|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | =Game Mods: Introduction= | + | =Sims 2 Game Mod Upload Guidelines= |
| | | | |
| − | Creating a game modification - may it be a Global Mod, an Object Mod or a Config Mod - requires particular care, because these creations are intended to modify, in different ways, the normal functions and appearance of the game or of the sims.
| + | When uploading game mods to Mod The Sims, we have some basic requirements to ensure that your upload is good, shown well, and has the correct info and files needed for people to use it in their games. This allows both moderators to check your uploads for quality, and for downloaders to see if your item is something they want to add to their games. |
| | | | |
| − | In order to be sure that your upload gets a positive review from the moderators, please read carefully the following Definitions, so to choose correctly the upload category, and the Guidelines, that you must comply to, in order to see your upload approved.
| + | ==Quality== |
| | | | |
| − | {| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%" | + | |
| − | |-
| + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| − | ! style="text-align:left" | Definitions
| + | |
| | |- | | |- |
| | | | | | |
| − | Use this info to upload your creation to the right section.
| + | * '''Usefulness:''' Your mod should be useful to the player and do not repeat functions available through game cheats. For example, buy pricing mods or mods that unlock items available in debug add no value as they are already available or the player can use motherlode. |
| | | | |
| − | *'''Global Mods''' A "Global Mod" is something that will modify the general game behaviour or appearance, without any further intervention from the user. Some global mods modify the behaviour of the entire game (example: a mod that prevents death, or modifies the age duration); others act upon specific objects or categories (examples: a replacement for the Pollination Technician, or a mod that enables a training interaction on the Maxis cash registers). Technically speaking, the Global Mods are made of resources that use the same GUID's and/or GroupID's originally used by Maxis, thus overriding the original ones.
| + | |} |
| | | | |
| | + | ==Information== |
| | | | |
| − | *'''Object Mods''' An "Object Mod" is a variation of a Maxis object, or a completely new object, that can modify relevant parameters of a sim, or a lot, or another object when used. Examples: a painting that instantly maximizes the sims' needs when looking at it; or a board that allows to freely choose any possible job; or a potion that instantly turns a sim into a vampire, a witch, etc. Again, all these objects must be used or activated, in order to produce the desired effect. Technically speaking, the Object Mods are autonomous objects, that use their own GUID and contain resources assigned to the private GroupID's (0xFFFFFFF and/or 0x1C050000 only).
| + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | |
| | + | You will need to include certain information. Some of these are only applicable for certain types of mods: |
| | | | |
| | + | * '''Mod Function:''' State clearly what your mod does. What is it for? What does it change in game? Where should they expect to see the changes? You need a good description of exactly what it's for and what it does. |
| | | | |
| − | *'''Config Mods''' This is a special Global Mod that affects the general game behavious by adding or replacing a configuration file (as opposed to normal Global Mods, that only use packages placed in the Downloads folder). Configuration Mods include, for example, camera modifications and alternative lighting systems (such as the Radiance). | + | * '''Mod Type:''' State clearly what kinda mod your mod is. Is it a resource override (aka default replacement), recategorizer or hider, global mod, object mod? |
| − | |}
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | ==Quality==
| + | * '''Special instructions:''' If your mod needs something extra to install/use, please add an instruction on how to install/use your mod. |
| − | This is by far the most important factor in all uploads, but also the hardest to quantify.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | {| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
| + | * '''Post formatting:''' Please format your description in a readable format. Lists, headings, and proper use of bold text where appropriate is a lot easier to read and follow than a giant block of text. |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | ! style="text-align:left" | Usefulness (*)
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | |Is the mod you've created something people will actually want? Does it make sense? Will people get a lot of use out of it? When uploading a mod, make sure you have a good description but also that it's useful to a lot of people.
| + | |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| + | |
| − | |}
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | {| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
| + | * '''Conflicts:''' Please list out any known conflicts and state with what kind of other mods your mod may conflict. |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | ! style="text-align:left" | Not just a cheat or exploit (*)
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | |At MTS, we are not interested in hosting "get everything for free with no effort at all!" type hacks/mods. We do not host mods that make it so rare/special items (like seeds, fish, etc) are free or only a few simoleons, or make it so sims are millionaires by default, or get tons of lifetime reward points without earning them - these things are of limited usefulness and are really just cheats.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | If you create a mod that, for instance, makes it so a hard to obtain item is buyable, then make the price make sense - it should still be expensive (and thus not super easy to obtain). | + | * '''Overrides - Overriden Resources:''' If you have overriden (default replaced) an item, make sure to clearly state what you've overriden. The resource name itself is helpful to include, though not absolutely necessary. |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| + | |
| − | |}
| + | |
| − | {| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | ! style="text-align:left" | Essential Resources only
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | |
| + | |
| − | Either you are creating an overriding Global Mod or an autonomous Object Mod, you must include in the package only the resources that you have actually modified or are anyway required for your mod to work. Useless, unmodified resources left in the package reduce the overall game compatibility of the mod, and only lead to conflicts with other mods, heavier usage of the CPU and longer loading times. Therefore, don't include in your Mod meshes, textures or code already existing in game; on the contrary, you should instruct your Mod to re-use the existing Maxis resources (ask in the Create forums if you don't know how to do that).
| + | |
| − | |}
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | {| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
| + | * '''Game Compatibility:''' Please state the Expansion pack required for your mod. People need to know if they can run your mod in their game. If you made sure that your mod is compatible with other game versions as well, you can, of course, list those too. |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | ! style="text-align:left" | English translation
| + | * '''Updates and Remixes - Credits:''' If you have uploaded a remix or update of someone else's mod, you need to credit the original creator and link to the original upload. Please add the creator's name, and a clickable link to the page where the original mod can be found, or (if the original page is down) the creator's profile or website. |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | |
| + | |
| − | MTS2 is an English-only forum, and all the uploads *must* be fully translated in English; any additional language is welcome, but English is always required. This rule applies to messages, catalog descriptions, pie menus, and also to the screenshots attached to you upload post. If your game is installed in a non-English language, you must use the AnyGameStarter in order to set up a test game in English. UK creators please remember that the game objects use as "default language" the US English , which is completely separated from the UK language.
| + | |
| − | Of course, this rule does not apply to a "Fix" that is supposed to correct an error in a specific non-English language.
| + | |
| − | |}
| + | |
| − | {| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | ! style="text-align:left" | Extensive testing
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | |
| + | |
| − | You can't upload a Global Mod without having tested it extensively. While not mandatory, it's strongly suggested to test the mod using the AnyGameStarter, that can create clean test games, optionally excluding one or more EP that you have installed. This last feature is extremely useful if you claim your mod to work in game configurations different than your actual one (e.g. if you claim your mod to be base-game compatible when you do have some EPs installed).
| + | |
| | |} | | |} |
| | | | |
| | ==Screenshots== | | ==Screenshots== |
| | | | |
| − | People want to see what they're downloading! Your screenshots sell your upload - if people don't like the look of your screenshots, they're not going to download - and if your screenshots are too bad, you won't get your upload approved.
| + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| − | | + | |
| − | {| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%" | + | |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | ! style="text-align:left" | Illustrate your mod (*)
| + | | You must have '''some sort of picture:''' To get your upload to show in the Downloads section on MTS, it has to have at least one image attached to the thread. If you can, try to get an in-game picture that is somewhat illustrative of the thing you're changing (if you're doing a change the behavior of vampires, a picture of a vampire would be a good choice), but at least go with something vaguely related (a picture of plumbbob would be far preferable to a picture of your dog). |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | |We know it can be difficult to capture something useful in-game for many game mods, but we do require -some- sort of illustrative in-game screenshot. In fact, with no screenshots, your upload won't even show up in the Downloads section.
| + | Just keep in mind: |
| − | <br style="clear:both" /> | + | |
| − | |}
| + | * '''Size:''' Your images can be up to 2560x1440 pixels, and 800 kb, so you have lots of space to work with! |
| | + | * '''Picture limit:''' You may upload up to 100 pictures for a single upload thread, so feel free to add some additional pictures just to show off your work to its best. Of course, keep it reasonable - nobody needs 50 pics to show off one small thing. |
| | + | * '''Inline pictures:''' Inline pictures are those that use the <nowiki>[img]</nowiki> tag to show up in with the description text. So that it doesn't take too long to load, please keep this to no more than 4 pictures done inline, unless you put them inside an <nowiki>[infobutton]</nowiki> tag. To do this, see our guide on [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=487310 post formatting]. |
| | | | |
| − | {{Guidelines-Screenshots-BigEnough}}
| |
| | {{Guidelines-Screenshots-Tips}} | | {{Guidelines-Screenshots-Tips}} |
| | + | |} |
| | | | |
| − | ==Uploading==
| |
| − | Once you have your creation made and screenshots taken, you need to make sure you have all the fiddly bits in order when uploading.
| |
| | | | |
| − | {{Guidelines-InfoFiles-ZipRar7z}} | + | ==Files== |
| − | {{Guidelines-InfoFiles-UploadinSets}}
| + | {{Guidelines-InfoFiles-ZipRar7z}} |
| − | {{Guidelines-InfoFiles-Title}}
| + | |
| − | {{Guidelines-InfoFiles-Description}}
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | {| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | ! style="text-align:left" | Correct game compatibility
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |While uploading the mod, you must check the appropriate icons in the Game Compatibility panel. Unless you can prove (with appropriate testing) that the mod works with less requirements, a Global Mod should be marked with ALL the Expansions that you have installed. We understand that a Global Mod marked as base-game compatible is much more appealing that one that requires 7 different EP's, but it's up to you to find out what are the real game requirements. SimPE has a nice "Compare" function that lets the creator compare a specific BHAV or BCON from the various EP; and you can modify SimPE's "file table" to exclude one or more EP while cloning an object. Use these functions, if you want to create something that can work without the EP that you have!
| |
| − | |}
| |
| | | | |
| − | ==Additional Stuff== | + | ==Other== |
| | + | |
| | | | |
| − | * If your upload is rejected or marked as changes required and you're not sure why, ask in [http://www.modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=492 Creator Issues].
| + | {{Guidelines-NotAllowed}} |
| | | | |
| − | * If you want some feedback before uploading, post info about your mod in the [http://www.modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=473 Creator Feedback Forum] to get feedback on it.
| |
| | | | |
| | [[Category:MTS2 Creator Guidelines]] | | [[Category:MTS2 Creator Guidelines]] |
| − | [[Category:Sims 2]]
| |
When uploading game mods to Mod The Sims, we have some basic requirements to ensure that your upload is good, shown well, and has the correct info and files needed for people to use it in their games. This allows both moderators to check your uploads for quality, and for downloaders to see if your item is something they want to add to their games.
| Uploads not allowed on MTS
|
These items are not allowed on MTS in any category.
| Pay/Pirated Content
|
|
Everything required or recommended for an upload must be freely available, without having to pay.
- No uploads requiring pay content: We do not host content (for example, recolours of a pay hair or object mesh) that absolutely require pay content to function in-game.
- No optional pay, pirated, or stolen content: Even for optional or recommended content not absolutely required for the creation to work (for example, hair on a sim or a couch on a lot), this means:
- No content you must pay for. This means you cannot use items that are pay, donation, subscriber only, "special gift", etc. type content, anything accessible only when you pay money or subscribe.
- No content from sites that are repositories of unmodified content when it is still available from the original creator, whether these items are pay or free (no Booty or Simscave, torrents, sites full of stolen content or similar, but the Graveyard and sites that offer recolours or modifications with the mesh are okay).
- No EA content simply converted to base game use with no other changes.
- No pirated EA Store content. EA Store content, linked to the legitimate EA Store, is okay though. TS2 store content may be included, with proper credit, since the store is no longer available.
|
| Other content not allowed
|
- Items that belong on the adult site: No content posted on MTS can have visible nudity, sexual content, or adult content, and instead must be posted on our adult site, Sexy Sims. This means on MTS, you may not post:
- Content that contains nudity, which we define as exposing the female nipples, or the butt crack/genitals of either gender, including semi-transparent stuff like a sheer bra. Items that are merely "sexy" like skimpy miniskirts or string bikinis are fine on MTS. Transsexual/transgender items are also not considered adult content unless they contain nudity.
- Skintones containing genital details - female nipples are okay on MTS but see below regarding screenshots.
- Images of skintones with uncensored female nipples. Please blur or cover the nipples, butt crack, and genital area when taking screenshots of your skintones.
- Fine art uploads containing visible nudity.
- Items with specifically sexual content (sex toys, sexual poses).
- Items containing swear/curse words
- Items relating to illegal drugs. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are okay on MTS though.
- Sexualized children: We do not allow any sexy/sexualized content for baby, toddler, or child sims in any way - no breasts whatsoever on child sims, no "sexy" outfits, etc. If you want to make preteens, make a less developed body for teen sims. Sexualized child content is not allowed at our adult site either.
- Offensive content: Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, bigoted, hateful or otherwise offensive content will not be allowed. Again, also not allowed at our adult site.
- Gore/violence: We do not allow uploads which feature prominent, graphic violence and/or gore. Examples of things we do not allow would include items centred around mass shootings, images showing explicit violent imagery, cannibalism, and infanticide. Limited violence and gore may be featured if not the dominant focus of the upload, and not excessively graphic. Think a PG-13 movie. If uncertain whether your upload crosses this line, we suggest making a thread in the Creator Issues forum asking for feedback from a moderator before uploading.
- EXE installers: Creators are not allowed to post exe (or other executable) files for any area of the site but Modding Tools. If your content needs to be installed to a certain directory, you can compress your files and leave the directory structure intact, so you can tell people to just install to Program Files, for instance, and the files will go where they need to. Executable installers can easily hold viruses, and are generally not needed for installing most content.
- Preorder bonus content: Certain items were only available if you preordered certain expansions or stuff packs from certain retailers. It's unfortunate if someone missed out on getting them, but they can't be redistributed here as EA has made it clear that they do not allow it.
- Unmodified EP/SP/Store content: While it is common practice to modify and use bits and pieces of game content to create custom content, extracting content from an expansion, stuff pack, or Store item and uploading it unmodified is not allowed on this site. You are welcome to upload significantly modified versions of expansion, stuff pack, or Store content, but you can't just be ripping it and changing one tiny thing (or nothing) just so people who didn't purchase it can still use it.
- Stolen/reuploaded content: This should go without saying, but do not upload content made by others and claim it as your own, in whole or in part. Don't upload the work of someone else without their permission... if they wanted to share it at MTS, they can easily upload it here themselves.
- Uncredited content/violating permissions: If any part of what you have uploaded (mesh, textures, alphas, bump maps, coding, etc.) comes from somebody else's work, you MUST provide a link and credit in the text of your post, for the original author. State what you've used of theirs, the author's name, and give a link back to them. You must check the author's policies to see if you can use their content in the way you want, and you may not violate any policies stated. If there are no policies or they don't disallow your type of usage, or the site is permanently offline, then you can assume it's okay. Please see here for more details: Updates and Remixes of Creations.
- Redirects: If you want to move a creation to another site, please remove your upload from MTS, don't just edit the text to point to a different site.
|
|
