It may well be.
When I wanted to start my game just now, Origin informed me that I would only be able to access my EA games under a 64 bit operating system. For the last 15 years or so, I was (mostly) happily playing away on the same computer, and for I don't know how many of those years I was using WIN7 - the 32 bit version of it.
Well, I can not see a way around this; TS2 needs Origin to run, and admittedly, my computer has been showing its age.
My birthday is in 3 weeks, and I have long been thinking about upgrading my personal computer; so far, I always shied away from it because I feared that maybe TS2, being such an old game, would not run on a new device.
Now it seems the decision has been made elsewhere, and I have to act. But...
...do I want to make a backup of New Max now, and try to pick up where I left off? Or...
...do I see this as a chance for a fresh start, at the same time getting rid of what bugs I had in my game (the lost Roth family being just one of several)?
I am not sure yet. And I am not sure yet where and when I am indeed going to buy a new computer. Just down the road from where I live is a good shop where experts give sensible advice, and where I can also go when something is wrong. So maybe it is time to pay them a visit... soon.
Hi Meks! Just so you know there are ways to bypass the origin launcher for the Sims 2, I always bypass the launcher by using a modified version of the application! So, you can be able to play the Sims 2 in the meantime before you get a new computer. I think for how long New Max has been going on for now and has survived so long it would be amazing to see you finish New Max if you end up getting a new computer! It is really easy to get the Sims 2 to run on a newer device. My laptop runs windows 10 and is a 64 bit operating system and it runs perfectly fine, I did have to use another application called the Graphics Rule Maker to have it recognise newer graphic cards and allow me to play on a higher resolution.
ReplyDeleteHello concerned ferret,
DeleteThank you very much for your helpful comment.
What exactly are those ways to bypass the Origin launcher?
I remember how I was absolutely not happy with EA when they introduced this; all of a sudden, we were forced to be online to play even though TS2 is not an online game... It was one of the points that made me end my volunteer work for EA (I used to moderate the official Sims forum and worked every year at EA's stand at GamesCom to promote the game).
I'll keep the Graphics Rule Maker in mind, thank you!
If I remember correctly I downloaded a modified version of the Sims2EP9.exe file that is affectionatley known as George and creaed a back up of my old version of the Sims2EP9.exe file in my instalation of the game before repalcing it. George ance be found here at https://www.pillowfort.social/posts/924205. If your computer you use has more than 4GBs of RAM I reccomend getting the 4GB version, which allows the Sims 2 to use more RAM. I just redownloaded it myself to make sure that the download still works and it does! I believe whoever made this version applied a CD crack to bypass Origin and the EA app, so if you aren't comfertable with that I'll see what else can be done! I accidentally didn't reply directly here woops!
DeleteThank you!! I shall definitely give that a try before I do anything else (i.e. get rid of my old computer or decide on whether or not to keep New Max going).
DeleteHello again! I can't remember if I did send you a reply about the origin bypass if I didn't I'll write it out again because I thought I did publish that comment!
DeleteSorry - it was there (hence my reply on 3 March at 08:33) but somehow blogger decided to shift it to spam, where I have just retrieved it.
DeleteHello, me again... It does not work. My computer is simply too old (I am still running it under WIN7, the 32 bit version). I had no problems downloading and installing both "George" and the Graphics Rule Maker, but no matter what, they simply do not run.
DeleteAfter so many years I guess it is legitimate to buy a new computer - and I'll see what happens then :-)
Once again, thank you for your help!
Did you try both versions of "George" by any chance? Not to be a pain I just don't want you have to be Simless all because of EA's choices. I'm guessing you've already tried deleting both Accessory.cache and Groups.cache too? If not, let me know.
DeleteAlso, It's great that you were able to download the Graphics Rule Maker though! It will help a lot when if you get a new computer and reinstall the Sims 2! You would only need to use the Graphics Rule Maker on a new installation of the Sims 2, for example on your new computer.
There may be another way, there is a lovely modder that goes by the name of LazyDuchess that created a launcher for the Sims 2 called the "Sims2RPC - Modded Sims 2 Launcher for Mansion and Garden" on Mod The Sims. They go onto further detail on their Tumblr that "It’s recommended that you have a cracked/No-CD Sims 2 M&G executable to use this launcher.
The launcher will attempt to download one if your game is not cracked, but this doesn’t always work." So this may be a way for you to bypass using George. I'll post the link to the Mod The Sims page underneath this comment incase Blogger decides that it is spam.
https://modthesims.info/download.php?t=648220 this is the link to the "Sims2RPC - Modded Sims 2 Launcher for Mansion and Garden"
Deletehttps://lazyduchess.tumblr.com/post/631915230388158464/sims2rpc-mod-launcher-for-mansion-garden and to the Tumblr post going into further detail!
Thanks again, concerned ferret!
DeleteYes, I did try both versions of George. As reg. the Accessory and Groups cache data, I usually delete these every time I finish a playing session or at least before I start the next session.
I will have a look at the link at modthesims.
In the meantime, I have found a way to play TS2 - even if it's not "really" TS2 :-)
Yesterday, I discovered that I can still run my old disc of "Life Stories" or "Pet Stories". Remember that? It is pretty much like TS2, and of course I do not have access to New Max, but at least I can play a bit - it is rather nostalgic!
Repost due to editing additions/corrections:
DeleteI am still playing The Sims 2 for around 19 years with a dozen of breaks. My current computer is Acer Nitro 5 2020 model 64-bit laptop with a processor of Intel Core i5 10th generation with a graphics card of GeForce GTX 1650 Ti (laptop/moblie). I have played TS2 on different variations of computers: desktop with a 128GB of hard drive up to the current Nitro 5 with 256 GB SSD and 1 TB HDD, the speed goes very well as running on SSD. This stores The Sims 2 through my SSD usage.
You should have to be back up New Maximiliania before planning to buy a new PC or laptop runs only 64 bit speed. Latest graphics card are GeForce RTX 40 series or Radeon 7900 series, and processor is Intel Core 13th generation or AMD Ryzen 7000 series.
Hi Claude,
DeleteThank you for your tips!
I have made a back up of New Max last week so that I can still decide later on whether or not to keep it going, or make a fresh start (which appeals more and more to me).
In the meantime, I have been to my favourite computer shop and ordered a new PC, which will be ready for pick up tomorrow.
Specs are:
GZM AMD Ryzen 5 7600X/32GB/1TB, WIN11, RX6750XT.
The man at the shop was very helpful; when I said I intend to play Hogwarts Legacy, he looked up system requirements and we configured my new PC on that base.
He also said it should be downwards compatible with my old games so that probably an app such as the Graphics Rule Maker won't be necessary. I'll find out!
I remember the life stories and pet stories, even if I played them when I was very young! I'm glad you still have some form of Sims 2 to play! That new system sounds like a beast. Like the man at the shop said, it will be able to run older games, but as far as I know with the Sims 2 it isn't an issue with the system itself that causes issues, but the game itself. The Sims 2 isn't able to recognise newer graphic cards, so that's why many players, including my self, have had to use the Graphis Rule Maker.
DeleteMy computer is no where near as good as your new PC sounds, I hope it didn't leave a hole in your pocket, because it sure does sound pricey!
It‘s not as expensive as I expected, plus I am using part of my bonus from work, and consider it my birthday present to myself 😊
DeleteYesterday when I went to pick it up, it turned out that a colleague of ‚my‘ man at the shop had sold it the day before to someone else!! Now we have placed a new order, and they‘ll ring me when it‘s ready…
In the meantime, I am actually enjoying the simplicity of Pet Stories.
There is a place on facebook called sims 2 that has their own sims 2 that you can download, and use. It is mainly the same as using the discs. My partner recently had reinstalled my disc on my pc. There is a couple of things that you might have to use such as the Graphic rule Maker and couple of other things. But it is all included. I am not techy savvy but quite a lot of people have used it and works ok. It would be nice to see New Max going. But it all depends on how you feel.
ReplyDeleteThank you, peachy!
DeleteAs I am not on facebook, this won't work for me, but it is good to know that there is more than one possible solution for my problem out there :-)
Hey Meike,
ReplyDeleteOh it would be sad to see the end of New Max, but also a new start and new opportunities are a good thing.
I run my game through Origin as it’s their version I have and have no issues, mine is a newish laptop though.
I’ve often thought of starting something new myself as my Pleasantview is getting buggy now too. (Twoyys)
Hey Karen,
DeleteYes, it would be sad to let New Max go, but as you say, a new start can be a good thing... and I would not have to contend with the bugs my neighbourhood has been showing in the last couple of years or so.
I have several ideas for new beginnings but am reluctant to really say good bye to New Max.
Liebe Meks schau mal hier--> https://www.simforum.de/index.php?threads/193215/
ReplyDeleteSuper, vielen Dank, liebe/r Anonymous!! (Bee?)
DeleteDas werde ich gut gebrauchen können, wenn mein neuer PC soweit ist (was noch eine Weile dauern kann... aber da ich grade noch die alten Sims Pet Stories durchspiele und dabei richtig Spaß habe, ist es noch nicht so eilig).
Genau, Bee. Oder Kim Possible aus dem gelben Forum.
DeleteDanke nochmals - und sehr schön, von Dir zu hören :-)
DeleteAs I can see, the old Origin app now redirects to the new EA app that The Sims 2 has been installed and works directly from that app. I first tested in late 2021 and it works properly even with TS2.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Claude - I know; Origin was trying to redirect me to the new EA app all the time, but I was unable to install the EA app since my OS can not be upgraded anymore. And instead of installing a new OS on a 15-plus-year-old computer, I have opted for a new PC :-)
DeleteIt is now here in my room, but still in the original box. I need time and my mind fully focused to set it up, and that won't be until tomorrow (Sunday) - I hope...