should be under my studio ..
Also, I spent a rather long time building a decorated Equestrian Center for Lunar Lakes. I designed it on the 15 Hyperion Way lot using the EA rabbit-hole building "Petite Pony" Center. Also built in four individual pastures for horses with sheltered stalls and full amenities. There is also a sand lighted arena for training, warm-ups, and practice. (I suppose one could say even the lessons could be held there?) Full jump course, and a line of flame jumps for the advanced teams. Cavaletti (training jumps) included on the side, and a race track around the outside. Arena is fully lit for even late night practices. Items used should ONLY be from Pets and Lunar Lake (or base game).. and no CC was used. I have not actively play-tested it yet, but everything should work.
I've ridden horses in real life for 25+ years of my life, so there's practical experience included in the lots.. hopefully.. and they're as "realistic" as I could make them. I also have a "Horse Ranch" training grounds community lot in progress, as well as Dog Park and Cat Jungle lots. New to this uploading created lots thing, so PLEASE let me know what you think of these lots!
