![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladysilverwolf| C1. Which Player are You? C2. Pick a Template C3. Optional Step |
If you already know how to install Clean/Empty Hoods, then move on to the next guide, as there is no relative difference between Sims2 disk installation and Ultimate Collection, even on a Win10 system. However, I do have updated template links below the cut.
Section C1. Which Player are You?
Do not start playing your game yet! We have more work to do before you start playing! Trust me! First read the section below that applies to you:
=== > This section has been written for those who are NEW to sims2 and have just installed Ultimate Collection.
Q: Why, you ask, do I need Clean/Empty hoods?
A:
Plainly speaking, Maxis borked their hoods when the packaged the game.
Over the years, there has been a lot of talented people out there who
have cleaned and/or emptied hoods for players to incorporate into their
games. But over time, new things have been learned about hood
corruption and how it happens, and so, I present to you here, the best
options for clean/empty hoods! (this is of course my own personal
opinion. I am no expert in this matter!)
I installed all the cleaned hoods I found at meetme2theriver's livejournal in 2014, as well as the stealth hoods by Jawusa @ MTS. Since then there have been several more templates that have popped up around the web. I will post the links about these templates further down this page. In the not to distant future, I will be changing over to Jawusa's templates entirely now that the project is finished. Why? Simply because the project is finished and I want to experience the results of that work.
Q: What is the difference between Clean / Empty Hoods ?
A:
Empty hoods are just that - Empty of all maxis content. Use empty hoods
if you are wanting to build EVERYTHING from scratch. These hoods will
have no sims at all.
Clean hoods are been purged of the bad bits of programming left behind by Maxis. This was a HUGE project taken on by any person so I applaud all those who took on this endeavor just so my game is now CLEAN (and ready for me to BORK it with my own ignorance!)
I highly recommend getting the Clean Hoods if you ever want to play the maxis content that came with the game.
Q: What about the MATY templates?
A:
Yes, you can still download those templates over at MATY, and in other
locations across the net. I do believe I have even seen some remakes of
hoods by deadpirates (links down below). You have a several new and
fresh options available to you in regards to deciding on what you want
for your hoods. But again, I do recommend doing a lot of reading on
hoods that exist out there, before installing them in your game.
Advice:
If you are NEW to sims2 (and UC), I do recommend starting with clean
hoods. Do an honest play through, with your mods, your CC additions,
and default replacements. And if you still feel like something is
lacking, or you want to challenge yourself with true, in-depth
creativity, then go for the empty hoods. Better still, if you really
want to go that unique path of 'creating' your own hood, head off to
SimCity4 and create your own templates. Perhaps at a later date I might
actually cover this process as well.
Q: That is a lot of reading!!! Can't you give me a simple download/install?!?!
A:
No. Sorry. And even if it was available, I would not recommend it,
because game installation varies from game to game, based on if you are
using UC or disk installs. It is a complex answer to fixing the
borkness of your game, but honestly, once it is done, you will treasure
the work put into it! And that sense of satisfaction of something well
done, its... just amazing.
The best advice I can give you about doing this is ... READ the directions completely through the first time. Then go back and do each step. The process will take a while, but in the end, you will have a safe environment in which to play your game, without worrying about hood corruption.
=== > This section has been written for those who have previously played Sims2 using disks, and just installed UC for the first time.
Since you already know about clean/empty hoods, go pick your poison where-ever it may be. Follow their directions and move on to step C3 of this guide. If you DO NOT KNOW about clean/empty hoods templates, then you need to go back to the section detailed above.
Section C2. Pick a Template
Decide on the templates you want to use. This may not be a complete list, but these are the ones I remember best. Follow the directions of the author to a T. If you fail to do this, your installation will not work! And if you have trouble doing this, contact the author/forum please. I could answer questions here, but THEY are more likely able to better assist you than myself.
Personally, I recommend either Jawusa's or meetme2theriver's templates...
These are listed in reverse chronological order of appearance:
-- > ReRelease of Clean Templates - [tumblr link] by meetme2theriver on Oct 13, 2018
(to current)
-- > Pleasantview with a Twist - [tumblr link] by strangetomato &
meetmetotheriver on Sept 03 2018
-- > ReRelease of Clean Steathhoods as Shopping Districts - [tumblr link] by meetme2theriver on July 29, 2018
-- > Clean And Empty Neighborhood Templates - [MTS
link] by Jawusa @ MTS on Jul 27 2018
------ > Extended testing details about these templates can be
found here :
[MTS link]
---- > Clean And Empty Stealth Hood Templates - [MTS
link] by Jawusa @ MTS on Feb 22 2014
-- > Overhauled Templates with Flavor - [tumblr link] by dreadpirate on 14 Mar 2018
-- > Clean Premade EA/Maxis Neighborhoods V2 - [livejouranl link] by meetme2theriver on Feb 10 2011
-- > Empty Vs Clean Templates - [dreamwidth
link] by simgaroop on Apr 13 2008
-- > Clean custom hoods + townie creation - [forum link] @MATY on Oct 09 2006
If I have missed one, or you would like to have one added, feel free to mention it in the comments down below! I will add it!
Section C3. Optional Step
Believe it or not, I actually created a Working copy of the game files and calling the original game file "Original-The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection". Now I have a patched version of the game without having ever played a single hood or sim, ready just in case I ever corrupt my game. Because of this, I won't ever have to do the steps listed in section B or C of these guides, Never-EVER again.
|
All you will have to do is "manually" delete the files of the corrupted Game, then Copy the files from "Original-The Sims2 Ultimate Collection" folder into the game path of "The Sims2 Ultimate Collection" Think of it as Clean Game with Clean Hoods and correctly edited files for running the game, ready for play at your fingertips! Mind you this piece of advice is only for games that refuse to load because of missing/broken game files. If its just a corrupted hood(s), I will address that in my troubleshooting guide. |
Seriously! If you have the space on your system to do this, I HIGHLY recommend this Optional Step.
Updated: 04-2019
