User Interface Text

This is a sub-page of Proto:The Sims (Windows)/The Sims (Alpha).

(Source: LUCPIX)

General Info#

The directory Shell.dir keeps extremely old leftovers off August 1997 prototypes of the game (back when it was called the "Jefferson" project), mostly early tutorial strings. They can be read in full here.

Live Mode#

Skills#

#129#Skills.cst	Live.iff (Final)
`Cook`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Cooking Skill`
`If a bad cook makes a meal, Sims leave the table with that not-so-satisfied feeling. Keep really bad cooks out of the kitchen; they're fire hazards. No Sim is truly hopeless, though; practice (and cookbooks and cooking shows) makes perfect.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Read cookbooks from a bookshelf to improve this skill. As your skill increases, you will be surprised at how much more your meals satisfy your hunger and at how the occurrence of kitchen disasters is reduced.`

`Repair`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Mechanical Skill`
`Every household should have at least one handysim unless you want to squander your money on overpriced repairmen. If they're bad, they just take longer to fix something, but repair books and practice will smarten them up.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Being handy around the house can save money in expensive repair costs. It's also necessary to advance in certain careers. Improve this skill by studying do-it-yourself books from a bookshelf.`

`Art`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Creativity Skill`
`Some Sims create paintings that only you could love. But don't stifle their creativity; they all get better with practice. Once you get a good artist in the house, you'll have an extra source of income.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `This skill includes artistic ability as well as the potential for invention and "new thinking." It's important for several different career tracks. Try your hand at painting and playing the piano to improve this skill.`
`Music`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Creativity Skill`
`Currently, there's no outlet for music skill.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `This skill includes artistic ability as well as the potential for invention and "new thinking." It's important for several different career tracks. Try your hand at painting and playing the piano to improve this skill.`

`Work`	N/A
`All Sims can work at the computer, but the more skilled they are, the more money they'll make. Get them to improve their skill by hitting the books or studying on the computer.`
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`Garden`
`Green-thumbed Sims get more fun out of gardening, and they'll finish any watering chores more quickly than other Sims.`
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`Clean`
`If a Sim has a neat personality, they like to clean. If they have a high cleaning skill, they'll do it quickly and well. Items cleaned by a poor cleaner will need to be cleaned again shortly.`

Motives#

#130#Motives.cst	Live.iff (Final)
`Mood`
`All the other motives combined make up a Sim's mood, so it's a good overall happiness check.`	N/A

`Hunger`
`The refrigerator is the first stop for Sims who want a meal or snack; the kind of food they make depends on the kitchen appliances you give them. Alternatively, they can call for pizza, eat fruit from a tree, or eat a meal prepared by another character.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `A refrigerator is the first stop for hungry Sims. The kitchen appliances you buy them affect the quality of the food they prepare. They can also call for pizza if they don't feel like cooking.`

`Energy`
`A good night's sleep is the best cure for a sagging energy bar. For a short-term fix, try a nap or cup of coffee.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `There is nothing like a good night's sleep to restore a sagging energy bar. For a short-term fix, try a nap on the couch or a hot cup of coffee.`

`Comfort`
`Sims take comfort in sitting, sleeping, or lazing about in a bathtub or hot tub.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Sims need to be comfortable. If there isn't a comfy chair or couch to sit on or a nice hot bath to relax in this need can get mighty low.`

`Fun`
`Sims have different ideas about what's fun. Serious Sims may be more into watching the fish or reading a book, while playful Sims are more about dancing and playing pool.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Fun is different for everyone. Serious Sims may be more interested in reading a book, while playful Sims are more likely to enjoy some time at the pinball machine.`

`Hygiene`
`There are lots of ways to get clean. Neat-freak Sims will take baths and showers, change clothes regularly, and wash their hands often. Sloppy slims may cut a few corners.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `A shower or bath is always good for a dirty Sim. Hand washing after messy activities also helps keep hygiene high.`

`Social`
`Sims get social by interacting with family members, inviting friends over, or making phone calls.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Sims are social creatures, and they crave social interactions. They can fulfill their social need by interacting with family, friends, and neighbors. The phone is great for inviting people over.`

`Bladder`
`When a Sim's gotta go, there's really only one way to go. Get them to a toilet with all due speed.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `When a Sim's gotta go, a Sim's gotta go. And there's really only one way to go--get them to a toilet with all due speed.`

`Room`
`Sims like big rooms with lots of windows and pictures. Broken or dirty items bring them down.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Sims like big rooms with lots of light; windows help during the day and lamps are good at night. Decorations and landscaping bring this score up, but broken items, dirty dishes, or trash bring things down.`

Personality#

#131#Personality.cst	Live.iff (Final)
`Sloppy`	N/A
`Neat`

`Slob`
`Okay, so I occasionally leave a pizza box or two lying around. And why should I clean up when everyone else seems so eager to? That doesn't mean I'm a slob, does it??`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `So I occasionally leave a pizza box or two lying around, and I don't mind the flies buzzing all over. Why clean up when everyone else is willing to do it?`

`Occasional Cleaner`
`When it comes to cleaning up, I have a few basic rules. Flush when you're done, throw away your own junk, take out the trash now and then. Other than that, chill out.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `When it comes to cleaning up, I have a few basic rules. I flush when I'm done, throw away my own junk, and take out the trash now and then.`

`Neat-freak`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Neat-Freak`
`I've never been one of those Sims who can use a dish without washing it or see a mess without scrubbing it. The world would be a better place if there were more Sims like me around.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `I'm known to wash a dish as soon as I've finished eating. The trashcan's barely full before it's taken out. The paper is recycled as soon as I've finished reading. And the house is always spotless whenever I'm about.`

`Shy`	N/A
`Outgoing`

`Wallflower`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Shy`
`Not hooked up in gameplay yet.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Being self-conscious and introspective, I don't have a great need to be social. It's hard for me to meet new people and make friends.`

`Member of the Crowd`
`Not hooked up in gameplay yet.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `I'm a little reserved, and it takes me a while to warm up to new people. You won't see me in the middle of huge crowds at parties, but I won't be sitting quietly in a corner either.`

`Life of the Party`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `People Person`
`Not hooked up in gameplay yet.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `I am an extrovert. I love to talk to everyone. I crave social interactions. Basically I'm a social animal.`

`Lazy`	N/A
`Active`

`Couch Potato`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Lazy`
`Tell me one thing that's worse than getting out of bed in the morning. I say you can keep your ambition. Give me a warm couch and a good TV show any day of the week.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Is there anything worse than getting out of bed in the morning? Who needs ambition--a warm couch and a good TV show is all anyone needs.`

`Easy Going`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Laid Back`
`I don't claim to always be on the go. I've been known to linger a little too long in a nice cozy chair. But I'm not a total slouch either. When the time comes, I can get things done.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Though not always on the go, I am somewhat motivated. Though I tend to linger a little too long in a nice cozy chair, I won't be caught sitting there all day either.`

`Go Getter`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Energetic`
`Some say I'm a live wire, some say I've got ants my pants... call it what you want. I'm the kind of Sim who gets things done.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Some say I'm a live wire. Some say I have ants in my pants. Either way, it just means that I'm always on the go and anxious to get there.`

`Serious`	N/A
`Playful`


`Bookworm`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Serious`
`I was reading a fascinating book the other day which iterated 9,000 reasons why the common joke is not funny.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Sims who spend their time joking around just irritate me. Don't they understand that their frivolous folly is meaningless? So much more fun can be gained by reading a good book.`

`Amused`
`I laugh at good jokes, dance if there are other people on the floor, and play pool if it's not offensive to anybody.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `I laugh at good jokes, dance if there are other people on the floor, and like to play games. Generally I like having fun, but I don't go overboard.`

`Goofball`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Life of the Party`
`Looking for the life of the party? You're looking for me, baby. Sure, I'm a ham. Wait! Did I ever tell you the one about the pig that....`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `When I'm not telling jokes, I'm laughing at them. I've never seen a game I didn't want to play. That's why everyone knows the party is always at my house.`

`Grouchy`	N/A
`Nice`

`Grump`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Mean`
`Know what makes me mad? Sims that say I have a temper. If everything wasn't always broken, or Sims weren't always crossing me, I wouldn't have to blow my stack.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Everything makes me mad, especially when someone says I have a temper. If everything wasn't always broken, or other Sims weren't always bothering me, I probably wouldn't have to blow my stack so often.`

`Mostly Laid Back`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Easy Going`
`Some Sims can test my nerves a little, but overall, I'm pretty easy-going.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `While some Sims can get on my nerves a little, overall I'm pretty good-natured.`

`Pollyanna`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Compassionate`
`I like hugs, compliments, and sharing. If we all took the time to acknowledge each other more often, peace and love would thrive.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `I like giving hugs and compliments. I love making friends with everyone. If everyone were more like me, the neighborhood would be a nicer place.`

`Generous`	N/A
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`Scrooge`
`Feed the duck? I've got better things to do with my time. Like stealing candy from babies and evading taxes.`
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`Moderate Conservative`
`I'll feed the fish now and then. Or buy cookies from the little Girly Sims. But I do have my limits. At a certain point, you've got to look out for Number One.`
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`Bleeding Heart`
`Cooking for others makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Be good to your fellow Sim, that's what I always say.`

Relationship Info#

#132#Relationships.cst	Live.iff (Final)
`Bad Relationship`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Enemy`
`Oh, no. This relationship is in need of some serious repair. Try getting a read on what the selected Sim wants. Jokes? If they don't have a sense of humor, that won't help much. Conversation? If they don't share interests, that won't get them far. Check back periodicaly to see how recent interactions have effected things between them.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `The way things are now, I couldn't dislike this Sim much more if I tried. I suppose if I wanted to turn things around, I could try to get a read on what seems to generate a positive response when we interact.`

`Neutral Relationship`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Acquaintance`
`This relationship isn't stellar. The question is, which way is it headed? Arrows indicate the effect of the most recent interaction between these Sims. Remember: you're only seeing how the selected Sim feels about the pictured Sim.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `I don't really know this Sim very well. If I want to get to know them better their astrological sign might reveal some important clues about their personality. It would also help to figure out which conversation topics interest them.`

`Good Relationship`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Friend`
`This relationship is doing well. A smiley face indicates friendly feelings; a heart indicates romantic feelings. You're only seeing how the selected Sim feels about the pictured Sim. The rest is a guessing game.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `The smiley face says it all--we're very close. I know even good relationships take work, so we can't forget to spend time together or that smiley face could be wiped away.`

Build Mode#

Context: Terrain Tool#

#128#Terrain	Build.iff (Final)
`Raise Terrain`
`Landscape-happy? Click or click and drag to create sloped, terraced, or lumpy lots.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Want to put the hot tub on high ground? Unless there's some elevation to the lot, you'll need this tool to do the work. And don't worry--the grass will grow back over time. Landscaping: Click or click and drag to raise the terrain level. Shift-click to lower terrain again.`

`Lower Terrain`
`Create valleys, pools, moats...whatever strikes you. Click or click and drag to put a dent in the terrain around the cursor.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Create valleys or just remove a bothersome mound in the way of your construction. The lower terrain tool does what the name implies. And don't worry--the grass will grow back over time. Landscaping: Click or click and drag to lower the terrain level. Shift-click to raise terrain again.`
`Level Terrain`
`Click and drag to level terrain. All terrain in the rectangular region will be brought to the level of the terrain at the first click. Most large objects need to be placed on level terrain.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `This tool lets you flatten out the terrain. Most large objects need to be placed on level terrain. And don't worry--the grass will grow back over time. Landscaping: Click and drag to level terrain. All terrain in the rectangular region will be brought to the level of the terrain where the rectangle began.`

Context: Wall Tool#

#129#Wall	Build.iff (Final)
`Wall Tool`
`Click and drag to place walls. Shift-click to drag out a rectangle. Ctrl-click to delete.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `This is where it all begins. Without this tool, you don't have a house, you have a bunch of furniture on the lawn. Construction Tips: Click and drag to place walls. Shift-click and drag to create a rectangle. Ctrl-click and drag to delete. Once you've created a four-walled structure on the first story, you can switch to the second story and continue construction.`

`White Picket Fence`
`Sims don't care about fences any more than fences care about Sims. But you can use fences to herd Sims around like cattle, if you're so maniacally inclined.`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Always dreamed of a house with a white picket fence? Now you can build it for your Sims. Putting Up Fences: Click and drag to place fences. Shift-click and drag to create a rectangle. Ctrl-click and drag to delete.`

`Balustrade`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Monticello Balustrade`
`Balustrades: they're pretty, and they keep Sims from walking off the edges of balconies and stairs. (Really, Sims aren't that dumb, but balustrades are pretty all the same.)`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Balustrades: They're pretty, and they keep Sims from walking off the edges of balconies and stairs. (Really, Sims aren't that dumb, but balustrades are pretty all the same.) Building Balustrades: Click and drag to place balustrades. Shift-click and drag to create a rectangle. Ctrl-click and drag to delete.`

Context: Floor Tool#

#130#Floor

Build.iff (Final)

Floor Catalog Name

Floors can be applied to flat terrain on the 1st floor and to supported tiles (those within one tile of a wall, room, or column) on the 2nd floor. Shift-click fills an entire room. Control-click erases flooring. Shift-Control-click erases an entire room's floor.

(Floor-specific Catalog Description)

style="text-align: center;background:#000052 |

Decorating Tips: Click to place a single floor tile; click and drag to create a rectangle. Shift-click fills an entire room with the selected flooring type. Control-click erases flooring. Shift-Control-click erases an entire room's floor.

Context: Wallpaper Tool#

#131#Wallpaper

Build.iff (Final)

Wallpaper Catalog Name

Click and drag to apply wall covering. Shift-click covers the whole wall. Ctrl-click erases. Ctrl-Shift-click erases the whole wall.

(Wallpaper-specific Catalog Description)

style="text-align: center;background:#000052 |

Redecorating: Click and drag to apply wall covering to highlighted wall. Shift-click covers the entire room (press Shift without clicking for a preview). Ctrl-click and drag erases. Ctrl-Shift-click erases the whole wall.

Context: Hand Tool#

#132#Hand

Build.iff (Final)

Move tool

style="text-align: center;background:#000052 |

Hand Tool

Click and release to move an object; click again to place. Click and drag to rotate; the object will rotate around the spot that was clicked. Move an object over the control panel and click to delete it.

style="text-align: center;background:#000052 |

Want to move things around a bit. Objects that can be selected with the Hand Tool will highlight when the hand is over them. 

Remodeling: To move an object: Click and release; click again to place. To rotate an object: Click and drag; the object will rotate around the spot that was clicked. To delete an object: Move an object over the control panel and click.

Miscellaneous UI Text#

Context: Select a Family#

#128#PickFamilyStrs	UIText.iff (Final)
`Click on Family Name to Select a Family`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Click to create a new family`
`Net Worth`
`Friends Score`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Family Friends`
`Design New Family`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Create New Family`
`Move In Family`
`Delete Family`
`Cancel`
`Delete Family?`
`Are you sure you want to delete the "%s" family?`

Context: Create a Family#

#129#DesignFamilyStrs	UIText.iff (Final)
`Enter a family name:`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Enter Last Name:`
`Add a New Person`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Add a New Sim`
`Delete Selected Person`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Delete Selected Sim`
`Edit Selected Person`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Edit Selected Sim`
`Accept Changes`	N/A
`Cancel`

Context: Create a Sim#

#130#DesignCharStrs	UIText.iff (Final)
`Select One:`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Male`
`Select One:`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Female`
`Enter a first name:`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Enter First Name:`
`You have %d points to spend.`	N/A
`Adult-sized character`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Adult`
`Child-sized character`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Child`
`Give me some skin`	N/A
`Accept Changes`	N/A
`Cancel`

Context: Evict or Bulldoze#

#131#EvictModeStrs	UIText.iff (Final)
`Bulldoze House?`
`Do you want to bulldoze this house?`

`Evict Family?`
`The %s family has net worth of %s. Do you want to evict them?`

`Nothing to Bulldoze`
`There is nothing here to bulldoze.`

`Community Space`	(unused)
`You cannot bulldoze community space.`
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`Sorry`
`You cannot bulldoze the SimEstates marquee.`

`Error`
`Could not evict!`

Context: Moving In#

#132#MoveInModeStrs	UIText.iff (Final)
`Purchase House?`
`Are you sure you want to buy this house?`

`Sorry`
`This familly cannot afford this house`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `You can't afford it.`

`Congratulations!`	N/A
`You bought it.`	N/A

`Purchase Lot?`
`Do you want to buy this lot?`

`Purchase Pre-Made?`	(unused)
`Do you want to buy a pre-made home?`	(unused)

`Sorry`
`You must first place this family in a house.`

`Community Space`	(unused)
`You cannot place a family in community space.`	(unused)

`House Occupied`
`This house is occupied by another family.`

`Tutorial House`
`This is a tutorial house. Families may not move into it.`

`Error!`
`Could not move in!`

#133#RegularModeStrs	UIText.iff (Final)
`No one lives here!`
`You must pick a family and move them in first.`

`Community Space`	(unused)
`There is nothing to select here.`	(unused)

Context: Neighborhood: Button Rollover#

#134#NghRollover	UIText.iff (Final)
`Cost: %s This could be the empty lot of your dreams!`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Cost: %s This could be the lot of your dreams! If you buy this lot, the family will have %s to spend to build a house and buy household items.`

`Cost: %s This could be the home of your dreams`	style="text-align: center;background:#000052 \| `Cost: %s This could be the house of your dreams! If you buy, the family will have %s to spend on household items.`
`The %s's Net Worth: %s Friends: %d`

Context: Credits#

#135#AboutBox

UIText.iff (Final)

About The Sims

(See: Early Credits Sequence)

(c) 1999 by Maxis/Electronic Arts.  All Rights Reserved.
Designers: Will Wright, Clair Curtin, & Roxy Wolosenko
Executive Producer: Luc Barthelet
Producer: Kana Ryan
Director of Development: Jim Mackraz
Programmers: Eric Bowman, Jamie Doornbos, Don Hopkins & Patrick Barrett
Art Director: Charles London
Artists: Jami Becker, Eric Chin, & Eric Hedman
Assistant Producer: Chris Trottier