Poll for Oldsunset 2023

Good morning people! I would like to talk to you about an idea! And I would be EXTREMELY happy about your feedback and response!

When I started OldSunset in mid-2012 I had idealized a project very similar to this image of sunset valley in the beta version of The Sims 3.

The project progressed by leaps and bounds, until the release of The Sims 3 Into the Future. When the CAW started to present several problems. At that time I hadn't gotten that far with terraforming the map, but I already had several of the main paths formed. You can try that version up close by clicking HERE. 

The biggest changes came from 2020 onwards, when I really took the project back and started a series of gameplays playing on the map on our channel.

Since then, you know how the project took off with the arrival of several new regions, and many adaptations. Fact is, the only thing left of 2012 was the heart of the city, with the rabbit holes. And even they are relatively recent, since I developed the expertise to build them in 2020.

Now, why am I telling you all this? 

Because from the beginning, I had a vision for this world. He needed to bring the best of The Sims 2 together into the vast world of The Sims 3 possibilities. How would I do that?

-All workplaces would be FUNCTIONAL (as you can see in this trailer)

This fell through the cracks in the first tests. The problems:

PERFORMANCE: The creative way I found to be able to make a functional city center was by bringing together several lots within 1 lot. Because that way, they would all be loaded simultaneously, even if the limit was 4. Keeping an acceptable look for videos and photographs. (Smooth patch did not exist at that time and optimization solutions were limited)

INCOHERENT SIMS: The second problem appeared when, for example, the cafeteria worker decided to start using the hospital's computer and stop serving his customers in the cafeteria. He kept coming and going relentlessly.

WORK ROUTINE: Over time in my test batteries, I began to realize that perhaps the repetitive routine of the Sims would be a long-term nauseating factor for players. And I did a search to ask what they preferred: Lots of rabbit holes or open works, functional and with strange situations like the ones I mentioned in the topic above. Research has led us back to the rabbit holes.

Today, however, I was reflecting on this and on a solution. 

I would still REALLY like to see my Sims working because that's what makes The Sims 2 Open for Business experience so magical! And I found a solution. However, it puts the heart of the city at "risk"!

That's because, to be able to solve this problem, I would have to give up the current visual aspect and build lots that make sense to work with mods. For example: Hospital and laboratory would become a single lot. This would provide proper behavior from the Sims that are there since they are similar roles and would give these lots the feeling that they are filled with Sims really busy with their role.

Police station and military center, following the same line. And any other batches related to similar functions would be merged. Several lots as we know them would take different forms to support this view. 

Leaving behind what started the project, but keeping its spiritual vision alive. In reality, as so much has changed, I don't see the point of keeping the attachment, but you know how it is... Once created, always appreciated.

(Looking back, Justin Ride did an excellent job reproducing the Beta version of Sunset Valley extremely faithfully)

But since OldSunset has become a public project, with your support, it only makes sense that before I make big decisions like this, I communicate them so I know what you think.

So the FIRST QUESTION IS:

Would you like to see this region rebuilt with lots of open and functional workplaces?

(With today's optimization solutions, I believe that the performance related issue is a much more malleable factor.)

YES/NO and WHY?

Remembering: This month, OldSunset will bring several new aspects of realism to the game to make the experience a little more challenging, such as gas stations, tougher jobs, and surprisingly higher bills.

Over the next few days I will guide more research, but right now this is one of the most important. I know that just like me, you are excited to play on this map with it full of Sims. It's been my dream for years too! But, I want to make sure that we have an experience unlike anything that any other map can provide us today.

As always, I would like to thank you for your support, time and passion.