Suggestion for a new script mod file extension

BeeKeepers · May 2015

The use of zip archives for script mods has some flaws. It's too easy for the user to accidentally unzip them, and it's often unclear that they need to remain zipped for the game to read them. The file format itself doesn't make it obvious that it's a packaged mod.

My proposal to the Sims 4 devs: add a new file extension for script mods. It could be .sims4mod, .s4mod, .s4script, or something similar. This would prevent users from accidentally opening and unzipping it, and it'd make it clear that it's a script mod. The actual file format could still be a zip, just renamed. This would let you keep the script mod loading code mostly unchanged, as it'd still be reading from the exact same file format.

Thanks for taking the time to read and consider this.

Scumbumbo · May 2015

This is a simply fabulous suggestion. Yes, devs, please consider this simple addition! Obviously we'd still want the .zip extension to continue to function as well, but this will help so much for users to install mods, especially those that have a combination of XML package and a script.

BeeKeepers · May 2015

I just had someone talk to me who wasn't able to install one of my mods because they're on a Mac. They were using Safari, which automatically unzips downloaded files by default. I hadn't really thought about this scenario when I originally posted this thread, but that's one more issue that could be fixed by simply adding a custom file extension.

SimGuruModSquad · June 2015

Great suggestion. Will see what we can do, thanks.

SimGuruModSquad · July 2015

Hi guys. Today's patch (v1.9.80) adds support for the extension ts4script which are treated just like zip files. Let me know how it works for you and I will announce more widely. Thanks for the suggestion!

IngeJones · July 2015

Thank you SGMS, the active support for modders in this generation of The Sims continues to impress me.

SimGuruModSquad · July 2015

Thanks @IngeJones, we enjoy helping you guys out where we can.

BeeKeepers · July 2015

Thank you so much! I'm so thrilled that you added this, I'm sure both script modders and users will appreciate this a ton! :)

Scumbumbo · July 2015

Seems to work just fine. Now we just have to see how the users adapt to it

Thanks!!!

Scumbumbo · July 2015

So far, so good. I believe this has reduced the number of "I installed this right, but it doesn't work" questions considerably.

Thanks again!

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Suggestion for a new script mod file extension

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