TS3: Smooth gameplay with new "fix"?

Hello
I found an interesting thread on Modthesims, user Simmythesim claims to have found a way to "dramatically speed up loading and reduce lag" in The Sims 3. A video of proof is provided which looks really promising. The first post is about a year old, when it only worked with basegame. However it now seems to be working with all packs. There are of course some problems but the overall response is very positive. However, it seems like the instructions are for the Steam install, but is said to work with any kind of install. I'm a bit too dim to understand if, and how, it would work with a G4TW install of the game. Has anyone here tried it?

plady wrote:Hello
I found an interesting thread on Modthesims, user Simmythesim claims to have found a way to "dramatically speed up loading and reduce lag" in The Sims 3. A video of proof is provided which looks really promising. The first post is about a year old, when it only worked with basegame. However it now seems to be working with all packs. There are of course some problems but the overall response is very positive. However, it seems like the instructions are for the Steam install, but is said to work with any kind of install. I'm a bit too dim to understand if, and how, it would work with a G4TW install of the game. Has anyone here tried it?

Hello @plady and thanks for sharing that thread with us,

Although, and I have to be blunt, it doesn't really offer much in terms of new insights. From just skimming the thread I notice that most comments in that thread are about hardware specs, optimizing RAM/CPU, and about speculations the video supposedly showing "smooth gameplay" is doctored.

The mod creator hinted that they re-created or re-configured actual game installation files, so this is definitely not your typical mod. Replacing game installation is always a risky thing, and you should definitely back up your installation before trying anything like that.

It sounds cheesy, but TS3 is not optimized. Plain and simple. To a large extent you can compensate that by having or using a strong desktop PC, such as mine. I recently even put a stronger graphics card in that thing, and a new power supply, but that's beside the point now. Of course, of course: I realize that for a lot of people that is not an option, but besides the things that the people on that MTS thread mentioned, let me offer one or two additional perspectives.

1) Reduce your number of installed expansions/stuffpacks. This is a classic one, but even after all these years still a relatively unknown method of improving gameplay performance.

2) Use modified game worlds

3) Related to #2, please avoid playing in super-large custom-made worlds, if your computer's having difficulties with the game as is

4) Using an SSD hard-drive is also known to speed up game performance, but I myself did not go for it in my own PC. I did not really feel inclined to spend another 200+ Euros for a 2TB or so SSD drive, just to be able to play TS3 and other games "slightly faster"



I guess that's all from me, for now.

Hi! Thanks for the answer, however my game runs quite fine, I was just curious about this particular thing. I'm aware of the other options there is to speed up gameplay, except for this one which was new to me. But as you wrote, the thread does not really provide much information, that's why I was wondering if someone else had a better understanding of it.

plady wrote:Hi! Thanks for the answer, however my game runs quite fine, I was just curious about this particular thing. I'm aware of the other options there is to speed up gameplay, except for this one which was new to me. But as you wrote, the thread does not really provide much information, that's why I was wondering if someone else had a better understanding of it.

I can give you my opinion: if there is a download link available for this thing, then use it only at your own risk. Remember the saying: "don't change a well-running system". You will have to tamper with the actual game installation, and despite TS3 being my strong suit from all Sims games (by far), not even I would do it.

But please, this is really just my take. Maybe someone else has a second/third/etc opinion.