[NOTE For the SR.Com Mods - This was approved by Beastly via Discord and by the majority of the game leaderboard Moderators. This post is for all games minus Sims 2 DS and Sims 2 Castaway, as the mods have not responded at this time]

Attention all Sims Runners,

Over the last few months, the Mod The Sims Team (which is the team of all leaderboard moderators) have been talking about one thing: Emulator and Accuracy.

We know this is a big topic within all speedrunning communities, but following the developments from PCSX2, we as a team have had to make a decision that we think would be better for the community in general.

This decision comes as a joint effort between the leaderboard moderators and the main moderators for the games. We hope that this keeps the games open and it is an easy starting point for new runners to start playing these games.

The following changes are now in effect across all games:

Nintendo Gamecube: The only accepted Emulator that all mods have agreed upon is Dolphin Emulator 5.0, 5.0-Development Builds and 6.0 (when it releases). All Other Emulators are banned.

Gameboy Advanced: The accepted emulators are BizHawk’s GBA Core (Latest) and mGBA. Please use mGBA as a backup if you can not get BizHawk’s GBA Core to work. All Other Emulators are banned.

Nintendo DS: The accepted emulators are melonDS (Latest), DeSmuME 0.9.11 and BizHawk’s NDS Core (latest - When it releases). Please use DeSmuME 0.9.11 and BizHawk’s NDS Core (latest) as a backup. All other emulators (ex: no$GBA) are banned.

PSP: The accepted emulator is PPSSPP or PPSSPP Gold. All other emulators are banned.

PS2/Xbox/Xbox 360/iOS/Android: All Emulators are banned. Links to all the above pre-approved emulators can be found below:

Nintendo Gamecube (Dolphin): https://dolphin-emu.org/download/ GBA (BizzHawk GBA Core): https://github.com/TASVideos/BizHawk GBA (mGBA - Backup): https://mgba.io/downloads.html NDS (MelonDS): http://melonds.kuribo64.net/ NDS (DeSmuME): http://desmume.org/download/ NDS (BizHawk’s NDS Core): https://github.com/TASVideos/BizHawk PSP (PPSSPP): https://www.ppsspp.org/

Please Note the following if you are submitting a run using any of the above mentioned emulators:

All Settings used must be in their default state or per the Specific Game Guides for that Board: You must show off these settings for verification at the end of any completed run, this also includes game-specific properties as some emulators override the core settings when playing games. An example of such a setup that could be used as a standard can be found on https://www.speedrun.com/simsbo/guide/rt97s

Save States and Pre-Run Setup is banned: The only exception to this rule is using load states to return to the main menu is fine OUTSIDE OF RUNS. The only exception to the Pre-Run Setup rule is that cheats in categories ex: Bust Out Regular%, Sims 1 Console: MIDAS Enabled% etc. are allowed to be entered before the timer starts, this will still be allowed, but everything else is banned.

The application of fixes for emulators is allowed, however, all FMV’s must be available and left in their default state upon the final submission of the run (ex: The final Cutscene at the end of the Bust Out Career that you are playing as). If FMV’s have been tampered with, the mods of the games reserve the right to ask why they were tampered.

The use of 3rd party tools, other than those required for your run (So your recording software, Your Timer, Your Notes and anything else used for streaming purposes (so StreamLabs Chatbot, VLC, SMG Now Playing)) are not allowed for usage during runs. If any attempts to pass runs using these 3rd party tools, will result in a ban from the leaderboards for that game.

If you are using GBA or NDS emulators only, in any of The Sims Series Games the following applies to you:

Capture Rules: You must capture the full Emulator Window including the Window Border when submitting your video

As we are still relatively new to this and some things will require clarification, we ask that you talk to your relevant leaderboard mod before you start your run over on our community discord, https://discordapp.com/invite/967rn3j

Happy Simming:

• The Sims Speedrunning Community Moderators

[Addendum 10th September 2020:]

Rules regarding Netplay/Multiplayer:

While most communities offer a Multiplayer Experience for our games, we of course, have decided that the use of Netplay is allowed. Do not worry, Local Gameplay with both players in the same room is and always will be approved.

The only EMU that will be allowed is Dolphin Emulator in this case. You will also need to ensure:

You use the exact same ISO File You use the exact same EMU Version (ex: Dolphin 5.0 or Dolphin 5.0-12901) All Settings are synced between host (player 1) and player 2, via the "Strict Settings Sync" option

All the rules also detailed in the post above this will also apply and need to be followed.

In this case as well, both POVs need to be recorded and submitted together for a run to be approved on the boards. NOTE: It is still only 1 submission but you add Player 2's Perspective to the description of the run.

Therefore, the following categories are now brought into line with this change:

Urbz Sims in the City: Any% (2 Player) and 200% Game Completion (2 Player)

If any other game is affected, please message me seperately on Speedrun.com or make a forum post to your games particular board. Also if you require additional clarification, we ask that you talk to your relevant leaderboard mod before you start your run over on our community discord, https://discordapp.com/invite/967rn3j

Happy Simming:

• The Sims Speedrunning Community Moderators