April is bringing more than I could have imagined to OldSunset and...

If I went back in time to explain to my past self everything we've done this month, I wouldn't believe it. That's because in addition to working on improvements to the OldSunset map, we've also started two side projects that contribute to the focus of our Patreon.

On the 2nd of April you had access to an alternative version of CAS that contemplates the beauty behind OldSunset. Bringing to the game a definition and quality above average compared to other options already available for download.

Then on April 8th, we brought the first samples of plants that were modified and recolored to be incorporated into a new world we are building: Pleasantview. Despite its name, Pleasantview is not just Pleasantview from The Sims 2, it also includes the entire neighborhood from The Sims 1, better known as OldTown!

Later on, I introduced you to the Eden Project, which came up with the purpose of giving other store/game worlds aspects that resemble OldSunset, such as: Very high quality textures, which not only make the game more beautiful but also support optimization his.

The most amazing part is that we were able to incorporate these changes not into 4K textures which make the game extremely heavy, but into 1024x1024 textures which basically maintain the current stability of the game.

As if that wasn't enough, we recolor several plants, mostly from the base game, then they were separated into individual files so you could choose which ones you'd like to play with and then we started creating texture replacements for grass, dirt, rocks and before I forget, other world decor objects like Beach Rocks, Mountain Rocks, a billboard and water tank, referencing The Sims 2. We made the rest of the game something similar to what we were doing in OldSunset and Pleasantview. , but expanding this concept beyond the boundaries of these two maps. (Our work on this isn't done yet, but it's come a long way!)

These tests and projects not only took on a life of their own but were essential for learning the various skills that needed to be learned to make OldSunset even more special! And that's what we're going to talk about today!

When I started creating Pleasantview the first thing I had in mind was to feed OldSunset back with the content that would be generated within the Pleasantview map. That's because, several families that will be part of this map in the future, will be in OldSunset with their entire network of ancestors and their old family members. Therefore, reusing material was an essential part of the project. Since to justify its creation, it would need to boost OldSunset rather than delay it.

With the decision made, I would need to dig deeper and find ways to create streets that truly resemble The Sims 2. After more than 8 hours of testing and trying, we finally got somewhere and managed to create the street we needed to do.

Then I had another problem: What to do with bridges that display different texture samples? Well, this was a recurring problem in OldSunset, so I went back and found the right files to customize them. Now each of the worlds has its own individual textures, even when the bridges used are the same.

In order to minimize the perception of reused lots, it was necessary to give them a special touch. Mainly in OldSunset, where I have greater freedom to manipulate concepts and ideas, since the project took a more creative than reproductive path.

Lots were scattered around the map. Some are in the supernatural region, while others are part of the suburbs.

OldSunset has also received a new community lot inspired by The Sims 3 base pool club. But with a personal touch and set for OldSunset. Now your Sims have a place to cool off on the weekends!!

Working on the Eden project made me realize how OldSunset was moving away from the original idea, in terms of coloring. The grass, the rocks were all so cool, so I added warmer, slightly saturated hues to fit the visual idea most of us have in our minds of what The Sims 3 should look like. Without clear, get heavy on the intensity of colors. Keeping the palette realistic, but a little more "Cartoonized" if we can say so.

By the way, OldSunset is growing and evolving on its own terms. It's wonderful to observe from afar and be able to appreciate so many lots being part of this magical composition around this very special world!

However, the work is far from complete. But it certainly evolved considerably in this month's period. There were 7 new lots included in this version and over 13 original lots of Pleasantview in its own world.

Important information: Pleasantview is just a baby. The map has started to be created, so this is its first month, and you will be presented with early access to discover and explore the potential of our next big project. There is as much to be done as there was at the beginning of the OldSunset process. But here are some screenshots of Pleasantview's current stage. (Remembering that many plants may not be at ground level, as adjusting them will be part of the final point of the project)

An outline of what the map should represent in the future. Which still needs to undergo several changes for improvement:

And of course, some samples of one of the areas that took me the most time, but it raised the level of art and detail in this project, sparking several ideas for improvements for the next month in OldSunset!

This will be a big month! And it will have more benefits than I imagined being able to provide over 28 days. I hope you enjoy each one of them and enjoy all that these new ideas, concepts, works and personalized content can offer you! I would love to see you share this and more on social media with the hashtag: #BoringBonescc. If you do that, and you can tag me, even better! I hope you enjoyed!

For supporters, see you in a few minutes to share the download of our new 2 maps and all related custom content in this post shared with him. If you've already downloaded the plant recolors and CAS I offered earlier, feel free to discard them, as every month they'll be integrated into my Mods folder to make your life even easier. Eventually some content may be made available for free before you can play and access it, but in the versions on the 28th of each month, the mods folder will always have all the content together. Any questions just call me!!