Releases: voicemxil/TS2-Starter-Pack
Releases · voicemxil/TS2-Starter-Pack
v15.0.3
v15.0.2
Changes
- Updated included DXVK to 2.4.1
- Resolves potential crashing of prior versions
- No longer crashing / glitched on "Intel Arc" GPUs
- Resolves potential crashing of prior versions
- Updated included RPC so it doesn't have to update itself the first time
- Started working on support for implementing localized installer languages in the future
Install guide: ts2.crd.co
v15.0.1
v15
Changes
- Updated Graphics Rules Maker to 2.3.0.0 next development build.
- It no longer blocks out high refresh rate resolutions from being selected.
- This update has returned Qt5 support for <Windows 10 in the legacy build.
- Web Installer automatically chooses correct build. Standalone Touchup includes legacy build only in the 32-bit version.
- The GRM installer/uninstaller is no longer included, it is now handled by the SP installer instead for an easier process.
- Updated DXVK to 2.4.0.
- This version includes speed improvements for CPU bound scenarios in TS2.
- Various improvements and fixes
- Fixed a registry key that could cause GRM to not choose the correct Starter Pack folder initially.
- Fixed preorder-bonus download.
- Removed unnecessary Maxis lighting files from Standalone Installer.
14.2
Downloads at the bottom of the page under "Assets."
Changes:
- Fixed some preorder content potentially not showing up in Web installs #51
Instructions:
- (Standalone only) Download the game files from one of the links above and extract them to a new folder named "The Sims 2 Starter Pack" (usually
C:\Program Files (x86)\The Sims 2 Starter Pack). Make sure to direct the installer to this folder. - 🐧 Linux/Steam Deck users should follow these steps in conjunction with the Linux-specific setup steps.
- Download your chosen installer under "Assets" below in your system's architecture (64-bit or 32-bit). Run using an administrator user account.
- When opening you may be prompted that "Windows protected your PC" due to the installer not having a paid signature. To proceed, click "More details" followed by "Run Anyway." If antivirus interferes for some reason, try temporarily disabling it to launch the installer and make an exception for your game folder.
- Follow the prompts in the installer to proceed, then select the location your "The Sims 2 Starter Pack" folder & choose desired components.
- The default location of "The Sims 2 Starter Pack" folder in Program Files (x86) is recommended.
- On modern AMD graphics card generations such as RX 400 (Polaris) series and later, it's recommended to enable the DXVK component to resolve bugs such as an extremely long launch wait time and loading screen.
- After Installation, you must configure Graphics Rules Maker and Sims2RPCSettings to optimize the game correctly for your system. Full details are in the Google Doc guide below.
- You can then run the game using Sims2RPC.exe or "The Sims 2" shortcuts in the Start Menu/Desktop, if enabled.
- Once in-game you will be prompted with a custom content dialog due to included fixes and features, such as the CEP - this doesn't indicate any issue with the game. It's recommended that you choose "Enable Custom Content" to take advantage of these included features. You then can disable the prompt from showing up via the in-game settings.
The Full Installation Guide on Google Docs is available for detailed instructions.
Installers Version 14.1
Changes:
- New installer imagery and icons
- Updated DXVK to 2.3.1
- Updated Strangetown Clean Template by Dorsal Axe to latest version
- Fixed Standalone Installer potentially leaving behind the Uninstall button in Settings after uninstalling
Which Installer should I choose?
Web Installer (Recommended)
The best & easiest all-in-one option for those who don't yet own TS2. The Web Installer utilizes an internet connection to automatically download the game files as well as dependencies & fixes you need to make the game work correctly.
Standalone Installer (Offline Install Script Only)
An offline installer script which applies the "Touchup" (registry entries) for pre-existing Ultimate Collection game files and applies dependencies & fixes.
Instructions:
- (Standalone only) Download the game files from one of the links above and extract them to a new folder named "The Sims 2 Starter Pack" (usually
C:\Program Files (x86)\The Sims 2 Starter Pack). Make sure to direct the installer to this folder. - 🐧 Linux/Steam Deck users should follow these steps in conjunction with the Linux-specific setup steps.
- Download your chosen installer under "Assets" below in your system's architecture (64-bit or 32-bit). Run using an administrator user account.
- When opening you may be prompted that "Windows protected your PC" due to the installer not having a paid signature. To proceed, click "More details" followed by "Run Anyway." If antivirus interferes for some reason, try temporarily disabling it to launch the installer and make an exception for your game folder.
- Follow the prompts in the installer to proceed, then select the location your "The Sims 2 Starter Pack" folder & choose desired components.
- The default location of "The Sims 2 Starter Pack" folder in Program Files (x86) is recommended.
- On modern AMD graphics card generations such as RX 400 (Polaris) series and later, it's recommended to enable the DXVK component to resolve bugs such as an extremely long launch wait time and loading screen.
- After Installation, you must configure Graphics Rules Maker and Sims2RPCSettings to optimize the game correctly for your system. Full details are in the Google Doc guide below.
- You can then run the game using Sims2RPC.exe or "The Sims 2" shortcuts in the Start Menu/Desktop, if enabled.
- Once in-game you will be prompted with a custom content dialog due to included fixes and features, such as the CEP - this doesn't indicate any issue with the game. It's recommended that you choose "Enable Custom Content" to take advantage of these included features. You then can disable the prompt from showing up via the in-game settings.
The Full Installation Guide on Google Docs is available for detailed instructions.
Installers Version 14
Which Installer should I choose?
Web Installer (Recommended)
The best & easiest all-in-one option for those who don't yet own TS2. The Web Installer utilizes an internet connection to automatically download the game files as well as dependencies & fixes you need to make the game work correctly.
Standalone Installer (Offline Install Script Only)
An offline installer script which installs prior extracted Ultimate Collection game files and applies dependencies & fixes.
Instructions:
- (Standalone only) Download the game files from one of the links above and extract them to a new folder named "The Sims 2 Starter Pack" (usually
C:\Program Files (x86)\The Sims 2 Starter Pack). Make sure to direct the installer to this folder. - 🐧 Linux/Steam Deck users should follow these steps in conjunction with the Linux-specific setup steps.
- Download your chosen installer under "Assets" below in your system's architecture (64-bit or 32-bit). Run using an administrator user account.
- When opening you may be prompted that "Windows protected your PC" due to the installer not having a paid signature. To proceed, click "More details" followed by "Run Anyway." If antivirus interferes for some reason, try temporarily disabling it to launch the installer and make an exception for your game folder.
- Follow the prompts in the installer to proceed, then select the location your "The Sims 2 Starter Pack" folder & choose desired components.
- The default location of "The Sims 2 Starter Pack" folder in Program Files (x86) is recommended.
- On modern AMD graphics card generations such as RX 400 (Polaris) series and later, it's recommended to enable the DXVK component to resolve bugs such as an extremely long launch wait time and loading screen.
- After Installation, you must configure Graphics Rules Maker and Sims2RPCSettings to optimize the game correctly for your system. Full details are in the Google Doc guide below.
- You can then run the game using Sims2RPC or "The Sims 2" shortcuts in the Start Menu/Desktop, if enabled.
- Once in-game you will be prompted with a custom content dialog due to included fixes and features, such as the CEP - this doesn't indicate any issue with the game. It's recommended that you choose "Enable Custom Content" to take advantage of these included features. You then can disable the prompt from showing up via the in-game settings.
The Full Installation Guide on Google Docs is available for detailed instructions.
v14 Changelog
- v12 game files without the cleanup script have returned to default
- Cleanup script game files (13.2 version updated with newer script) with -2.4gb reduced install size are still included as an optional checkbox with warnings for minor mod issues such as SimPE mesh extraction.
- EP9RPC exe included to prevent a loop if Sims2RPCSettings fails to download it
- Store & Pre-order/Bonus content has been unmerged and better organized
- Non-merged files allow easier deletion of unwanted items and prevent missing items in the catalog
- Store/Bonus content has been relocated from Collections to Downloads for easier navigation & deletion
- CroconawSims' Clean Hood Templates have been updated to new versions that are more faithful to Maxis originals and correct minor issues/oversights present in the older MeetMe versions such as incorrect ages, bios, or missing stories
- The Clean Template for Strangetown has been updated to include its missing Storytelling folder
- DXVK updated to v2.3 from 2.1
- DXVK install type removed to make disclaimers more apparent and avoid accidentally choosing it when unnecessary
- Graphics Rules Maker 2.0.0 included as a fallback for legacy systems without Windows 10+
- Web Installer: automatically detects correct version
- Standalone installer: 2.3.0 is included with the 64-bit version. 2.0.0 is included with the 32-bit/legacy version
- Note that the older 2.0.0 version may overestimate the forced texture memory when autodetecting. Please make sure the value doesn't exceed your GPU's available memory to avoid issues.
Full Changelog: v13.1...v14
Starter Pack v13.1 Rev. 1
Changes
- [Re-release 8/12/23] Updated Web Installer game files to restore the original UserData folders unaffected by the cleanup script, resolving missing lots in the catalog from v13
- Fixed "Downtown" subhood being 1 folder too deep when installing its clean template in the Web Installer
- Updated & merged/organized the Store & Pre-order content in the Web Installer, added additional bonus items including cars, CAS items, and scissors
- Updated Standalone version guide w/ install instructions for store content & clean templates
- Added patched
kissingpoints.packagefor unlocked pet breeds - Fixed typo in the "More details" log when French language is detected
- Changed VC Redist & .NET Framework download in the Web Installer from Microsoft to the one hosted in the repository
Full Changelog: v13...v13.1
Which Installer should I choose?
The Web Installer (Recommended) is the easiest option for those who don't yet own TS2. It requires an internet connection and automatically downloads the game files as well as dependencies & fixes you need to make the game work correctly.
The Standalone Installer is an offline option to install the game + dependencies & fixes. You'll need to pre-download the Ultimate Collection game files, such as the Standalone Starter Pack from the guide or G4tW's repack, and extract them to the game folder before running the installer.
Select the architecture that matches your system (64-bit or 32-bit).
Full Installation Guide/Instructions
TS2 Starter Pack v13
This version received game file fixes in 13.1+ and the download will no longer work, please use the latest release instead.
Changelog
-
Web Installer:
- Using updated v13 game files archive featuring @lingeringwillx's Sims-2-Clean-Up-Script to reduce the filesize by 2.7gb, resulting in lowered download times + bandwidth requirements
- #30 - Added option to install clean versions of neighborhoods, subhoods, and stealth hoods. Hoods chosen were as close to Maxis lore as possible while being cleaned of corruption
- Credits for clean neighborhoods: zachjohnunlimited (PV, VV, RH, DV, Universities, Bluewater Village), Dorsal Axe (ST), MeetMe2TheRiver (Downtown, Stealth Hoods), and TheNeonPlumb (BC)
- #33 - Added Localized Music Unlocked by @spockthewok
- #34 - Added option to install the Store/Pre-order content
-
Both Installers:
- Updated UI images
- Removed "Minimal" install type
- Updated Graphics Rules Maker to the new master build, 2.3.0. Thanks to @haffmans and SimsNetwork the process has become much easier!
- #31 - Added @LazyDuchess's Bright CAS Fix to fix outdated/unsupported shaders in the game which can cause a bright/glitched CAS appearance
- #32 - Made objects.package files read-only to prevent corruption
- Added automatic CEP (Color Enable Package) installation by default, making it easier to add CC/recolors to the game
- Added LdDarcy's Text Strings Fix
- Patched Apartment Life & Mansion & Garden UI files with UI Text Fonts Fix by DanTheMann15
- More reliable deletion of game folders during uninstallation
-
Standalone Installer:
- Removed redundant copy of Graphics Rules Maker inside the installer, only include one for each architecture
Full Changelog: v12...v13
Which Installer should I choose?
The Web Installer (Recommended) is the easiest option for those who don't yet own TS2. It requires an internet connection and automatically downloads the game files as well as dependencies & fixes you need to make the game work correctly.
The Standalone Installer is an offline option to install the game + dependencies & fixes. You'll need to pre-download the Ultimate Collection game files, such as the Standalone Starter Pack from the guide or G4tW's repack, and extract them to the game folder before running the installer.
TS2 Installers - v12
All Installer Changes:
- Ported to negrutiu's NSIS fork allowing the installers to be 64-bit
- Switched to negrutiu's ModernXL theme & new imagery for an updated look, added back the missing header image, made installers respond properly to high DPI
- Switched the iNetc downloader plugin to NSCurl for better stability, security, and download speeds
- Switched from self-extracting archives to NSIS7z extraction for better stability/speed and 64-bit support
- Added installation types with pre-selected components
- Switched to LZMA compression
- Now showing install details by default
- Added version info to installer .exes
- Fixed game shortcuts to go to Public desktop instead of current user (thanks Lifen)
- Various general improvements & fixes
TS2 Installer Changes
- Both Installers:
- Added installation type for modern AMD graphics cards, which installs DXVK
- Automatic language detection should now work - correctly set the game language based on the system locale instead of always choosing English
- Web Installer:
- Game archives have been updated to fix missing voice lines caused by an empty file in v11 (thanks @spockthewok)
- Full archive changelog
- You can fix these missing voice lines in a v11 downloaded game without reinstalling by redownloading the base game and extracting to your game folder.
- Installer now offers to remove preexisting TS2 registry keys and game files if detected
- More efficient temp folder usage
- Game archives have been updated to fix missing voice lines caused by an empty file in v11 (thanks @spockthewok)
- Standalone Installer:
- Installer now offers to remove preexisting TS2 registry keys if detected
- Now incorporates the holiday pack fix
Which Installer should I choose?
The Web Installer (Recommended) is the easiest option for those who don't yet own TS2. It requires an internet connection and automatically downloads the game files as well as dependencies you need to make the game work correctly.
The Standalone Installer is an offline option to install the game & dependencies. You'll need to pre-download the Ultimate Collection game files, such as the Standalone Starter Pack from the guide, and extract them to the game folder before running the installer.
Instructions:
- Installer download links are under "Assets" below!
- To setup the game properly, follow the full osab TS2 Setup Guide, which covers using both installers on Windows or WINE.
Contributors
spockthewok