OldSunset December 2023 and more! (Patreon)

Hello! How are the preparations going for 2024? I confess that here, I'm really excited to share some interesting things with you! OldSunset is coming back, I wish this month's changes were more expressive, but The Sims 3 is an enigma and managing it isn't the easiest thing in the world. However, when a stubborn game meets a stubborn player, solutions appear. On the 12th of this month, I announced that OldSunset was undergoing a lighting overhaul.

In other words this meant:

• Review and fix my own Ethereal Glow lighting mod to support lighting on plants and bushes (something that didn't happen before due to extended shadows)
• Export and test LITE files from the base game without any updates to incorporate them into the final version for more diffused lights in the environment, I addressed this issue in this thread 
• Finding a solution to the broken lighting in The Sims 3. But good God, this game is a mystery, because the solution on the one hand, does not apply in all scenarios, which means that it was necessary to find different ways to incorporate the improvements in OldSunset.
• Additionally, it was necessary to create a new set of Ansel presets to enhance, amplify and highlight the visual experience of these improvements.

That said, much of the month was more focused on brainstorming and solving problems, while the rest was focused on applying these improvements. Additionally, to comply with the TOU's of the creators I was using custom content from, I needed to INDIVIDUALLY review each batch to:

• Replace doors and windows
• Remove Store Items
• Remove gameplay mods that depended on objects
• Remove decorative frames and other assets

I used several images that I found on the internet or tumblr to create some of the paintings (and even though I personally incorporated this into the game, I could still be violating some TOU) and this is a gray space that, for me, you don't want to step into. . Just in case, I removed them all and will rebuild. The good part is that the next artworks will have stories, a relationship with the narrative and other aspects of the neighborhood, which means a true ECOsystem coming to OldSunset.

The lack of connection of the dots is what I have been criticizing since the launch of The Sims 4, but which I already observed in The Sims 3. The truth is that The Sims 2 did an excellent job with this tangle, and with all its love, it got us used to it badly. Their family trees and connections were in line with their narratives and that was magical.

I'm not going to lie, I'm a little lost on what to do with OldSunset, because while it's a huge and ambitious project it requires a lot of work to tweak, revise, and improve. But, OldSunset is OldSunset and just like a book, it is a project that I will complete and when I do, I will be proud, it will be all my blood, sweat, tears and a true love letter that I write (or seek to write) with same mastery that Will and his team created Ts1 and Ts2.

But, from time to time, a lot of things change. Until April I was a maximalist with OldSunset, nowadays I seem to be returning to my minimalist era, and the excesses of OldSunset, the layout of lots in some regions... A lot must change.

You'll notice that I removed several batches from this version, and I did so because I didn't feel like it made sense to keep them there anymore. Lots from Pleasantview, or from OldTown (with one exception or another) were removed. They don't corroborate the lore. Gas stations too, after all, I removed the mod from the set of mods that will be supported by OldSunset (nothing against the creator and definitely no impediment on his part, I was just bothered by the mod notification appearing every time I opened the game xD)

On the other hand, I need to thank the creators who personally allowed me to keep their content in my mods folder, to make your life as a player easier and less complicated when playing. Some creators preferred that I link their content outside of the mods folder and out of respect for them all, I will do my best to create a definitive MOD LIST for The Sims 3 that will include all the mods needed for OldSunset BUT also, mods that I myself love and I recommend it to you. In January I will have a list of mods for this.

That said, with all the cataloging and organizing work, there is a lot to do and this text is already getting huge xD I thank you for your patience and care. OldSunset will be available today or tomorrow at the latest, in the mods folder. However, ONLY content that has been previously authorized by its creators will be in this folder. You will need to download some other content, however, I am ALMOST certain that this list should cover the content that will not be present in the mods folder and will be necessary (or highly recommended) for OldSunset.

As you can see, I made a huge change in the district near the university. Replaces 3 large lots with several smaller 20x20 lots with a young and familiar mid-century style. I know, it's not a sorority, but it seemed like a good place for families who didn't want to be away from their college kids Haha

I did my best to ensure that over 20 lots had their lighting enhanced for a more realistic, enjoyable and engaging visual experience in OldSunset. But remember, it's a work in progress and is being handcrafted, which means each batch will receive a great deal of time, attention, and changes over the next few months.

I would like to briefly introduce a new project that I am considering for 2024. 

Do you remember Rebuild Verse?

Well, I still don't know how to create script mods, which means I'm going to focus on what I have knowledge and experience: Creating worlds.

This is the first world I'm creating and I'll start creating custom worlds (tiny worlds) if I'm able to meet the demand and within 1 month to make them!

There will be a new support category aimed at creating maps on demand. I chose Tiny Worlds for several reasons:

• They are quick to make
• Offer excellent performance
• Can house approximately 30 lots that provide a fluid and dynamic gameplay experience
• With the combination of my simulation mods, they make the city ALIVE, DENSE and Radiant!

Maps can meet different demands and have their own architectural style. As I make them, I gain more experience to improve OldSunset

Furthermore, I can transform the system for building these maps into content for lives on my Youtube channel, which brings together and supports other creators who are interested in learning or creating their own worlds. I'll talk more about this soon, but I'm happy that the idea and support for this project came from channel subscribers.

Pre-ordered maps will initially only be available to those who pre-ordered them. I understand that many players may not agree with this and this is one of the reasons why I will be making the creation process public, that way those who are not interested in supporting or ordering can learn how to do it on their own. No side loses and all 3 sides win.

Overall, this is all I have to share with you about what has been done throughout December. I thank everyone who has supported my work so far, you allowed me to live (even partially) from my art this year and that was a privilege that I would like and whenever I can, I encourage and encourage everyone who has any channel, website or content to develop.

Because if you can turn something you love into a source of income, creating and building in this way not only makes you more responsible and committed to your project but also keeps you focused in moments when things seem uncertain. May 2024 be a brilliant year for all of us and may each one here become a reflection of what they have idealized over the past year.

Stay tuned, as between today and tomorrow OldSunset will be back in its December version. 

I hope to deliver even more improvements and enhancements next month, as I have been doing since the beginning. Remembering that we now have an exclusive server for supporters, where you can share feedback, insights and any ideas or questions related to the projects. I'd be happy to discover all the ways you believe OldSunset can be better! 

And before I forget, may your 2024 be the best, biggest and most incredible year of your life!