The Sims 4 Gameplay Rules ~ Pleasant Sims Style

I have tried for many years to make The Sims 4 work for my specific gameplay style. Although it’s not perfect (and I require a lot of mods), I have finally created a system that I find enjoyable when I need a break from The Sims 2.

These are the rules and guidelines I use while I play. They are a constant work in progress, and I will add/remove/update as things change. The next update will include more in-depth rules for careers/university, so check back soon!

LAST UPDATE: 11/12/2020 (Added Careers and University rules.)

I also use a variety of mods to help me achieve this play style. You can see my recommended mods list here. 

Table of Contents

• Expansions & Stuff Packs
• General Playstyle
• Aging
• Aspirations
  • Child Aspirations
• Careers
  • Freelancers
  • Self-Employment
• Clubs
  • Age-Based Clubs
  • Hobby Clubs
• Death & Funerals
  • Cemetery
•  Finances
  • Bills & Banking
  • Salaries
• Gender Preference
• Hobbies
• Parenting
• Pregnancy
  • Abortion
  • Birth Control
  • Fertility Treatments
• Rotations
• Seasons & Holidays
• Traits
• University
  • Moving
  • Degrees
  • Term Length
  • Whims-Based Gameplay

Expansions & Stuff Packs

Although I own all of the expansion, game, and stuff packs (except Journey to Disney), I only play with the following enabled:

Expansions:

• Get Together
• Get to Work
• Cats & Dogs
• City Living
• Discover University
• Seasons

Game Packs:

• Dine Out
• Jungle Adventure
• Outdoor Retreat
• Parenthood
• Spa Day

I play with ALL the stuff packs.

I do not play with occults (besides aliens) in my personal game, and I resent anything that gets in the way of my generational neighborhood- and family-based gameplay. I like some of the stuff in Eco Living, but I hate the NAPs. Until someone makes a mod to completely disable them, I will play without it.

I also dislike the Get Famous celebrity system. Until (or if) there are mods that allow the level of customization for celebs that I had in The Sims 3, I will play without it.

General (Wants-Based) Play Style

I play using a wants-based (or I guess in The Sims 4 we could call it whims-based) style. This means I don’t force my Sims to do things like work on their careers, build skills, or pursue relationships. They must “want” to do these things by getting a whim for them or doing them autonomously. 

I let my Sims fail, and many will not rise to the top of their careers or achieve their lifetime aspiration – just like in the real world. I only direct my Sims to do things that they have a whim for or to take care of their basic needs and keep them alive. Otherwise, whatever happens in their lives is totally up to them. 

Aging

In game options, I make the following changes to aging:

• Auto-Age (Played Sims) – YES
• Auto-Age (Unplayed Sims) – YES
• Sim Lifespan – Normal

I play with a long age span where 28 Sim days = 1 year of real life. I use MCCC to set the age span duration for each life stage as follows:

• Baby: 56 days (0 – 2 years)
• Toddler: 84 days (2 – 5 years)
• Child: 224 days (5 – 13 years)
• Teen: 196 days (13 – 20 years)
• YA: 420 days (20 – 35 years)
• Adult: 700 days (35 – 60 years)
• Elder: 420 days (60 – 75 years)

Aspirations

I choose aspirations based on traits (see table below). Here are the rules I use as a guideline:

• If a Sim has more than one defining trait, I roll randomly to determine the aspiration.
• If a Sim has a trait that corresponds with multiple aspirations, I roll randomly to determine the aspiration.
• If a Sim has NO defining traits, I roll randomly from all available aspirations.
• If a Sim has two defining traits for the same aspiration, they always get that aspiration. For example, a Sim with both Creative and Perfectionist traits will always become a Painter Extraordinaire. I don’t roll for other creative aspirations because this is the best match.

Child Aspirations

All children in my game get the Grow Up Aspiration (get the mod here). This aspiration works similarly to the Grow Up Lifetime Want from The Sims 2. It determines if they grow up well or not.

Careers

I have my Sims join a career in three instances:

1. Upon aging up to a Young Adult if they do not go to University.
2. Upon dropping out of University and moving back home.
3. They roll the whim to start a new career and are currently unemployed.

Since Sims do not get whims for specific careers, I use their aspirations and traits to decide which career they’ll take. Aspirations are given priority.

• If Sims have an aspiration or traits that corresponds to more than one career, I roll to decide. If Sims have no aspiration or traits that correspond to a career, I give them a career that matches their University degree. If they have no degree, I roll a random choice from all the available careers.
• If Sims have aspirations and/or traits that correspond with a regular career AND a freelancer or self-employed career, I roll to decide which one they’ll take. Sims who sell goods as part of their self-employed careers typically own their own businesses when they can afford it.

Freelancers

Sims with the following aspirations may become freelancers:

Self-Employment

I allow my more enterprising Sims to become self-employed by registering with the Ministry of Labor. Sims with the following aspirations may become self-employed.

Clubs

Clubs are world-based, meaning each world (Willow Creek, Oasis Springs, etc.) has their own version of each club, with only residents of that world as members.

Only playable Sims join clubs. Townies cannot join, and Sims with the loner trait also never join clubs. I set all clubs to open invitation to make adding Sims easier.

Age-Based Clubs

Each of my worlds has three clubs from the start – Kids, Teens, and Singles. All my playable Sims join the appropriate club based on age.

Kids Club

All the children in a world are in a club together. This way, they can start getting to know each other as young as possible. When a child ages up to a teen, they move to the teens club.

Club requirements:

• Age: Child

Club activities:

• Do homework
• Be friendly with Kids Club
• Play with toys
• Watch TV
• Play on playground equipment

Teens Club

All the teens in a world are in a club together. They continue getting to know each other as they grow up.

Club requirements:

• Age: Teen

Club activities:

• Be friendly with Teens Club
• Be funny with Teens Club
• Do homework
• Watch TV
• Listen to music

Singles Club

When a teen ages to a young adult, they join the singles club. This is a club for young adults to spend time together and date. Meeting place is the local nightclub.

Club requirements:

• Age: Young Adult
• Marital Status: Not married

Club activities:

• Be friendly with Singles Club members
• Be funny with Singles Club members
• Be romantic with Singles Club members
• Dance
• Drink bar drinks

Once a Sim gets married, they are removed from the Singles Club and are no longer eligible for an age-based club.

Hobby Clubs

I also create hobby clubs so Sims can make friends with other Sims who have similar interests.

All my playable Sims join ONE club (other than the Singles Club) upon aging to a young adult. I use clubs with my hobby system (see below). This means Sims will join the club that corresponds to their individual hobby.  

Death & Funerals

I use the Mortem mod to make death and funerals seem more realistic. With this mod, Sims don’t just disappear when they die. No grim reaper shows up. Instead, a Medical Examiner comes to take the body away.

After a few days, the Medical Examiner Calls back with the results of the examination. Then I call the funeral home, choosing “burial” instead of cremation. And finally, I schedule a memorial service for as soon as possible at the family’s home (add event on the calendar).

Cemetery

After a family has a memorial service for a deceased Sim, I take the tombstone to the local cemetery, where the Sim is laid to rest for good. Family members may go and visit their dead loved ones at any time. I set the lot trait for the cemetery as “haunted.”

Finances

The Sims 4 has come a long way when it comes to managing bills and finances. Over the years, some amazing mods have been released that allow a very realistic and fun playing experience. This is how I handle my finances.

Bills & Banking

Every Sim – upon aging up to a young adult – opens a bank account of their own. Sims deposit at least 50 percent of their career income via direct deposit into their bank accounts. I use the SNB mod to manage bank accounts and the SNB Bills mod to manage bills.

Sims who live together and are unrelated deposit 100% into their bank accounts and divide the bill payments accordingly. When Bills are due, each Sim in the house contributes their portion by transferring money from their bank accounts to the household funds.

With the SNB Bills mod, Sims pay a deposit to setup utilities, cable, internet, and phone upon moving into a lot or the first time you play a lot. Poor Sims may forgo signing up for cable and internet if funds are tight, but everyone must have at least water, power, and phone service.

Salaries

For more of a challenge (and because I find it more realistic) I use this mod to reduce the career salaries in the game by 50%. It also reduces the bonuses for promotions.

I feel like Sims are overpaid big-time in The Sims 4 (and in all the other Sims games too). I always try to reduce their salaries to something a bit more realistic.

Gender Preference

When Sims age up to teens, I randomize their gender preference using the following guideline:

• 20 percent chance that a Sim will be gay
• 10 percent chance that a Sim will be bisexual

I go to random.org and roll a number between 1 – 100. If the number is 20 or below, the Sim becomes gay. If the number is 21 or above, I roll again to see if they are bisexual. If the second roll is 10 or below, the Sim is bi. If the second roll is 11 or above, the Sim is straight. I use Wonderful Whims to set their gender preference. 

This is a little higher than the percentage of LGBT people in real life. That’s because I play with a much smaller population in The Sims and I want some gay/lesbian couples in my game. This percentage seems to work for me and I usually end up with at least one gay couple in a generation.

If a Sim rolls as gay in their generation but no other Sims do, I will choose the Sim they are closest to of the same sex and also make them gay. If there is no obvious partner for the Sim among the playables (everyone is taken or they have no close friends, etc.), I allow them to choose the townie they like best. 

Hobbies

I’ve created my own hobby and sub-hobby system based on the one I use for Sims 2 – but tailored for The Sims 4 of course.

When choosing, aspiration is the priority. If a Sim has an aspiration that corresponds to a hobby, this will be their main hobby. Traits are given second priority. If a Sim does not have a corresponding aspiration or trait, I roll randomly to choose their hobby.

Sims spend their extra time working on their hobbies, join hobby clubs, and focus on these activities when they want or need to have fun.

Parenting

When a child or teen asks for advice or parents get a call from the school, I roll a number between 1 – 100. If the number is 50 or lower, I choose the first option. If the number is 51 or over, I choose the second option. It’s always a gamble how these situations impact my Sims.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts 21 days in my game, which is equal to nine real life months using my time system. 

I use Wonderful Whims to manage fertility and menstrual cycles of my Sims. If they have unprotected woohoo (or TFB) and show signs of pregnancy like vomiting, I have them take a pregnancy test.

I also use Woohoo Wellness to define a Sim’s preference for children. Some Sims want children and others don’t. Their reactions to pregnancy are determined by this preference. I allow the mod to auto-assign pregnancy preferences for most Sims. The exceptions are family-oriented Sims (always want a pregnancy) and hates children (never want a pregnancy).

Abortion

I allow my Sims to get an abortion (through Woohoo Wellness) if they have an unwanted pregnancy and the partner Sim also does not want a child. (Yes, I know it’s the female’s body and her choice, but this is a game so don’t get so offended.) I have the pregnant Sim ask her partner if he wants children. If he does NOT, then they get an abortion. If he DOES or is on the fence, they keep the baby.

Birth Control

I use Wonderful Whims for Birth Control. If a Sim’s auto preference from Woohoo Wellness is to NOT have children, I put that Sim on birth control (female) or buy condoms (male). This decreases the chances of a pregnancy if one Sim wants a child and the other doesn’t, but I leave it up to the individual. Sims who are unsure about having a child do not get birth control.

Fertility Treatments

I allow my Sims to get a fertility treatment if they have tried for baby three times without getting pregnant. Fertility treatments cost $950 and are available through the Wonderful Whims menu on the phone.

Rotations

I play my families rotationally but not in any specific order and not for any specified length of time. I jump around to whichever family I feel like playing or that I need to play for the story. 

However, each household living in my world is considered a “played” household. Because all of my Sims age at the same time (and have a really long life span), I typically play each family several times before they pass away.

I prioritize families with a baby due or when there are important birthdays I don’t want to miss (similarly to how I play The Sims 3). I use MCCC to pause labor for playable families and then I switch to them when I’m notified for the birth. As for birthdays, I keep up with them manually and try not to miss a Sim aging to child, teen, or young adult so I can choose their traits. 

Seasons & Holidays

My seasons last seven days each, and my Sims celebrate the following five holidays:

• Spring Equinox
  • An Easter-like holiday in celebration of Spring.
  • Decoration theme is Spring.
  • Celebrated on Thursday in Spring.
  • Traditions include egg hunt, flower bunny, gardening, and give flowers.
• Summer Solstice
  • A celebration of summer.
  • Decoration theme is None.
  • Celebrated on Thursday of Summer.
  • Traditions include bar-b-que, drinking, fire, fireworks, and party spirit.
• Autumn Equinox
  • A Halloween-like holiday and celebration of Fall.
  • Decoration theme is Spooky.
  • Celebrated on Thursday of Autumn.
  • Traditions include mischief spirit, remembrance, spooky spirit, trick or treat, and wear costumes.
• Harvest Fest
  • A Thanksgiving-like holiday
  • Decoration theme is Harvestfest.
  • Celebrated on Sunday of Fall.
  • Traditions include baking, drinking, grand meal, sports TV, thankful spirit.
• Winter Solstice
  • A Christmas-like holiday in celebration of winter.
  • Decoration theme is Winterfest.
  • Celebrated on Thursday of Winter.
  • Traditions include attend holiday ceremony, father winter, festive spirit, invite guests, and open presents.

Sims always get the day off work and school for holidays.

Traits

My Sims inherit one trait from their mother, one trait from their father, and one random trait of their own. I roll a number between 1 – 3 to choose the trait for each life stage.

• Child – Inherits Trait from Father
• Teen – Inherits Trait from Mother
• Young Adult – Random Trait

If the trait I roll for (from the parents) is not available at the Sim’s age, I re-roll until I get one that does.

University

When a teen Sim ages to a young adult, I decide if they’ll go to University. Sims with the following aspirations ALWAYS go to college:

• Fortune
• Knowledge

For all other aspirations, Sims have a 50/50 chance of going to University. I roll a number between 1 -100. If the number is 50 or lower, the Sim goes to University. If the number is 51 or above, they don’t.

Sims who go to University upon aging up move to Britechester and live in the dorms. They must take out student loans if their family cannot afford tuition after exhausting any scholarships.

Sims who do not go to University upon aging up, get a regular career or start working on their non-traditional occupation (see Careers section) immediately.

I use the degree required for promotion mod, so it’s sometimes necessary for Sims to get a University degree if they want to advance in their career. If a Sim with no degree rolls the want to get a promotion in a career that requires a degree, they may enroll in University. These Sims will attend part-time and live at home while they keep working. This can be very difficult, especially if a Sim has a family – which I find to be very realistic.

Moving

When it’s time for a YA Sim to go to University upon age up, I check the ages of all teen Sims in the world. Any teens who will age up within 16 days are aged up early and must apply for University and scholarships immediately. I keep note of how many days they had remaining before I age them up.

Once all the young adults have been accepted to a University, I have them enroll in their degree programs (see below for choosing a degree) and move into the dorms. All Sims who attend the same University live in the same dorms.

If I end up with Sims in both universities, I switch back and forth between them, playing one day at a time in each household until graduation. If all Sims are in the same University, I play the household the entire time until graduation.

Degrees

If the Sim has an aspiration or trait that corresponds to a certain career path (see Careers section above), they enroll in the degree program that works best for that career.

If the Sim does not have an aspiration or trait that aligns them with a specific career, I roll a number between 1 – 13 to choose a random degree:

1. Art History
2. Biology
3. Communications
4. Computer Science
5. Culinary Arts
6. Drama
7. Economics
8. Fine Art
9. History
10. Language & Literature
11. Physics
12. Psychology
13. Villainy

Sims may choose a distinguished degree if they were accepted for one.

Term Length

I use the shorter University degrees mod (8 credit version) so my Sims only need eight classes to graduate. This takes two weeks if the Sims pass every semester.

Whims-Based Gameplay

My Sims can fail out of University if they don’t study and do their work. I play whims-based, which means my Sims only do coursework if they roll a whim or do it autonomously. Because of the limitations of whims, there are some exceptions.

When Sims roll a want to study or do homework, I have them choose the class that starts the soonest. There are no whims for presentations or term papers, so I make my Sims work on these whenever they have free time. Free time is any time that they aren’t taking care of needs or doing other University work that they’ve rolled whims for.

If a Sim fails out of University while living in the dorm, they must move back in with their parents and start working. They may only enroll in University again if they roll the whim to get a promotion in a degree-requiring job. Then, they must live at home and attend part-time. They only get one chance at dorm-life.

If a Sim who was working and attending University part-time fails out, they may enroll again if they roll the whim to get a promotion again.