Spring4Sims – The Best Finds, Downloads & Hints for Your Sims

Fresh-Prince is widely known as the king of the cars for The Sims 2. His creations are a synonym to high-quality downloads and there are actually a plenty of them. We talked about his starts and creating, on what he think Maxis might improve when it comes to The Exchange and creating tools. And last but not least, he gives us a sneak-peak into his latest Christmas project that should be released very soon!

Spring4Sims: Hello, Fresh-Prince! Before we get to the questions, let me ask you something little about you. Where do you come from, how old are you, what’s your real name and what do you do for living?
Fresh-Prince: Hello there! Well, I am from the United States, I am 16 years old, my real name is Joseph, and for a living, I go to school.

Spring4Sims: When did you first get to know The Sims?
Fresh-Prince: On my 11th birthday, my parents got me the Sims Deluxe, and I loved the game ever since!

Spring4Sims: Whan you first found out about custom content, what did you think about it? Did you want to try it as soon as possible, or did took you a while to get into it?
Fresh-Prince: Well, I thought that custom content was really cool! It amazed me on how people could make such wonderful things for a video game. I tried as soon as possible to make custom content, but I could never just get it right. It took almost 2 years for me to actually start making stuff, but I was definitely interested since the beginning.

Spring4Sims: You really must love making cars. Why’s that so?
Fresh-Prince: Yes, I do love making cars. Why? I just love cars soo much, even when I was a kid. I don’t know why, but there’s something about cars that I just find awesome. There’s a great feeling cars have. My cars just have a great special feeling to me. My family thinks I’m crazy on how I could name just about every car on the road, lol. I’m a car fanatic, and I like to express that with my sim cars.

Spring4Sims: And there are so many of them! Can you, please, tell us, what keeps you enthusiastic all that time?
Fresh-Prince: Inspiration! As I said before, I love cars a lot! I see so many car commercials on TV, and that inspires me to make cars. Or I just look outside and see how beautiful a car is! It may sound weird, but even a car light will inspire me to make a car.

Spring4Sims: I always wonder about one thing – do you make the cars from the scratch or are there any pre-made models you use for creating them?
Fresh-Prince: Unfortunately, no I do not make my own models. I get permission from people who make models. That is sort of where people fall off the boat, and a lot of people think I don’t have talent, cause I just “steal” a 3D model and slap a texture on it. But believe me, a lot more goes into a car, and I do mean a lot. So that’s a downfall for me, and I’ve tried before with making my own meshes, but I have yet to succeed.

Spring4Sims: Did you have any skills before you started creating?
Fresh-Prince: No I didn’t have any skills. Creation was basically just a trial and error process for me.

Spring4Sims: Do you think that creating has influenced your life somehow or maybe brought some benefits to it?
Fresh-Prince: Oh yes, definitely. If I could do this for a living, and actually work for a company that does video games or something, I’d be in heaven working with something that I love. It’s definitely influenced my life into which career I go in, and has given me a lot of experience and benefits.

Spring4Sims: What’s your favorite part about creating? Or maybe there’s something you’d really like to skip? Tell us!
Fresh-Prince: My favorite part is texturing, mostly on cars. A texture makes or breaks an object. I love making textures for my cars, it’s just so fun to put detail into cars just with a texture! Also, 2 things I would love to skip! I hate UV Mapping, I just do, lol. Also, I hate grouping cars, because sometimes I get car meshes with over 500 groups, and let’s just say it takes a long time to organize that!

Spring4Sims: If you could choose one of those cars in real life, which one would it be?
Fresh-Prince: Hmm, I would probably have to go with my Audi R8, I love that car! It’s just full of awesomeness.

Spring4Sims: Do you really need that many cars in your game?
Fresh-Prince: No, not really, lol. But some people like certain cars, and don’t like certain cars. I like to give a variety of cars so lots of people can enjoy them. I don’t use my cars in my game, so it doesn’t really matter to me.

Spring4Sims: Sharing a lot of custom content can be a little difficult for creators. For those who wouldn’t choose sites like MTS, how do you think Maxis could improve The Exchange?
Fresh-Prince: Yes, it could be very difficult. I think Maxis could improve the Exchange with some more moderation to it. Also, I wouldn’t mind if they added a object section for those of us who make objects. Or you can create a free website with freewebs, blogspot, and all those other ones. You have to start off small before you go big. You get people to know you, you can make a new website, and if people love your stuff, they will donate to help pay for the site.

Spring4Sims: And when it comes to tools – do you think that Maxis should also release an official tool for object-making?
Fresh-Prince: Yes I do. I think that would be really cool, and easier for a lot of people.

Spring4Sims: How do you like the Sims 3 so far? Do you plan to start playing it?
Fresh-Prince: I’m liking it so far. I do plan on playing and buying the game. I’m hoping that Maxis will be making something along the lines of a tool for objects for the Sims 3.

Spring4Sims: And how about creating – are there any chances you’ll continue creating with the new game, or will you just stick to The Sims 2?
Fresh-Prince: I’d definitely want to create for The Sims 3, depends on the tools we’ll get with The Sims 3. But until then, I’ll be sticking to the Sims 2.

Spring4Sims: Do you play some other games that The Sims?
Fresh-Prince: Not really. I mean there’s a lot of games I play here and there, like Gran Turismo, James Bond, but The Sims is my main obsession.

Spring4Sims: What other activities fill your free time?
Fresh-Prince: I don’t do much other than Sims, it’s actually quite sad though, lol. Sims is my free time. Other than that, I just listen to music, and hang out occasionally.

Spring4Sims: If you were a Sim, what would you aspire to? What would you be really good at?
Fresh-Prince: If I were a sim, I would aspire to have a wife, kids, a nice home and own one of my own cars, hehe. I’d have good skills in creativeness, and that’s basically it.

Spring4Sims: Could you give us some sneak-peak info about the “12 Days of Christmas” project? I’m dying to know more!
Fresh-Prince: Well, I don’t have much to say, don’t want to give it away. I’m about 60% done with the project, and I’ve been working on it since November 3rd. Just expect some nice things, that’s if I finish in time, lol. You’ll be seeing some more promotion as it gets closer to December 14th. I’m sure it will have something for everyone to enjoy, hopefully. I can’t wait to finish it!

Spring4Sims: If you think there’s something more you’d like to tell us, then speak up your mind!
Fresh-Prince: First off, I would just like to say on how much I appreciate this interview! It means a lot to me! It will show people that I’m not dead and I’m actually working on something, lol. Second of all, once again, I want to say how much I truly enjoy your site! And last of all, thanks once again, and have a good holiday season, expect something soon!

Thank you very much, Jospeh, for taking your time to answer my questions! Wish you lots of luck on your future projects!

You can download Fresh-Prince’s at Fresh-Prince Creations or his MTS2 profile.

Are you a creator? Would you like to like to tell your fans more about yourself? Than what are you waiting for? Read our FAQs before you apply and then send me an email at HannahSpring(at)gmail.com and become more popular than you were yesterday!