Newcrest: Arena Shopping Mall - part 1

(TS4 Get To Work)  So, I recently added a few packs to my The Sims 4 game, and have so far just about started to check them all out. One of those additions is the Get To Work expansion pack. Being a 2015 release, this pack is already well documented on the web, so I won't get very detailed on the features on this blog, but rather share a few thoughts while I check out parts of it.

I'm planning a new video series, Life Unlimited, that will start rolling in October. Setting everything up includes building a new hood in Newcrest. I've picked a 5 lots hood, and thought that one lot should be commercial, so I've built a small shopping mall on a 30x40 lot. The mall needs some active play to get established, and this gives me the excuse to write a few posts on the progress :)

Today you'll get to see the build and thoughts around the set up. In a couple future posts I'll go more in depth concerning the 4 specific stores that exists in the Newcrest Mall and how the mall is managed. I will try to keep everything simple, and there is no CC involved. My current packs are Get To Work, Outdoor Retreat and Dine Out.

So, this is Newcrest Mall. There's just one floor, which I think fits the quiet residential hood the better. It's got a typical, rather boring exterior, plain and gray. It might get improved later on as the mentioned series rolls out, although the mall will not get much focus besides being a location.

I created a test-sim to actively build up the business, it's a lot harder than I expected. But first, let's take a tour.

The Sims 4 - City Living EP announced!

Yesterday EA announced the upcoming TS4 expansion pack, City Living! Here are a few screenshots from the trailer:

The skyscrapers finally reached TS4! Welcome to San Myshuno!

Rewind The Sims 2: The Soap Box Show

Back in my TS2 days, I created many films and TV shows. Some clips even made it to commercials on my local TV station.

Today I found this 2007 clip in my old back-up files, the Soap Box Show! It was meant to be a series of short episodes where locals were given a chance to climb that stage (soap box) and speak freely about something that annoyed or bothered them.

In this first episode Mrs Tess Appleton is the main guest. Show also featured Nelly Wolmipot (not actually a Simmerville hood resident, as she lived in SimCity) and was hosted by April Briggon (daughter of the Home Sweet Home show hostess, Germine Briggon). Unfortunately I think this was the only episode ever recorded - enjoy! :)

Duration 1:33.

Back to The Sims 4 - Dine Out

So, I'm currently planning to create a new series as a movie instead of lots of pictures and text on this blog. Movies will be much easier to follow, and I think it will also be easier for you to pick up clues to understand the plot. Even quicker to catch up for those coming late to the party.

A more instant experience.

I've not yet decided whether this will be filmed in TS3 or TS4, there might be several series because I want to try both. I'm hoping to introduce the first episodes during September. Because both «Seagull Cottage B&B» and «Hope Terra» takes place in TS3, the first movie is likely to take place in the TS4 universe.

Recently I got the rather new game pack, Dine Out, and along with testing a new install, I also had fun testing the art of running a restaurant. This was one of my favorite things to do back in TS2.

In my old TS4 hood, Gloomville (used in story Gloomville Diaries as well as Sims by Numbers) the old trad Muggerdale Fair got a slight makeover, and I created a new elderly woman to manage the place.

This is originally an old farmers' market. Now also with a thriving backyard restaurant :)

The Ugly Wickerwood - Chapter 23 (season 1 closing)

Welcome back to the world of the Ugly Wickerwood! This chapter will end the first season, so a little drama was in place!

Albert Wickerwood, the guy who was raised to believe that ugly is better than nice, resides in his house with wife Myrhna and their two ugly kids Hui and Edna. No wait, Myrhna's elderly mom Anna Eastwood also lives there together with her fresh husband, Jonas. In fact, Jonas is convinced that the house belongs to Anna and not to Albert.

The elderly couple took over the master bedroom downstairs, and Albert and Myrhna were forced to move upstairs. Jonas thinks of them as renters, but they don't really mind a lot. It shouldn't make much of a difference, should it?

TS2 Rewind: Rebecka's Kissing School

Hello! I found a funny clip in my old files, Rebecka's Kissing School! It's a very short clip (1:25), it's just a silly glitch presented in a funny way :)

Rebecka (Goth) Mervil married Egoon Mervil, one of the two criminal sons of Simmerville Hood's wealthy Mervil family. This was actually my hood's evil couple. I still like to add a few evil characters to all my hoods and worlds.