Interactive loading screen or normal one

Nicwebb82

Is there a difference in the loading times between the two? Does the normal loading screen load faster than the interactive one?

TreyNutz

Probably depends. In a fast loading game, like when I first start, the interactive one is probably longer. My current game is taking about 20 min to load, so I doubt either one is faster than the other.

I don't use the interactive one either way. I play in a window and surf the web while my game is loading.

23kels89

I would say the interactive screen loads slower than the normal. Only because of... well... the interaction.
Regardless if it takes longer, I still prefer the interactive screen only because I get to rack up some lifetime points.

SimplyJen

It will add to load times. I only turn it on if I'm desperate for lifetime points. When it was added, I liked the idea because it reminds me of the memory game that could be played while installing either TS2 or TS1.. Can't remember but I think it was 2.

Issues
Unfortunatley this can lead to longer loading times and some people have even reported it to be responsible for lags ingame. If you experience lags, it’s better to turn it off.

via http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2013/10/interactive-loading-screen.html

igazor

Loading with the interactive screen on is known to use up significantly more system resources (RAM) than without, thus giving your game a start at a higher level of usage. Not really an issue at all for a relatively new game on a strong enough system, but for a long-running ongoing game it's going to take a deeper toll on performance.

SimKeats

igazor wrote: »

Loading with the interactive screen on is known to use up significantly more system resources (RAM) than without, thus giving your game a start at a higher level of usage. Not really an issue at all for a relatively new game on a strong enough system, but for an long-running ongoing game it's going to take a deeper toll on performance.

Using more memory for something that doesnt effect your actual gameplay, if you play for long sessions, would probably increase your chances of encountering the dreaded ERROR 12, even if you have a good computer.

igazor

SimKeats wrote: »

Using more memory for something that doesnt effect your actual gameplay, if you play for long sessions, would probably increase your chances of encountering the dreaded ERROR 12, even if you have a good computer.

Agreed. But if you are playing a relatively new game on a strong enough computer that might start out at say 1.4 GB of RAM usage, and you actually enjoy the interactive screen even though it will start you out at say 1.7 GB, probably not much harm done even if it's not an especially efficient use of resources. Where it hurts more would be on longer running games and, as you said, what were meant to be very long gameplay sessions.

Okblondee7

@igazor: I'm not sure if it was you or not, but recall someone saying that it could be turned off in 'options'. Would that be the 'options' in game?

igazor

Okblondee7 wrote: »

@igazor: I'm not sure if it was you or not, but recall someone saying that it could be turned off in 'options'. Would that be the 'options' in game?

Correct, the built-in Game Options. It's under General Settings, the third tab from the left.

Okblondee7

Thank you, igazor!