MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Compatibility

There has been some confusion with creators as to how to classify their uploads with regards to which EPs are required to play their content. This FAQ will attempt to clear that up.

General Notes

Firstly, the keyword here is REQUIRES. This is not to be confused with WORKS WITH. This functionality has evolved over time, and indeed a lot of early downloads are tagged as if it WORKED WITH All, as opposed to Requires all - needless to say this confuses people.

Please be aware that when you post your object, if there are exceptions to the rule please note them in your opening post. If you are posting a set of items that has multiple REQUIRES, then you need to indicate in your first post which items require which expansion packs.

If no Expansion Packs are REQUIRED (ie MUST be installed by the player to use your content) then do not tick ANY boxes.

Bodyshop Content

• If the content was made on a Maxis mesh then it will require whichever EP or SP that mesh came with.
• If the content is on a custom mesh that was based off a maxis mesh it will NOT require the EP that the mesh was made from.

Buy and Build Mode Content

• Simple Recolors will require the EP or SP that their object's mesh came with. If it is a custom mesh it will only require the BaseGame.
• Many cloned items will require the same setup of EPs that SimPE was in when the object was cloned, regardless if the object itself if from the BaseGame. To clone a truly BaseGame compatible object, change your Preference settings in SimPE in the FileTable and reload SimPE.
• If the original object was from an EP, any cloned objects will also always require that EP.
• Fences almost always require at least one EP, it doesn't matter which one however. There is a special way of creating fences in SimPE to be BaseGame compatible, but that is still in the experimental stages.

Lots and Housing

• ANY lot built with EPs, regardless of it doesn't contain any EP objects will always REQUIRE that EP due to changes in the .package files.
• A lot built with SPs -- without using SP objects -- will be compatible for users who don't have that SP. If SP objects are used, then the lot will require that SP.
• A lot built with the Original game with NO EPs installed will always work on ALL versions

The two exceptions to these rules are University and Mansions & Gardens. Even though University is technically an EP, it behaves as an SP and is never required. The reverse is true for Mansions & Gardens, even though it is an SP and you may not have used objects from it, the lot will still require it.

If a lot was built with any of the behavioral SPs but does not use any of its objects, the downloader MUST use CleanInstaller to install the lot or it will not install.

Hacks and Game Mods

While some of these may REQUIRE a particular EP to be installed (or None), they may not WORK WITH other EPs. For example, something that works ONLY with Uni installed but not Nightlife - this may be the case for non updated hacks for example. In these cases this fact must be noted in the opening post.