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25 sep 2003 - 23:00
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18 sep 2003 - 23:20
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18 sep 2003 - 23:10
"We have seen The Sims 2, and it rocks."
We have seen The Sims 2, and it rocks.
The Sims 2 is the follow-on to The Sims, released in 2000. The Sims and The Sims 2 are "people simulators" that could also be characterized as twisted interactive dollhouses.
You create Sims and build houses for them. To sustain themselves and furnish their pads-as well as toys ranging from TVs to disco dancefloors to keep themselves entertained-Sims need to get jobs. When they're at home, you monitor your Sims and keep them happy by making sure that they eat, sleep, remain entertained, go to the bathroom (no, we're not making this up), and socialize. But the Sims sometimes have minds of their own. Leave them unsupervised, and you might return to find they've committed all sorts of mayhem, up to and including burning down the house.
The Sims is the bestselling PC game history. And while video games are normally the terrain of adolescent and postadolescent males, The Sims has drawn a huge following among women, particularly teen age girls.
We recently got a tour of The Sims 2, due out for the PC in early 2004. Our first impression is that The Sims 2 should be enough to make you turn off "The Bachelor," "Temptation Island," and "American Idol" for what amounts to a far more entertaining variety of interactive reality TV.
Lucy Bradshaw, a Maxis product-development executive, and Tim LeTourneau, the game's producer, touted qualities of the new game that focus on Sims having what amount to life spans. You create a Sim, and it passes on its DNA when it reproduces (again, we're not making this up). Sims experience "life's big moments," such as a first date or first kiss or getting married or divorced.
Oh, and the graphics are now in full 3D-and boy, are they pretty.
LeTourneau jollied in showing off a Sims 2 scene in which Teeny, a teenage Sim, had her friends over for a party and maneuvered one of the boys into her first kiss.
LeTourneau instructed Teeny to walk over to the boy and flirt, only to have her ambition thwarted by her baby brother, who crawled over to the pair to cry and hunger. Teeny then went to the kitchen to give her brother a bottle and returned to the object of her desire. When she got her wish and the kiss happened, she was momentarily enveloped in a swirl of stars and hearts to indicate that one of life's big moments had occurred.
Moments later, Teeny's parents showed up from work to bust the shindig up. The entertainment value of the scene was enough to make "Joe Millionaire" pale in comparison.
Bradshaw showed off Sim creation tools that will allow players to create radically customized characters by manipulating everything from facial features to personality features (the latter can also be influenced by events that happen to Sims once game play begins).
"It's all going to mix in to make it a really emergent system," Bradshaw said.
If all of this seems like a lot to take in and manage, rest assured that the interface seemed clean and the controls easy to learn. Still, all of this realism and control will come at a price. To run The Sims 2, you're going to need a brawny, late model PC with a beefy video card.
17 sep 2003 - 23:00
Thank you to everyone that showed up at our chat with Luc. Transcripts are now available for those of you that were unable to make it.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:02:54 PM)
Hi everyone!
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:03:39 PM)
Let's start!
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:04:18 PM)
So let's me explain why I am interesting in getting Maxis to do some web hosting
MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:05:55 PM)
Hello everyone and thanks for coming. I would like to introduce MaxisLuc he is the General Manger here at Maxis
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:06:22 PM)
Hello everyone
MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:06:25 PM)
Today's topic of discussion will be about fansites
MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:01 PM)
So what I would like to ask everyone to please only type something if you have a question.
mumukuds (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:28 PM)
are you going to host web sites?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:28 PM)
Yews we want to host user web sites
joe_the_coffee_man (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:40 PM)
Is the hosting free??
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:40 PM)
Yes the hosting will be free
Dirk_Simtropolis (Sep 18, 2003 6:09:14 PM)
Is this exclusively for the Sims related fansites or all Maxis games' fansites, ie. SimCity 4.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:09:14 PM)
This would be for all Maxis products
Killerbee (Sep 18, 2003 6:10:10 PM)
how do I sign up for this???
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:10:10 PM)
We will make it clear to everyone when this becomes available
SuiteDaydreamz (Sep 18, 2003 6:10:27 PM)
will there be many rules, like what kinds of content they can contain?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:10:27 PM)
Yes it will have to be about Maxis Games.
MidnightStar10 (Sep 18, 2003 6:11:56 PM)
when will it be available??
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:11:56 PM)
sometimes between now and christmas
AngelEyes (Sep 18, 2003 6:12:31 PM)
Will it be html, or will the site have it's own costom site builder?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:12:31 PM)
We have not figured that out yet. We might use an existing service we sponsor or build something new.
Simjurgen (Sep 18, 2003 6:13:10 PM)
the hosting will have unlimited space and unlimited transfer?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:13:10 PM)
That's the plan
MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:13:16 PM)
This is just a reminder, please only type if you are asking a question and keep the questions focused on fansites.
Shane769 (Sep 18, 2003 6:14:24 PM)
What do you feel are some of the benefits with allowing Maxis to host a site, as opposed to perhaps another host?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:14:24 PM)
The goal is to provide free bandwidth and to provide a high level or service
Yugo_thenighwolf (Sep 18, 2003 6:14:56 PM)
Can we have a chat on the site or is it strictly for news and stuff like that?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:14:56 PM)
I am not planning on any restriction at this time.
mr_helm (Sep 18, 2003 6:15:52 PM)
lets say i put somthing "bad" on, will you delete my privelages of making a fan site, or will you ban me from the site?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:15:52 PM)
We will shutdown any site that goes out of control.
Simgod1959 (Sep 18, 2003 6:16:38 PM)
Is a Sims2 demo on any faz site now?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:16:38 PM)
There is no Sims 2 demo anywhere. There will not be any. We will focus on custom content tools.
kgurlie (Sep 18, 2003 6:17:19 PM)
can the sites be about anything other than maxis products, or are cheese worship sites and the like forbidden?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:17:19 PM)
It has to be about Maxis Games
bengal007 (Sep 18, 2003 6:18:42 PM)
what happens if something happens by mistake?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:18:42 PM)
we will have remedies for those events 
SimNewsMan (Sep 18, 2003 6:19:15 PM)
We know it will have unlimited hosting and bandwith, what else is a major thing the hosting will have?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:19:15 PM)
One thing we might provide is strong Database support for custom content.
Jeanne (Sep 18, 2003 6:19:50 PM)
this chat platform is far superior to one's used in the past
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:19:50 PM)
Do you think Maxis should switch to that platform?
Sharr_Simtropolis (Sep 18, 2003 6:20:16 PM)
will all hosted sites have to have a similar look?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:20:16 PM)
nope
tomboy05 (Sep 18, 2003 6:20:36 PM)
will there be any age limits to hosting a site or can all ages do it?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:20:36 PM)
minors will need to have a guardian sign something.
stony (Sep 18, 2003 6:21:52 PM)
What is Maxis trying to accomplish in offering this service? How do you think it will benefit the community?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:21:52 PM)
one problem now is that users make sites, we have thesims.com point to those sites and they die because of the huge bandwidth it creates. This would alleviate that problem
kgurlie (Sep 18, 2003 6:22:19 PM)
if maxis hosted my site, would my visitors be bombarded with popup ads?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:22:19 PM)
no pop ups. no ads. unless you want to.
SimDeg (Sep 18, 2003 6:23:32 PM)
what are some examples that would be in the "database support"?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:23:32 PM)
Free big Oracle like database. Proper record structure compatible with Maxis.
AngelEyes (Sep 18, 2003 6:23:51 PM)
What will the url look like? thesims.com/yoursitename?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:23:51 PM)
My hope is to enable any URL.
tomboy05 (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:19 PM)
where will people find out about my site?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:19 PM)
liek any other sites. Plus we will point to them from theSims.com
seabree1001 (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:31 PM)
will donations be allowed on these sites?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:31 PM)
I hope so.
stpcarly (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:49 PM)
What about people trying to charge or make money off of your free hosting? Will you allow that or ban them?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:49 PM)
My goal is to allow for that.
Stash (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:19 PM)
will sites not on this service still get support from Maxis?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:19 PM)
Absolutely
Dirk_Simtropolis (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:33 PM)
Will Maxis consider the content of the fansites hosted on their server property of Maxis/EA?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:33 PM)
Nope.
sgore (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:56 PM)
is this open to everyone or just a few select people?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:56 PM)
Everyone is the goal.
kgurlie (Sep 18, 2003 6:26:29 PM)
is this just another step on the path to maxis's world domination?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:26:29 PM)
absolutely
simlish_sim (Sep 18, 2003 6:27:36 PM)
How will we upload our site to the server? Can it be uploaded through FTP?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:27:36 PM)
We have not figured that out yet. We are in the stage where we are neasuring the level of interest from the users and the webmasters
Simjurgen (Sep 18, 2003 6:27:52 PM)
what about the sims 2 website? can we start building site about sims 2?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:27:52 PM)
YES.
Stash (Sep 18, 2003 6:28:16 PM)
could sites use this service just to host large pictures or files (because of the bandwidth), and keep the sites on other servers?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:28:16 PM)
Great idea.
Dirk_Simtropolis (Sep 18, 2003 6:29:35 PM)
I think to guage our interest, webmasters need to know if their sites' specific technology will be supported. Will this information be made available soon? We need to know something more substantial.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:29:35 PM)
Good point. I hope to have a proposal in the next 4 weeks.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:30:45 PM)
From the success of this CHAT it seems that you are interested on the basic concept.
joe_the_coffee_man (Sep 18, 2003 6:31:23 PM)
How much is this going to cost Maxis? (Free hosting With unlimited bandwith? wow!)
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:31:23 PM)
It would only cost us a lot if it is very succesful which probably means we are selling a lot of games.
d_town_diva_54 (Sep 18, 2003 6:32:55 PM)
Is this going to be only availible to US users? Or will it be a international thing?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:32:55 PM)
This is an international thing!
cheetahgirl89 (Sep 18, 2003 6:33:15 PM)
When is the Sims2 coming out?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:33:15 PM)
in 2004. custom tools in 2003.
SpacemanBeej (Sep 18, 2003 6:33:49 PM)
How will Maxis keep people from signing up then running non-maxis related websites?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:33:49 PM)
I'll be watching
stony (Sep 18, 2003 6:34:31 PM)
There has to be catch, Luc. What is it? 
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:34:31 PM)
no catch. if the community works better I believe we will sell more units
Aliclare (Sep 18, 2003 6:34:47 PM)
Are you Maxis Big Brother then Luc? 
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:34:47 PM)
you are starting to get it! great!
Stash (Sep 18, 2003 6:35:20 PM)
What kind of custom tools for TS2 in 2003?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:35:20 PM)
Tools to make clothes, and skins.
Guest (Sep 18, 2003 6:35:54 PM)
How much is The Sims 2 Game?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:35:54 PM)
I expect it to be a premium price game.
simlish_sim (Sep 18, 2003 6:36:33 PM)
Luc, you mentioned the custom tools for The Sims 2 will be released in 2003. Will these be available to download, or will players have to go buy these in the store?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:36:33 PM)
as usual, it should be available as a download.
Nomez123 (Sep 18, 2003 6:38:07 PM)
will it be easier for people to make skins and clothes with the tools?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:38:07 PM)
That's the goal of the tool. We will focus on textures first.
Kayness (Sep 18, 2003 6:40:41 PM)
I heard there is going to be a Create-A-Sim thing coming out before The Sims 2 comes out...Is this true? And when?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:40:41 PM)
I am not sure how we will call it, but that's a goal we have.
seabree1001 (Sep 18, 2003 6:43:16 PM)
will there be another chat where you address copyright and artist protection
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:43:16 PM)
The legal issue will have to be clarified.
Sterics (Sep 18, 2003 6:44:05 PM)
Which url are going to have this future sites? somthing.maxis.com?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:44:05 PM)
no. I want to enable any URL.
SimDeg (Sep 18, 2003 6:45:06 PM)
what does "enable any url" mean? examples?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:45:06 PM)
examples would be any URL currently used by users websites
ShrimpandSeafood (Sep 18, 2003 6:45:14 PM)
When you say you want to enable any URL, does that mean www.something.com?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:45:14 PM)
yes
joe_the_coffee_man (Sep 18, 2003 6:46:15 PM)
can we reserve our URL so it doesn't get stolen before you get to make it? I already know what I want mine to be, but I don't want it stolen.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:46:15 PM)
the URLs would have to be registered like any URL onthe internet. This is the way most hosting occurs.
nick_vido (Sep 18, 2003 6:46:57 PM)
how much will maxis support their fan sites as in giving them and news eairly
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:46:57 PM)
That's the main way we expect to communicate information to our community about the sims 2. Through the fan sites.
SG Lover (Sep 18, 2003 6:48:14 PM)
When are you going to put up The Sims 2 official website?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:48:14 PM)
soon. but that sites will be limited to links to the Fan sites about the sims 2.
SimVeggie (Sep 18, 2003 6:49:51 PM)
Would the hosting be available for the Sims1 or the Sims2 fan sites or for both?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:49:51 PM)
for any Maxis game
SuiteDaydreamz (Sep 18, 2003 6:50:27 PM)
What is soon? A day? A month? A year?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:50:27 PM)
The Sims 2 web site should go up in October.
Shane769 (Sep 18, 2003 6:52:50 PM)
Obviously, fans across the globe are benefitting from this service; but how do you feel /Maxis/ is benefitting from this? Do you feel this helps tighten the bond between the Fans and the makers of the game in a way?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:52:50 PM)
Again, the goal is to enable more sites, and to make sure teh fans have a good experience.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:53:10 PM)
cool, about 100 users in this chat
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:53:25 PM)
and only 10 from Maxis...
ShrimpandSeafood (Sep 18, 2003 6:53:55 PM)
Is the hosting just hosting. Or do you offer special features along with the hosting?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:53:55 PM)
What features do you want?
MidnightStar10 (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:20 PM)
what are the other 9 Maxis peole doing??
MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:20 PM)
moderating =)
MidnightStar10 (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:27 PM)
what are the other 9 Maxis peole doing??
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:27 PM)
not working on the game obviously!
MaxisLucky (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:32 PM)
LOL
Aliclare (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:52 PM)
CGI? Perl? etc.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:52 PM)
that seems obvious.
gamegirl815 (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:07 PM)
who picks the questions we are asking?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:07 PM)
Me. when I can read fast enough.
volleyballa2 (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:29 PM)
get to work!! we want the game SOON!!
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:29 PM)
yeah. the end of this chat is near,
12992 (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:49 PM)
are you a real person luc?lol
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:49 PM)
I feel like it.
bittyp529 (Sep 18, 2003 6:56:18 PM)
Do you know when the demo for the sims 2 comes out?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:56:18 PM)
No demo.
qwertyuiop2k11 (Sep 18, 2003 6:57:13 PM)
When are more screen shots and news for TS2 coming out?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:57:13 PM)
I am trying to release some every week.
jakedidit (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:03 PM)
will we be able to download off of fansites for sims 2 like we do now ?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:03 PM)
Absolutely
MaxisLucky (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:14 PM)
We're getting close to the end.
MaxisLucky (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:32 PM)
Luc has one last question he's going to answer
AngelEyes (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:47 PM)
I noticed that the feet of sims on The Sims 2 aren't as detailed as the hands. Are you planning to work on them?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:47 PM)
I don't think that toes are as important as fingers for the sims. It does not seem like a good use of polygons.
jakerh (Sep 18, 2003 6:59:26 PM)
Thats awsome. Do we have to have like paint shop or photo shop to make our own skins and objects?
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:59:27 PM)
Any bitmap editing program should be ok.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:59:49 PM)
Looks like we are getting to the end.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:59:58 PM)
Thanks everyone for your participation.
MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 7:00:26 PM)
Bye
MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 7:00:32 PM)
Well folks that is all the time we have for today. We hope to do another chat with Luc sometime next week. Check the Sims.com for information on the next event.
MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 7:01:54 PM)
The chat transcript will be posted on thesims.com.
MaxisLucky (Sep 18, 2003 7:02:56 PM)
Thanks for coming everyone! We hope you enjoyed the chat!
MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 7:04:13 PM)
Fansite publishers be sure to check thesims.com for upcoming tool that will allow you to submit your sims fansites to be listed on thesims.com
MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 7:05:36 PM)
Thanks Everyone!
13 sep 2003 - 23:00
We added one new image. It represents a series of images from which we had taken the earlier shots.
The strip shows some of the different behaviors between sloppy and neat sims. We have not finalized the naked censorship pixelization, so do not take these shots as a sign that we want to show more.
Hopefully the team will be able to provide another similar strip next week.
Again, you are welcome to publish all or parts of this image on your web sites.
Cheers,
Luc
12 sep 2003 - 23:00
Hi everyone,
Thought I would check in with you all, say hello, and let you know how things were going this week at Maxis.
Makin' Magic went Beta this week (tiring...), and a few of our best and brightest SimCity community webmasters came to Maxis to see and actually play Rush Hour. We had a great time with them. Hopefully, we will soon be able to get most of you to Maxis to see and play The Sims 2.
Below are answers to questions that I have received from you in the last few weeks. I hope these will clarify your concerns:
- Yes, it is okay to post the images I have sent you on your websites. I encourage it!
- Yes, you will be able to have Sims 2 user created content on your pay sites.
- The recommended 3D program for custom content is Maya. That's what we all use here at Maxis.
- The tools we will release prior to the ship of the game have their own 3D engine. This will enable you to view the content.
- I hope that Maxis' hosting capabilities will pertain to all kind of existing websites. Further details will be provided regarding this later this month.
- There is a design mode in The Sims 2 to change the color and fabric of objects in the game. There will still be a HUGE opportunity for custom content above and beyond the "Design mode".
I have a short report this week to give you some details on our current plans for the minimum platform required to play The Sims 2 and have a good play experience. Because the PC is a complex platform, there are quite a few details involved. I will try to be clear in describing it:
Memory requirements:
You will need at least 128MB if you have Windows 98, 2000, or ME. You will need 256MB if you have Windows XP.CPU and Graphic cards requirements. There are 2 basic cases:
1) If you have a 3D graphic card with "Geforce" or "Radeon" in the name you need a CPU of 600Mhz or faster.
2) If you have no graphic cards, or another kind of graphic acceleration you probably need a CPU of 1.5Ghz or faster.Screen resolution:
The game will run in 800x600, 1024x768, and higher resolutions. Lower performance machines are advised to run in lower resolution as usual.Overall:
The more memory, the more speed, the better. Duh!We believe that when we release The Sims 2, 75% or more of the original Sims active players and over 90% of the core gamers will have compatible configuration.
The above specs represent what I currently believe will be required. Nevertheless, it is subject to change. Right now, we have two teams working on improving the graphic performance of the game. They are working on delivering the best graphic quality at the lowest performance, and at the highest performance of the PCs.
Since all of this system information is a bit complex, it would really be helpful if one of you in the community actually wrote a tool to help users figure out if they have a machine that is able to run The Sims 2. Later this fall, I hope Maxis will provide such a tool, but I'd rather keep The Sims 2 programmers working on the game and the custom content tools at the moment! If you get something running that does this please contact me immediately!
That's all for now!
Thanks,
Luc
11 sep 2003 - 23:30
11 sep 2003 - 23:20
"If you thought the world of The Sims was already pretty wild, wait until your sims start casting spells, making potions, and raising pet dragons at home!"
The Sims Makin' Magic - An Interview with Jonathan Knight.
Gardening gnomes? Pink flamingo dancers? Skeletons in the closet? If you though the world of The Sims was already pretty wild, wait until your sims start casting spells, making potions, and raising pet dragons at home! It's all part of the enchanted expansion for The Sims, Makin' Magic, that is due out in time to have your sims practicing magic by Halloween.
We wanted to get a closer look at what happens when you mix magic and sims, so we asked the game's producer Jonathan Knight some questions about Makin' Magic and here is what he had to say:
GT: How does a Sim get started in the world of magic?
JK: A Magic Starter Kit is delivered to your front door by the Mysterious MagiCo Traveling Sales Rep. The Starter Kit contains a genuine MagiCo Wand Charger, Family Spellbook, Magic Portal, and three Starter Ingredients.
GT: How are spells cast and what does a Sim need to cast spells? Magic ingredients? Spell power? A big cauldron and a pointy hat?
JK: Spells are cast by clicking on another Sim, and using your magic wand (previously charged in your Wand Charger). There are also physical charms that can be created (with the EverAfter Crafter), and these hold magic properties that can be unleashed by clicking on them. Both spells and charms are created by combining secret ingredients into the Wand Charger (or EverAfter Crafter). Your Spellbook will clue you into the correct combination of ingredients.
GT: Will there be dark magic spells?
JK: “Mischievous” is probably a better word Yes, not every spell is intended for good. There isn’t too much good that can come from turning someone into a toad or donkey, or even making a Sim cluck like a chicken, but it sure is fun!
GT: Will there be a magic skill for Sims? What can cause a spell to backfire and what are some of the negative consequences of spells gone bad?
JK: Mastery of certain skills help in the creation and effective casting spells. And spells backfire for all kinds of unique reasons, ranging from mood to time of day. Backfires can transform Sims, make creepy crawly reptiles appear on your lot, cause floods, and even make the little gnomes angry…
GT: Can Sims use magic on other Sims, say to catch the eye of a love interest or get rid of an unwelcome party guest?
JK: Of course! What good would magic be if you couldn’t use it to shortcut your way to romance?
GT: Tell us a bit about the minions. If a Sim creates a skeleton maid or gardener gnome, will they have their chores done for free? Do gnomes do good work?
JK: Once you have a Skeleton Closet (get it?), then yes, the maid will be free ever after. And the gnomes do great work… just keep them away from your nectar.
GT: What happens once ghosts or mummies are summoned? Do they cause any trouble? Do they hang around until banished?
JK: No, they won’t hassle anyone. They’re summoned as part of the Spook Show act and behave… for the most part.
GT: Can Sims make money with magic or will they still need to keep their day jobs?
JK: There are all kinds of new ways that Sims can make money in The Sims Makin’ Magic, from bottling nectar, to selling homemade ingredients. Magic itself is usually not a money maker (although there is one spell called “Rain of Riches”), but magic can certainly replace some other activities that usually cost simoleons.
GT: Who are some of the Questing NPCs Sims will encounter?
JK: Magic Town is full of unique characters – including Vicki Vampiress and Apothecary Todd – but they are all genuine employees of the Sims’ MagiCo corporation.
GT: Where can the Questing NPCs be found? Will Sims need to do anything special to find them?
JK: Just visit Magic Town!
GT: What type of quests will Sims receive and what rewards will they get for completing them?
JK: Quests include simple deliveries, speed and coordination games, and complex puzzles. And there are a variety of secret ingredients as rewards for a job well done. There is also a dueling arena where you can match your wits and spells against other Magic Town visitors.
GT: Will Magic Town be a separate location similar to Downtown or Studio Town?
JK: A little bit of both. Like Downtown or Studio Town, it’s a new and fully customizable location. However, Magic Town is unique in two ways. First, you can either take the whole family there, or you can opt to just take a single Sim. And most importantly, Magic Town is the first location with additional residential lots, which can be earned through gameplay. Experienced magic Sims will be able to move into one of three brand new residential lots in the exclusive “Creepy Hollow” section of Magic Town.
GT: Can Sims perform magic at other locations such as Studio Town?
JK: Yes, they sure can!
GT: What kind of carnival rides will be in Magic Town? Can players customize or build their own rides?
JK: There are six rides in total, in two distinct themes: Carnival Clown and Haunted House. These rides can be connected to each other in any combination, and can also be linked with several additional track pieces. Once the ride is built just the way you want it, you can send one or more Sims through the ride, and let the mayhem ensue. The options for these rides are endless, and we can’t wait to see what combinations fans come up with.
GT: One of the new objects for the home is the Dragon Nest. Will players need Unleashed to hatch a pet dragon? How big will the dragon grow and will it set fire to everything?
JK: No, you do not need Unleashed to enjoy the pet dragon. Just buy the Dragon Nest (egg included) at Magic Town, bring it home, and take care of it. Depending on how well you care for the egg, different dragon personalities may emerge from the egg. Some personalities are more, well, fiery than others.
GT: Sims will now be able to grow grapes and berries to make nectar. What happens when Sims drink nectar?
JK: They’re not thirsty anymore!
GT: What are some of the new character skins included with Makin’ Magic?
JK: The Sims Makin’ Magic includes some of the wackiest character skins we’ve done, including witches, ogres, sprites, wizards, and a suite of renaissance clothes. But you have to cast magic to get to some of the best characters.
GT: Are there any hints or tips on making magic in Makin Magic that you can share with us?
JK: Read the Spellbook descriptions carefully since they contain clues on how to prevent spells from backfiring (or how to force them to backfire if you prefer).
GT: Thank you for your time, it is most appreciated!
The Sims Makin' Magic will be the last expansion game for The Sims, but should provide sims fans with plenty of magical fun while they await the release of The Sims 2. We'll keep you posted on new details about the game as the become available, and are looking forward to making a little magic of our own come October.
11 sep 2003 - 23:10
Your Makin' Magic questions have been taken from the BBS and answered here!
Your Makin' Magic Questions Have Been Answered!
Welcome to Part 2 of your Makin' Magic questions. Let's get right to your questions.
super_dude_brad: Will there be a dragon???
Yes, there is a pet dragon! You can buy the dragon egg at Magic Town, and bring it home. Depending on how well you care for the dragon egg, you'll get variations on the personality of the dragon that hatches.
Johanna_Grumblin: I hear talk about a new oven for baking bread, and also some grapes/winery stuff. Will these be new home business, meaning can I bake bread and then sell it, or produce wine and sell it, or will the bread and wine be part of some magical spell?
Not wine, nectar. And yes, you can make & bottle multiple types of nectar, and then either sell them for Simoleons, drink them, or in one case, trade some nectar for a secret spell ingredient.
Johanna_Grumblin: I'm personally not into magic, but it might be fun going to Magic Town to watch a magic show or go with the funfair facilities (despite my age... *shrug*). Will it be possible for us non-magic Sims to visit as an audience, or is Magic Town closed to anyone but the magicians?
Absolutely! Non-magic Sims can have an entire carnival experience at the new Magic Town location.
Thursday: Given that it's rare for one expansion theme to be unanimously thought up, I was wondering what other ideas for themes for expansions were knocked around the office during initial brainstorming sessions, as well as what selection criteria (if indeed there is any typical criteria) were utilized in the process of selecting a particular theme to approach.
We're always knocking around ideas. The selection criteria is basically centered around what we think will be fun for you guys to play with.
Tazzyluck: Is it true that this Expansion Pack is going to have a patch for bug issues in Superstar? Or... will there be a patch for Superstar available for download on this site?
There were some issues with Superstar that we discovered after it shipped, thanks to fans reporting problems. (We would never have shipped with those problems if we'd known about them and could have fixed them!) Through the course of developing Makin' Magic, we have done our best to address those issues, and expect that Makin' Magic will be the most problem-free release to date. And we have doubled our testing efforts to make sure that's the case.
ctfields: Will MM expand the kids at all "outside" of magic -- are we going to find the kids a bit more active in this pack?
[see above]
ctfields: Who is the green-skinned girl in one of the screen shots? Are we going to have some "other worldly" skins or is she an NPC?
Makin' Magic introduces some of the craziest characters yet and there is a charms spell. The green-skinned Sim you mention is Vicki Vampiress, who is one of the Magic Town Vendors who can sell you spell ingredients, or send you on quests to win them.
pepperonicheese: If the Magic salesman came and you deleted the objects he gave (the starter kit), can you ask him to come back again?
You can always find him at Magic Town.
pepperonicheese: And will the portal to Magic Town be like a fireplace?
No! It will be much cooler than that!
pepperonicheese: And do MagiCoins count as inventory?
Yes they do.
pepperonicheese: Are there more other-expansion-related objects?
You can bring to life the Sims 1.0 Flamingo and the Livin' Large Garden Gnome.
pepperonicheese: How big will the game be?
There are more objects and items in this expansion pack than any we've ever made. So I would say... big!
Narmir: Will I really have to go out and get Livin' Large or Deluxe for the gnome-maker?
No, the Gnome Workbench comes with Makin' Magic.
Narmir: What will determine whether certain sims are magical or not?
Whether or not they have a magic wand, of course!
Narmir: If one Sim can do magic, does the whole family have to?
No, you can have as many or as few family members you want perform magic.
thefragile3: Is the magic skill as difficult to gain as the fame skill in Superstar, or will it actually make the Sims lives easier?
Magic is not a skill, like in Superstar. Magic spells are created by the Sim from ingredients, and then exist as charms in the world, or as spells in the inventory. The game is to keep finding all the ingredients so you can keep making the magic. So it's a completely different type of gameplay than Superstar... much more of an adventure. We hope you like it!
That is all for now. Keep an eye on the news area for more news about Makin' Magic.
11 sep 2003 - 23:00
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