Chat With Luc Barthelet About Web Hosting For Fan Sites

Thank you to everyone that showed up at our chat with Luc. Transcripts are now available for those of you that were unable to make it.

Go To Transcripts

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:02:54 PM)
Hi everyone!

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:03:39 PM)
Let's start!

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:04:18 PM)
So let's me explain why I am interesting in getting Maxis to do some web hosting

MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:05:55 PM)
Hello everyone and thanks for coming. I would like to introduce MaxisLuc he is the General Manger here at Maxis

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:06:22 PM)
Hello everyone

MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:06:25 PM)
Today's topic of discussion will be about fansites

MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:01 PM)
So what I would like to ask everyone to please only type something if you have a question.

mumukuds (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:28 PM)
are you going to host web sites?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:28 PM)
Yews we want to host user web sites

joe_the_coffee_man (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:40 PM)
Is the hosting free??

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:08:40 PM)
Yes the hosting will be free

Dirk_Simtropolis (Sep 18, 2003 6:09:14 PM)
Is this exclusively for the Sims related fansites or all Maxis games' fansites, ie. SimCity 4.

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:09:14 PM)
This would be for all Maxis products

Killerbee (Sep 18, 2003 6:10:10 PM)
how do I sign up for this???

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:10:10 PM)
We will make it clear to everyone when this becomes available

SuiteDaydreamz (Sep 18, 2003 6:10:27 PM)
will there be many rules, like what kinds of content they can contain?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:10:27 PM)
Yes it will have to be about Maxis Games.

MidnightStar10 (Sep 18, 2003 6:11:56 PM)
when will it be available??

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:11:56 PM)
sometimes between now and christmas

AngelEyes (Sep 18, 2003 6:12:31 PM)
Will it be html, or will the site have it's own costom site builder?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:12:31 PM)
We have not figured that out yet. We might use an existing service we sponsor or build something new.

Simjurgen (Sep 18, 2003 6:13:10 PM)
the hosting will have unlimited space and unlimited transfer?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:13:10 PM)
That's the plan

MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:13:16 PM)
This is just a reminder, please only type if you are asking a question and keep the questions focused on fansites.

Shane769 (Sep 18, 2003 6:14:24 PM)
What do you feel are some of the benefits with allowing Maxis to host a site, as opposed to perhaps another host?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:14:24 PM)
The goal is to provide free bandwidth and to provide a high level or service

Yugo_thenighwolf (Sep 18, 2003 6:14:56 PM)
Can we have a chat on the site or is it strictly for news and stuff like that?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:14:56 PM)
I am not planning on any restriction at this time.

mr_helm (Sep 18, 2003 6:15:52 PM)
lets say i put somthing "bad" on, will you delete my privelages of making a fan site, or will you ban me from the site?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:15:52 PM)
We will shutdown any site that goes out of control.

Simgod1959 (Sep 18, 2003 6:16:38 PM)
Is a Sims2 demo on any faz site now?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:16:38 PM)
There is no Sims 2 demo anywhere. There will not be any. We will focus on custom content tools.

kgurlie (Sep 18, 2003 6:17:19 PM)
can the sites be about anything other than maxis products, or are cheese worship sites and the like forbidden?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:17:19 PM)
It has to be about Maxis Games

bengal007 (Sep 18, 2003 6:18:42 PM)
what happens if something happens by mistake?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:18:42 PM)
we will have remedies for those events

SimNewsMan (Sep 18, 2003 6:19:15 PM)
We know it will have unlimited hosting and bandwith, what else is a major thing the hosting will have?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:19:15 PM)
One thing we might provide is strong Database support for custom content.

Jeanne (Sep 18, 2003 6:19:50 PM)
this chat platform is far superior to one's used in the past

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:19:50 PM)
Do you think Maxis should switch to that platform?

Sharr_Simtropolis (Sep 18, 2003 6:20:16 PM)
will all hosted sites have to have a similar look?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:20:16 PM)
nope

tomboy05 (Sep 18, 2003 6:20:36 PM)
will there be any age limits to hosting a site or can all ages do it?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:20:36 PM)
minors will need to have a guardian sign something.

stony (Sep 18, 2003 6:21:52 PM)
What is Maxis trying to accomplish in offering this service? How do you think it will benefit the community?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:21:52 PM)
one problem now is that users make sites, we have thesims.com point to those sites and they die because of the huge bandwidth it creates. This would alleviate that problem

kgurlie (Sep 18, 2003 6:22:19 PM)
if maxis hosted my site, would my visitors be bombarded with popup ads?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:22:19 PM)
no pop ups. no ads. unless you want to.

SimDeg (Sep 18, 2003 6:23:32 PM)
what are some examples that would be in the "database support"?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:23:32 PM)
Free big Oracle like database. Proper record structure compatible with Maxis.

AngelEyes (Sep 18, 2003 6:23:51 PM)
What will the url look like? thesims.com/yoursitename?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:23:51 PM)
My hope is to enable any URL.

tomboy05 (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:19 PM)
where will people find out about my site?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:19 PM)
liek any other sites. Plus we will point to them from theSims.com

seabree1001 (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:31 PM)
will donations be allowed on these sites?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:31 PM)
I hope so.

stpcarly (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:49 PM)
What about people trying to charge or make money off of your free hosting? Will you allow that or ban them?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:24:49 PM)
My goal is to allow for that.

Stash (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:19 PM)
will sites not on this service still get support from Maxis?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:19 PM)
Absolutely

Dirk_Simtropolis (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:33 PM)
Will Maxis consider the content of the fansites hosted on their server property of Maxis/EA?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:33 PM)
Nope.

sgore (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:56 PM)
is this open to everyone or just a few select people?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:25:56 PM)
Everyone is the goal.

kgurlie (Sep 18, 2003 6:26:29 PM)
is this just another step on the path to maxis's world domination?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:26:29 PM)
absolutely

simlish_sim (Sep 18, 2003 6:27:36 PM)
How will we upload our site to the server? Can it be uploaded through FTP?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:27:36 PM)
We have not figured that out yet. We are in the stage where we are neasuring the level of interest from the users and the webmasters

Simjurgen (Sep 18, 2003 6:27:52 PM)
what about the sims 2 website? can we start building site about sims 2?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:27:52 PM)
YES.

Stash (Sep 18, 2003 6:28:16 PM)
could sites use this service just to host large pictures or files (because of the bandwidth), and keep the sites on other servers?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:28:16 PM)
Great idea.

Dirk_Simtropolis (Sep 18, 2003 6:29:35 PM)
I think to guage our interest, webmasters need to know if their sites' specific technology will be supported. Will this information be made available soon? We need to know something more substantial.

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:29:35 PM)
Good point. I hope to have a proposal in the next 4 weeks.

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:30:45 PM)
From the success of this CHAT it seems that you are interested on the basic concept.

joe_the_coffee_man (Sep 18, 2003 6:31:23 PM)
How much is this going to cost Maxis? (Free hosting With unlimited bandwith? wow!)

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:31:23 PM)
It would only cost us a lot if it is very succesful which probably means we are selling a lot of games.

d_town_diva_54 (Sep 18, 2003 6:32:55 PM)
Is this going to be only availible to US users? Or will it be a international thing?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:32:55 PM)
This is an international thing!

cheetahgirl89 (Sep 18, 2003 6:33:15 PM)
When is the Sims2 coming out?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:33:15 PM)
in 2004. custom tools in 2003.

SpacemanBeej (Sep 18, 2003 6:33:49 PM)
How will Maxis keep people from signing up then running non-maxis related websites?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:33:49 PM)
I'll be watching

stony (Sep 18, 2003 6:34:31 PM)
There has to be catch, Luc. What is it?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:34:31 PM)
no catch. if the community works better I believe we will sell more units

Aliclare (Sep 18, 2003 6:34:47 PM)
Are you Maxis Big Brother then Luc?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:34:47 PM)
you are starting to get it! great!

Stash (Sep 18, 2003 6:35:20 PM)
What kind of custom tools for TS2 in 2003?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:35:20 PM)
Tools to make clothes, and skins.

Guest (Sep 18, 2003 6:35:54 PM)
How much is The Sims 2 Game?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:35:54 PM)
I expect it to be a premium price game.

simlish_sim (Sep 18, 2003 6:36:33 PM)
Luc, you mentioned the custom tools for The Sims 2 will be released in 2003. Will these be available to download, or will players have to go buy these in the store?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:36:33 PM)
as usual, it should be available as a download.

Nomez123 (Sep 18, 2003 6:38:07 PM)
will it be easier for people to make skins and clothes with the tools?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:38:07 PM)
That's the goal of the tool. We will focus on textures first.

Kayness (Sep 18, 2003 6:40:41 PM)
I heard there is going to be a Create-A-Sim thing coming out before The Sims 2 comes out...Is this true? And when?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:40:41 PM)
I am not sure how we will call it, but that's a goal we have.

seabree1001 (Sep 18, 2003 6:43:16 PM)
will there be another chat where you address copyright and artist protection

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:43:16 PM)
The legal issue will have to be clarified.

Sterics (Sep 18, 2003 6:44:05 PM)
Which url are going to have this future sites? somthing.maxis.com?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:44:05 PM)
no. I want to enable any URL.

SimDeg (Sep 18, 2003 6:45:06 PM)
what does "enable any url" mean? examples?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:45:06 PM)
examples would be any URL currently used by users websites

ShrimpandSeafood (Sep 18, 2003 6:45:14 PM)
When you say you want to enable any URL, does that mean www.something.com?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:45:14 PM)
yes

joe_the_coffee_man (Sep 18, 2003 6:46:15 PM)
can we reserve our URL so it doesn't get stolen before you get to make it? I already know what I want mine to be, but I don't want it stolen.

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:46:15 PM)
the URLs would have to be registered like any URL onthe internet. This is the way most hosting occurs.

nick_vido (Sep 18, 2003 6:46:57 PM)
how much will maxis support their fan sites as in giving them and news eairly

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:46:57 PM)
That's the main way we expect to communicate information to our community about the sims 2. Through the fan sites.

SG Lover (Sep 18, 2003 6:48:14 PM)
When are you going to put up The Sims 2 official website?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:48:14 PM)
soon. but that sites will be limited to links to the Fan sites about the sims 2.

SimVeggie (Sep 18, 2003 6:49:51 PM)
Would the hosting be available for the Sims1 or the Sims2 fan sites or for both?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:49:51 PM)
for any Maxis game

SuiteDaydreamz (Sep 18, 2003 6:50:27 PM)
What is soon? A day? A month? A year?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:50:27 PM)
The Sims 2 web site should go up in October.

Shane769 (Sep 18, 2003 6:52:50 PM)
Obviously, fans across the globe are benefitting from this service; but how do you feel /Maxis/ is benefitting from this? Do you feel this helps tighten the bond between the Fans and the makers of the game in a way?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:52:50 PM)
Again, the goal is to enable more sites, and to make sure teh fans have a good experience.

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:53:10 PM)
cool, about 100 users in this chat

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:53:25 PM)
and only 10 from Maxis...

ShrimpandSeafood (Sep 18, 2003 6:53:55 PM)
Is the hosting just hosting. Or do you offer special features along with the hosting?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:53:55 PM)
What features do you want?

MidnightStar10 (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:20 PM)
what are the other 9 Maxis peole doing??

MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:20 PM)
moderating =)

MidnightStar10 (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:27 PM)
what are the other 9 Maxis peole doing??

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:27 PM)
not working on the game obviously!

MaxisLucky (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:32 PM)
LOL

Aliclare (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:52 PM)
CGI? Perl? etc.

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:54:52 PM)
that seems obvious.

gamegirl815 (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:07 PM)
who picks the questions we are asking?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:07 PM)
Me. when I can read fast enough.

volleyballa2 (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:29 PM)
get to work!! we want the game SOON!!

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:29 PM)
yeah. the end of this chat is near,

12992 (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:49 PM)
are you a real person luc?lol

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:55:49 PM)
I feel like it.

bittyp529 (Sep 18, 2003 6:56:18 PM)
Do you know when the demo for the sims 2 comes out?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:56:18 PM)
No demo.

qwertyuiop2k11 (Sep 18, 2003 6:57:13 PM)
When are more screen shots and news for TS2 coming out?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:57:13 PM)
I am trying to release some every week.

jakedidit (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:03 PM)
will we be able to download off of fansites for sims 2 like we do now ?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:03 PM)
Absolutely

MaxisLucky (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:14 PM)
We're getting close to the end.

MaxisLucky (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:32 PM)
Luc has one last question he's going to answer

AngelEyes (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:47 PM)
I noticed that the feet of sims on The Sims 2 aren't as detailed as the hands. Are you planning to work on them?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:58:47 PM)
I don't think that toes are as important as fingers for the sims. It does not seem like a good use of polygons.

jakerh (Sep 18, 2003 6:59:26 PM)
Thats awsome. Do we have to have like paint shop or photo shop to make our own skins and objects?

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:59:27 PM)
Any bitmap editing program should be ok.

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:59:49 PM)
Looks like we are getting to the end.

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 6:59:58 PM)
Thanks everyone for your participation.

MaxisLuc (Sep 18, 2003 7:00:26 PM)
Bye

MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 7:00:32 PM)
Well folks that is all the time we have for today. We hope to do another chat with Luc sometime next week. Check the Sims.com for information on the next event.

MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 7:01:54 PM)
The chat transcript will be posted on thesims.com.

MaxisLucky (Sep 18, 2003 7:02:56 PM)
Thanks for coming everyone! We hope you enjoyed the chat!

MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 7:04:13 PM)
Fansite publishers be sure to check thesims.com for upcoming tool that will allow you to submit your sims fansites to be listed on thesims.com

MaxisKitty (Sep 18, 2003 7:05:36 PM)
Thanks Everyone!