What is considered custom content?

[jeanamariex3]

Okay, I know this sounds really frivolous right now, but I actually come to the conclusion, that I get more satisfaction from using Simpoints to get my additional content, from the store, with my Sim Points, as well as EP items. I see it as "You get what you pay for" type of deal. When you pay money, from your RL paychecks, to get your additional Sims stuff, you know you're getting something straight from the source, (EA), you know you're not going to get all kinds of bugs in your game, along with mutated, toddlers, broken necks, items disappearing, weird blacked out skin, on your newborns, and offensive looking things. With third party type of stuff, you never know, exactly what's harmful. We can't say all CC is bad, because of a few bad stuff, but its knowing what actually is bad. Which is why I'm generally leery about downloading Sims from the exchange. You don't know exactly what you're getting with the glowy skin, big hair, Barbie looking ball gowns, pearl bracelets, etc. So now, I'm at the point where patterns are fine, from other people's custom designs, (meaning someone recolored the items EA included in the vanilla game, EP's and SimPoint Items from the Sims 3 Store), but that's it. It's actually quite creepy and weird when people use all that junk to try to make their Sims look more human and less virtual.

[Saltypaws]

Since a person does not know what is good or bad CC, it is just better not to download it.  I think the question has been answered very well and everyone has their own opinion.  Some choose not to use it and that is fine.  If you choose to use it, then it is at your own risk.  There is so much more out there now than there was when sims1 and sims2 were out.  No one said all CC was bad, you just don't know what you are getting, so me personally, I just don't use it.

[Hosfac]

You just have to be aware and cautious about what you put into your game, but calling all third party content harmful because of a few bad apples is also irresponsible. It's not that simplistic.

Regardless of what you think, all mods have issues.  You only need to go to one of these sites and read the threads associated with them, and you'll see pages and pages of people trying to figure out how to solve their problems.  There are processes in the game that even the most experienced mod designer doesn't understand how or why it works the way it does, and occasionally the mods conflict with them.  And let's be honest here:  the game has enough issues without downloading something that will potentially cause more problems.

Custom content is a bit different.  It's easier to make for anyone with the right programs and a bit of artistic inclination.  But having said this, many of the graphical issues that have plagued some players (elongated babies, corrupted skin tones, etc.) are directly related to 3rd party custom content.  This is not to even mention the fact that the aforementioned "girldolldressed" was created by someone with a good deal of experience with custom content.  And look at the havoc that wreaked.

No, not all custom content is bad, but how do you know good content from bad?  The only way to know is to stick it in your game.  It's always a gamble, and regardless of how small the odds are that you will lose, there is always a chance.  And while perhaps you wouldn't have any trouble tracking down problematic files, even you would know better than to think that other people wouldn't.

Thus, our stance is, as it always has been, that 3rd party custom content is bad.  We don't encourage it, and if asked, we don't recommend it.  Taking any other stance is what would be irresponsible.

[jeanamariex3]

Personally, I think sometimes CC is not only harmful, but it can look really creepy and awkward on a Sim, particularly the custom skins and eyes to make the Sim look more "realistic" or "human." I never understood why on earth would a person want to make their Sim look less like a Sim and more like a human. That right there, you're know their offspring is going to be born pitch black, and age with a mutated body, and will end up looking like they have a "broken neck." Post Generations, I was completely fed up and I'm pretty much done with most CC altogether. I felt like my mutant tots and tykes were getting picked on and stared at by the other Sims as a result.

[nosehairuk]

Hi all, I've just joined. My first ever post. This is a great site which has given me some great tips today.


Electronic Arts definition of Custom Content is on their patch disclaimer forms.

Pasted Source:

Step 1: Disable Custom Content
Custom Content is all Sims content that did not come from an official The Sims 3 Update, The Sims 3 Store, Expansion Pack, or Stuff Pack.
Custom Content is created by 3rd Party Developers that are not regulated by Electronic Arts or The Sims 3 Development Team and may not work with new updates. Custom Content may cause the game to behave unexpectedly or not function entirely.

[Ausette]

Welcome to the guide and forum, nosehairuk! Thanks for the quote, it's a very good (and official!) definition.

[Sophie98]

Some CC is harmful, but not all of it. Most of it is very nice and won't cause problems.
However, there's always one who wants to ruin it and, for whatever reason, harm people's games. Not all CC makers have done this deliberately, like in the case of the doll. Although, when dowloading from the Exchange, check the recommendations. If there aren't many, then don't run the risk of downloading.
Or you could eliminate the risk completely by not having any CC at all.

[jeanamariex3]

I still respect the strict CC/Mod Policy, however, I'm more liberal about CC, and sharing my Sims that have CC. Hair and makeup (minus costume), along with a couple of clothes are fine. Just know where the CC came from. For me, and my (personal) policy on those things, is that you must have a source before you include that CC. That means if I ever use CC, I have to know where it comes from, and how it affected my game. I will sneak in a few third party pieces, if it's hair, or makeup, but that's it, since those two things never caused me problems. I never understood why people are desperate to make their Sims look like Humans in the first place with glowing skin and realistic sparkling eyes. It's really awkward looking, and I'm surprised the mutant toddlers aren't getting odd stares from the townies around them. As far as build/buy objects go, I got really sick of invisible beds and other faulty things so I completely gave up.

[Pam]

This topic really isn't going anywhere and we're not going to argue about whether custom content is bad or not.  It can be very harmful.  End of story.

Thread is locked.