LordHellscream, I am not entirely sure, but I think JM fixed something that had to do with the power idle only recently, although I don't know if it was connected with your particular problem. You might want to check the updated version for that, unless of couse, you have already done that and it did not solve your problem. In that case, my apologies for redundancy.

As I said, I'm not sure at all about this (I read about this when JM was still on the VS forums, so it's not real news), but it can't hurt to try, no? :P

G.

Oh, most definitely, especially since not eating is one sure way for them to die, and I don't want them to die unless I give permission to do so :P.

Free will is always turned off when there is only one sim on the lot. Where would be the fun in that, seeing that they only do really pointless, unfunny, and stupid things. I turn it on (sparingly) when there are more than one because their autonomous interactions are often funny to watch. I even get the very JM-like urge to point and laugh.

G.

That's true, the "authorized personnel only" device is very handy. As for the "power idle", I couldn't use it in my game, because I could not turn it off once it was turned on. I see now that you corrected that, so I have to try it again, thank you for reminding me.

As far as turning stupidity off along with free will, sometimes I like to watch them do incredibly stupid things. Sometimes (although not all too often, or not often enough I'm told by friends) I do have the urge to be mean too, especially after a trying day at work

G.

That would indeed be funny to watch. How about a few cobras and tigers (or wild boars) thrown in for additional fun?

However, I do delete the things when they have gone down in price (worth?), that way I don't have to worry about overgrowth. True, I could go into SimPe and take their money away that way, but I don't feel like exiting the game, opening SimPe and then going back in (does that mean I have a recessive lazy streak as well, hmm?).

G.

As you can probably tell, JM is an adherent to the "free will off" school of thought. I don't like to play with it off all the time, so I have gotten used to switching between off and on. I also hide things from the sims I play, or make them inaccessible, like the computer and the expresso machine. The dormers come in handy for that purpose :P

G.

Well now, I have not seen any abstract icon death in Harvest Moon or Animal Crossing, but you are right, I have an issue with seeing blood and mangled meat, even if it is only pixelated :P

I've never heard that saying before, but it warrants further thought indeed. You are a fountain of information JM.

G.

Inge's refrigerator does not charge, at least not in my game. I put it in my houses because I can't deal with the stupid delivery person any longer, and going to community lots is a pain in the neck on my little old computer. I offset the money they are supposed to pay for groceries by buying trees and shrubs (thanks to Inge, the shrubs don't need maintenance).

G.

I don't lack the reflexes, but I don't seem to be able to shoot and kill, I always hesitate and then get obliterated. I know, I know, shame on me, but I seem to have a strong pacifistic streak in my make-up.

So, Tropico and other RPG's it is for me too. I play Metroid with my daughter, but only because I happen to love her, not the game itself.

After reading through this thread I dug out the atari system a friend gave me. It still works, and I found myself enjoying my trip down memory lane very much indeed. I have to play this more often.

G.

Too true. I always end up with a lot of ASP's that follow the sim into oblivion when it dies, since unfortunately, they can't be passed along as the regular money can via inheritance. I like the idea of safe zones too, I don't want to ban ghosts outright (they are too much fun to watch), but I hate that they interfere with the sims need fulfillments, such as sleep.

G.

Wonderful, now I don't have to fence my pools in and lock them with Inge's gate anymore. I drove me batty to have all my visitors head over to the pool one second after being greeted, especiallly since the pool has no use in socializing. Sims standing outside of the pool can't even talk to swimming sims, they can call them over only. The other thing that went on my nerves is that when a sim has visitors and I choose "say goodby to everyone" the sims in the pool were not affected and swam merrily on.

I do like the pool for my sims when I want them to up their fun and keep the fitness meter up at the same time, other than that, you are right JM, the pool has little use.

G.

That is very funny, it made me laugh and I am grateful (it's been a trying day). But you are right. Release a few of those, and they will have devoured your pond/neighborhood in no time at all to the point of being unusable :P

G.

Although I'm not Oddysey we seem to live in the same area. The snakehead is a fish of asian origin and a master parasite. It devours ponds and lakes inhabitants and has become a returning news issue in the Greater Baltimore/Washington region. Someone seems to have released those fish into the lakes and  streams and they were fruitful and dutifully multiplied. Every now and then we are treated to sightings and news items related to the snakehead. It is a newroom standby, or so it seems.

G.

Anne Rice's house? How great, yes please do that. I hope it works out, I hope you have lots of time, and I hope you can build it(I'm full of hope are'nt I). Do you need anything? A cup of coffee, a drink, etc.? If you need a tester, ask no more, hacks and all. I use the clean-installer anyways, and get rid of what I don't want before I install. I might never make it to NO, but at least, with your help, my simmies can.


Don't diss wild boars? Have you ever seen one of these brutes in action? They attack just for the hell of it, they just like to wreak havoc. A friend of mine told me that a mortally wounded wild boar attacked their high-stand and kept at it for at least five minutes before it finally realized it was already dead. If you can't kill them with a single shot, you better be a very fast runner, a good climber, or an exceptionally calm person so you can shot it again and do it right this time, otherwise you're dead. May I recommend a tank for boar hunting purposes? :P

G. 

Hi Mike, you must be running into my son and daughter then, that game is their newest obsession as well. My daughter is 'horde' person and my son an 'alliance' person.

G.

I see. I only asked because I remember (vaguely) a post of yours that had to do with rating systems. Something like "positive ratings are for wusses, we need negative ratings and fire and flames" or something like that. It would've been interesting to see how you would implement that; but I have no doubt, if anyone can, it's you.

G.

I am glad you're in a good mood again :P
But I do think JM prefers tanks. I received quite an education about tanks, turrets etc. from JM and Larry.

G.

Oh my. We have climbers and vines over here too (mostly grape-vines, and we like those), but nothing like this. It sounds like a terrible horror movie from Hollywood. And a little depressing :P

Goats, hmm. We don't have many of those in my region either, just a lot of deer and those nasty, bloodthirsty, and brutish wild boars.

G.

I do believe that my computer would get up and leave if I installed anything else on it, but my daughter makes me play Metroid on her GC, where I regularly get wiped out at level 1 to 1 1/2 (okay, so I exaggerated a little, it's really level 2 to 2 1/2 :P)

G.

So I'm guessing kudzu is a parasite (I'm having one of my brighter evenings, I guess).
By the way Reg, talking about southern things, I just inspected one of your brilliant southern houses more closely. I'm getting ready to move a sim into it; how on earth did you get the porch to hang out over the water like that. I am simply amazed. I'm really beginning to wish there was more greenery available so you (cough) can build even more houses.

G.

Let's tell Motoki, that might just be what the doctor ordered to make the world right with Mike again.

G.

Now that's an interesting concept

G.

Well, that was fast work. Tell me JM, what is the fire signifying, are you implementing your negative rating scale?

By the way, that little joke with the link you gave is very funny, you actually had me wondering, even if it was for just a moment. Poor little guy, why is he losing his head?

Anyway,I'm glad you are back.

G.