Post-E3 2004

This is a sub-page of Prerelease:The Sims 2 (Windows).

Shortly after when the game was shown at E3 2004, the game was officially "feature-complete". From that point on, remaining development time was spent on polish, balancing elements like Wants and Fears, tweaking camera controls and squashing bugs.¹², with remaining development time dedicated to polish...and crunch time.

Mid-Late May#

circa. v0.14.0.626 Builds#

To do: Is this from earlier then the E3 2004 build even?

The earliest image to be posted after the E3 2004 build, of a blooper.

An overview from the German magazine PC Games. This shows the pre-made Strangetown Sims for the first time.

Late May#

A mock-up of the Live Mode UI, dated May 28, 2004.

• This mock-up does show an alternative design for a floor level switcher.
• The longer Needs gauge designs now match the final.

circa. June#

The following images are very likely from after E3 2004, due to the finalized UI being made at the end of June.

v0.14.0.677 Build#

From The Sims 2 Bloopers.

v0.14.0.771 Build#

The images are from gamebase.tw, reposted by Sims Express and TheSimZone.³ Only just around half of the images survive.

• The mostly-finalized Pleasantview and Strangetown Sims make their first appearance here.
• The Neighborhood button on the Options menu in Live Mode has a slightly different design, showing inner parts of the windows.
• The arrow icon to hide the Wants and Fears was removed.
• The Buy Mode and Build Mode icons now match the final.
• The Live Mode icon's design was reused from Create-a-Sim.
• The Lot description text is blue than white in the final.
• The WooHoo symbol was different.
• The final appearance of the near-refined HUD design for the Life Stage and Aspiration Meter.
• This build is the last appearance of Cassandra Goth's early dress.

Flirting 101 Trailer#

Posted on June 10, 2004.⁴ Which would later be included in The Sims 2 Bonus DVD.

Mid-Late July Build#

From a magazine scan.

• The HUD nearly matches the final, where the Motives now have a longer gauge.
  

A later look at Create-A-Sim.

• The HUD nearing the final.
• The walls have a unique spotlight effect which was removed in the final.

Finalized UI Mockup#

Posted on June 30, 2004.

• Uses the early Wants/Fears graphics, likely as a placeholder mock-up.
• The sides next to the Wants and Fears are now removed.

References#