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| The Sims Online Stratics - 9/11/07 Official TSO Chat |
Destinova - Welcome to today's House of Commons chat with the developers of The Sims Online!
Destinova - To submit a question type /msg [QT]Phineus my question here! - questions sent to the developers will not be answered! We'll be doing a general chat today so any questions on the game are welcome.
Destinova - We'll begin with a brief introduction from our guests and then jump straight into the questions. The full logs will be available at http://sims.stratics.com shortly afterward.
Destinova - Also, feel free to join #sims-online for open chat.
Parizad - Hiya everyone! Thank you so much for joining us. Sorry for all of the spam. Is it wrong that I giggled everytime I sent those out? :)
MaxisLuc - Hi everyone! welcome to HoC!
GregK - hi
PaulKH - Hello! This is PaulKH! :-)
Parizad - Lee will be joining us shortly. :)
Destinova - *Gracie* One of the major concerns that I hear in game about the addition of custom content is that we will experience the slow loading times and lag that is prevalent in Second life. Should we prepare ourselves for this eventuality or will Tso custom content be different?
GregK - we are going to be using a proxy system so when uploading custom content you will
GregK - have to select a "proxy". Downloads will happen in the background and be cached so when you go back it will not need to download any longer.
GregK - loading houses will remain as fast as now .
Destinova - *Anon608* How are we suppose to get back into tc3 if our original 3 sims are in the first 3 slots. Will this be made easier in the future?
* Parizad waves "hello!" to everyone that is now joining us. *
MaxisLuc - We are planning two things: a) in the short term we will provide a cheat that will force the game to patch to TC3
MaxisLuc - b) we will patch the other cities so you will always see all your sims.
Destinova - *Glamorous* When will our sims be able to have different clothing and more items in buy mode? ;-)
* Parizad throws conffetti. Woohoo! Lee has joined us. *
LFancey - :)
GregK - Uri is working on a directx upgrade. We are hoping to take advantage of this by incorporating an upgrade sim (avatar) system. The new avatars will have more selections.
GregK - The directx upgrade is almost ready.
MaxisLuc - we are also repainring the content pipeline
MaxisLuc - and we plan to have 2 people building content almost full time.
MaxisLuc - this should enable us to add objects and clothing.
Parizad - Quick reminder for everyone to send their questions about Custom Content to Phineus. :)
Destinova - *Issac* How would content moderation work? A free-for-all and take down later via reports scheme like most content sites ( e.g. YouTube), or do custom contents need to wait in moderation queue? Would moderation be done by EA reps or community self-moderated?
MaxisLuc - I hope we get the community to self moderate
MaxisLuc - while following the Maxis standards
MaxisLuc - First we will let the long term player moderate
MaxisLuc - and then let more and more people moderate
MaxisLuc - each avatar will have a rating on the quality of its moderation
MaxisLuc - and each piece of content will be moderated by many users
MaxisLuc - if they differ, the dev team will look at the content and decide
MaxisLuc - There are already such system on the web to moderate news.
MaxisLuc - this way, content can be approved within minutes of being submitted, even at 2am
MaxisLuc - when I am sound asleep
Destinova - *Issac* For objects that have no motives, how would cost of manufacture be determined?
MaxisLuc - currently the custom content cost is based on size in KB.
MaxisLuc - when we enable the custom objects using motive satisfaction, you will need to proper component.
MaxisLuc - those do not exist yet.
Destinova - *Issac* Since walls and floors are not objects, what means do we have to sell/share them in game?
GregK - we will be making walls and floors "objects". Essentially, we are "object"-ifying the game... e.g. Deeds for Lots. So Walls/floors from some game mechanic levels will act like objects AND architecture.
Destinova - *sketti* Will we need to spend real cash, other than our monthly subscription, to be able to create or attain Custom Content in game?
MaxisLuc - Great question
MaxisLuc - Users with a monthly subscription will get cash every month.
MaxisLuc - free users will have to buy money to do things in the game
MaxisLuc - but subscribers are getting a better deal!
MaxisLuc - I know that anyone can stop subscribing, so I will make sure that subscribers are getting rewarded!
MaxisLuc - on the game blueprint site, you can see how we plan to redistribute the money through a pool system.
MaxisLuc - and I believe the bonus program should be targeted to the subscribers.
Destinova - *sedusa* For those of us who aren't "creative" how will we be able to make use of custom content?
GregK - hoping to provide what we call a component object system. Essentially it is combining objects to make new objects -- just like lots on a smaller scale. Additionally, we are hoping to have "active custom content" as well --> quests, mini-games, plays, events.
Parizad - Amen to that! I jump for join whenever my stick figure drawings have 2 arms and 2 legs. :)
Destinova - *Marmalade* Would EA consider creating a "Create Custom Content" tutorial for those of us who are new at it?
MaxisLuc - Margaret will provide a detailed tutorial on the game blueprint wiki.
Parizad - We have an awesome community. I have no doubt that you guys will do things (such as guides) that are a hell of a lot better than we ever could.
Parizad - Go community!
* Parizad shakes virtual pompoms. *
Destinova - *Glamorous* in other wards will we be able to do custom clothes items?
GregK - Yes. we will make clothes and accessories objects...
Destinova - *Vala* what is the status of the proposed city merge? is that a real possibility in the near future?
MaxisLuc - it will take time. we do not want to make any mistake.
MaxisLuc - I have a question to the community: can we merge Test Center quickly?
Destinova - *Incog* How do you plan on implementing custom content without raising the size of the game? (Almost 2GB now) Will the system be based over the internet, with features loaded on-the-fly as in other games?
MaxisLuc - this would be helpful to us.
Parizad - We know you can't answer us here (in regards to Luc's question). Please let us know on Stratics, the wiki, or the blog! :)
GregK - ACtually the game install is getting smaller. We will be shifting to Just-in-time delivery during game play and caching.
GregK - The cache size will be settable via the client.
Destinova - *Issac* Will trial accounts be restricted from creating custom content? (Please say yes... :D)
MaxisLuc - Hmmmm. That sounds like a decent idea.
MaxisLuc - I was thinking that they would need to cash in money anyway, so we would have some payment information
Destinova - *Simone* if I can ask more than one. How will we be able to land with 100 simoleans in the new city?
Parizad - Quick note to everyone: The next chat will be on City Merge! We'll post the date and time closer to the date... and after we coordinate our times to figure out when we can have it. :)
GregK - We will be bonusing subscribers.
GregK - So the startup funds will not be an issue for them.
GregK - And things are going to be less expesnive in EA Land
Parizad - We've started to derail from the topic. Please remember that tonight's topic is Custom Content, guys. :)
LFancey - On the topic of city merge. This is not the same as the city merge... But we will cover that in another chat :)
LFancey - Whoops I mean EALand
Destinova - *Issac* Will there be means for old avatars to take advantage of the new avatar options?
MaxisLuc - we get EA Land first and then we will merge cities into it.
Parizad - We don't understand the question, sorry Issac
MaxisLuc - Issac, I do not understand the question
Parizad - Thanks for confuzzling us!!
MaxisLuc - reset!
Destinova - *Issac* What does the team have in mind for gameless lots?
GregK - We noticed that there were a lot of folks that wanted off of the money/skills/motives treadmill to socialize.
GregK - We wanted to provide a place to play mini-games and do other things....
Destinova - *Wabbs* Is it true that custom content will only be available through crafting?
GregK - We will provide an object based interface for uploading or adding all custom content. For example,
GregK - the bitmaps Luc and Cort are working on are coming in via the Easel. Other content might come in
GregK - via the workbench or "Xerox machine" or...
Destinova - *Jenifer* Will we be able to keep our custom content from city to city? As in, will I be able to put one of my pink poka-dot couch on my lot in AV even though I made it in "EA-Land" (when the custom content updates are done and it's in every city)
MaxisLuc - There is only one!
Parizad - ...like Highlander!
MaxisLuc - the custom content will be in EA Land
Parizad - No, wait, that was "There can be only one"
Parizad - Mah bad. :)
MaxisLuc - and TC3 but will not really count when EA land will be open.
Destinova - *Princess* Can you please make the game html friendly, so links work inside the game. :))
LFancey - Yes what we want is for everything to occur inside the game. So clickable links etc...
Destinova - *Issac* Would the team consider utilizing crafting materials to augment/reduce the cost of manufacturing custom objects? e.g. It would cost $3,000 to make this chair normally but you can spend $1000 + parts x 2 instead.
GregK - Yes. It needs to be balanced of course ... we would definitely be open to making it more interesting.
Destinova - *Marmalade* Even with custom content, will the development team introduce some new objects in the game from the expansion packs such as Vacation, Superstar, etc.
GregK - That would be our hope... once we have the pipeline in place for custom content we hope to use it ourselves :)
Parizad - You might just see my stick figure people with (hopefully) 2 arms & 2 legs ingame!
Destinova - *Simone* I dont know if my question got through lol I am new to this. I was trying to ask: What skills if any will we need for custom content? Will it be more than 2 like crafting? Can we get a hint to what we should be skilling when we get to EA Land?
GregK - For most custom content it will not require skills or special abilities. For others - it will.
Parizad - We have some questions from our European players that were unable to make it tonight. we're asking the QT to ask those now.
Destinova - If existing Sims 1 files are fully compatible with TSO-E, what measures will be in place to prevent users taking existing content from websites and uploading them as their own? (Surely not the creator's job to look for their own work in TSO-E, and what of any profits made on any items sold before detection?)
MaxisLuc - Stealing is bad!
MaxisLuc - the community and us will help users protect their digital assets.
Parizad - Not today, thieves, not today...
* Parizad shakes her finger *
MaxisLuc - if it is obvious that something was stolen, we can take it back.
MaxisLuc - anyone submitting content they do not own is doing it at the risk of loosing it.
MaxisLuc - buyers will have to buy from reliable sellers
Destinova - Given that EA have never actually provided any tools for the creation of Sims 1 objects, are there going to be any problems using files created with Don Hopkins' Transmogrifier for "commercial" use within TSO-E?
GregK - As of now, we I do not know of any. We likely allow the graphic elements (or skins) to come but not the simulation portions (which are essentially broke from sims1 to tso). It will likely require picking an object behave
GregK - as the simulation poriton and the new graphic will be it's look.
Destinova - Will there be any guidance on what constitutes a new object (for example, if someone takes a unique creation and changes the color before uploading it the game).
MaxisLuc - Yes, we will help with that.
MaxisLuc - the creators might be well advised to upload and sell collections including a wide range of colors for their content
MaxisLuc - a red dress is not the same as a blue dress...
Parizad - That is the last question we had in our reserves. We're again answering your questions. :)
Destinova - *Simtastic* Will there come a time a sim can build more then 1 house in the same city with the same sim?
GregK - Yes. We are working on that right now. We have really been impressed with the lots you create so we hoping to provide more and more ways for you to leverage them.
MaxisLuc - BTW: Greg had that working on his machine today. Awesome!
Destinova - *Glamorous* in reference to the custom content avatars...does this mean we'll have to start a new sim from scratch??
GregK - no. You should not have to re-create from scratch. Hopefully, we'll provide more makeover options...
Destinova - *Simtastic* my question here! Will there come a time that a sim could build more then one house in the same city?
GregK - An avatar can own more than one but physically will only be in one at a time.
Destinova - *Marmalade* Where will all the information be stored for custom content. Will the info be stored on TSO servers or on our home computers?
GregK - It will be maintained on the servers and cached onto your computers.
Destinova - *Thrill* Do you plan on implementing based-upon objects in TC3?
MaxisLuc - yes. We will start having them in 2-3 weeks. the first one will be user bitmaps.
MaxisLuc - that's where we will test the new code.
MaxisLuc - first week only Maxis will be able to create them, but all should be able to see.
* Parizad dances around in her chair with excitement *
MaxisLuc - when that works, we will enable you to upload your bitmaps.
Destinova - *Avyi* Will custom content be transferable between sims; such as in trade or purchasing on a store lot?
GregK - Yes. All objects including custom objects will be tradeable via secure trading, stores, and hopefully auctions.
Destinova - *Anon608* Do you see a time when we can have custom audio content for those on our lots....ie..a specific internet radio station as the background audio?
MaxisLuc - yes. and iTune radio too..
Destinova - *Glamorous* will monthly fee go up for players once custom content is enabled?
MaxisLuc - nope. but we might offer more deals that are advantageous to the users.
Parizad - This will be the last question...
Destinova - *Anon608* maybe i missed it but who will own the rights to the custom content EA or the individual who creates it
MaxisLuc - it is a complex issue. by uploading content, users will imply that they own the rights and give the rights to EA to distribute it.
MaxisLuc - Users will have to agree to an extension to the current game agrement.
Parizad - Thank you all so very much for joining us! Sorry if this sounds corny, all of the hard work that we're doing, it's for you. Please give us your feedback, and tell us of your ideas. We'd love to hear from you. See you all next time!
GregK - Thanks for allowing us this time. Cya in game!
MaxisLuc - looks like time is up!
LFancey - Bye everyone! See you around the cities and thanks for all the fun.
Destinova - That will wrap it up for tonight. I'd like to thank the developers for coming! The log for tonight's chat will be up shortly on http://sims.stratics.com/
MaxisLuc - thank you all for your time!
Destinova - Also, please feel free to join #sims-online for open chat.
* Parizad blows kisses *
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