Number five (5) of our forum's rules state:
We assume no responsibility for any damage to your game or computer as a result of using mods, hacks, and/or third party custom content. Many sites which host them also offer code designed to break the game's Teen rating. As a family friendly site, we cannot endorse any sites which link to such content. DO NOT discuss or link to any mods on this forum. OK folks, having stated that hopefully this will settle this topic's question and end the debate.
There are four types of 'mods' (or hacks) that creators make. A very small percentage may be safe but most can be very harmful, especially if you have never used mods before, don't know the creator or if you don't thoroughly research the product. Some Mods may work for some and not work for others.
Mods are mostly designed to correct what some see as errors in the original release or to add life to the game with new challenges. If a creator doesn't continue to update their mod with the release of new EP's/SP's then you may find you can no longer play your game, even after removing the mod. You may also find that none of your save files will work either.
NOTE: Mods can be packaged as both .sims3pack and .package formats so don't think it is not a mod if you can install it via the launcher.
- Core Mods - A mod which dramatically alters the game. This type of mod can fix many of the game's flaws as well as add things like new traits. For example: A slider created to give a Sim muscles (before EA added it to the game) was a type of core mod. This type of mod can conflict with the game play or with other mods. If you install more than one created ‘core’ mod at a time in your game, you face having major game-breaking issues.
- Tuning Mods - A mod that can change a variety of things - from how fast the Sims' bladders fill, to what time the curfew for kids is - as well as no more gagging, spewing etc. These can conflict with other mods or with the game play itself. They can break your game too.
- Script Mods - These mods can cause an older video card to fry along with your computer too if you are not careful. This mod actually manipulates the game coding to enable things such as romance and marriage that break the teen rating of the game. These are usually very dangerous types of mods and can conflict with other mods.
- Object Mods - This type of mod is always an object that uses a custom script. The most basic sort of object mod is a simple clone of the original object rigged with some new interactions. An example of this type of mod would be like making a dishwasher work on a community lot. Again, this mod can conflict with another aspect of game play or with another mod.
As for CC - this is custom content added to your game as either a sims3pack or a .package file. These files can be as simple as changing the color of a chair or actually creating (cloning) of a sleeveless shirt originally made by EA and adding sleeves. There are three types of custom content: EA CC; EA partner CC (T-Mobile & Dr. Pepper); and Third-Party CC. The last types is what you want to watch out for. If it just changes the color or pattern then you should be OK, but if it changes the object to a new look then be careful. You also have to watch out for items marked as 'default' as this will change the original item in your game and not add it as an additional item.
@Leto - if you copy and modify game furniture from The Sims 3 to a complete new look (3D editing) it would be considered Third-Party Custom Content that you would have to be careful with. Even if you took a high fence and made it shorter or a short fence and made it taller. Another type of Third-Party CC is to create an entire new object (meshing). Please keep in mind that both cloning and creating a new mesh are Third-Party CC that can cause your Sims to morph and can still ruin your game. Remember the 'Dreaded Doll'?
@Chuckles_82 and @Leto - changing the value of an object or even changing a bed to have a +++ rating is not a mod. It is only Third-Party CC as it is customizing it for your own use. It is very similar to using a cheat to obtain the same thing as long as you know what you are doing. You should also NOT pass these items on to anyone else as it may install as a defaulted item.
Then I noticed there was a question regarding Unlocked and Re-categorized content. Most times this type of content will not cause any issues with your game. EA added the content but for some reason didn't activate it. This would be like the uniforms that are unlocked as you advance in a career. And notice I did say 'most times' since EA may have kept some items locked for future EP/SP use.
I hope this long post clarified this for everyone. Please remember that the challenges on this forum do not allow the use of mods or CC, so if you are going to participate you will have to remove them.
We can't make the decision for you whether to use mods or CC - that is a risk that only you can decide to take.
mtglady
