FAQ (Fancifully Anticipated Questions)
Q: So... what's the deal here?
A: This is my attempt at some illustrated narrative, using The Sims 2 game from EA/Maxis as a storytelling engine. I'm not the first, I won't be the last.
Q: So, how do you do this?
A: I use the game's camera feature to capture loads of images, I select a bunch that seem to be going somewhere narratively, then, inspired by those pictures, I write said narrative.
Q: Is this a "Legacy Challenge"?
A: Oh, hell no! I've got nothing against Legacy Challenges, and more power to those who do them, but (a) I haven't got the patience for it, and (b) Legacy Challenge rules are too restrictive for what I'm hoping to do in terms of storytelling.
Q: So what are you doing?
A: Again, just trying to tell some stories.
Q: Are there any rules you play by?
A: Well, for the current story, The Pleasantview Experiment, the only real "rule" per se, is that I'm only using game-generated characters. Beyond that, all bets are off. I use plenty of mods, cheats and what have you in order to tell my story. And future stories won't even have that limitation.
Q: Some of your Sims don't look like the ones in my game!
A: I don't doubt it. Some of 'em won't have the same names, either. Pretty much every character who gets some "face time," spends some time in "Makeup and Wardrobe." Some of 'em get minor tweaks, like different hairstyles and eyebrows, subtle makeup changes. Some go right in for rhinoplasty. That's show biz. But the Sim itself was generated in-game, rather than in Create-A-Family or the Body Shop.
Q: Why is your writing so dialog-heavy?
A: That's my style. I tend to favor lots of character interaction in my writing. I'm interested in what these people are saying to each other... and sometimes, even more in what they're not saying.
Q: Where did you get that (whatever)?
A: The vast majority of custom content in my game has come from ModTheSims2. And much of what I didn't get directly from MTS2, I learned about from there. Many of the gameplay mods I use are from More Awesome Than You. I also use Danny's DMA Mods. Eventually, I'll get around to putting together a list of links. Just for the record, I also post the chapters at the SimsHost Hullabaloo forums, where you can check out some of the other stories that inspired me to set up shop here.