#loadingrandomizer

[5trangetown]

here's a mini-mod for medieval sims 2 players!

the sims medieval loading splash music for use with ts2! you can use these with greatcheesecakepersona's loadingrandomizer, pick'n'mix's rpc loading plugin, or choose one to replace your default Splash.package in (latest ep's)\TSData\Res\Sound (make sure you back up the original first, & rename the one you choose to Splash.package)

download: sfs | simblr.cc | mts

[greatcheesecakepersona]

Download: LoadingRandomizer 2 (Post updated 01.11.21)

After six month of the original release of LoadingRandomizer, here’s an all new version of the application that randomly swaps out loading screens and splash music and then starts the game for you (without any delay).

Whats new? - completely redesigned and easy to use interface - three modes: initial setup, view and change settings & reset LoadingRandomizer - option to only use custom splash music

Installation: Extract the archive and click on LoadingRandomizer.exe in the /bin folder (with the ? dice icon). I recommend to set a shortcut to it. Since you are using the application for the first time, click on ‘setup LoadingRandomizer’ and follow the steps. If you’re having troubles, check out Pleasant Sims’ tutorial on LoadingRandomizer!

DOWNLOAD

This application only works on Windows machines starting at Windows 7.

If LoadingRandomizer won’t start the game, set administrative rights to the new shortcut and the RandomizeJob.exe in /bin.

Preventing errors: - It’s super important that you don’t touch the ‘bin’ folder at all and don’t rename the custom_loading_screens and custom_splash_music folders. - Make sure put loading screens into ‘custom_loading_screens’ and Splash music into ‘custom_splash_music’. Their filenames don’t matter. - Make sure that you don’t already have a loading screen (= a logo replacement) the UI folder of the basegame - Don’t rename ‘random_loading_screen.package’ in the UI folder after using LoadingRandomizer as you will then get two loading screens which leads to a conflict

[greatcheesecakepersona]

Download: LoadingRandomizer

This version is outdated! Use the new LoadingRandomizer instead.

Are you bored of the same loading screen and music all the time? While you can certainly swap those out, it always takes some time and you would have to do it manually before every startup.

But no more!

Let LoadingRandomizer do this work. Within a few milliseconds, the application will...

- search for all Splash soundfiles from all your eps/sps - backup the original Splash file from the latest ep/sp (into the app folder) - swap a random file from the list with the current Splash file

- look for all loading screens in the applications /screens folder - copy a random file from the folder to the /UI folder of the main game

- start the correct The Sims 2.exe (with the usual startup time)

I’ve measured it: Zero delay by using LoadingRandomizer!

Installation & first steps:

Extract the zip archive and put the folder anywhere you want. In the /bin folder you’ll see many ddls but most important the program exe. Now create a shortcut to the exe with any name you like (ex. The Sims 2) and better set an icon for this (you can use a Sims 2 exe as an icon!). This is your new shortcut to launch The Sims 2 (and the LoadingRandomizer at the same time)! You can put it anywhere you want, for example the start menu, just like your old shortcut (to the Sims 2.exe).

When you launch the application for the first time (by clicking on the shortcut or executing the normal exe file), you’ll get the information that the path information is missing. Since the application must start & close as fast as possible, it first looks for the paths that are needed for the ‘random swapping’ process. Since the file has to be generated the first time, accept the information and you’ll see the interface.

You have to set three paths: The path to the Sims 2 root folder, the path to the base game UI folder and the path to your executable of the latest ep/sp.

Click on ‘save and exit’ and now the application will create two or three new files: A file with the UI & executable path in it and a file that contains all paths to the different Splash soundtracks. If you used the window mode option, the application will also create a file with the resolution.

From now on, the application behaves differently since the path file exist. Whenever you launch the application, it closes so quick that you can’t even see it. What happens during that short time is the swapping process described above. Then it will launch The Sims 2.

Adding (new) loading screens:

Put the package files into the /custom_loading_screens folder of the application directory. If the folder is empty (default), the loading screen will of course not change and only the music is being swapped. Choose any name you want, but keep in mind to only put loading screens (= logo replacements) in there!

Adding custom Splash music

Put the package files into the /custom_splash_music folder. Choose whatever name you want. If the folder is empty, only the installed Splash files will be swapped, if there are files in the folder, both will be used. If you don’t want to hear the preinstalled splash music, delete the installed_splashes.txt file. If you don’t like the Splash of a certain ep/sp, delete the correct line in the file.

Download:

LoadingRandomizer

Source Code (not needed!)

Having problems?

Is the application good at doing nothing? Then you might wanna set both the exe and the shortcut to have administrative rights. The application shows an unusual error message? Maybe you are using an unsupported OS like Windows XP or Vista. I’m sorry for this, but there’s nothing I can do about it (limitation from the IDE). Feel free to contact me if you are facing any errors!

More advanced options and information underneath.

Changing settings afterwards

If you made a mistake with your paths, you can set the application back to default mode by deleting the paths.txt file. Then once you execute the application, you can select the paths again. Alternatively you can edit the path file (and so the installed_splash file) which however might result to more work.

Preventing errors

- set the paths correctly - put only loading screens in the /custom_loading_screens folder - put only splash files in the /custom_splash_music folder - make sure you don’t have an additional loading screen in your UI folder, keep it empty before using LoadingRandomizer! - alter the text files correctly if needed - don’t rename any folder - copy the splash_original.package file to another folder just to be save

Known errors

Some stuff packs don’t have their own Splash file (the folder does not contain a Splash file), but as soon there is a new Splash file inserted (by the application), it will create a unnecessary backup file. This is not a huge deal, you just have one file you might not need. I think it’s a minor detail so I won’t add more code.

[greatcheesecakepersona]

LoadingRandomizer Fix

I received some messages that the LoadingRandomizer does not start the game. And thankfully I discovered the issue:

If you don’t choose the window option at the beginning, it won’t launch the game. It only worked in window mode.

That was fixed! The new archive includes a new LoadingRandomizer.exe as well as a readme file. You can download the new version in the original download post or right here.

Sorry for any inconvenience!