Welcome to the Quick Start Guide!

Hello, I'm Jeremy. Welcome to nio2so.

By the way, thank you for trying nio2so! Please explore the rest GitHub and Wiki for more information on what this project is: https://github.com/JDrocks450/nio2so/

Installation Instructions:

BEFORE DOING ANYTHING

Install .NET 9.0 runtime or later. https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/9.0/runtime

Prework

1. EDIT YOUR HOSTS FILE:

It should look like this:

127.0.0.1 www.ea.com       # AuthLogin for TSO
127.0.0.1 xo.max.ad.ea.com # The Sims Online: Pre-Alpha
127.0.0.1 tsocs.tso.ea.com # The Sims Online

Please ensure accuracy. The Sims Online: Pre-Alpha hardcodes the address xo.max.ad.ea.com to its executable.

2. INSTALL THE SIMS ONLINE: PRE-ALPHA

You should install The Sims Online: Pre-Alpha. Check Archive.org.

3. DUPLICATE THE INSTALLATION DIRECTORY

You should duplicate the installation of TSO:Pre-Alpha two times:

• (1) One for the "Server" TSOClient.exe -- this will host the lot.

• (2+) However many clients (visitors) TSOClient.exe(s) you want to have open at a given time. Don't use the same client over multiple instances. This will cause problems over fighting for resources (files are saved to UserData which can be locked or overwritten using the same directory)

4. REPLACE TSOCLIENT.EXE WITH PATCHED VERSIONS

To make a patched TSOClient to host a server, or be a Client, first copy the TSOClient.exe and back it up. Use HxD to patch the application, I cannot distribute pre-patched ones for you.

FILE OFFSET 0x1856 is the value in the .data section of the application storing the client type: Change it to: 0x01 for HouseSimServer or 0x02 for TSOClient

For the Server, set the byte above to 0x01, save and use that to host your lot server.

For the Client(s) (visitors), replace TSOClient.exe with the patch byte being 0x02, like above.

Again, Back up your installation *.exe(s) just in case !

Please note: The Patched Server has ONE BYTE changed to designate it as a room Host when you LOAD INTO A LOT THIS AVATAR OWNS (AND IS OFFLINE) (OR PRESS JOIN HOUSE IN SELECT A SIM).

Do NOT use the same client to both Host and Join. Copy the ENTIRE installation directory for Server patch, and Client patch. As in, you should have ONE installation solely for Client, and one for Server. Failing to do this, both clients as they are operating will fight over saving/loading the same resources to the UserData folder, causing crashes and hangs. (See above)

5. TRUST THE HTTPS CERTIFICATE

Run the Adjust Certificates script that has been included for you in the release from September 2026 and beyond.

Select option 1 to trust the certificate. Your server WILL NOT work without doing this.

First Run

(a batch file called "run nio2so.bat" has been bundled for you (you're welcome) to run all servers for you with the URLs they are expected at, otherwise you can do this process manually below)

This batch file will set the URLs of your services. Changing the data-service URL will require you to change it with other services using it.

1. START THE DATA SERVICE

Run nio2so.DataService.API.exe

Be prepared for first run to create a settings file for you to customize.

This will serve all of the required data to the other servers in the nio2so system to allow them to function correctly and track/save progress.

...this is required!

2. START THE TSOHTTPS SERVICE

Run nio2so.TSOHTTPS.exe

This will interact with the DATA SERVICE to allow you to login to The Sims Online and see your Avatars in SAS.

TSOHTTPs has appconfig.json that has the APIAddress field in it if you change your data service address to a new one.

3. START THE VOLTRON SERVICE

Run nio2so.TSOTCP.Voltron.Server.exe

This will act as a stand-in for the original Voltron Server over at Maxis and interface directly with the TSOClient(s) over TCP. It will connect to the Data Service to facilitate the online experience.

Voltron has a settings file called nio2so.TSOTCP.Voltron.Server.dll.config containing the APIAddress and VoltronSettingsURL fields for use if you change the URL of your dataservice or move it to a new address.

... and IT SUPPORTS SSL! BUT, you don't need SSL if using Pre-Alpha, only for all later versions. Set the UseSSL property to true in server settings stored in the Data-Service (next step)

4. SETUP YOUR SETTINGS

The Data Service instance should be showing you a message with where to find your settings. Edit this document to your liking and when ready, restart the server. You may need to restart Voltron as well.

Note: If using Visual Studio, there is a configuration called "Cluster" that will run all of these in sequence for your convenience (see readme.md on GitHub)

NORMAL USAGE

(ensure all previously mentioned server components are running)

1. SIGN IN

Refer to your database (accounts.json) for an account to use. You can also set a new username now by simply typing it in. Password is "asdf" -- no it's not required, you could even just hit OK with no password.

2. CAS

You can create a new avatar now as normal. If you already have an Avatar, select it in SAS.

3. CITY

You can buy a new lot, message others, see other owned lots, search for lots/avatars and join online rooms from this screen as normal.

If joining a room, use a visitor (client) TSOClient to actually connect and play. You need to have a Server (host) instance opened and on the lot -- do this first before using a PatchedClient as a visitor! (see next step)

4. HOSTING

Selecting an Avatar who OWNS A LOT ALREADY with a Server TSOClient will automatically load into your lot as a host. Your Host avatar will not appear. Your room is ready for a visitor to join from City View. Visitors can appear and move around. If they are a Roommate, they can build without issue.

Visitors cannot build without being a roommate, and they cannot use cheats, either. The host CAN use cheats however.