As far as the Sims are concerned, it's a neighborhood of refuge. Every playable Sim in this neighborhood possesses an original alien skin. All others are denied refuge. It is understood that NPCs and Townies (with non-alien skins) will crop up as the project unfolds, and it will be OK for intermarriages to occur. However, no non-alien may receive original entrance to Out There. All new residents will have come from another home world, and all will have that other-worldly identification as their last names.

Why are these aliens deemed refugees? Why aren't they still living on their native worlds? We don't have the answers...yet...because you haven't yet provided them! I'm sure there will be many interesting storylines as this neighborhood grows.

Of course, you may use any downloads you find available here, for anything you like, but if you'd like to participate in the actual project, there are four ways: (1) You may create a new alien species; (2) you may create a new alien individual (from one of the new species only); (3) you may create one or more lots (residential, or community); and/or you may play out an alien family, tell us their story, and repackage your lot for others to share.

*** STORIES & REPACKAGED LOTS ***

Download any lots and aliens you like. If you would like to, take pictures and made notes as you go. Make up a little story about why your family is Out There. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Just say something like, "Hunter Reptilian had to leave the planet Reptilacca because he stole the head ruler's silverware and was banished to another planet!" Something like that would be a good lead-in for a Sim who only wants to be a Mastermind Criminal! Then just keep track of what happens as you play.

It's OK for your aliens to marry NPCs or Townies. It's OK for one species to marry it's own kind. It's also OK for one species to marry into another species. The whole purpose of this project is to see what happens with the DNA. What interesting results are we going to have?

When you've reached a point where you think you have a good story (beginning, middle, end, or whatever), stop and repackage the lot and e-mail it to NeighborlySims@flyingacres.com (only to me, this time, because we're talking about using someone else's lot, and though we'll have permission, we don't want the community in general thinking we're stealing lots)--so that it can be downloaded by someone who wants to proceed from where you left off. Then put together a text file with notes about which photos to put where, and send me the text file and the photos in a zipped file, along with the lot. You may either write out the full story, or just leave it in notes form, and I'll do the honors for you. I'll post the stories, pictures, and re-downloadable lots.

Feel free to do this as many times as you like, with any given household, but please don't do it with every baby that's born, or every time a Sim gets a promotion! That's a bit much! Make at least a good, full chapter, with a nice level of significant events in it before you decide to share, please.

Here are some things to watch for as the story develops:

• Did your alien(s) get married?
• If so, tell a little bit about that.
• If not, maybe tell us why.
• Did you take pictures of birthdays and other celebrations?
• Were there any game glitches that made funny things happen?
• Were something surprise you?
• Are there children?
• If so, tell us a little about that.
• Did you add on to the dwelling?

Above all, have fun, fun, fun, and then remember to share with us, even if you DON'T decide to repackage the lot. Or...remember to repackage the lot and send it for others to enjoy, even if you don't feel like writing the story.