Hey folks! Sorry for the lack of posting going on, but I’m still sorting out things with my transfer. Since I am pretty much clueless about a number of host-related issues, I have a friend helping me out, and I hope to be up and running properly again very soon.
While I’ve had some “down time”, I’ve been doing some heavy-duty thinking about my site, my Sims, and the Sims 2 community in general. In particular, the hubbub over issues with pay sites grabbed my attention, and I’ve been riled up, so to speak. I won’t go into too much detail just yet, but I’ve decided to shift my focus on this site just a bit.
For one thing, I really want to promote free Sims 2 fansites. I have nothing personal against pay site owners or people who donate/subscribe to pay sites (heck, I’ve been one of ’em up till now), but it comes down to this: I think the proliferation of pay sites is hurting the Sims 2 community in many ways, and I’d like to do what I can to repair that in my own small way. If you’re wondering “what’s the big deal with pay sites?” and would like some more information, take a look at this thread at the Sims 2 Community forums. You may also want to read the new Mod the Sims 2 Mission Statement, if you haven’t already. Quite a few owners of free Sims 2 sites are banding together to help promote free content and discourage people from contributing to pay sites — if you’re curious about them, check out the Federation of Free Sims Sites. Even though the federation itself is for owners of Sims sites, anyone can be a member of the forum.
So what does this mean for Greetings from Mt. Geneva? Well, considering I used a crapload of custom content from pay sites in order to build Shady Bluff, I have decided to scrap it and re-build it from scratch, using only content from totally free sites. I know that sounds a bit crazy, since it was a lot of work, but I think it’ll be more fun this way. What I would like to do is post updates on the process as I follow Jade’s tutorials. That way you guys can see Shady Bluff develop from the ground up. I planned on doing that originally, but I got too excited — I wanted to finish it and start playing! But I’d like to put more thought into it this time and share the process with the rest of you.
Another thing I want to do as I re-build Shady Bluff is to make the various houses and businesses I create available for download. I figure that’s a way I can give back to the community a bit more. Not that my houses are much compared to the stuff available at places like MTS2, but it’s something!
Last but not least, I will continue to tell my Sims stories. The Burrs may go away for awhile as I focus on this new Shady Bluff project, but they won’t stay away for long. The Ravelos, on the other hand, will come back into the spotlight as I prepare them for the move to Shady Bluff. They will be my main family in the ‘hood, the one around which most of the stories revolve.
For those of you who remember the Shady Bluff prelude with Kaylynn, you’re probably wondering how she’s going to fit into all of this. Well, I haven’t figured that out quite yet. I had this whole huge storyline planned, but it sort of became an unwieldly monster, and I’m not sure what to do with it. So that’s why I’m focusing on the Ravelos for now.
Whew! Sorry for being so darned wordy. I hope it all makes sense, and that you don’t think I’ve gone off the deep end. I welcome any and all feedback you have about pay sites, free sites, ‘hood building, Shady Bluff, the Ravelos, and the Burrs. Thanks for sticking with me.
Hey Jen! I totally commend what you are doing. I can’t believe you’re rebuilding from scratch… But I don’t doubt that Shady Bluff and your families will be better for it.
I approve of what you are doing Jen! I don’t like the pay sites that are used constantly. I myself don’t use any custom content at all.
Shady Bluff is going to be an amazing story! I enjoyed the Ravelos and the Burrs, and I can’t wait to see what will happen in the next couple updates. Happy Simming!
Hey Jen! I totally agree, and I read the MTS2 Mission Statement. I think they said a lot of things tht are correct, and I love using only free content. Great work Jen!Shady Bluff was REALLY nice, but if you want to rebuild it, youre free to.
Doing it all over again? Yeow! Good luck. It will probably come out even better, especially since you’re a little more familiar with the process and have a better idea of what exactly you want. I can’t wait to see it.
As usual with me, anything and everything you wanna write about is good! :D Are you going to follow the same layout you mapped out in SimCity 2000, or are you making a new one there too?
… If you are, can I have the old one? =)
i Yay! an Update! I can’t w8 for the next update! all I have to say for now! Good luck with the new server!
Hi again! i was at a friends house when I wrote my last comment and she was rushing me off the computer. so here’s more: I am so glad that you’ve decided to become one of us and use the non buy websites! there is still lots of nice stuff u dont have to pay for! Have fun figuring out the ne host!
hi. I argee with you that it would be nice to get stuff from sim sites without having to pay for it. I personally don’t use custom content mind you that’s because I’m too scared it will mess up the computer somehow but I certianity don’t mind looking.
Good luck with re-building Shady Bluff and getting to grips with the new host!
Keep Simming!
See ya later
Jen – I really admire what you’re doing. You have quite an ambitious project ahead of you, but I’m sure everything will turn out being spectacular. I also look forward to the Ravelos coming back into the spotlight. Will they be getting an entirely new home?
Hi Jen,
I am actually really looking forward to your posts about the development of Shady Bluff! I am in the process of doing my own hood as well, although I’m not ambitious enough to totally follow Jade’s “tutes”! I have named my hood Abington and have not yet decided if I want to start a sims 2 blog to tell the neighborhood’s stories. For now I just consider myself as “establishing” the hood to help give it some history before I would publish any stories about it. Heh. Anyway, I have downloaded a few houses for the neighborhood, but only free ones as I couldn’t agree more with your comments about pay sites. Good luck rebuilding and I can’t wait for posts on the development process. And I’m anxiously awaiting the return of those Ravelos :)
I’ve actually been debating this myself without seeing it on these sites first. haha. I just think it’s out of control. I love all the sites and all the great content but it’s getting to be too much.
ok well good luck!! :)
I applaud your efforts Jen, especially since its going to cause you so much extra work to rebuild Shady Bluff. That’s commitment to the cause!
I’m a gamer from way back before the Sims, and never in my experience before has a community become so greedy to profit from each other. In all the other gaming communities I’ve been a member of before, it was sharing for the sake of sharing and excitement about the game.
Once again, *clap clap clap*, big round of applause.
I’m with ya Jen! All hail free sites, I can’t beleive your starting from scratch with shady bluff
Hey guys, thanks for all of the support! I’ve already started my rebuild of SB, and I’m really excited about it. I hope you guys will find it interesting and entertaining, too. I’m not starting TOTALLY from scratch, as I am using the same ‘hood terrain and some of the same buildings. But I would like to build the rest of the lots myself, instead of downloading them from elsewhere, and that could take awhile. It’ll be fun, though!
To answer a couple of questions –
Kay – Of course you can have my ‘hood terrain, if you don’t mind that I’m using it, too! I’m putting it up for download on Sunday, but if you’d like it before then, let me know — I’ll e-mail it to ya. Alternatively, I could make a new one for you, if you have something particular in mind!
Willow – Yep, the Ravelos will be getting a new home! Actually, they’ll have to go househunting when they move to Shady Bluff. I have my real estate agent all set up already. ;-)
Sarah – I’d love to see your ‘hood when you’re ready to share it!
Good luck with the rebuilding, Jen! :) I agree with you about paysites, it’s getting out of hand and some people are getting greedy. I understand the time it takes to build the custom content, but for me it comes down to The Sims 2 being the property of Maxis/EA Games and these other people are trying profit off of that, which I don’t think is right and is also against the terms of use. I had a few pay items before my computer crash, but after I lost them I decided that I would not pay for downloads again.
Yay! I love the Burrs, but the Ravelos have always been my favourite out of your families. Shame that they’ll lose their house, though. Will you be putting Grunewald Estate (I think that’s what it’s called) up for download?
Yes, I agree. Creativity and ideas are better when they are shared freely, not bought and sold, and it’s wonderful to have a free comunity online. I don’t buy any content either, and that’s only partially cuz I’m cheap. ;-) Happy building! Can’t wait to see the results!
Gleep! *perks and falls over* :D Seriously, Jen? Of course I’d love a ‘hood from you! Hee. Uhm. Something suitable for an old village somewhere with a lot of nooks and crannies and appealing views? Usually my neighborhoods end up falling into two types: either a long stretch of road with little ‘legs’ of streets going off of it a la Strangetown, or it’s just a big loopy mess. It gets repetitive, though I’m trying to learn new ways to set it all up.
Yes, finally a Ravelo update! (and just in time too since my birthday’s on the 14th!) I admire your will to start a rebellion, honestly you remind me of myself. You can even ask my cousin, she reads this site like crazy but I’m not sure if she’s ever posted a comment. But, good luck on protesting the pay sites because if they were real fans then they wouldn’t demand money. God they remind me so much of the goverment. Well,good luck and I can’t wait for the next Shady Bluff update either since it sounds like there might be a mystery thing going on kind of like Annabel Island.
Now that is dedication to the cause of free content! Hurrah for Jen! I’ve been a member of MTS2 and S2C since before any of the expansion packs and I’ve never touched a pay item, the quality just isn’t there most the time from what I could tell. I’ve seen pictures of the pay site items in stories and various screenshots some are impressive I admit, but I’ve downloaded more and better ones for free. Also as someone said I’m pretty sure it is against the EULA unless you build the entire skin/mesh from scratch which I seriously doubt anyone has done.
Also being able to download some of your creations would be amazing. I don’t like downloading houses from sites as sometimes they are disfunctional and a nightmare to work with, but ones which I can see in game and that have been optimised through playing is great!
Keep up the stories, they keep making me nostalgic for Sim2 now and then. Which is a good thing!
I totally agre that you should not have to pay for sims stuff. I’m always wanting to for peggysims though. I love her member hair. Anyway, I have kind of a general question. I have no idea what a grilled cheese sim is. Could someone fill me in please?
Hey Jen! Thanks so much for this prewiew of what’s been going on with Shady Bluff! It sounds great, but I was just wondering, when are you going to start updating? I fyou could awnser that question it’d be great!
Thanks!
HEY!!! I’m sorry I never got around to commenting…. I think it’s really great that you’re petitioning against Pay Sites….augh, I hate them!!! They have such great stuff and I can’t get it!!! Anyway, I can’t wait to see the new and improved Shady Bluff, and good luck on making that transfer!!
Phil
P.S. :) :) :) THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for helping me with my custom content problem!!!
Hi its me again. Sorry for asking this again. But what is a grilled cheese sim? It’s been bothering me all day and I would really like to know!
Lucia, a grilled cheese sim is a Sim with the Aspiration of Grilled Cheese. It’s something you get if you have your Sim try the aspiration changer reward and it fails: the Sim’s whole life starts revolving around eating grilled cheese. :D
That’s awesome Jen. I recently started my own blog if you want to check it out, I mentioned your blog a couple of times… (Check the blogging legends part!)
That’s really neat! The “only free content” idea of yours.
Personally, however, I… I really like some of the things from paysites.
I wanted them for so long, and until the site that was a cataclyst for the “free vs. pay debate” came around (PMBD– yeah! I went there! Crossed the line! Er… well, not quite, it’s just initials. Just look around More Awesome Than You if you want to know what it means), I never had any paysite items in my game. (Save for things that came around the free rotation at TSR.)
And, dagnabbit. I really like having them. I do! Most of the things do very little except make my Sims look preeettyyy, but I like having preeettyyy Sims. So, I guess I’m still sticking with the pay stuff.
Pay stuff that I stole!
I’m really looking forward to seeing the entries where you talk about building Shady Bluff from the ground up! I don’t have the patience for that kind of thing– I just have a neighborhood for story and photography Sims (okay, so I haven’t had a real story in a while… I’ve got two or three ideas!), and then a bunch of neighborhoods for just fun-time playing. (Not that stories don’t pop up in funtime ‘hoods. Recently, I decided one of my Legacy children will try to take over the world with his dog, Blood. If you’re curious, this is Blood’s breed. :D ScAaAry, isn’t it?)
Squee~ good luck with Shady Bluff!
Ooh, and maybe Kaylynn… could become a serial killer. No? No. Maybe she could start her own maid service, be her own boss, and eventually own a multimillion-dollar cleaning company that has extended into not just cleaning services, but cleaning products as well! “Maid’s Secret Laundry Detergent!”
Or… a dog breeder. Notoriety?
Or she could stalk Nina and try to take over her life. Too close to serial killer?
Basically, it seemed from the first Shady Bluff thing that she felt… lacking. Lacking in power, lacking in importance. So I’m trying to think of things that would work to make her feel more important…
She could become a politician who claws her way to the top, has her hand in a piece of everyone’s pie, and is involved in a convoluted scheme that ends up BACKSTABBING EVERYONE gasp! But she’s mayor, Dagnabbit, and that’s what counts!
Or Don goes to prison!
That’s always an option, I think.
Blu, I nearly lost my orange juice. Phew! I thought you were going to name The Site That Must Not Be Named! /grins The crew at MATY crack me up.
Sorry I couldn’t comment before, my computer went haywire. Well, you’ve inspired me. I’ve started my own neighborhood, Westfield. (Update on that over at my site.) Actually, a tour of the first Westfield lot is up! Anyway, thanks for constantly inspiring me!
i cant wait for shady bluff.how do u put links to pictures in my documents on ur posts?i want to show you my family.
blu aww the panda teddy is sooooooooo cute! Cute with a capital q!lol
Hi Jen, just wanted to pop in to say hello. I have read all your stories to-date, all just recently actually! I love your stories and was also saddened by the loss of your Shanley Legacy. But you did such an awesome job, it will never be forgotten. I enjoyed your stories so much, you have inspired me to start my own blog! Its gonna take some time to be as interesting and entertaining as yourself, but I am up for the challenge. If you have some time, which I understand is precious in itself, please take a peek at my new blog and let me know what you think. Any suggestions or critisims (sp?) will be most appreciated! :D
Thanks for the awesome feedback. You guys rock, as always!
To answer some questions:
Scarynoodles – I do have plans to put the Grunewald Estate up for download. It’ll probably be unfurnished, though, as it’s a huge monster of a house!
Kay – Do you want your ‘hood to be on the sea, or landlocked, with maybe a lake or river? :-D
Aya – Thanks, but I’m not the one who started this rebellion — many others were protesting it long before I “saw the light”! So I’m actually pretty late to join in. But hey, better late than never, right?
Aner_Dyfan – Good to see ya! It’s been awhile. Hope you enjoy the houses!
Lucia – Sorry I didn’t get to your question sooner! Thanks to Kay for answering it.
Josh – Your blog looks great! I tried to leave a comment but I couldn’t remember my Blogger log-in. Anyway, thanks for the kind mention on your last post — it made my day. I added your site to my links list!
BLUUUU! – You are hysterical as always. I like your ideas for Kaylynn. Some of them come scarily close to what I had planned for her…(erm, NOT the serial killer one :-)) And Don should definitely go to prison. Just on principle.
Katie – Whoa – what an awesome ‘hood so far! I LOVE your town hall. Very inspiring.
Kitty – Hey there, if you want to share pictures with us, the best thing might be to get a Photobucket account. Then you can upload your pics and link to them from here!
Laura – Hi there, thanks so much for your comments. I’m so glad you enjoyed my goofy stories. Your blog looks lovely, and I’ve added you to my links list!
Oh! Uhm. Eenie meenie.. Landlocked! :D Whatever body of water you decide on is a-okay with me. Squeeee! Thank you for doing this! :D