Window mode and sound question

[grimsoul]

When play in window mode and I can go to another window, like my browser, the game keeps running in the background so I can have my Sim writing or doing other things while I browse the forums or look something up.

But when Sims 3 isn't the active window, the sound stops. Is there a way to have the sound still playing while it's not the active window so I can hear what's happening when I'm windowed out? So I could hear his phone ring or that he finishes the task he's doing.

[PJSim]

I also use window mode like that and I don't think there's any way to keep the sound on when the game is not the active window.

Instead I will put something in the queue which will bring up a dialog box and pause the game so the Sims don't wander off and do useless things when I'm not watching. Because you know they will...
Things like calling someone on the phone, starting a new book or going to the store.

I don't worry about the phone ringing. If it's another Sim calling I don't care and if it's an opportunity you can just ignore the phone and still be offered the opportunity once the ringing stops.

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EDIT: I found a button.
In Options go to the Sound tab. There's something called "Defocus Mute". Uncheck that and you've got sound even when the game is minimized.

[grimsoul]

geez, I don't know many times I've looked for that and kept overlooking it somehow.

I also put a trigger in the queue that will open a dialog box to pause the game. Like writing a book it pops up to ask for a title.

But sometime it gets paused when I didn't want it to because a opportunity popped up.
Like today I had him set up to do 7 paintings in a row then windowed out for awhile to do something else and when I got back he had barely got started on the first painting.

[grimsoul]

That's a lot better. Started him painting 7 pictures then had him go watch TV for the eighth spot on the queue. I windowed out and done other things for awhile and when I heard his TV come on I knew he was finished and to window back in and start him again.
Like setting an alarm clock.

Thanks again PJSim