There aren't many people who don't play the Sims and most dedicated fans will tell you that you're missing out if you don't. These games aren't just about playing with simulated human beings and have much more to offer a gamer, but the trick is knowing the ins and outs of the game at hand. This might mean being aware of specific cheat codes (not that you need to use them) in order to reach a goal or knowing how to choose attributes to fit your desired outcome. It's a game of free will as well as know-how and that's what makes it a blast to play.
Whether you're a casual Sims gamer or someone who spends hours at a time creating the perfect family, environment, and career, it's worth knowing all the little tricks that can help you along the way. Especially when taking on the Sims 4, which is expansive, offers vast exploration, and packs in more options than you could go through in a full day of gaming. Luckily, you've come to the right place to seek those tips out.
By the end of this article, you'll know all the basics of how to make your Sims experience much more efficient. If you didn't learn anything new with this little checklist, then go ahead and declare yourself a master of the simulated world. Here are 25 lesser-known tricks and tips to helping you achieve all the success you need in life... As far as The Sims 4 goes, that is.
25 The Ultimate Cheat Access: Control + Shift + C
Any gamer who has been around the Sims long enough knows that this is the ultimate in cheat code memorization. While the list of complete codes to follow this command is far too long to include here, it's easy enough to find online via any gaming site.
Let's just say you'll have access to anything from millionaire status to a completely reformed sim in two seconds or less.
It's a worthy cheat to know in the event that you find yourself in a jam—Just consider that extra money to be a friendly loan that you don't need to return.
24 Traits Are Important To Gameplay
While it's not necessary to know every aspect of the game thoroughly, it will help you to enjoy your gaming experience if you're well aware of the traits your sim is gaining before you hit the "save" button. Some traits will make your sim's life harder while others actually encourage good moods more often. Of those good traits are "active," "ambitious," "self-assured," and "romantic." The great thing about the Sims 4 is the ability to fully customize your sim as far as their personality goes so it's never an issue throwing one or two of these in for good measure.
23 Don't Let A Good Mood Go To Waste
It might be easy to relax for a minute or two while your sim does whatever they choose with their good mood (after all, it's hard work controlling someone else's life), but this is where you should be paying the most attention. If your sim finds themselves in an outstanding mood, that's something to take advantage of. Use this to gain extra skill points or raise confidence levels, because not only will this continuously boost their mood, but you'll have an easier time leveling up in other game areas, too.
22 Clicking On Needs
Yet another beautiful thing about the Sims 4 is the ease of gameplay. While the camera angles were left a bit wonky, everything else in the game runs smoothly. One way gameplay has been simplified is by enabling the "needs" bar levels to be interactive; by simply clicking on a low "need," your sim will likely address the issue themselves. You won't need to lift a finger or scroll all over the house just trying to get them to use the bathroom. It's easy, simplified, and cuts down on useless scrolling.
21 Whims Aren't Just A Suggestion
This is where the Sims acts like more of a legitimate game. Whims are the key factors in gaining satisfaction points, which will allow you to purchase potions. These potions can help your sims in various ways but the means of getting there is by simply paying attention.
When whims (thought bubbles) appear above your sims heads, that's a prompt.
if you're paying attention and respond to them, you'll be adequately rewarded. Think of your sims as a Tamagotchi, the more personal needs addressed, the more points you get in return.
20 Sims 4 And Sims 3 Can't Be Linked, But...
While the Sims 2 and Sims 3 may have had some cross-compatibility, the Sims 4 is a completely different compatibility altogether. You can look forward to starting a whole new game when it comes to this version and it's likely that you won't even think of your old sim family. This problem was remedied when creating the Sims 4, though, because there is a way to save all of your game data in order to transfer it between systems... We'll get to that a bit later.
19 Build Mode Hotkeys Make Everything Easier
The Sims 4 game can be pretty crazy at first, especially if you went from playing the second game to the fourth as I did. The use of implemented hotkeys makes building much easier and will prevent you from clicking around the screen and wasting time looking for that one build button. It can make build mode run much smoother and before you know it, you'll have constructed a house in half the time it would have taken you prior.
18 Avoid Auto-Placement
Yet another nuance of the latest edition of the game is the use of auto-placement. This allows the game to place things for you such as windows, as determined by the artificial intelligence of the software.
This can easily lead to more frustration than help because you obviously know better than a computer where windows should be placed.
If you've been playing long, you also know that a well-placed window can drastically improve a room's light, adding to the overall mood of your sims.
17 Let's Talk Pools
Yet another fun addition of the Sims 4 was the increased detail as far as build mode goes for pool construction. Adding a foundation to a pool can help to lift it and give that luxury feel while constructing a pool on the second floor (yes, it can be done!) can easily turn your home into party central. By adding windows and some mood lighting, you can have a centerpiece that also doubles as a personal work of art. It takes a bit of patience to get right but isn't nearly as frustrating as it was in previous games.
16 Changing Camera Angles Can Really Help
You likely either hate the new camera angles in the Sims 4 or are fairly nonchalant toward it. Regardless, it is possible to revert these angles back to the same ones that were used in the Sims 3. This can easily be changed in the settings, someplace not many people (myself included) think to check before playing the game. If you don't mind the camera angles then ignore this tip but if you do, this can be an in-game blessing for smoother gameplay.
15 Recycle For Extra Cash
This small tidbit is one that I happened to figure out accidentally. It's not all that hard to figure out; simply select the correct trash can from the purchase menu. All Sims fans are well aware that the higher quality products you purchase, the more useful they'll be toward your overall gameplay. Something such as a trash can might seem insignificant until you start racking up $10 each time your sim eats. It's the NanoTouch Trashless Trash Can... You're welcome.
14 The Secret Cow Seed
A cool option for this game is the famous Cow Seed. It sounds completely outrageous but it's actually pretty neat as far as game bonuses go.
Fun fact: The official sim-created scientific name for this plant is the "Laganaphyllis simnovorii".
It's basically a cow on a vine and while slightly creepy, it's a blast to take care of since it can be milked and fed and will occasionally reward its owner with some unusual things. It's a perk of following the specific set of guidelines in order to obtain this crazy plant and will look super cool on your front lawn.
13 Aspirations Can Be Changed
Remember what I said about the Sims 4 being almost fully customizable? The ability to change aspirations mid-game is one of those customization tools. This allows the gamer to change a sim's aspirations at will in order to explore something new and change things up every once in a while. Therefore, when creating your sim, there's no need to stress because you can always alter this much later on if need be. If nothing else, it'll give you a chance to explore other career paths within the span of one sim life.
12 The Book Of Life Is A Must
In order to even gain this book in your inventory, your sim must have the writer aspiration and become a "bestselling author"—the highest rung on your career ladder. After completing this, you can then bind the Book of Life to a sim, enabling them to fill all of their "needs" just by reading the book. Additionally, as is implied by the title, this book can bring a sim back to life as well, making it a vital (no pun intended) part of any adventurous Sims gamer.
11 Bathrooms Hold The Key To All Emotion Stats
Interestingly enough, the bathroom is a great place to be when it comes to sims. You can address a variety of "moods" via the shower, toilet, sink, or even vanity mirror. The first two, bladder control hygiene, are obvious with use of the toilet and shower. Depending on the temperature of the shower, your sim can become happy, flirty, playful, or energized. Encouraging your sim to brush their teeth or practice speaking will boost their confidence with the use of a bathroom mirror.
10 Moods Affect Cooking
The one thing that the Sims 4 totally nailed was its realistic standpoint. Just as your mood will likely affect how you cook in real life, you can count on this to be the same case in the game, too. If your sim is feeling playful, you can expect their meal to be carried out with the same intonation as how they're feeling. This can lead to some fun and unexpected twists on normal dishes and can really help their cooking skills. Alternatively, you want to avoid having your sim cook while in a bad mood—It's a great way to burn a pan.
9 Painting Reflects The Attitude Of Your Sim
Unlike cooking, painting can result in true art depending on your sim's current mood. If you can get them to paint while they're feeling down, their painting will reflect their low mood. Alternately, a happy sim will produce something vibrant with bright colors and a happy theme. This is a great way to provide some variation to your sim's artwork and allow them to express themselves while sneakily gaining creativity points. Fun fact: If you hang these paintings on the wall and click on them, the sims closest to it will suddenly feel that mood.
8 Take Advantage Of Multi-Tasking
Unlike the older Sims games, multi-tasking was a bit of a hassle and quite hit or miss when it came to accomplishing two things at once. You could force your sim to eat while watching TV if you eliminated the table, but then they'd emote about the missing table. In the Sims 4, this task is much more easily completed by stacking commands. It's a much smarter game overall and its realism makes gameplay much easier than the previous games in this sense.
7 Don't Stress Over A Full Bladder
We've all been there—You forget it's a Tuesday and that your sim has work an hour after they wake up. Suddenly, you're stacking commands like it's Jenga and hoping that your sim won't get fired because they're taking a three-hour long shower.
In addition to eating so that your sim isn't hangry by the time they get home, you might worry that they'll pee their pants while at work, too...
Don't. Remember the realism? You'll notice the "needs" bars fluctuating while they're out of the house, meaning the AI takes over and will naturally empty a full bladder.
6 Boosting Friendships Help Sims To Thrive
Most people already know this but it's just a little nod of a reminder. Friendships can help sims in more ways than by just boosting their "social" need bar. Social interactions can boost fun as well, which is often the most challenging if you don't have any activities in the house that your sim enjoys. A TV is another great way to encourage this but loses its novelty quickly. Additionally, you can raise things such as your romance aspiration, bringing you one step closer to a promotion.