Alpha vs Maxis Match: Get To Know The Different Types of Sims 4 Custom Content

Today, we are diving into the glorious world of CC in this in-depth Sims 4 Custom Content comparison guide. Whether you’re a casual player who loads up the game once every few weeks or live and breathe Sims, you have almost certainly run into the Alpha vs. Maxis Match debate.

So, what is the difference? Which side do you pledge your loyalty to? Let’s get into it together.

First off, what is custom content?

If you are totally new to this side of the Sims (don’t worry, we all were at some point), custom content is basically items which are made by members of the community that you can then download and put into your game.

There are thousands of CC creators and countless items out there to browse – we’ve even covered a few different ones here – and they will mostly fit into either the Alpha or Maxis Match box. Depending on which one you use, your game will have two very different feels.

Alpha Custom Content

What is Alpha CC?

Alpha CC is for the people who want their Sims to look like they just walked off a fashion week catwalk or Instagram explore page. It’s realistic, detailed, high-definition, and often looks nothing like the base game. We’re talking shiny, luscious hair with individual strands, eyelashes and make-up that anyone would envy, and clothes that look like they were imported straight from a fashion catalogue.

Pros of Alpha CC

Your Sims are going to be walking around looking stunning. A lot of Alpha CC has a really gorgeous finish to it because it focuses on real-life textures. Even now if I want to clear out my mods folder I make sure to have a few custom eyelashes on hand (trust me, once you start using them it’s hard to go back).

Because of this focus on real-life textures and designs they can also be made to look true to life, so if you want your Sims to rock designer outfits and shoes which cost more than a car, nothing is holding them back. Who can honestly say they don’t live vicariously through their Sims anyway?

Cons of Alpha CC

These high-resolution items can cause some game lag or performance issues since the file sizes are often higher than something that follows a Maxis Match style. If you’ve ever felt the heat coming off a lower-end laptop that is trying to run The Sims 4 with lots of custom content installed, then you know what I’m talking about.

It also definitely clashes with the game’s more cartoony aesthetic. For some people having a seamless look and feel in the game is really important to them, and with Alpha CC having a style which is really different from that in the base game, it can feel immersion-breaking.

Maxis Match CC

What is Maxis Match CC?

Just like the name suggests, it is designed to match the original Sims 4 aesthetic (aka the Maxis art style). It’s smoother, softer, and blends in with what EA gives us. Think of it as “The Sims, but better” rather than “The Sims, but looks like a next-gen console game”.

Pros of Maxis Match

You are going to get a seamless experience with your Sims looking like they belong in the world around them. No uncanny valley here!

Because these items need less detail in their textures, it also means that the file sizes are much smaller than the ones you’ll get with Alpha CC, so your computer will have an easier time running the game with them installed.

Generally, Maxis Match content creators also tend to update their content regularly when we get new patches and expansion pack releases. This is especially true of creators who tend to focus on build/buy items. Many of the most popular creators have their finger on the pulse, and so when a new pack is released that introduces a new game item, custom content items are never far behind.

Cons of Maxis Match

Some people find them too simplistic. If you want ultra-detailed clothes and photo-realistic skin textures, you’re going to struggle to find that with Maxis Match.

Hair options can be hit or miss – Not all creators can nail the balance between cartoony and stylish. Because of this, one of the main criticisms of this art style is the lack of realistic textures and options for curly hair.

This is improving though, and there are some brilliant creators out there that do a great job at making Maxis Match options more diverse. Here is an example from Quirky Introvert.

So, which one is best?

Honestly, it depends on your vibe.

If you want a library of custom content that looks like it could run on a catwalk tomorrow, and don’t mind something less immersive, then you are going to want to look at Alpha CC.

If you want something that blends seamlessly with all the base game and DLC you already have, and you don’t mind the cartoony appearance, stick to Maxis Match.

Or go rogue and mix the two styles together! Maybe you want to give your Sims realistic hair and eyelashes but don’t mind the less realistic clothing options, or you want to stick to Alpha CC in Create a Sim but Maxis Match in Build/Buy. There is no right or wrong way to play around with different options.

The world of custom content is your oyster. Go out and explore!