#loadingrandomizer

Installation: Extract the archive and click on LoadingRandomizer.exe in the /bin folder (with the ? dice icon). I recommend to set a shortcut to it. Since you are using the application for the first time, click on ‘setup LoadingRandomizer’ and follow the steps. If you’re having troubles, check out Pleasant Sims’ tutorial on LoadingRandomizer!

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This application only works on Windows machines starting at Windows 7.

If LoadingRandomizer won’t start the game, set administrative rights to the new shortcut and the RandomizeJob.exe in /bin.

Installation & first steps:

Extract the zip archive and put the folder anywhere you want. In the /bin folder you’ll see many ddls but most important the program exe. Now create a shortcut to the exe with any name you like (ex. The Sims 2) and better set an icon for this (you can use a Sims 2 exe as an icon!). This is your new shortcut to launch The Sims 2 (and the LoadingRandomizer at the same time)! You can put it anywhere you want, for example the start menu, just like your old shortcut (to the Sims 2.exe).

When you launch the application for the first time (by clicking on the shortcut or executing the normal exe file), you’ll get the information that the path information is missing. Since the application must start & close as fast as possible, it first looks for the paths that are needed for the ‘random swapping’ process. Since the file has to be generated the first time, accept the information and you’ll see the interface.

You have to set three paths: The path to the Sims 2 root folder, the path to the base game UI folder and the path to your executable of the latest ep/sp.

Click on ‘save and exit’ and now the application will create two or three new files: A file with the UI & executable path in it and a file that contains all paths to the different Splash soundtracks. If you used the window mode option, the application will also create a file with the resolution.

From now on, the application behaves differently since the path file exist. Whenever you launch the application, it closes so quick that you can’t even see it. What happens during that short time is the swapping process described above. Then it will launch The Sims 2.

Adding (new) loading screens:

Put the package files into the /custom_loading_screens folder of the application directory. If the folder is empty (default), the loading screen will of course not change and only the music is being swapped. Choose any name you want, but keep in mind to only put loading screens (= logo replacements) in there!

Adding custom Splash music

Put the package files into the /custom_splash_music folder. Choose whatever name you want. If the folder is empty, only the installed Splash files will be swapped, if there are files in the folder, both will be used. If you don’t want to hear the preinstalled splash music, delete the installed_splashes.txt file. If you don’t like the Splash of a certain ep/sp, delete the correct line in the file.

Download:

LoadingRandomizer

Source Code (not needed!)

Having problems?

Is the application good at doing nothing? Then you might wanna set both the exe and the shortcut to have administrative rights. The application shows an unusual error message? Maybe you are using an unsupported OS like Windows XP or Vista. I’m sorry for this, but there’s nothing I can do about it (limitation from the IDE). Feel free to contact me if you are facing any errors!

More advanced options and information underneath.

Changing settings afterwards

If you made a mistake with your paths, you can set the application back to default mode by deleting the paths.txt file. Then once you execute the application, you can select the paths again. Alternatively you can edit the path file (and so the installed_splash file) which however might result to more work.

Preventing errors

- set the paths correctly - put only loading screens in the /custom_loading_screens folder - put only splash files in the /custom_splash_music folder - make sure you don’t have an additional loading screen in your UI folder, keep it empty before using LoadingRandomizer! - alter the text files correctly if needed - don’t rename any folder - copy the splash_original.package file to another folder just to be save

Known errors