Grand Opening at new «Club High-Ho»

(Year 234, Fall) Last night there was a huge celebration in Newcrest, as the «Club High-Ho» reopened. The club's status as the nation's most important jazz arena goes a long way back when it was just a tiny stage at a simple bar, but wgere a jazz legend like Olivia Clump built her career. The new club was greatly upscaled, and arised as a multi purpose culture house.

Olivia Clump with brother August Clump.

The house was full for the grand opening party, and several celebrities were naturally invited. Such as the since long retired Olivia (81), pictured above. She arrived with her older brother, August Clump (83), visiting from Gloomville. He lead a Musician career as well back in the days, but chose Country music over jazz. Olivia did not reveal whether she would have a role during this opening night.

The 15th Queen Evez Championship

(Year 232, Summer) Every other year Mazaloom's society enjoys a day with show jumping, and mingling along with some punch and cake in hand. This is the 15th competition, and a new Champion is to be found!

Queen Evez Championship is originally intended for the finer families. All Houses gets invited, and some of them will even participate in the show jumping contest. Check back a couple blog posts for more details on preparations.

Queen Evez Championship is coming up!

(Year 232, Summer) Social season is here and next weekend high society will gather for the traditional Queen Evez Championship. This bi-annual equestrian show jumping contest takes place at Queen's Stables in Newcrest, and is strongly connected to Mazaloom's aristocracy. This is where the nobles mingle, while showing off their hats as well as jewelry. You won't only run into dukes and countesses, but even the royal family attends this great happening!

Queen's Stables is located by the water at Rivercrest in Newcrest.

And of course: It does matter who wins the show jumping contest! Today the list of contenders was released, that is - the list itself is never meant to be of public interest, but we thought it would be fun seeing who will participate this year, as well as giving you a brief look into the rules.

Too many Rentals?

(Year 232, Spring) This Winter we got a new Landlord Deed, and the rental business has really reached a new level. In most of our 8 regions we got rental units, and Landlords have also been fighting over land to build their rental residential establishments. Not everyone applauds this development.

On the main street of Newcrest's Crestville this morning, Politician and Vice-President Silverbone allowed herself one hour of protesting. Fanny Silverbone (72) belongs to the «Simoleons for Everyone» fraction of the LEFT party, and despite also representing the nation as the 2nd most important Politician at People Chamber, giving less room for individual opinions, she had to let go of some steam.

Olivia Clump Retires Once Again

(Year 231, Winter) The popular jazz singer, Olivia Clump (78) has taken a final sep out from the stage light. Years ago she did retire, but felt the urge to sing anyway, and had a successful comeback at the local club in her home district, Newcrest. This time it is serious, though. As she stated in a press release, there will be no return.

The elderly star recently got everyone's attention as she was awarded the first ever Mazaloom Achievement Diploma for being perhaps our best skilled resident. That is, being an expert in fields like Singing, Cooking, Painting and more. She was handed the diploma by no other than HRH Crown Princess Emireza.

The Queen's Stables

It's always fun implementing the features of a new pack with my existing universe. Finally the large lot by the pond in Newcrest, in my kingdom the hood is named Rivercrest. The perfect spot for a royal stables!

This establishment was founded by Queen Evez, who died 33 years ago. She was an eager, if not so talented, Equestrian, and she wanted to have access to a royal stable on her travels away from Del Sol Valley. Military horses were trained in Chestnut Ridge and Oasis Springs, so The Queen's Stables were not involved with military strategies, although she was an extremely military focused Monarch.

Today the stables provide lodging for Royal Guard Majors, but the lot is rigged for many purposes.

Gallery Ex-Po: One step up!

(Year 229) Decades ago Rose W. von Kaching, Baroness of Gloom, opened Gallery Ex-Po at Crestville in Newcrest. It sold a few classical paintings, but was even  more known for its show rooms where home based artists and crafters could exhibit their works. The exhibitors have changed over time, spanning from woodworks to knitted rugs, although the main focus was paintings and photos.

Five years ago the gallery was certified Art Broker and the building was slightly adjusted to meet a new community segment. Last week Baroness Rose of Gloom celebrated the first five years as an important art broker, still serving the community at large but not the least with collectors and a higher society as target.

Groceries coming to Arena Shopping Mall

(Year 229) Just a quick note from the Arena Shopping Mall in Newcrest. Since a generation they offered clothes, gifts, baked goods, photo studio and much more. Now they are preparing a new section offering locally produced groceries!

Barony of Crest not to be revitalized

(Court House, San Myshuno) Region 12 Court House has concluded that the old peerage, Barony of Crest, is not to be reactivated. Royal Chamber was found guilty of handing the peerage to the House of Panter despite there being a young heir of House of Roxenfox, who actually held this peerage, but the case is very old and will not be reactivated.

Old-Duchess Claudine (Roxenfox) de Cavalier (red coat) was joined by her sister, Duchess Gloria (Roxenfox) Saxor of Meadows. In the background are Hector Roxenfox with wife Nancy.

This case was brought to court by Old-Duchess Claudine (Roxenfox) de Cavalier (pictured wearing red coat), on behalf of House of Roxenfox that is still residing the old Roxenfox Manor at Old Crest in Newcrest. Head of house is Hector Roxenfox (73), with wife Nancy (Dougham) Roxenfox and their daughter Bonita Roxenfox (31). They are to get paid a small compensation of §25 000.

Barony of Crest extinct by mistake?

(Year 226) Crest is the old name for today's Newcrest. The northern hood was the original center, often referred to as Old Crest, and the Barony of Crest was created by King Rupert of Mazaloom to protect the land from invasion by war enemy, as late as in year 50. This lead to the expansion of the hoods Crestville and Rivercrest. The Baron of Crest resided at Crest Hall in Old Crest, and unlike most high nobility peerages of the time, this peer was encouraged to focus on Business rather than Military.

Old-Duchess Claudine de Cavalier still resides with her husband, the Old-Duke, at Chateau Cavalier.

The person currently digging into the Crest history, is Duchess Claudine Beatrix (Roxenfox) de Cavalier, or should we say Old-Duchess as her new formal title says now that her oldest son inherited the dukedom. Those peerages are normally not inherited until the peer dies, but the Royal Chamber approved this early switch. These days she prepares leaving Chateau Cavalier.

House of Dougham: Triplets Celebrating Teenage Birthday

(Newcrest, Year 226) The Dougham triplets Cornelus, Martin and Wilhelmina celebrated their teen birthday yesterday. The triplets are well known also outside Newcrest, as their mother is successful business woman Corinne Dougham, Lady Crestville - and their father is Region 12's Mayor Charloman Au. (Crumpleton) Dougham.

Left to right: Martin, Cornelius and Wilhelmina Dougham are now teenagers.

Mr Cornelus Augosto Dougham (centered) was first born of the three, and is also declared the main heir to his mother's noble title. He has been an active Scout, and plans to continue this activity aside of focusing on school. Being a perfectionist he will likely do well in school, which will help building a snobby life style and his dream of becoming Fabulous Wealthy.

Platforms tool = testing the new feature

 (Year 225) So, we got platforms with the November 10 patch, and this feature is really great! It gives variety to houses, larger floors can be sectioned in new ways, stairs can be built in endless versions and stages can finally be built without occupying the foundation.

I am currently rebuilding the Von Windenburg Estate, and I made use of the platforms to create a slightly more inviting staircase leading to the front door. The picture is from early stage, but I love that with this kind of arrangement we can now place potted plants onto the steps! I never missed that, but now I want this possibility on every lot, LOL.

As Sims Go By - New episode out now!

2nd episode of my soap series is called "Growing Farm Rights". So, farming is one of the highlighted subjects, but there is also lots of other stuff going on. You'll learn to know the 5 Councilors better, get a few more ideas about those mysterious people, and there is of course some hints for next episode.

In a week or so there will also be a new film in my "How I Play" series, explaining the Farm Rights a bit more in detail.

Enjoy:

As Days Go By - Year 215 Picture Post

Hello! Year 215 was completed long ago, actually the first As Sims Go By episode released Nov 15th took place in my game's year 215. My current routine is to bring you a picture post every year to show what's going on in my game that counts 50 households.

So, in these more or less monthly As Days Go By updates, you get a chance to learn the small stories and destinies taking place outside the film series. Every here and there you might also find some ideas for your own game, but I'll not be very detailed in these posts. They are mostly meant as easy reads for inspiration. If you have any questions, feel free to comment, and I'll explain more thoroughly.

Starting in Gloomville's poor hood, Muggerdale. The richest household is Mugger Farm, being run by the same family for a few generations. They still grow produce, and this farm has 3 Farm Rights (see the As Sims Go By film series episode 2, or How I Play episode 3 for details on Farm Rights).

The household is a bit odd. Alan and Janet are siblings, and although Alan is young adult and ready to establish his own family, he won't take over the farm. Their parents died when they both were teens, and even if not building his life here, Alan ran the family farm while his sister was a student.

The Five Units Challenge - Report 35 - The final Rush

It's time for the final report! Will they make it in time? Will Garvin Clump manage to max out skills in painting, cooking, singing and gardening + one more - while granny Donna is still around? Phew, I worry there won't be time enough, but let's try!

Garvin was still only a toddler, and yes you have some steep stairs ahead of you, little boy! Strategy is to focus max on his toddler skills, hopefully that might get him a jump start later.

New movie: Seasons in Newcrest

The second episode of my The sims 4 series "One year in my worlds" was just released. Taking place in Newcrest the Clump family is featured. Yes, that's the family from "The Five Units Challenge" that is about to be completed these days.



Six more Seasons-related movies will be released in July, so please subscribe to my Youtube Channel not to miss any. Most of them will of course be announced here, too.

The Five Units Challenge - Report 34 - The final generation

Only two more reports! This one gets rather long, so I'll try keeping the text to a minimum. So much is happening when you try to rush a story to complete it before the Seasons release! I actually managed to prepare both reports before Seasons release, and the final report #35 will be out late next week!

Our main character Olivia Clump grew up, she had been dating a few guys already. Somehow the conversation felt easier with the guy she met at the romance festival, Kayson Dorman. He worked as a servant at Civic Cliffs, a dining located in Crestville (a hood in my Newcrest).

They met again at the museum next to his job. It was the perfect location for some quiet conversation.

The Five Units Challenge - Report #14 - Sylvia's Unit

It's weekend, and Sammy probably thought that he could make as much noise as he wanted. But seriously - playing the guitar while your siblings are eating breakfast?

Sammy is not very good at playing, some practice will do him good.

Newcrest: Arena Shopping Mall - part 2

(TS4 Get To Work) Welcome back to my mini series where my sim Corinne Dougham will establish a shopping mall located in Newcrest. The build is actually named Arena Shopping Mall and contains 4 sections, or different stores if you like. Bakery, Clothing store, Retail and Photo Studio. It's small for a mall, but still quite a handful to run, especially for Corinne who started straight from CAS and with zero skills or business traits. This update will focus on the bakery, but first a few more words about Corinne Dougham...

I told you that she has no home but spends the nights on park benches. Well, that is no longer true, Corinne resides a spacious 2 stories townhouse located at Crestville. Crestville is one of 3 hoods at Newcrest, so it's not that far away from the mall at main Newcrest. Yes, I told you that she would only be used for building up the business, but then I started to like playing a sim with lots of money owning a whole shopping mall, so I figured she can stay. She will still not be a central part in my ongoing video series, Life Unlimited, at least not that I know of at this point.

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.