New Sims 4 Update Adds Basements and Much More!

Sims 4 Painting PortraitThe Sims 4 received a big update today, adding a good amount of cool content to the base game just in time for the Get to Work expansion. Without further ado, let’s get started on our breakdown.

 

World Selection Interface

Sims 4 World Selection

The world selection has a new interface and, despite my apprehension, is an okay addition. While it adds a bit of flair, it also adds an additional screen. The transition time is short, however, and it does look fancy.

 

Building Basements

Another fan request has been fulfilled with the free addition of basements to The Sims 4’s base game. On top of that, the ability to add a fourth floor to lots and pick up the entire lot in Build Mode were also included.

Sims 4 Basement

The Basement Tool is located in Build Mode under the walls and empty rooms category. Basements can go two levels deep, bringing the maximum number of levels on a lot to six. One interesting feature is the ability to delete the ceiling, allowing players to essentially create big holes in the ground. You can even make underground pools.

Sims 4 Move Lot

A welcome addition is the option to move an entire lot. Objects that are out of bounds are highlighted in yellow and will be deleted if placed in that position. No more placing lots from the Gallery, only to find them facing the wrong way and unable to rotate without manual adjustments.

 

New Hairstyles

Sims 4 WooHoo Weekend Hairstyles

The second half of our WooHoo Weekend rewards finally came today in the form of two new hairstyles. Fans were disappointed to only receive the gnome during the last patch, but it was worth the wait. These really exceeded my expectations.

 

New Features & Collectibles

A Notebook feature was added to the cell phone, accessed through a small, easily recognized button at the top of the cell phone menu. It documents what bait was used to catch a fish while fishing, and splicing recipes when gardening.

Sims 4 Painting Photo Reference

A big surprise is the inclusion of the photo reference painting feature. After choosing Paint from Reference (unlocked at level 3) and a size at an easel, a camera interface will appear. This will pause the game, allowing you to adjust the zoom and position of your photo reference.

Sims 4 Easter Objects

The Bunny Egg Hunt event kicks off through the month of April, adding a new Decorated Egg collectible type. You may find them in garbage cans, dig spots, or while searching for frogs. Find all ten and unlock the Bun Bun object in the Buy Catalog! The Mr. Floppy the Gnome and Guardian of the Gnomelaxy objects join the catalog as well.

 

Careers Update

Sims 4 Ask about Career

Non-played Sims will now be assigned careers! Along with that comes the ability to build relationships with your coworkers or classmates while at work or school. Sims can learn each other’s career through the new Ask about Career social interaction. Information regarding their job title, work schedule, and where they work can then be viewed from the relationship panel. Sims at the top of their career will be able to earn additional rewards and promotions, giving players a reason to maintain their Sims’ work performance.

 

The Sims 4 Get to Work Expansion Out March 31st!

We’ve just one week before the big launch of The Sims 4’s first expansion pack on March 31st!
You can check out all our previous coverage for an overview of what to expect in Get to Work.

I’ve got my copy ordered, and we’ll be featuring additional details about all the new careers and fashions following its release.

 

Retail Business Details (The Sims 4: Get To Work)

The Sims 4: Get to Work expansion pack introduces a new neighborhood called Magnolia Promenade, a prime location for setting up retail lots. As a business owner, your Sim can build a store and sell any items from the buy catalog, as well as items they’ve collected or crafted. Sims can run more specialized stores, such as a boutique, bakery, and photography studio.

At a boutique, your Sim can set up mannequins with fashions you’d like to sell. With enough customers, you can set a clothing trend.

Put that new bakery skill to the test and sell scrumptious confections to hungry Sims. You’ll want to build a kitchen somewhere in the bakery. Perhaps in the basement? That’s right, basements are arriving in a free update for the base game in late March!

Sims can take up photography and create their own studio. Here you can snap photos of Sims against a selection of backdrops and in different poses. The size and orientation of a photo can be adjusted, and various filters can be applied.

 

Get to Work Employee

To really bring in the big bucks, your Sim is going to need some help. Up to three employees can be hired, each with their own set of skill levels. After customizing their uniform, they can start making your Sim rich. With a successful business comes perk points, which can be used to upgrade your Sim’s business savvy.

Be sure to check out our other Get to Work articles for details on active careers!

 

The Sims 4 Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with New Hats!

The Sims 4 St Patrick's Hat

The Sims 4 has received a new update today that fixes several bugs and crashes for the PC and Mac. With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, they’ve added a new themed hat to Create-A-Sim for males and females.

Sims 4 Bare Essentials Gnome

The Bare Essentials Gnome eagerly awaits players in Build Mode as a reward for completing the WooHoo Weekend challenge.

 

Scientist Active Career Details (The Sims 4: Get To Work)

As a scientist, your Sim will spend their day working at the science lab. Here they’ll perform experiments, gather materials, build inventions, and discover new ideas. Some of those old collectibles your Sims have amassed can now be used to create serums.

Serums can be used on your Sim or given to others, causing effects such as becoming a ghost, altering their body shape, evoking certain emotions, and lowered needs. Amidst their day of work, the scientist can experience a “eureka moment,” indicated by a light bulb above their head. This unlocks new invention ideas at the invention constructor, including a Sim ray and a cloning machine!

Get to Work Alien World
What could this be?

 

Detective Active Career Details (The Sims 4: Get To Work)

The life of a detective is centered around the police station, wherein your Sim will be tasked with taking on cases. With the help of other officers and a bit of investigating, you’ll solve it in no time!

 

Get to Work Bulletin Board

The first stop is the crime map, which will give your Sim a basic understanding of the case. They’ll need to gather evidence if they have any hope of solving it, so it’s off to the crime scene. Detectives can ping the ground, revealing nearby clues to investigate. Photographing evidence, dusting for prints, and interviewing witnesses are crucial for the success of the investigation.

Back at the station, Sims can do a bit of forensics work to further examine the gathered evidence. The detective should now be able to identify and detain a suspect. After processing, the suspect can be called over to the interrogation table. Figuring out the right technique will cause the suspect to spill the beans. Case closed!

 

Get to Work Hats
A look at some of the hats available in Get to Work.

 

 

The WooHoo Weekend Results Are In!

The results of the WooHoo Weekend are in! We’ve surpassed both goals with a whopping 5,700,940 WooHoos! Our reward? Two new hairstyles and a new gnome in for free in a March patch.

Sims 4 WooHoo Weekend Results

Additional stats include how many times Sims kissed and how many babies were born during the weekend. South Korean Simmers raked in the most WooHoos per player with an average of 26.3. Meanwhile, players in the United States contributed the highest amount overall.

Doctor Active Career Details (The Sims 4: Get To Work)

The Sims 4: Get To Work is a new expansion pack expected to release in April 2015. This expansion features three “Active Careers” allowing you to see the day to day interactions of your Sim at work!

 

Get to Work Examination

As a doctor, your Sim will be spending their time at the hospital diagnosing and treating their patients. This starts off with a proper diagnosis through examining the patient from head to toe. Ailing Sims can display a variety of symptoms, from sneezing and coughing, to strange markings across the skin. As your Sim advances through the career, they’ll unlock interactions, object rewards, and be given more options to accurately diagnose a patient.

 

Get to Work House Call

Doctors will be given unique interactions, allowing them to give medical advice, go on house calls, and check whether pregnant Sims will have a girl or boy. They can even unlock a new romance interaction where they brush their hands across the side of a cheek.

The trailer gave us a peek at new hairstyles included in the expansion!

As the expansion pack reaches towards the release date, we hope to bring you even more information about the other “active careers,” but until then…see you soon!

How to get Sims 4 on a Mac?

sims 4 logo

Can you believe it? The Sims 4 is finally available for Macs! Getting the game up and running is simple, but there are just a few things you need to know.

You see, the Mac version of The Sims 4 is currently only available in digital form. That means, if you recently went to the store to buy a physical copy, you won’t be able to use that CD to install the game. Instead, you’ll have to install Origin, and download the game from there. 

First, open up Safari or your web browser of choice and head to the origin.com/download page. Click on the tiny text that says “Download for Mac” underneath the orange button. 

After installing and running the application, sign into Origin using your ID and Password. If you don’t have an Origin account at this point, you’ll have no choice but to create one.

If The Sims 4 doesn’t appear within the “My Games” tab, please do the following:

  • Open up the boxed copy of The Sims 4, and find the product code.
  • On Origin, click on “Origin” in the top left corner and click on “Redeem Product Code
  • Type in the Product Code to download the game.

If The Sims 4 appears within the “My Games” tab, please do the following:

  • Click on The Sims 4.
  • Click on the Download button to start the installation.

 

The Sims 4’s WooHoo Weekend!

Sims 4 Couple

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in The Sims 4 with a WooHoo Weekend event! Starting February 13th through the 15th, Maxis wants your Sims to get busy under the sheets.

If players can collectively amass a total of over 4 million uses of the WooHoo interaction, they’ll add a naughty new gnome object sporting a mosaic. New hairstyles may even be added if players can exceed 5 million!

These rewards will be added in a free patch in March.

WooHoo Gnome