Author Topic: Carpenter family legacy challenge (Read 4666 times)

Kreathyr · « **on:** September 11, 2009, 05:55:48 AM »

Carpenter Legacy Challenge

Here it is, my very own legacy challenge.
Let me introduce you to the founder:

Name: John Carpenter
Traits: Artistic, Family Oriented, Handy, Charismatic, Hopeless Romantic
Lifetime Wish: Master of the Arts

Start:
John needs a place to live.
Unfortunately for his wallet, he likes living on large terrain so he
buys the lot near the Landgraab family for 14.700,- simoleons.
With little cash on hand, John buys a bed for sleeping and goes out to
the park.

He spends his first day here and eats some picnic food and uses the
restroom.

On the second day, being the artist that he is, John spends his last
money on an easel and starts painting.
After this not so productive day, John made $9,- and had a blast.
The third day arrives and John begins to smell awfully.
Lucky for him, all his neighbors have a shower/bathtub, unlucky for
them, John intends to use one of them.
He drops by the Hart family and gets invited in. Immediately he runs
for the shower, halfway trough he is disrupted by the owner and is
asked to leave.

Soon after, John earns enough money with his paintings to buy a shower.
This raises his mood significantly.
He gets a request from the diner/bistro to deliver $450,- worth of
paintings, he delivers and gets a nice cash reward.
With the earned mony he buys a fridge a toilet and a sink.
Now he doesn't need to leave the lot anymore for his basic needs.

After a few more paintings enough money is earned for... a wall!
Actually an entire room has been built and the stuff is moved inside.
John has met a woman who he has a romantic interest in so he buys a 2
person bed. (Unfortunately he was sleeping outside in the old bed at the time.)
Because of this he doesn't have enough money for a floor and wallpaper,
so he doesn't like it inside. The easel stays outside till this is helped.

He meets up with <name> (had her name written down on a piece of now
lost paper.. will edit later.) with whom he becomes friends very fast due to his charismatic nature.
A few days of meeting like this and selling a few more paintings, they
decide to get married.

After spending the wedding night together, John learns he is becoming a father.
The marriage also brought in a few bucks which were spent enlarging the
house. Unfortunately, the family again has nothing to eat.
In between talking/listening to the mom to be's tummy, more paintings are
being sold to save up for a crib.

After a while John begins to wave with his arms indicating a uncoming birth.
They rush to the hospital and a beautifull baby girl is born.
They call her Ginny and she seems to like her dad's art.

Taking care of her leaves a gap in the paint time and bed rest, but she
is worth it.

To be continued... (first birthday party on its way.)

Kreathyr · « **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2009, 01:28:35 AM »

Something really bad happend...
My PC crashed last week and so my save file is lost.

This made me start over, so here we go:

Name: John Carpenter
Traits: Artistic, Family Oriented, Handy, Charismatic, Hopeless Romantic
Lifetime Wish: Master of the Arts

Re-created the original John Carpenter.

Again John buys the lot near the Landgraab estate.
After buying a bed and an easel he goes straight to his first painting.
After a while he is forced to go to the park so he can eat and use the toilet.

In the park he meets up with Molly and befriends her on that same day.

The next morning John finishes a few more small paintings and now has enough money to
buy a shower. I figured this is more needed than a toilet, because these are all over town.

This goes on a few days until John has earned enough cash to build his first home.
It isn't much, but it beats sleeping outside.
The House comes equipped with a Fridge, a stove, a toilet and a 2 person bed.

In the morning John invites Molly over and they get married that same day.
When returning from a few painting deliveries, John finds a nauseous Molly at home.
John is gonna be a dad!

This is where I left them last friday.
I can't seem to access Photobucket from work so I'll post some screens when I get home.

Also, I now have a brand new flash drive for the sole purpose of being a back-up for my saves.

Pam · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2009, 03:19:15 AM »

Yikes! Sorry to hear about losing your save file. Also, did you know that you can shower at the gym? You can also eat there for free in the little kitchen.

Kreathyr · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2009, 03:51:56 AM »

hmm... didn't know about the gym.
Luckily a shower isn't very expensive.

Can't wait to get home though, John's first offspring will be born anytime.
Haven't decided on a name yet, I think I'll go for Ginny again if it's a girl again.

Maybe Brandon for a boy

Carl · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2009, 11:54:45 AM »

John sure has jump-started the family quickly. It'll be rough being poor with a family (specifically the baby) so early on.

Pam · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2009, 07:29:13 PM »

Yeah, the first part of the first generation is rough. Then they want to buy everything possible for the baby... high chair, toy box, doll house, etc. I couldn't let them have all that stuff because it's just too much money. It's fun to play that stage, though, because of it's sheer simplicity. It's an uncomplicated and satisfying life for your Sim. I go back to the start of a family when I just get tired of the virtual goggles and foosball all the time.

Kreathyr · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2009, 02:46:58 AM »

I realize now that I've forgotten to make a Photo-bucket account yet again...
I will post screens when I get home again, this time I set my alarm

Molly is getting bigger and bigger, The baby will come anytime now.
John is just painting, always painting.

Molly is a real flirt and disturbs John on a regular basis.
Eventually after an intimate hug, the arms go high up and they rush to the hospital.
A long time of waiting later John and Molly walk out of the hospital with their brand new
son, Brandon.

Keeping Brandon happy is an easy job, Molly still has her maternity leave and John is an artist.
Plenty of time at home to take care of him.

When Brandon is about to have his first birthday, John and Molly both get a wish to have a baby.
That same night they make sure they'll be getting one.

A few days later Brandon gets his party and a baby brother named David.
Brandon learns how to walk pretty soon and begins to get the whole 'potty' thing.

For Molly and John, peace is over for a while, when John is learning Brandon how to talk and to use
the potty, Molly is taking care of David.

After a few days they both get a wish to have a daughter, currently they're thinking it over.

I'm not sure if they can handle another child, both in time and financially.
Maybe when Brandon and David both age up to child...

The house is really really small at the moment, but I've been saving some cash to upgrade it.
I'm thinking of making a new house completely, but to do that the current house needs to be adjusted and moved.

Probably a good idea to make extra bedrooms (you'll know what I mean after I post the screens )

Kreathyr · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2009, 01:36:10 PM »

Finally, as promised, here are some screenshots of the Carpenter family: (Pictures in chronological order)

No home yet

Meeting up with Molly

Molly pregnant with Brandon

Rushing to the hospital

Waiting outside, no cameras allowed.

Arriving at home with Brandon

Pregnant again?!

Brandons first birthday

Meet David

Pam · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2009, 06:41:19 PM »

Thanks for sharing the pictures! Brandon is a cutie!!

Kreathyr · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2009, 01:02:59 PM »

@Pam: Thank you, wait till you meet David

John and Molly decided they needed a bigger home.
After all, they are now a family of 4, Brandon and David both need a room soon.
The new building is being built next to the original, which will be demolished when that's done.

The new house

The new building is 'finished' just in time for David's first birthday.
Now John and Molly have 2 totlers to take care off.

Davids BD

Sleeping David

After a few days, Brandon has his second birthday, which is celebrated privately as well (due to financial problems).

Brandons Second Birthday

Brandons new bedroom

As you can see, not much happened. I hope I will be more productive next time

Carl · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2009, 09:07:45 PM »

The important part is your Sims have finally provided a decent house for their kids. Now everyone can be a bit happier and start accumulating some luxuries. Good work digging yourself out of that hole. This was a very ambitious start.

Kreathyr · « **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2009, 04:24:21 AM »

Yeah I was a little bit too optimistic on that part.
Turns out to be a good thing though as Molly is about to become an elder.

Pam · « **Reply #12 on:** September 18, 2009, 06:30:13 AM »

Don't you just love the toddler stage? Ohhhh... they are just so cute at that age. I try to get the mothers to take the toddlers with them when they go visiting friends or when they go to the park. I love the toddlers!!!

igzigpuff · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2009, 05:40:38 PM »

Like your story...must have been hard to start over after losing your first game. Admire your determination to continue with your family legacy.

Nice pic's too.
I agree the toddlers are cute, but I wish they interacted with more objects.

Pam · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2009, 06:51:17 PM »

I wish toddlers would interact with each other. When there's more than one, they just ignore each other. Would be fun to watch them play together!

igzigpuff · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2009, 08:08:34 PM »

Oh yeah, I forgot they used to "huggle" each other...that was cute.

I guess I was missing how the tots would dance to the music on the radio and of course some of the toys that were added in the latter EP's for the TS2 series. Hopefully we will be getting more things for those tots to do!

Pam · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2009, 11:33:13 PM »

I've never played The Sims 2, so I've never seen the toddlers do that stuff. Makes me want it even more!

Kreathyr · « **Reply #17 on:** September 21, 2009, 05:07:56 AM »

Yes, that and being able to wash the babies/tottlers.
I noticed that Brandon and David completely ignored each other and whats more,
John and Molly didn't pay equal attention to both kids.

Once David was born I had to really push them to take care of Brandon.
After a while this changed though.

Also, thanks for the positive replies.
This motivates me even more

Kreathyr · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2009, 04:13:51 AM »

I finally found time to play the family a bit.

Brandon started school with a bang.
The first day he came home with the wish to receive an A in school.
This wish was granted the very next day.
Later he meets some friends whom he brings home and introduces to his father.
(John is a much respected man in the neighborhood.)

Molly celebrated her last birthday and is now an elder.
Still having to work, Molly cooks like she's still a young adult.
Eventually John receives a message stating an accident involving Molly and a stove.
Molly was burned badly and decides there and then enough is enough.
She quits her Job and is now retired.

John buys David some learning toys and David is very happy with them.
He plays with it every chance he gets and is becoming smarter and more creative every day.

John works on fulfilling his lifetime wish to become Master of the Arts.
He almost mastered the painting skill and doesn't wish to be disturbed by anyone not in his family.
(John puts his family first and hopes to teach Brandon and David to do the same.)

The house is already getting a little small, the current family can live there without any problem,
(just build an extra wall for David when he ages up, kinda makes me want a bunk bed.)
but as soon as either Brandon or David get a girlfriend and/or married we have a problem.
To stay ahead of this John begins to save some money to build a bigger home.
He has big plans which he will pass down to Brandon and David, the house will be build floor by floor.
Each floor will have everything a full 2 child family needs (except the kitchen, that room will be expanded later).

I'll post some screens the next time, didn't have enough time for both.

Carl · « **Reply #19 on:** September 25, 2009, 04:54:56 AM »

It is exciting and sad at the same to see the life cycles of the first carpenters wind down. The new generation is going to have it a lot easier than the parents did. They'll probably start generating real wealth now and finally be able to afford most anything, except maybe the F-series Jet statue, that is.

I wonder how many kids David will end up having

igzigpuff · « **Reply #20 on:** September 28, 2009, 08:19:02 PM »

Your story is coming along nicely...the kids sound like they are learning so much and will hopefully come up with some nice traits. Oh no, Molly is an elder already...

Kreathyr · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2009, 01:59:08 AM »

Thank you Igzigpuff and yeah John married an older lady
She was becoming an elder by the time John became a full adult.

John starts building a bigger house for him and his family.
After laying the foundation and bringing up the walls, the family is again out of money.
Luckily John has mastered the painting skill and is now a master painter.
Cash starts flowing quickly as John paints to pay for the new home.
In only a week he manages to save up for an extra floor, all he need now are the inner walls and he can let Molly decorate it.
To prevent my sims from going in the new house to check things out, there is no door yet.

Molly is content as a retired elder and uses her free time to help Brandon and David do their homework.
When the kids are at school she usually prepares some meals for when they come home and after that she goes dancing.
She receives 150 simoleons a day for being retired, which is still enough to cover the bills.

David had another birthday party and is now a teen, just like his brother.
They both do well in college and they work together on their homework.
David is becoming very handy and already upgraded the sink in the kitchen and bathroom as well as the shower and toilet.
Being the good man he is, David decides to donate a big sum of money to charity. John and Molly didn't mind.

Both Brandon and David meet lots of people in school and occasionly bring them home.
Brandon went home with a girl he met when he was still a child twice already, but David enjoys being at home.

I'll update when I get home with some screens of the new house and also pictures of David and Brandon.
Can't believe how much they look alike.

Carl · « **Reply #22 on:** September 29, 2009, 09:36:23 PM »

I like your policy of building the new house for them and waiting for its construction.. it seems realistic. I imagine handiness is vital in a legacy, so many people using one sink, shower and toilet it's bound to break really often. It's good you've got those. It sounds like you've already got it set up so that David and Brandon are going to have a great house to fight over.

Try the new add image to post feature. It may save you some time if it works properly.

Kreathyr · « **Reply #23 on:** September 30, 2009, 01:58:34 AM »

I'll start of with posting some screens of the new house being built for the family:

Here is a nice (building) view of the new home, doesn't have a roof yet...

The lower floor, I think I'll use the small rooms later for when Brandon and/or David have children.

The upper floor, all there is to it now are 3 bedrooms. I think I'll make a balcony on the front so all three bedrooms have an option to go outside.

It's going really well with the family now.
Brandon and David excel at school and meet a lot of friends lately.
Both have been on the honor roll a few days in a row.
Brandon takes after his dad and has the same lifetime wish, so they're mostly doing synchronized painting on the weekends.
One time they both had a small painting which turned out to be the same picture, only Brandon was a little behind.
It was like John was teaching him , forgot to press "C" though

David is getting handier every day and has repaired quite a few things at city hall already.
Brandon will finish school this same week as he will become a Young Adult in 2 days, David will age next week.
Molly has a wish to see David graduate, but seeing she's 91. I don't think she'll make it

John is doing great with his painting and the family has quite a few masterpieces hanging on the walls.
As soon as Brandon ages up, John will make a portrait of him and when Brandon has the skills for it, he'll make one of John.
I intend to make a portrait of every heir and hang them on a wall somewhere.

I like the new Image uploader. This one even works from work (unlike photobucket).
Here's one from Brandon and David both as teens. Look how much they look alike .
The one in the front is Brandon, in the back is David.

I made this one a thumbnail so you can see a bigger picture when you click it, hope that's ok.

Pam · « **Reply #24 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:12:39 AM »

Hi Kreathyr!

The house looks nice. Be sure to post more shots of it as it takes shape.

And on the image size for posts in the forum, all images need to be resized so that they are 640 x 480 rather than having thumbnails. It'll look better on the site that way. So, would you mind resizing that last picture? If you have trouble with it, I can probably do it for you.