Recently, I've been rebuilding my collections of The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. I used to have the discs when I was a kid, but I lost them, and now I don’t have a computer that can read DVDs. After acquiring The Sims 2 Complete Collection and gradually adding to my Sims 3 collection through Steam, I started thinking about The Sims 1.
The last time I played The Sims 1 was when I was 6 years old. When I tried to download the game again to relive my childhood nostalgia, I was using a Windows 10 machine. Unfortunately, that experience was a complete disaster, as the game wouldn't even let me select a household! It was bugged and unplayable. Now that I'm trying it again on a Windows 11 computer, I approached it with low expectations—until I stumbled upon something magical.
I discovered a GitHub repository that provides an all-in-one installation of The Sims 1, eliminating the need to install patches or edit graphics files. With that in mind, let me guide you through the process of installing The Sims 1 on a Windows 11 computer. To install The Sims 1 on a Windows machine in 2024, simply follow these straightforward steps. You won’t need to enter any keys, edit scripts, or perform any manual tasks.
Please know that this is how I installed The Sims 1 on my computer. I've gotten no crashes or bugs from this method, and my game runs smoothly. My computer specs are:
Download the The Sims 1 Starter Pack Web Installer. Alternative link can be found here.
Step 2: Run Installation
Run the TS1StarterPack-WebInstaller.exe and follow the instructions. If you get a Windows protection notification, select the option to "Run Anyway". Windows does this to protect us from unknown executables, but this one is fine.
Enable all of the components. This includes all the patches you will need to make your game full-screen and compatible with your system.
Select the folder you want to install it in.
Wait for the installation to finish.
Step 3: Run The WideScreen Patch
During your installation, a popup will display asking you to choose your resolution. If this popup hasn't shown, you can find it in your E:\The Sims 1 Starter Pack directory as Sims1WidescreenPatcher.exe.
From this, choose your screen's aspect ratio and resolution, and set the “Wrapper” dropdown to DDrawCompat.
Click “Patch.”
If asked to enable “Borderless Fullscreen” mode, click Yes.
Close the patcher once it has finished patching the game.
Step 4: Run The Game & Have Fun!
And that is IT. Now you can run the Sims.exe program and the game should run.
If your screen size is weird, just run the patcher again.
Now you can start playing the game and rediscover that old-school nostalgia of having fun!
Conclusion
I hope this guide has been helpful! If it has, feel free to let me know in the comments below. Additionally, I have a blog where I detail the mods I use for The Sims, including instructions on where to place them. If you're interested, you can check that out here.
For the last couple of days, I've been working on some poses in SimPose, and I wanted to share a few libraries I've come up with.
The first one is the Romance Pack, featuring some playful "sexy" poses for when our pixelated pals are in a flirty mood.
The second library is called the Fun Pack. The poses are fun and unique, created spontaneously.
Finally, the third library is called the Two Tango Pack, which features group poses. I’m still working on this one, but here is what I’ve created so far.
So there you have it! I never thought making poses could be this addictive, and with me having the flu right now, it’s been an awesome distraction. If you want to make your own poses, you can find a tutorial for it in my Sims 1 Resources category. 😊
If you want the packs, just drop a comment below and I’ll publish the .psl files for download!
This is my archive for tracking the Sims 1 mods I’ve added to my game. Since I started playing Sims 1 again recently, I will continue to update this list as I discover new mods and remove those that don’t work for me. Please check back frequently for updates!
If you want to play Sims 1 like me on a Windows 11 computer, you can check out my blog post on that here. 😀
MONEY & JOB MODS
Online bank computer
This computer allows Sims to pay their bills online, as well as find a job and chat online - no more waiting for the newspaper or visitors!
Usually, if you reach Level 10 of any career, you only get to stay at Level 10 for a short time before the game forces you into a different career path at a lower level. This mod eliminates that and allows your sim to keep the job that they worked hard for.
With this phone plugin you will have the option to call work and tell them you are sick and can't go to work. If you do that you get the day off and they can't fire you for staying at home. You can stay home as long as you like, just make the call every day.
This is a phone plugin for Superstar. It will give you the alternative "Give Interview" on the phones at home for Sims in the Superstar career track. Just call and give an interview, you will get paid and your fame will go up, it never goes down.
Turn this magic crystal ON, and need decay stops completely. You can still increase or decrease a need if you DO something, though. What this mod stops is the need DECAY. For example, if you work out on the exercise machine, your Energy and Hygiene will decrease, just as they always do when you use the exercise machine. But needs won't decay simply from time passing. It looks like a blue crystal on a gold base and can be found in the Decorative - Sculpture section of the catalog.
Adult & teenage sims recognise that learning can bring fulfilment in the future, no matter how miserable they are. Increases cooking and mechanical skills.
Looks like a party plant. Maximises all motives for all Sims on the lot, except for Social, which is adjusted just enough to stop unhappiness. Perfect for making friends and having babies. No menu, just delete when you've had enough.
Same as Party Plant above, but acts on visitors only. Visitors are counted as anyone who does not live permanently on the lot, so this would act on NPC's and friends who visit.
This painting, of Maxfield Parrish's "Morning," has been modded to add one skill point at a time, in whatever skills you wish. You can add as many points as you want in any skill, up to a maximum of ten.
This plant is buyable from your catalogue, and can be placed on any tile. But more importantly it can summon any Sim including NPCs to your lot at pre-set daily times, wearing your choice of clothing type. Should work with any EP.
When turned on from its menu, it gives all visiting neighbours the same powers as residents - cook from fridges, stay the night, use showers etc. Turn off from menu and visitors instantly revert to helplessness.
Objects that get rid of certain objects and visitors from the lot. None of these kill the Sim or destroy the object permanently, they work by waiting until the thing or person shows up then deleting that particular instance. That means the same thing might show up again and be zapped again - until you remove the zapper.
When you make friends in The Sims, you have to keep up with them, because your relationship declines gradually over time. This mod stops that from happening, so you no longer need to maintain relationships.
I use Version 2: Eliminate Relationship Decay AND More Walk-Bys, which also means more people from your neighborhood will pass your lots.
In the unmodded game, the Flirt interaction disappears when your sim's relationship with another sim is over 60, and Compliment/Admire disappears when the relationship is over 40. This mod changes that; Flirt and Compliment will still be available all the way up to 100.
Directory: Put this in The Sims\GameData\Global\PesonGlobals.iff - not in a folder!
Note: There can only be one mod in your Globals folder. If you want to use this mod with the Joke and Families and Friends Mod, download this instead: http://corylea.com/countdown/countdownlua.cgi?FlirtWith&ComplimentFriendsANDJokeWithFriendsANDFamiliesAreFriendsMods.zip
Joke with Friends
In an unmodded, game, sims lose the ability to tell a joke to someone when their relationship goes over 70. So you can only tell jokes to acquaintances and casual friends. nThe Joke with Friends Mod lets you tell jokes all the way up to a relationship level of 100.
Directory: Put this in The Sims\GameData\Global\PersonGlobals.iff - not in a folder!
Note: There can only be one mod in your Globals folder. If you want to use this mod with the Flirt & Compliment and Families and Friends Mod, download this instead: http://corylea.com/countdown/countdownlua.cgi?FlirtWith&ComplimentFriendsANDJokeWithFriendsANDFamiliesAreFriendsMods.zip
Families Are Friends Mod
In the unmodded game, families are created with a relationship of 20; this mod makes newly created families have a relationship of 50. This mod affects only NEWLY CREATED families, so families that were made before you installed it will not be changed.
Directory: Put this in The Sims\GameData\Global \PersonGlobals.iff - not in a folder!
Note: There can only be one mod in your Globals folder. If you want to use this mod with the Flirt & Compliment and Joke Mod, download this instead: http://corylea.com/countdown/countdownlua.cgi?FlirtWith&ComplimentFriendsANDJokeWithFriendsANDFamiliesAreFriendsMods.zip
Custom Content & Notable Mentions
I don't really use Custom Content such as custom skins, furniture, or animations in my game, but I do have some sites for the day I might want to spice things up.
Objects & Furniture
Directory: Put this in The Sims\GameData\Objects if furniture, The Sims\GameData\Lights if lights, The Sims\GameData\Walls if wallpapers, The Sims\GameData\Floors if floors.
I recently embarked on the journey to create a Dragon Ball inspired world in The Sims 3! Here is the Townies family, consisting of the Ox King, Erasa, and Sharpner.
Their bio reads:
The Townies household is an unlikely trio of characters from different walks of life. Ox-King, a former martial arts student and ruler of Fire Mountain, now lives a quiet life in the city. Erasa, a bubbly and fashion-obsessed teenager, and Sharpner, a jock with a crush on Videl, are Ox-King's tenants.
Despite their differences, the three have formed a unique bond, with Ox-King serving as a grandfatherly figure to the two teens. However, as Erasa's shopping habits and Sharpner's ego begin to grate on Ox-King's nerves, he starts to wonder if he's gotten in over his head with these two rambunctious roommates.
I recently embarked on the journey to create a Dragon Ball inspired world in The Sims 3! Here is the Villians family, consisting of Frieza, Cell, and Ladonna.
Their bio reads:
The Villains household is an unlikely trio of intergalactic tyrants and a white-collar criminal, united by their lust for power and Ladonna Rader's wealth. Frieza and Cell, two of the most feared beings in the universe, have taken up residence with Ladonna, a successful businesswoman with a penchant for illegal activities.
The villains have promised Ladonna the presidency once they take over the world, but their true intentions are far more selfish. As they plot their global domination, Frieza and Cell must maintain the facade of their alliance with Ladonna, while secretly planning to dispose of her once her usefulness has run its course.
I recently embarked on the journey to create a Dragon Ball inspired world in The Sims 3! Here is the Wolf family, consisting of Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Launch
Their bio reads:
The Wolf household is an eclectic group of martial artists and friends, each with their own unique goals and challenges. Yamcha, a former desert bandit turned fighter, dreams of becoming a famous athlete and leaving his martial arts past behind. Tien, a disciplined warrior with a third eye, focuses on his training while trying to avoid the advances of his lovestruck housemate, Launch.
Chiaotzu, Tien's best friend, and a vampire, struggles to balance his supernatural needs with his love for his friends. As the household navigates their individual pursuits and the tension between Tien and Launch, they must find a way to support each other and maintain their unconventional family dynamic.
I recently embarked on the journey to create a Dragon Ball inspired world in The Sims 3! Here is the Satam family, consisting of Videl & Hercule Satan.
Their bio reads:
The Satan family is a small but famous household, thanks to the legendary martial artist and world savior, Mr. Satan. Living in a luxurious mansion in Satan City, named after the family patriarch, Mr. Satan and his daughter Videl navigate the challenges of fame and fortune.
However, a recent scandal threatens to tarnish the Satan name when rumors surface that Mr. Satan's victories were not entirely legitimate. As the media closes in and sponsors begin to pull out, Videl must decide whether to stand by her father or forge her own path as a fighter and a person.
I recently embarked on the journey to create a Dragon Ball inspired world in The Sims 3! Here is the Roshi family, consisting of Master Roshi, Krillen, Android 18, and Marron.
Their bio reads:
The Roshi household is a lively bunch residing at the iconic Kame House on a small island. Master Roshi, the legendary martial arts master, has opened his home to his former student Krillin, his wife Android 18, and their daughter Marron. While Roshi enjoys the company, he's growing tired of Krillin's freeloading ways and longs for the day when he can retire in peace with a beautiful woman by his side.
As Krillin struggles to find his footing financially, tensions rise between him and his master. Android 18's no-nonsense attitude and Marron's youthful innocence add to the household's dynamic, creating a unique blend of chaos and camaraderie.
I recently embarked on the journey to create a Dragon Ball inspired world in The Sims 3! Here is the Guardian family, consisting of Yajirobe, Piccolo, Dende, Mr. Popo, and Korin (which is just a cat).
Their bio reads:
The Guardian household is an eclectic mix of Earth's protectors, residing at the sacred Lookout high above the planet's surface. Led by the wise Namekian Piccolo and the young Guardian Dende, this group is dedicated to maintaining peace and balance on Earth.
From the enigmatic Mr. Popo to the mischievous samurai Yajirobe and the sage cat Korin, each member brings their own unique skills and personality to the table. Though their backgrounds may differ, they are united in their commitment to safeguarding the world from threats both celestial and terrestrial.
I recently embarked on the journey to create a Dragon Ball inspired world in The Sims 3! Here is the Briefs family, consisting of Bulma & her parents, Vegeta, and Tunks.
Their bio reads:
The Brief family is a brilliant and eccentric bunch, known for their groundbreaking inventions and larger-than-life personalities. Led by the genius scientist Dr. Brief and his wife, the family's wealth and influence have grown exponentially thanks to the success of Capsule Corporation.
Their daughter Bulma, equally brilliant and headstrong, has found an unlikely partner in the Saiyan Prince Vegeta. Together, they navigate the challenges of raising their half-Saiyan children, Trunks and Bulla, in a world that's constantly under threat from powerful forces. Through it all, the Briefs remain a tight-knit and loving family, even if their dynamic is anything but ordinary.
I recently embarked on the journey to create a Dragon Ball Z-inspired world in The Sims 3! Here is the Son family, consisting of Goku, Chi-Chi, Gohan, and Goten. 😊
Their bio reads:
The Son family is an extraordinary bunch, led by the legendary martial artist Goku and his fiery wife Chi-Chi. Goku's incredible strength and pure heart have saved the world countless times, but his love for training and pushing his limits often keeps him away from home.
Chi-Chi does her best to keep the family grounded, ensuring Gohan and Goten focus on their studies despite their Saiyan heritage. Will Goku finally settle down and embrace domestic life, or will Chi-Chi's patience wear thin as her husband continues to prioritize his training over family? Only time will tell if the Sons can find balance amidst the chaos.
