Won't launch -- how does installation work? Documentation doesn't explain.

[kenoiyan]

System: Windows 11

Steps taken:

~~1. Downloaded the latest release, unpacked it

2. Copied all my Sims game files to the FreeSims directory

3. Ran SimsVille.exe~~

4. Installed the game and its expansion packs (House Party, Hot Date, Vacation) from the retail CDs

5. Ran SimsVille.exe

Expected outcome: The game starts.

Actual outcome:

Tried installing the game to both directly the C drive, and to Program Files. Same outcome: the above error and crash.

[delipunch]

Did you install the Sims 1 to your D: drive, and are you trying to run SimsVille (with the Sims 1 files in it) from your C: drive?

If the answer to both is yes, then what I believe is happening is that the Sims 1 adds a registry key describing where it is, and you moved the files away from there. This causes SimsVille to look in a place that no longer exists for the Sims 1 install. Try moving the Sims 1 files back, or just reinstalling it.

(Also, you left your Windows username uncensored in the CMD windows contents).

[kenoiyan]

Hi, thanks for the helpful suggestions.

That is not my username -- that's what's so weird about this error log. It seems SimsVille has some paths hardcoded in it. Paths that are paths on the original developer's computer? It's looking for things that don't exist on my computer.

Also, why is SimsVille looking for the Sims installation registry key? Why on earth stick to the DRM? Isn't the whole point of a free and open source implementation of the engine to move away from dependence on a CD (and installation)? If you have the game files, the assets, that should be enough, no?

(I have legal copies of the game and its expansions, but I, like so many people these days, no longer have a CD drive in my computer. I was hoping this free and open source version of the engine would be able to run the game without the need for the CD.)

[kenoiyan]

Furthermore, I don't even have a D drive on my computer. 🤨 🤔

So why is it looking for stuff on the D drive?

Totally bonkers -- I can't make sense of the error log.

[francot514]

You should own the game and have it installed in order to get it working, copying files to directory is not needed,

[kenoiyan]

Own it, installed it (though I thought the whole point of this project is for the software not to rely on the CD). Exactly the same error, same outcome.

[kenoiyan]

Is the software expecting The Sims installation in a particular, fixed location?

Edit:

I tried both C:\\The Sims\, and C:\\Program Files (x86)\The Sims\. No dice. It makes no difference. The software just crashes with the same above error.

As it currently stands, it's completely useless for the public. A broken software/build.

[kenoiyan]

Are these prerequisites for building FreeSims, or for running the build/software?

-Windows
MonoGame: 3.6 or higher
OpenTK 1.2

-Linux
OpenGL 3.0
SDL2

Again, not clear in the documentation.

Do I need to install both MonoGame and OpenTK on Windows, in addition to The Sims, to be able to run this software? Or are these frameworks and libraries included in the software build?

[francot514]

Sorry for not being clear , it needs All Expansion pack or The Sims Complete. Those are the prerequisites appart of the game.

[kenoiyan]

😠 😮‍💨

Would have helped to say that before I had to track down an external CD drive and install the game twice! Thanks a lot for your support.

Open source software without proper documentation may as well be garbage. It's useful to only one person: yourself. Then don't open source it, just keep it as your personal software.

I'll never be touching this software again, that's for sure. This was enough for a lifetime for me.