Difference between revisions of "MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Sims 3 Game Mods"

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''This page was last modified 10 July 2009''
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''These guidelines were last modified 13 May 2011''
  
 
=Sims 3 Game Mods=
 
=Sims 3 Game Mods=
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This is by far the most important factor in all uploads, but also the hardest to quantify.
 
This is by far the most important factor in all uploads, but also the hardest to quantify.
  
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{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
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|-
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! style="text-align:left" | Usefulness (*)
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|-
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|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.  Simple XML tuning mods do not come under this category (see below).
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<br style="clear:both" />
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|}
  
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===Usefulness===
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{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
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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.  Simple XML tuning mods do not come under this category (see below).
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! style="text-align:left" | Not just a cheat or exploit (*)
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|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.
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===Not just a cheat or exploit===
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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.
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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).
 
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).
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<br style="clear:both" />
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===Not just a single change===
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{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
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With the advent of the XML tuning guide, and the Mod Generator, it's extremely easy for players to make their own mods.  Please do not be tempted to upload mods that only change a single variable in a single file, and be double aware of mods that are also "cheats".  Neither of these two types will be accepted.
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! style="text-align:left" | Not just a single change (*)
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|-
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===Multiple versions===
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|With the advent of the XML tuning guide, and the Mod Generator, it's extremely easy for players to make their own mods.  Please do not be tempted to upload mods that only change a single variable in a single file, and be double aware of mods that are also "cheats".  Neither of these two types will be accepted.
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<br style="clear:both" />
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If you create a mod that you change the time or amount of something, rather than just changing it to some random arbitrary number, try making it half (or double) and then a quarter (or 4x), etc. and upload multiple versions so people can choose the type they want.  For XML tuning mods, this is super easy and takes no more than a few minutes to do, so there's no reason to not let people pick and choose from the version they want.
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|}
  
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{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
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|-
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! style="text-align:left" | Multiple versions (*)
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|-
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|If you create a mod that you change the time or amount of something, rather than just changing it to some random arbitrary number, try making it half (or double) and then a quarter (or 4x), etc. and upload multiple versions so people can choose the type they want.  For XML tuning mods, this is super easy and takes no more than a few minutes to do, so there's no reason to not let people pick and choose from the version they want.
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<br style="clear:both" />
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|}
  
 
==Screenshots==
 
==Screenshots==
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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.
 
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.
  
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{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
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! style="text-align:left" | Illustrate your mod (*)
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|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.
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<br style="clear:both" />
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===Required Screenshots===
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{{Guidelines-Screenshots-NoPayContent}}
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{{Guidelines-Screenshots-BigEnough}}
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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.
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{{Guidelines-Screenshots-Tips}}
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===Screenshot Basics===
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You need to make sure you have nice big, clear pictures that show off what you've made.  They can't be too blurry or pixellated, and you need to know how to use the game's camera controls properly, so make sure you review the information on that link thoroughly before continuing.  '''Do not use the in-game camera (using the C key) to take your pictures!'''
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<blockquote>
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'''Tip:'''
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</blockquote>
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<blockquote>
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] For instructions on:
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* Taking large, clear pictures (bigger than the game will allow)
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* Changing your in-game settings for best graphics quality
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* Camera controls
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See: [[MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Screenshot Basics|Screenshot Basics]]
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</blockquote>
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<br>
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==Uploading==
 
==Uploading==
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Once you have your creation made and screenshots taken, you need to make sure you have all the fiddly bits in order when 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.
  
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{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
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! style="text-align:left" | Essential Files Only (*)
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|Please don't upload a Resource.cfg with your mod, or with a full subfolder structure.  Just the essential files, as simply as possible.  You can include a Readme.txt file if you choose, but don't clutter up the file with a bunch of stuff that will just confuse downloaders.
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<br style="clear:both" />
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|}
  
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===Essential Files Only===
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{{Guidelines-InfoFiles-ZipRar7z}}
  
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Please don't upload a Resource.cfg with your mod, or with a full subfolder structure.  Just the essential files, as simply as possible. You can include a Readme.txt file if you choose, but don't clutter up the file with a bunch of stuff that will just confuse downloaders.
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{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
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|-
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! style="text-align:left" | Upload in Sets (*)
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|If you have created several mods in a set, or similar mods in the same sort of theme at the same time, please upload these together in a single set, all on one thread (instead of all separately, one by one, on different threads).  This is easier for everyone: on our upload moderators, as they only have one thread to review rather than several... on you, as submitting a single thread is much quicker and easier than several... and on downloaders, as they can get everything they want all in one place rather than having to hunt around.
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<br style="clear:both" />
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|}
  
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{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
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! style="text-align:left" | Good Title (*)
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|You'll need a good title for your upload – something descriptive, like "Autonomous Woohoo" or "Buyable Omniplant Seeds" work well for a title.  "My first upload!!!" or "cool mod!!"  is not.  Make sure that if your mod ''disables'' a feature, that you have "No" in the title - ie "No Autonomous Sprinkers"
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===ZIP or RAR===
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You will need to put your file(s) into a RAR or ZIP file to upload here. Please see [[MTS2:Creator_Guidelines/RAR_or_ZIP_Your_Custom_Content|here]] for instructions on doing so.  Please do not include both a ZIP and RAR with the same contents - just choose one.
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! style="text-align:left" | Good Description (*)
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Please do not double-compress your files - you should not have a ZIP inside a ZIP or a RAR inside a RAR.  This does not compress the files any more and just makes an extra step for downloaders.
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|For mods, a good description is essential - perhaps more so than any other area on the site.
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===Upload in Sets===
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If you have created several mods in a set, or similar mods in the same sort of theme at the same time, please upload these together in a single set, all on one thread (instead of all separately, one by one, on different threads).  This is easier for everyone: on our upload moderators, as they only have one thread to review rather than several... on you, as submitting a single thread is much quicker and easier than several... and on downloaders, as they can get everything they want all in one place rather than having to hunt around.
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===Good Title===
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You'll need a good title for your upload – something descriptive, like "Autonomous Woohoo" or "Buyable Omniplant Seeds" work well for a title.  "My first upload!!!" or "cool mod!!"  is not.  Make sure that if your mod ''disables'' a feature, that you have "No" in the title - ie "No Autonomous Sprinkers"
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===Good Description===
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For mods, a good description is essential - perhaps more so than any other area on the site.
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People need to know:
 
People need to know:
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* '''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.
 
* '''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.
  
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* '''What type of mod it is:'''  Is it a texture replacer, XML tuning, or a full script mod?  This is VERY important since it will effect what your mod will conflict with.
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* '''What type of mod it is:'''  Is it a texture replacer, XML tuning, or a full script mod?  This is VERY important since it will affect what your mod will conflict with.
  
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* '''If it overrides something:''' Please make ''sure'' that you list the defaults too. For example, if you upload a mod to make showers take less time, please state the original time that it would take a Sim to shower, along with your changed values (and see the note about multiple versions).
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* '''If it overrides something:''' State the resource names of everything your mod overrides so people know what your mod will likely conflict with. This is not optional! Also please make ''sure'' that you list the defaults too. For example, if you upload a mod to make showers take less time, please state the original time that it would take a Sim to shower, along with your changed values (and see the note about multiple versions).
  
 
* '''Known conflicts or issues:''' Do you know of things that your mod won't work with?  Make sure to let people know!
 
* '''Known conflicts or issues:''' Do you know of things that your mod won't work with?  Make sure to let people know!
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Please format your description in a readable format.  Lists, headings, and proper use of bold text where appropriate is a heck of a lot easier to read and follow than a giant block of text.  On the flipside, don't just put in a one-liner.  Explain something about mod and why you made it.
 
Please format your description in a readable format.  Lists, headings, and proper use of bold text where appropriate is a heck of a lot easier to read and follow than a giant block of text.  On the flipside, don't just put in a one-liner.  Explain something about mod and why you made it.
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<br style="clear:both" />
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|}
  
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{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
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! style="text-align:left" | State supported game version (*)
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|In TS3, certain coding is changed with patch versions, which may render previously-working items broken. You may also need a certain patch and later to use certain features. This is especially applicable to modded objects that have extra scripting, but may also apply to features added in later patches such as additional sliders in Create-a-Sim, new build tools, or other features.
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Please state the related base game version you built your mod with in your upload post! 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 additionally state these as well of course.
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<br style="clear:both" />
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|}
  
 
==Additional Stuff==
 
==Additional Stuff==
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* 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.
 
* 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.
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[[Category:MTS2 Creator Guidelines]]
 
[[Category:MTS2 Creator Guidelines]]
 
[[Category:Sims 3]]
 
[[Category:Sims 3]]

Revision as of 15:48, 15 May 2011

These guidelines were last modified 13 May 2011

Contents

Sims 3 Game Mods

Introduction

Made a cool new mod for The Sims 3 and want to share? Please read the following guidelines carefully so you understand what we require for MTS uploads.

Quality

This is by far the most important factor in all uploads, but also the hardest to quantify.

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.

Big Enough
The larger your pics, the better! Tiny pics won't show enough detail to see what you've made.
  • Minimum Size: 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels tall is a good size for the smallest pic you would want to upload. You may have smaller pics for thumbnails and the like, but for your required screenshots, please go as big as you can!
  • Maximum Size: MTS allows pictures up to 2560 pixels wide by 1440 pixels tall, and a file size limit of 800 kbs - so you can have nice, big, pretty pics. You may have to resize your pictures or apply compression to get them to fit within that limit.

Please don't just take a small pic and size it up in your graphics program to get bigger pics - this only makes the dimensions larger but doesn't add any detail and just gives you a blurry, pixellated larger pic, not a nice clear one.

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.

Zip, Rar, or 7z
To upload your file(s) to MTS, you will need to compress them into an archive file, which makes them smaller and allows you to include many files in one download. The archive file formats we currently accept are .zip, .rar, and .7z.

For instructions on compressing your files into an archive, please see: Creator Guidelines: Creating Archive Files.

  • Do not include multiple archives with the same contents - that is, please don't put your files in both a .zip as well as a .rar because some people only want .zip files. Choose one format.
  • Do not double-compress your files... a .rar file inside another .rar file (or any other archive inside another) doesn't compress it anymore, and it makes it so we can't see the contents without downloading, and also just makes an extra step for the people downloading.
  • The file size limit on MTS is 50 mb. If you exceed this limit you will need to split your archives. This should probably never come up except for large worlds for The Sims 3, or huge sets of smaller items.

Additional Stuff

  • If your upload is rejected or marked as changes required and you're not sure why, ask in Creator Issues.
  • If you want some feedback before uploading, post info about your mod in the Creator Feedback Forum to get feedback on it.
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