Recommended Custom Content

[jmyers2043 5]

I was browsing through the iTunes yesterday evening looking for some new content to put onto my iPod for my upcoming vacation in a few weeks. I usually search for content myself. But I could use ‘essentials lists’ made by the iTunes staff as springboard for music selection and ideas. Or I could use one of the many lists provided by the iTunes users of their favorite music. The user generated lists are usually named in such a way as to reflect genre. A list with a title called “BBQ Southern Rock” would have some ZZTop, .38 Special, and Outlaws selections. While a list called “Block party” may have song titles suited for a wider listening audience that are brighter and happier.  

 

Let’s take a look at your list. My gripe (if I am allowed to have one) is that you are discounting content based on some personal criteria that the casual user or novice user may not realize. Billboards are important to you obviously. Not my cup of tea but I respect your opinion. BSC content. Apparently has not lived up to your litmus test. I respect your reasons and you are entitled to express them. Money cheats? This game is so easy. Why the cheat? That’s not a question that I actually want an answer for but it serves to make my point.  My essentials list if I were to post one is way different.

 

Am I allowed to make a suggestion? The STEX staff has already provided a form of essential material. It’s on the CD and I am proposing that you edit the first paragraph of your introductory post by suggesting that the new STEX’er make a donation so they can receive the CD. I don’t see any downside to this and it helps to keep Simtroplis up and running. My second suggestion is to rename the subject of this thread to something like “Simmasters Favorites” or “Simmasters suggestions for the novice user” as that would be a more correct way to let the user know what is contained therein.

 

You can take it to the next level by making lists called “Simmasters list – Best of Plops” or “Simmasters list – Best no dependency” or “Simmasters list – Very Best of the STEX” Small lists may be easier to manage and organize.  exempli gratia: “Simmasters list – Airports” Your idea is good with the exception of the bias. But who knows! You may just well start a trend. You start your lists and others may follow suite.

[simmaster07 1,220]

items to be added: Search results for BSC (STEX+LEX); Kevdan restaurants; CP Terrain mods; CP snow-capped mod; removal of current snow-capped mod; simgoober's module commercial packs

[simmaster07 1,220]

==Status==

@un1: i can't find simgoober's module (modular?) commercial packs on the stex. im gonna need a link.

- i can't find Cycledogg's snow-capped terrain mod. the CP terrain mods are gonna be on hold until i find it.

- kevdan25's stuff will be added to the list, as well as BSC search results. those were found. where did the other stuff go though? meh.

[Neddiggis 1]

SG's stuff is not available on the SC4D LEX, as Barby pointed out earlier. It's been updated and packaged into easy packs for download.

[simmaster07 1,220]

ah. but which pack contains his module (modular? still...) commercial packs? -_-

[BarbyW 40]

I don't know what you mean by his modular commercial pack. All his packs will be found by searching for simgoober on the LEX. The do have additional dependencies so you may not want to include them.

[simmaster07 1,220]

Ah well. I can't find the CP Snow Capped Terrain mod though...

[BarbyW 40]

As with simgoober's work, kevdan's has been updated and is available on the LEX at SC4Devotion. kevdan, like simgoober, is BSC.

BSC MEGA Props kevdan25 Vol01 - required for all the buildings

kevdan25 Updated Lots BSC - all kevdan25's lots in one handy package

All of cycledogg's terrain mods have  snow capped mountains at appropriate elevations. Search the LEX at SC4Devotion for c.p. and read each description.

The other snowcapped mods are by jeronij but they are for the Columbus Terrain mod only. 

Most of the BSC stuff left on the STEX is outdated. spa is the only current uploader so anything else should not be recommended in your list.

[simmaster07 1,220]

I'm going to leave the simtropolis results there, but im going to add a notice that they are out-of-date. Just for convenience so people who don't want to register at another site for most lots don't have to.

[BarbyW 40]

(Up-to-date version may be on LEX)quote>

The highlighted word should be is as I explained in my last post.

[un1 41]

simmaster07: They are on the LEX. After you put the link please put 'Many Dependencies, Get Them All!!' Here you go: SG Commercial Plopables Pack (I think that is the name...).

-un1

[simmaster07 1,220]

list updated... added SG Commercial Ploppables Pack

[Deionn 137]

Directed towards BSC and Neddiggis or what ever his/her name is: I found this very helpful to me. Just because it isn't in favor of your "perfect" team doesn't mean you should burn Simmast. This was a very good list and loads of people would mind if you toned down the dependencies a bit. Maybe it would work better if you created meshes for your team and then included them in the model. That would stop the big brown box dilemma and also provide great convenience for everyone. I don't give a crap about what you have to say about this little paragraph. I stated what I thought and what I thought could help. Simmast: Wonderful list.

[Glenni 1,444]

Oh boy....

Well it is a list for new people. and i'm sure they'd want to PLAY the game without downloading a gazillion dependancies, that come with additional dependancies.

And i perfectly understand that, personally i don't care, most of the props used on lots are ugly/cheezy in my opinion anyway, so i just re lot downloads as i see fit.

But look at it through a newbie's eyes, would you bother downloading many dependancies if you were new?

No, you'd be eager to get started in the game and have some fun.

Not everybody is interesting to first register here, then be told to bugger off to some other site to download the "clean it tol" or what the hell it's named. They want to play the game, pure and simple. And not worry about downloading hundreds of dependancies and useless tools.

And if you got a problem with not having BSC files on that list, then it's YOUR loss, there's no need to whine about it. this list is for making it easier for people new here, not bogging them down with dependancies this, and dependancies that. ..

[un1 41]

OK here, lets not blame anyone here. That just isn't right. If you guy's keep this up someone may be banned so lets just say, we are all allowed to add to the list not just non-BSC members.

BSC: Just request stuff you want on this list if you want. Simmaster won't care (or shouldn't).

deion: Lets not throw rocks at BSC.

We are all Simtropolis members, we should all follow the rules. I don't think the rules state you are allowed to do this to each other.

Edit: Glenni beat me to it...

-un1

[simmaster07 1,220]

i'd like to thank glenni and deion30296 for their support, because this list is aimed primarily at new users who want to just have some fun in SC4. the fact there are a bunch of dependencies would make it harder on them. one or two dependencies that don't have sub-dependencies... fine with me when i was a newb. but on average BSC items have, what? 4, 5 dependencies? i've added them, but i added a notice that the BSC items have many dependencies. also, the list has been updated yet again today. but like un said, we are free to suggest items to add to the list. let us not argue, because large debates and flame wars, etc., that's how people get banned. i say un1 has a more valid point, but users should know BSC items might have an excessive amount of dependencies.

[SC4BOY 20]

Once more just for those whose minds are reeling, NO CUSTOM CONTENT IS NEEDED to have a great time playing SC4.. I include the NAM not because its so wonderful from a "network speeds, etc" but because they have made a LOT of interchanges and crossovers so handy and convenient along with "drag-able" networks .. but even that isn't necessary.. Personally I find custom content to actually stand in the way of most enjoyment of the game.. so many people make this an end in itself.. of course one of the great things about SC4 is that you can define your own objectives.. I think until you SOLVE THE CONCEPT of SC4 you are totally wasting your time downloading a lot of custom content.. not to mention in many cases needlessly slowing your pc to a crawl..

[Deionn 137]

Exactly. Including huge MBs of dependency packs.

[BarbyW 40]

Sigh

Once again a helpful list has been turned into yet another dependency debate. You know the thing that makes me cross is that this is always directed to "The BSC" when most of the time you mean me. My lots do contain a lot of dependencies as I re use BATs and props from other creators. Please do not lump together all the various members of the BSC into one as many use few dependencies. The basic BSC parks set that neddiggis recommended has 30 lots with only three dependencies. The add on parks that I have made do require a lot more dependency packs but that is your choice. If you don't like a lot of dependencies the answer is simple - don't download but at the same time don't complain.

I am in the process of updating all of gascooker's lots and for his commercials I have 25 lots that need 4 prop packs - and two of those are optional. I would not call that excessive and of the four, one is the BSC Essentials pack that is used for almost all BSC lots so once you have it you can cross that off the dependency list.

Please leave this debate alone now. simmaster07 is trying to compile a basic list. I have pointed out that anything  by simgoober (in the original list) and kevdan25 (suggested by deion30296) is now outdated on the STEX. I have also pointed out that cycledogg's terrain mods have their own snow capped mod. I am not promoting lots by BSC members - just pointing out errors in the list.

[Sam 163]

Originally posted by: deion30296 Exactly. Including huge MBs of dependency packs.quote>

Drop it.

There is a place for discussing The Dependency Debate politely. Keep it there please. (Note: personally attacking others or their work is not considered polite discussion, nor is taking another member's thread off-topic).

[Deionn 137]

I apologize for any troubles or damage done. I was just saying that sometimes new users spend hours locating dependencies. Sometimes it get's so slow to a drag that it points them away from SC. But I love your work Barby. Dependency's aren't really a problem to me. My machine isn't affected that much. Oh yeah: Some custom content added to the list: Deadwood's Raised Park Set, Marrast TEL

[simmaster07 1,220]

thank you for your suggestions, deion. also, i cannot believe such a large debate on dependencies started on this topic. i just want to make a list, and i didn't mean for a large dependency debate to start here. thank you sam and BarbyW for helping end this problem here. @SC4BOY: no custom content is needed, but it is recommended. people may download custom content to make the game seem more realistic, so please don't say we're wasting our time downloading custom content. i have a rather large database of plugins... 500MB. but i wanted to give the list a base and let the community add to it. now, before another war over "Plugins: Good or Bad?," please make your own topic on the forums and move it over there.

[Deionn 137]

I have about... 1.52 GB of Plugins... lol Half of which are Datpacked.

[simmaster07 1,220]

let's not go off-topic again. there's a topic for plugin sizes already.

[6SpeedTA95 0]

So guys on these mods

RMIP 2

RMIP 2 Small Airport Edition Vol 1

RMIP 2 Small Airport Edition Vol 2

RMIP 2 Small Airport Edition Vol 3

RMIP 2 Small Airport Edition Vol 4

ACE

ACB VLT Terminals and Jets Series 1 Part 1

ACB VLT Terminals and Jets Series 2 Part 2

ACE Modular Airport Base Pack

Network Modifications

NAM (Network Addon Mod) April 2008

SAM (Street Addon Mod) v3

Bridge Height Mod

Can I start with airport vol4 and terminals series 2 vol2 and NAM april 08? Or do I need to get all the prior versions first? My copy showed up today so I'm going to start with a fresh plug in folder

[un1 41]

Only get Network Addon Mod 08 and SAM v3 because if you get the older ones you will get Plugin conflics.

I have a new suggestion: SC4 Mapper for Tools sections.

-un1

[6SpeedTA95 0]

Originally posted by: un1 Only get Network Addon Mod 08 and SAM v3 because if you get the older ones you will get Plugin conflics.

I have a new suggestion: SC4 Mapper for Tools sections.

-un1quote>

 

Thank you, any recommendations on the airports?

[Sam 163]

I don't think you've mentioned anywhere that buildings as props vol 1 and 2, the EP1 Update 1 and the BAT nightlight update will be virtually essential for almost all custom content and should be the first stop for anyone wanting to download custom content, even before the NAM.

Buildings as Props volume 1 and 2:

http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/loteditor/loteditortool_01.php

EP1 Update 1:

http://simcity.ea.com/update/index_update.php

BAT

Nightlight update: h

ttp://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/

bat

/index.php

Also, no maps on your list yet? There's some fantastic maps out there.

NHP IVM Invermere Lake By Beskhu3epnm And JPlumbley

- I like this one for making waterfalls, and use it for both

SC4

and Sims 2 terrains.

Mount Robson

modified from the original for the Shosaloza project - an interesting one if you like a challenging terrain. Snowfields work well with this one (snow mod needed). Original version here:

NHP Mount Robson Provincial Park By Beskhu3epnm

Barrier Islands by Citynut

- nice harbour, mountains, water, islands

This is a Sims2 Content Wiki I like the style of: The Table of Custom Contents. Its easy to find what you want by categories. It might give you some ideas for style and layout of your list.  A wiki would be a nice idea if possible, as more than one person can keep it up to date.

[simmaster07 1,220]

wow. thank you sam for your wonderful suggestions. surprisingly i've already been working on a wiki for this project. I'll edit my list as soon as possible. But for the Maxis stuff (Buildings as Props, EP1 Update 1, BAT Nightlight Update), I've noticed that when you download them they don't seem to have a license. Would this mean they would be in the public domain for anyone to redistribute? It would be helpful to members who don't have product registered accounts there. I cannot add the Maxis essentials until I know whether they're redistributable or not.

[Sam 163]

Originally posted by: simmaster07

...

I cannot add the Maxis essentials until I know whether they're redistributable or not.quote>

All you are doing is providing links aren't you? There isn't any problem with that.

But the buildings as props files are free to distribute as long as you don't charge money for them, claim you made them, or alter them in any way. (We do ask that people not include them in STEX uploads though, but link to them as they would any other dependency). Zelgadis has them on his website, mainly for mac users who were never able to use the official site fully, and for others who for whatever legitimate reason also can't use the official site. His site is here: http://homepage.mac.com/zelgadis/instructions.html Zelgadis is the expert on the usage agreement if you have any questions.