Getting started in The Sims 4 can be quite a bit to handle at first. You have to create your Sim, build their house, and then figure out the ins and outs of relationships, careers, finances, and daily life. However, once you get the hang of things, you’ll discover that the charm of The Sims 4 lies in the endless possibilities it offers. Whether you’re new to EA’s iconic life simulation franchise or a seasoned player from previous editions, you’ll notice that The Sims 4 introduces a fresh approach, packed with features right from the start.
To help you kick things off, we’ve put together some starting tips and tricks. If you want to speed things up, check out our guide on cheats for The Sims 4. For everything else in those initial phases of gameplay—like preferences and building relationships—here’s a straightforward way to dive into The Sims 4.
Create Your Sim
Your first step is to use the Create-a-Sim (CAS) feature, where you can design your household. The game starts with a random Sim, but you can keep that Sim or create a new one to better match your vision.
In the menu at the top left, you’ll select your Sim’s name, gender, age, body type, and even their voice pitch. If you’re creating multiple Sims, you can assign relationships between them too.
In The Sims 4, you have the option to decide if a Sim can become pregnant or father a child, which we’ll cover in more detail later. You can also define your Sim’s interests and life goals, along with choosing outfits for different occasions, such as everyday wear, formal attire, athletic gear, sleepwear, and party clothes.
Design Your Home
Next, head to Manage Worlds to choose a lot for your household. You can opt for prebuilt homes, either furnished or unfurnished, or move into an active household. If you buy an empty lot, you’ll enter Build mode to construct everything from walls and doors to roofs.
After that, it’s time to decorate the inside. It’s essential to learn how to rotate furniture in The Sims 4. Use the Build/Buy mode to pick everything from tables and chairs to beds and appliances. You can even use the Gallery to find ready-made rooms or homes.
You can modify the landscape around your lot too. In The Sims 4, you have the ability to create ponds or plant trees and flowers to your liking. For those feeling adventurous, you can use the debug cheat code to unlock extra items or the free build cheat to escape the typical grid layout.
Focus on Your Sims’ Moods
As you begin your journey in The Sims, you’ll start off in a tutorial home with a roommate. This setting teaches you how to manage your Sim’s needs and boost their mood. Jumping right in? Don’t worry; you’ll catch on quickly. If your Sim feels sad, angry, dirty, or hungry, they can become difficult to manage, and things could go very wrong.
Just like in real life, it’s important to address their moods properly: are they hungry? Let them eat! Feeling tired? Time to sleep! Bored? They can watch TV or play a game. Lacking social interaction? Have them call a friend. You can monitor all of this through the Sims’ interface menu—the better you care for them, the smoother the game will be.
Get a Job
Finding a job in The Sims 4 isn’t mandatory, but it gives your Sim purpose and allows you to earn Simoleons. You can get a job through your phone, a computer, or by using the Career Panel at the bottom right of the screen. A window will pop up showing the various careers available. For guidance on boosting your income, check our tips for making money in The Sims 4.
Every career path requires you to improve specific skills, complete daily tasks, and build friendships. For instance, if you opt for a Business career, you’ll need to handle reports as part of your daily activities to progress. If you’d rather skip the grind, there are cheats available to level up skills quickly.
Spend Time Making Friends
In The Sims 4, it’s your choice whether your Sim makes friends or leads a solitary life. Making friends can be helpful, especially if your job requires networking. Unfortunately, multiplayer mode isn’t supported in The Sims 4 yet, though some mods may offer that feature.
If you do decide to build friendships, you can do so by visiting community spots, meeting Sims nearby, or forming bonds with other household members. Keep in mind, just like in real life, if you neglect friendships, they can fade away. If you’re pressed for time, you can always use cheats to boost relationships without all the hassle.
Start a Family
If you wish to start a family, it’s quite easy. Once two Sims develop a loving bond, you can have them WooHoo and attempt to conceive a child, or you can adopt a child of any age through your phone by selecting “Hire a Service” and then “Adopt a Child.”
Raising a family takes a lot of effort because you’ll have to manage multiple Sims’ needs, especially since little ones can’t take care of themselves. Keeping up with everything can be tough, especially since an older Sim may need to take care of the toddler. There are useful tips for aging up toddlers in The Sims 4 to make transitions between life stages smoother.
Earn Some Simoleons
As you immerse yourself in the game, you’ll quickly discover that Simoleons are essential for turning your dreams into reality. Some players thrive on the challenge of earning and budgeting carefully, while others may prefer to follow our tips on earning more money in The Sims 4.
You can use popular cheat codes, such as the notorious “motherlode,” or explore hobbies like gardening, painting, or writing, which provide solid returns. No matter how you choose to make Simoleons, you’ll undoubtedly find ways to spend them—whether on bills, food, or new furniture.
Get Expansion Packs
While The Sims 4 base game is packed with content, EA frequently releases new expansion packs (as well as smaller game packs). With nearly 20 packs available—like City Living, Cats & Dogs, and Discover University—there’s plenty to explore.
Once you know what aspects of gameplay interest you most, it’ll be easier to determine which expansion packs will enhance your experience in The Sims 4.
Try Out Some Cheats
Cheating in The Sims 4 can be an enjoyable and efficient way to reach your goals. Although using cheats is not officially part of the game, the console feature allows you to input cheat codes for a reason. If you prefer to avoid cheats, that’s completely up to you. However, if you’re curious, there’s a multitude of cheats to experiment with!
Learn About Mods
Finally, exploring the best mods for The Sims 4 can elevate your gaming experience. Just be cautious when choosing which mods to install, and always save your game beforehand. There are numerous mods you can use, ranging from realistic childbirth to immortality to… mischievous toddlers. Mods can truly broaden the game’s world, but if you’re satisfied with what you have, simply enjoy your gaming experience!
Interested in sandbox gameplay? Check out 10 games like The Sims 4 to explore.