CC why doesn't EA?....

[Joria]

Ok, I know many of us, if not all, have browsed other sites where delicious CC lurks, luring us to download it, (and possibly mess up our games).  Several creators make the most stunning Sims I have ever seen and the lots and decorations are fabulous.  I could go on.  So, my question is, if these people can make these things AFTER EA puts out its games, why can't EA make them for us to begin with?  Is it something to do with the kind of meshes they use?  I know several creators complain about maxis or something like that.  No matter how hard or slowly or carefully I tweak the Sims in CAS they never come out that different from other folks' Sims.  I want the gorgeous ones, thank you very much!  I want the fairy tale castles and princesses and the ultra modern outer space alien homes and such.  Just want to know if there is a particular reason or problem with them not doing it.  Hey, I'd even buy another SP to get the possibility of more variety.

[AriaGirl77]

I think there's probably lots of reasons why EA doesn't.  I think part of it has to do with money (and I ain't talkin' Simoleons).  Not to bash EA, because it's actually a pretty smart business model, but the more items they include in each expansion or stuff pack the less money they eventually make per item.  When they withhold items, they're able to turn around and offer them at The Store at a hefty mark-up which of course earns them more money.  EA only has set amount of man power and creativity to come up with such items.  However, the man power and creativity of the Internet is limitless, which is why there are so many beautiful things out there that people make on their own.  The problem with such items of course, is that they aren't authorized by EA, aren't tested by EA, and some of them have some major conflicts within the game.  Or could have conflicts with future expansion packs.  And because so much of this CC is made by so many different people, it's impossible to tell the good stuff from the stuff that could completely ruin your game and require you to uninstall/reinstall or perhaps completely redo your entire system in order to get rid of it.

Believe me, I have had to stop visiting certain sites because some of their stuff is so beautiful it becomes a major temptation to take the risk and give it a try.  But then I stop myself because I think about all my current saved games, and I'd really hate to loose them just because I wanted to get fairy wings or pointed ears.  

The good news, in the 10 years I've been playing Sims games pretty much everything I have wanted has eventually been introduced to the game.  Sometimes I just have to exert a lot of patience!

[Metropolis Man]

Joria, I'm assuming you just made a slight "oops" by posting this thread in the Challenge section, so I moved it to General.

[The Illuminator]

Since a moderator has joined this discussion, I think it's okay to tell you what I think. If it is not okay, just remove my post.
I think EA should make safe modding tools (which nobody can use wrong and mess up a game) and sell them. I wouldn't mind paying 50 euro's to be able to create anything I want. They've already created Create a Pattern, so EA is doing well.

[AriaGirl77]

I think that EA probably won't ever create a tool for making objects, pretty much for the same reasons I outlined in my first response.  It'd be cool if they did, but I doubt it will happen.

[The Illuminator]

Maybe they'll make one a few years after release of the last expansion pack. That's the only way EA can still earn money out of sims 3.

[Joria]

Joria, I'm assuming you just made a slight "oops" by posting this thread in the Challenge section, so I moved it to General.

OMG!  I am so sorry Metro.  Yes, it was an oops.  I was pretty tired at the time.  Thanks for the rescue!

Since a moderator has joined this discussion, I think it's okay to tell you what I think. If it is not okay, just remove my post.
I think EA should make safe modding tools (which nobody can use wrong and mess up a game) and sell them. I wouldn't mind paying 50 euro's to be able to create anything I want. They've already created Create a Pattern, so EA is doing well.

So it's a matter of modding tools in order to make cool stuff? 

Actually, I'm pretty lazy and would rather just bat my eyes at my hubby and get a nice EP with prettier gals and handsomer guys in it.  I have a horrible time making my males look manly.

Believe me, I have had to stop visiting certain sites because some of their stuff is so beautiful it becomes a major temptation to take the risk and give it a try.  But then I stop myself because I think about all my current saved games, and I'd really hate to loose them just because I wanted to get fairy wings or pointed ears. 

The good news, in the 10 years I've been playing Sims games pretty much everything I have wanted has eventually been introduced to the game.  Sometimes I just have to exert a lot of patience!

Oh, I know!  I had to stop visiting Kate's place, (not the name of the website being mentioned here), and several more because it is just so tempting!  There is one gal who makes the most marvelous hair and eyes, and usually her stuff is safe but I want to keep my game "clean" because you never really know.  I downloaded some stuff from some really fine, reputable modders when I played Sims2 and even their stuff had things that messed up my 2.  Had to remove everything since I wasn't sure where in their stuff it was.  It was a whole world including people, clothes, you name it.  Fabulous, but turned me off of downloads, and playing Sims for quite some time.

You would think with the team of geniuses they have working for them, and really, people who come up with stuff for Sims MUST be geniuses, they would be able to come up with things like fairy wings and pointy ears, or at least more clothing that isn't plain ugly!  I guess I'll have to call on that gift of patience.

[malteser60]

The ironic thing is that when the original Sims was first launched it was designed specifically as an 'open source' of sorts. The creators, i.e. EA, wanted you to go away and make your own clothing, stuff, etc. That was the basis behind it. They had designed the game so that players would be able to access the code and make all sorts of changes, EA wanted the sims to be as open as possible. Essentially EA did not realise just how popular it would become. The coding they used for the original sims was very simple compared to now.

So whether that premise of the Sims 1 still remains now, I'm not sure. However I think it still does as thesims3.com website regularly features articles on non-EA creators, and there is the exchange. So, not that I'm saying that we should all happily go away and download as much outside cc as we want as that is stupid (and I highly don't recommend it), but on the flip side I am getting a bit tired of all the negativity towards cc especially as that was the original ethos of the game.

[TollingBells]

I know how you feel, Malteser. I liked CC when I just accidentally downloaded it with beautiful houses, but this is where I got the 'Silent Hill' esk monster children. The streching arms and child's face in the torso of the adult body... I also downloaded the notorious CAS project file, and the doll made by Angela, who makes beautiful CC, but her dolls were one of the main horrors making my files whacked. Still, I think people should know what they're doing making a item, before releasing it to be downloaded by thousands of users.

Y'know, if EA wanted to, they could get permission from authors of CC that look good, or are popular with people, and remake them into official items. That way, there's less bad CC, and more encoragement to make good CC that EA will pick.

[AriaGirl77]

The ironic thing is that when the original Sims was first launched it was designed specifically as an 'open source' of sorts. The creators, i.e. EA, wanted you to go away and make your own clothing, stuff, etc. That was the basis behind it. They had designed the game so that players would be able to access the code and make all sorts of changes, EA wanted the sims to be as open as possible. Essentially EA did not realise just how popular it would become. The coding they used for the original sims was very simple compared to now.

So whether that premise of the Sims 1 still remains now, I'm not sure. However I think it still does as thesims3.com website regularly features articles on non-EA creators, and there is the exchange. So, not that I'm saying that we should all happily go away and download as much outside cc as we want as that is stupid (and I highly don't recommend it), but on the flip side I am getting a bit tired of all the negativity towards cc especially as that was the original ethos of the game.

I think this is part of what happened when Maxis was purchased by EA.  Maxis seemed to be more friendly towards user created content.

[Metropolis Man]

Y'know, if EA wanted to, they could get permission from authors of CC that look good, or are popular with people, and remake them into official items. That way, there's less bad CC, and more encoragement to make good CC that EA will pick.

While that's certainly a noble idea on paper it's not like any EA employees are twiddling their thumbs looking for work to do. There's more work for those people than they know what to do with.

[Pam]

You would think with the team of geniuses they have working for them, and really, people who come up with stuff for Sims MUST be geniuses, they would be able to come up with things like fairy wings and pointy ears, or at least more clothing that isn't plain ugly!  I guess I'll have to call on that gift of patience.

Have you not seen the fairy set, Joria?  There are fairy wings for boys and girls (children).  No pointed ears, but the clothes are cute.

A lot of people like the CC hair and such, but personally, I don't care for it.  To me, the CC hair usually looks completely unrealistic... like it goes all the way down to her knees or something.  It's too glossy and too floofy.  I'm very happy with the hair and clothes that are available from the Store and Stuff Packs, and I don't mind paying for it if I want it bad enough.  I find it amusing the way Sims 3 hair keeps up with current hairstyle trends.  Even in just the past year, styles have come and gone.  Sometimes it's frustrating because being a middle aged woman, I don't always care for the current "fashionable" styles.  There are a couple that I just refuse to use. 

[AriaGirl77]

I hear ya, Pam!  I hate some of the new hair styles for men especially.  And those skinny jeans?  *gag*

[Pam]

The worst is that Justin Bieber hairstyle that covers half of the face. 

[Jonna]

The worst is that Justin Bieber hairstyle that covers half of the face. 

You mean... that hair style is the best because it covers half of the face!  Genetics are not always kind to the poor Sims...