Philosophical Simblr

Part 0.2: Nomenclature Basics

When entering into any new hobby or endeavor, you can be overwhelmed by the amount of terminology you need to learn. Every group develops their own kind of shorthand; here’s a cheatsheet for the Sims 4. 

Basics

These are terms about the game players will run into in and out of the game, especially when downloading content or troubleshooting.

Base Game (aka BG)

The Sims 4 is the base game, it is required for everything else. It is the foundation for the entire experience that is The Sims. It is the fourth in a series of games that began with The Sims in 2000. It is regularly referred to as BG. If something is “BG compatible” that means you only need the base game, no additional content, for it to work.

Expansion Pack (EP##)

An Expansion Pack is a major addition to the BG. Usually, it includes additional skills, careers, locations, and stuff, as well as often overhauling or adding one particular function or aspect to the game around the Pack’s theme.

Game Pack (GP##)

A Game Pack is a medium expansion to the BG. It usually includes changes to a smaller subsection of the game.

Stuff Pack (SP##)

A Stuff Pack is a small expansion to the BG. Usually it is composed mostly of items for use in the game. It adds little additional gameplay, usually focusing on a single object with new interactions.

CAS

This is the Create a Household wizard a player enters to start a new game, or whenever they navigate to it after that. If you’ve never played a Sims game before, you’re probably wondering why it’s not called “Create a Household” in the community like it is in the game. It’s a legacy thing. Many Simmers have played since the beginning, and it used to be called Create-A-Sim in game and CAS stuck. Honestly, I didn’t even realize they had changed it until I went to write this.

Build/Buy Mode

This is the game state where a player creates a location, such as a house. It’s sometimes separated out into Build Mode and Buy Mode. Build mode is the top tab, navigated by clicking on parts of a room/house. Buy mode is represented by a chair and can be navigated from a dropdown menu. Again, this is a legacy thing, the distinction used to be a lot more obvious.

Live Mode

Beginner’s Guide to Sims 4

Part 0.1: General Game Resources

One of the best things about the Sims 4 is the community. I literally know no one else in real life that plays Sims, but that’s ok because I know I can figure out whatever from the online community. 

Carl’s Sims 4 Guide is a must-bookmark. Even if you’re an expert. Why try keeping all of that stuff in your brain when it’s readily available on the internet? 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

For me, one of the areas in Sims 4 that is seriously lacking is the kitchen, especially the appliances. That’s how I discovered LittleDica on MTS. He definitely makes the best kitchen stuff, but he does other cool stuff too. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

You don’t HAVE to mod the Sims 4, but it’s WAY better if you do. Here is one of my favorite modders and/or custom content creators. 

Intro