What is a .FAR file?
A .FAR file is a special type of computer file used mainly by a video game called The Sims, which lets players simulate life by creating and controlling characters and building homes. Think of a .FAR file like a big box that holds different game pieces The Sims needs to work, such as animations, textures (which are like the skins or surfaces of objects in the game), and objects (like furniture or decorations).
When you play The Sims, the game looks into these .FAR files to get the pieces it needs to show you the game world. It's a bit like how a toy box works: when you want to play, you open the box and take out the toys you need. In the same way, The Sims "opens" these .FAR files to get the game data out.
However, these files are packed up in a way that regular players can't easily see or change what's inside. But, some clever software tools have been made by other people, not the game's creators, that let you open up these .FAR files and peek inside. You can even change what's in them to customize your game. These tools include programs like SE Object Manager, Dragon UnPACKer, and a version of The Sims made by Electronic Arts that lets you manage these files.
Some examples of .FAR files that The Sims uses are Animation.far (which contains animations for characters and objects), Textures.far (which has the surfaces or "skins" for objects and parts of the game world), and Objects.far (which includes various items that can be placed in the game, like furniture).
Besides .FAR files, The Sims also uses another type of file called .IFF for storing object data. This is just another way the game keeps track of all the different pieces it needs to build the game world for you to play in.
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