Sleek Bathroom and Sweet Allure for The Sims 4 Are Available Now!
It’s certainly been quite the year for kit releases. The most we’ve ever had in one year previously was ten. We’re in the first half of April and today’s releases bring the total for the year up to seven with another three already scheduled for May 1.
The releases for today are a Build/Buy kit by Syboulette titled Sleek Bathroom and a CAS kit by aharris00britney’s titled Sweet Allure.
Refined Plumbing – Let’s bring a balance of style and comfort. A custom glass divider adds style to the walk-in shower, while a simple bathtub creates a high-end feel. The toilet features a streamlined design, paired with a wall-mounted ceramic sink accented with wood. Thoughtful details like towels, clutter, and a draping plant add warmth, while an olive tree and wavy mirrors soften the clean lines, bringing life and flow to the space.
Soft and Sweet Elegance – Whether for a formal event, a walk in the garden, or a simple brunch, adorn your Sims with pearl necklaces, soft sweaters, and delicate cute skirts for them to live out their coquette fashion fantasies.
Kit Items Preview
Kit Screenshots
What do you think? Will you be buying either of these new Creator Kits? Let us know how you feel below.
Also, stay tuned for our upcoming reviews of each kit for a detailed look at what is included in each.
Getting sick of the same old walls and scenery? Looking to give your Zois a fresh start? Time to pack up and seek out new adventures with this guide to InZOI moving and transferring households in InZOI’s Early Access Build!
InZOI Moving Guide: How to Transfer Households
For all of these features, start by pressing M or the map icon on your InZOI’s phone to view the city map and begin editing the city. You’ll know you’re in the city map once you see the view above. One thing to note, you cannot currently relocate from city to city, but the developers are planning to add the feature in a later update.
How To Relocate
To relocate the family you are currently playing, click on an uninhabited lot or home, signified by gray lot symbols to initiate a move.
A new menu will appear with one side being your household’s information (Name, Current Address, Current Assets) and the ability to store or sell the furniture on the lot, and the other side displaying the name and cost of the lot or home they’re moving to. If you decide not to move to the lot specified or to move at all, just hit the “Go Back” button and click M to exit the map.
If you want your Zois to move to the selected lot, click “OK”. Your Zois, if they are home or not scheduled to be at another lot (for work, school, events, etc.) will travel to their new home. Any vehicles on the lot will be automatically moved to the designated parking space of the new lot, even if your Zois do not use them to travel to it.
How To Transfer Zois and/or Assets Between Households
While on the city map, click the button in the upper left corner labeled “All Families” to view a grid of all the families in the city, including their addresses, assets, members, and a family photo.
Once this menu has appeared, you can click the upper left button labeled “Move Zois Between Families” to allow you to swap both Zois and Assets (Meaning Money/Meows) in between two selected households.
You can customize the households members and assets in almost anyway you want in this menu; You can adjust which Zois live in which household (Note; Any Zois in the baby or toddler stage cannot be moved), you can combine the households into one on the side you’d like them to live at the address of, you can change the ratio of assets between the two, the world is your oyster!
How To Split Zois Into a New Household
Are your Zois not getting along, moving out on their own, or just need a fresh start? It is all too easy to split zois into their own households for new beginnings.
Using the “All Families” tab in the city map, select the same “Move Zois Between Families” button. Once you’ve entered the menu, click the “Create Temporary Family” slot and then select the family you want to split off from.
Once you’ve entered this menu, divvy up both the assets and family members however you would like, name the temporary family, and then hit “OK”. If one family does not have any assets, the game will warn you and ask for confirmation if you would like to proceed.
Do you like the InZOI moving system? Are there any improvements you’re hoping for in the future? Stay tuned for upcoming guides for different features across InZOI’s Early Access Build!
InZOI’s Early Access Build is NOW AVAILABLE on Steam for $39.99, with plans in the future for console releases on Xbox and Playstation.
Interested in InZOI’s CAZ (Create a Zoi) features? We just released a guide here!
From its humble beginnings and announcement in 1997, The Sims quickly became a staple of PC gaming. Over the years, it grew into one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history. However, a large majority of simmers were unable to experience the game on PC due to hardware limitations or purely not having a computer to play on. Leaving space for EA and Maxis to explore deeper into the world of The Sims on Consoles.
To the delight of many, The Sims eventually made its way to consoles, allowing a broader audience of simmers to enjoy the game and its many expansions. From its early console adaptations to the release of the newest expansion pack, Business and Hobbies, The Sims has continued to evolve, offering a unique and accessible experience for players across all platforms.
The Sims: Console edition covers
The Sims on Console Evolution
The Sims (2000)
In 2003, The Sims was released for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, offering a very different experience compared to the PC version. Rather than the free form gameplay the PC version was known for, the console edition introduced a more structured experience. Players could control their Sims while also being given specific missions and goals to complete.
The Sims console edition gameplay
The Sims Bustin’ Out
The Sims: Bustin’ Out PS2 Cover
One of the most famous early console versions was The Sims Bustin’ Out which was also covered in this article, which introduced simmers to a more mission driven experience. Players had to complete various objectives revolving around socializing, working, and achieving your sim’s personal goals. The focus on progression gave The Sims Bustin’ Out a more narrative driven gameplay mechanic, which some simmers felt was limiting compared to the freedom of The Sims PC.
The Sims : Bustin’ Out gameplay
The Urbz: Sims in the City
The Urbz : Sims in the city PS2 Cover
The Urbz: Sims in the City was released, offering an entirely different take on the Sims formula. Set in a vibrant, urban environment, the game emphasized social interactions, reputation building and the influence of the character’s personality effecting the evironment around them. Though not a traditional Sims game, The Urbz showed how the series could experiment with different themes and settings while maintaining the core gameplay elements the simmers know and love.
Check out Plumbella’s gameplay
The Sims 2 (2004)
With the release of The Sims 2 console edition in 2005, the franchise took another significant step forward. The PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube versions of The Sims 2 still featured the basic gameplay elements that made the series so popular, but with a few key differences with one of the biggest changes being the lack of open end gameplay. Instead of the sandbox style play simmers were used to, they were instead given specific goals to achieve for each sim, effectively turning the game into more of an adventure simulation.
Check out @lissthelass’ gameplay
Another noticeable difference was the size of the lots and the customization options. The console versions of The Sims 2 featured much smaller lots, which made building larger homes or creating large neighborhoods less possible and the build mode was much more restricted compared to the PC version. Although, the game’s focus on storytelling and character driven missions was a welcome change for some simmers, while others wanted a similar experience to PC.
Sims 2 PS2 Map
The Sims 2 Castaway
A spin-off, The Sims 2 Castaway, was released taking the series in an entirely new direction. Simmers were stranded on a deserted island, and the focus shifted to survival. The Sims 2 Castaway introduced new mechanics like crafting and resource gathering, but still maintained the franchise’s hallmark focus on character relationships and aspirations. This spin-off, while not as popular as other Sims titles, still had its moment in the spotlight and in the memories of many console players.
The Sims 3 (2009)
In 2010, The Sims 3 made its console debut on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo 3DS. The shift from The Sims 2 to The Sims 3 brought in a more open world design and some customization options. However, due to hardware limitations, the open world experience was not exactly “open” world as the PC version. While players could explore larger neighborhoods, loading times and world restrictions still hampered the experience. Furthermore, the map featured a 2D design with unchangeable icons of houses. The console version of The Sims 3 did not have the option to build / change any community lots.
The Sims 3 : Console edition map “Moonlight bay”
The Sims 3 console version did not have loading screens between neighboring houses, only when switching between neighborhoods. The game also featured a karma system which worked on gaining karma power by completing a sim’s wishes which you can read more about here. Good karma power could be used to give your sims
Giant Jackpot to make your sim instantly filthy stinking rich! It’s better than a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Get Lucky to give your sim a higher chance of succeeding with socials, woohoo, raises, promotions, fishing and more.
Super Satisfy to immediately fulfills all of your sims’ needs. Life is so wonderful! Your Sims feel completely invigorated and is ready to face the future with new found hope.
In comparison to the other Sims games’ console versions, The Sims 3 console version is the first in the franchise to be similar to its PC counterpart.
The Sims 3 PS3 gameplay
The Sims 4 (2014)
The Sims 4 made its console debut three years after its PC release for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One which was covered in real time in this article, marking a major milestone for the franchise. For the first time in Sims history, the console edition was the same as its PC counterpart – cursor and everything!
The Sims 4 console edition gameplay
The streamlined interface worked well for many players, but others found it less intuitive compared to the PC experience and some found it outright bulky to use. Additionally, the console versions had to deal with performance issues, with some reports of frame rate drops and much slower load times, particularly on older hardware.
The future of The Sims on consoles lies in balancing the needs of both casual players and long time fans of the franchise. It will be crucial for EA to improve the gameplay and performance that simmers have come to expect, while also embracing the convenience and accessibility that consoles offer.
Scrub-a-Dub-Dub! Partnered with EA, Syboulette has shared a preview on YouTube of their creator kit coming out on April 10th; The Sims 4 Sleek Bathroom Kit.
“Give your Sims a serene, modern bathroom featuring minimalist design and refined details with The Sims™ 4 Sleek Bathroom kit. This collection brings a soothing vibe with a sophisticated aesthetic. The combination of clean lines and natural materials strikes a harmonious balance between warmth and elegance. Soft pastel tones blend effortlessly with brushed metal accents, while touches of greenery breathe life into the space, transforming any bathroom into a polished sanctuary. Created by Syboulette.”
Build/Buy Items Preview
Focused on simple luxury with beautiful earth tones, smooth ceramic, brass fixtures, and glass structures, the Sleek Bathroom kit preview gives a feeling of peace and relaxation. The plumbing feels modern and refined but the curved natural shapes allow for bathrooms that beautifully flow together.
Color Schemes Preview
While these may not be representative of the entirety of swatches for each item in game, we did get snippets of the color schemes that will be available in this kit! From a poppy coral to a cool mint to a deep charcoal, there seems to be many swatches for you customize to you (and your sim’s) preferences!
Possible Hearing Aids Changes?
One thing to note from the preview, which is not proven or disproven yet, is that there seems to be a clutter item for hearing aids. The Sim, after soaking in the tub, appears to go her counter to place her hearing aids back in. This could hint at a change to how hearing aids and other medical devices work as accessories, or it could also mean that they come as a separate clutter item. Looking forward to seeing what this means!
What are your thoughts on the design of the Sims 4 Sleek Bathroom creator kit by Syboulette? You can watch the full motion trailer down below:
Both this kit and aharris00britney’s Sims 4 Sweet Allure Kit are set to release on April 10th, 2025 at $4.99 USD or a price equivalent to your local currency. Follow our countdown to the release here!
I dove headfirst into inZOI, and let me tell you – this game is wild. It’s like someone took every life sim I’ve ever loved, turned the dial on the realism, sprinkled some random surprises, and called it a day. I was loving the entertainment while eating my big bowl of sweet popcorn.
In my InZOI Gameplay Review I’ll be taking you through some of the personal experiences and achievements in the game. From funny bugs to cool features like Karma Powers, see what caught my eye and what’s my final verdict of the newest life simulation entry:
InZOI Gameplay Review Contents
Relationship Log and Awkward Conversations
One of the features I liked was the relationship log. I could track my Zoi’s first impression of people, see how their relationships develop, and you can even pinpoint when they regretted mentioning their ex at dinner. We can now detect red flags and can run to safety! It just adds to the storytelling and makes the experience more immersive.
Bugs, but make them funny
I have been reading that I’m not the only one playing with a few quirks. A few of them had me scratching my head – I wasn’t allowed to perform friendly interactions until I ‘knew’ someone better… but how was I supposed to know them better if I couldn’t talk to them? I awkwardly waited for the game to decide if I could move the conversation along. However, after some time and rebooting the game, I was able to have a conversation, thankfully. I hope when it comes to traffic, everyone is more patient than I am because I kept attracting traffic, and driving took some getting used to as it felt like I was trying to parallel park blindfolded.
The Wedding Crashers (But Make it Cute)
Now, let’s talk about my Zoi’s beautiful wedding. It was a well-designed outside wedding that had me squealing every minute then – bam! Random strangers started showing up to throw confetti, which was nice of them, but no cargo shorts at my wedding! It was just hilarious, 10/10, would have my uninvited guests again.
What you can actually do (Besides dodge traffic and awkward weddings)
The true magic of the game is in the freedom. You can decorate your Zoi and their dream home to the tiniest detail, choose a career, fall in love, and have your heart broken, then get revenge and even cry or laugh at which genetics your kids inherit. I made a cute couple, and their baby… didn’t look like them at all, but that’s science for you. We move on. If that doesn’t sound exciting, well… you can technically mow people down in your car. I mean, not that I would ever do that in the game (cough), but at least you know that the chaos has potential.
Karma, Ghosts and the Meaning of Life
Additionally, I really enjoyed looking at how your Zoi’s actions affect their karma levels. If you can get enough, your luck will improve and you can get that lottery ticket! On the other hand, anything can happen if you go complete villain. The developers mentioned that low-karma Zois will be able to return as ghosts to fix their mistakes. That makes for a good story – everyone loves a spiritual redemption arc. I instantly thought of making my Zoi a menace that gets haunted by their bad decisions, like A Christmas Carol, but with more questionable life choices.
Cool features (and a few missing ones)
One of my favourite features about inZOI is how you can move every part of the UI anywhere you like on the screen. This is a perfect feature for those who want to have more freedom with your layout.
Some other interesting features include:
AI Smart Zoi Mode (still experimental) – This lets you see their inner thoughts, making their actions make way more sense, which I am excited to mess around with more.
Motion and facial capture – It is still in development, so it is kinda hit-or-miss but very promising.
Although there is still a lot to explore, some stuff is still missing or not fully fleshed out yet. For instance:
No group meals – If you want to make a big dinner for your entire family, tough luck. Everyone eats separately like it’s an awkward high school cafeteria.
No maternity leave or sick days – So if your Zoi is sick or just had a baby, they’re still expected to show up to work. Hope that newborn is fine on its own!
No cutscenes (except for childbirth) – I was really looking forward to cinematic moments, but they’ve mostly been removed. Hoping they bring them back!
We can all be patient and understanding as we know it will take some time for everything to be perfect. Rome wasn’t built in a day!
Glitches that had me crying (some for the wrong reasons)
As expected, bugs were going to happen in early access games, but there was one that shocked me. Apparently, you were able to run over virtual kids in the game. It was so bad that a Krafton spokesperson said: “This issue was caused by an unintended bug that has been resolved in the latest patch. These depictions are highly inappropriate and do not reflect the intent and values of inZOI. We understand the seriousness of this matter and age-appropriate content, and we are strengthening our internal review processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.”.
InZOI Gameplay Review Verdict: A Chaotic, Addictive, and Exciting Start
Yes, inZOI has bugs. Yes, it can feel a bit overwhelming at times, but honestly? I truly loved just messing around and exploring with my Zois, eating from food trucks, and just living out cute and weird little slice-of-life moments. We can see that there is so much potential, and knowing the big plans for future updates makes me really eager to know what’s next.
Personally, I would recommend keeping an eye on inZOI as it has something for everyone. A little bit of mayhem, unexpected wedding guests mixed with ignoring traffic laws can create an interesting story. If you want something more chilled, why not give it a try and head to the cafe and get your fortune told or head to the amusement park and ride the Ferris Wheel?
Plumfruit is a series of custom content that introduce a range of tech-inspired items to enhance your Sims’ digital lives. This reimagined collection features new designs, themes, and functionalities, all built from the ground up.
The Sims 4 Plumfruit Collection Mod includes two main kits – Plumfruit Essentials and Retrofruit. We’re going to show you each one and let you know how much it will set your Sims back.
The Sims 4 Plumfruit Collection Mod Walkthrough
Plumfruit Essentials
Plumfruit Essentials offers a variety of sleek, modern devices, including a computer, laptop, tablets, and smart speakers.
This new Plumfruit release it is an update on the previous mod in the series – Plumfruit Lite – from a few years back, but everything here is brand new.
PlumPhone
PlumPhone Air: A stylish phone replacement with the plumfruit logo on the case and a new menu screen with PlumfruitOS icons. This functions just like any of the other mobile phones in game – meaning it is also free for your Sims!
PlumPad
PlumPad Air & PlumPad Mini: Elegant tablets featuring an overhauled menu consistent with all other Plumfruit items with new app icons for easier navigation. These devices are also portable, so they slot straight into your inventory.
Your sims will be able to use them to browse the web, play games like Bicblock, go on Social Bunny if you have High School Years, and they also allow you to read e-Books.
The PlumPad Air will cost §999 and the PlumPad Mini will cost §499, making it a reasonable price.
iPlum and Plumbook Air
iPlum Air & PlumBook Air: A futuristic all-in-one desktop and a sleek laptop to match, both equipped with 15 beautiful wallpapers featuring familiar desktop images and in-game destinations, pride themes, landscapes, and also a plain black swatch which will make it look like your Sim has turned their computer off.
They function just like any other in-game computer and feature apps like Mail, Web Explorer, Amazim, and more. One little touch that we also loved is the Simlish keyboard!
They don’t come cheap though, the PlumBook Air costs §1159 and the iPlum air §1899.
PlumPod
PlumPod Max & PlumPod Mini: Smart speakers with animated screens, colourful swatches, and access to Plumfruit’s virtual assistant, Neo. Just like the other Plumfruit devices it has a stylish menu with new icons. It lets your sims listen to music, ask Neo questions, and control their lights.
The PlumPod mni and max speaker both cost §299.
Neo: Plumfruit’s answer to Alexa, Siri, and other popular virtual assistants. They are going to tell you everything that is going on in town and give you some ideas of shows to watch, as well as answer some all important questions.
When asking Neo something your sims will walk towards the device and speak to it. Arnie has definitely given Neo a personality, if you ask “When is Pride Month?” Neo will reply “ALL YEAR LONG BABY! Happy pride month to YOU!”
PlumCam
PlumCam Future: A high-end camera with three lenses, three stylish colour swatches and a massive touchscreen, perfect for capturing in-game moments. It functions just like all other cameras in the game and slots nicely into your Sim’s inventory.
PlumTV
PlumTV: A modern television running PlumfruitOS, plus apps like Simflix and Simsney+. The TV itself is a wall mounted TV with rounded corners and a selection of new screensavers full of little easter eggs to real TV shows as well as some of Artie’s old mods.
It is the most expensive item in this bundle, though, at §2699 simoleons (but we can all agree it is worth it).
PlumBuds
These air pod style ear buds are a reskin of the ones that come with Fitness Stuff. Your sims will get given them on occasion, but you can also buy them from the catalogue for §220.
Retrofruit Nostalgia
For those who appreciate a nostalgic touch, Retrofruit brings vintage-inspired tech from the ’90s and early 2000s.
These items are not available yet, but will be in early access soon. Stay tuned!
When can I download these?
Plumfruit Essentials is out today for early access download; public release will follow next week on the 11th of April.
Retrofruit’s release date has yet to be announced, but we can look forward to more updates soon.
If you are interested in expanding your Sims’ technological horizons, then keep an eye on Arnie’s Patreon page and this article for the latest developments as they happen. Stay tuned on Sims Community for all the latest Sims 4 Mod Updates!
The highly anticipated life simulation game, inZOI, has finally arrived to early access, and we are ready to teach about inZOI Cars and it’s uniqueness. Players (including myself) are eager to explore it’s new world. One of the standout features that many players are excited for, is the ability to use and drive cars. This mode of transportation expands on realism and freedom in the life simulation game industry, exciting many players to get the game. This feature also allows players to drive around the map and physically drive around the open world.
If you are wondering how to get behind the wheel in InZOI and make more of it’s driving gameplay, this guide will cover everything you might need to know, from acquiring a physical vehicle to exploring the open world.
Table of Contents
How to get a Car in InZOI
Before you can start driving in the game, you have to start with purchasing a vehicle. InZOI honestly makes driving cars an exciting part of the gameplay experience, making it a vital mechanic part of the game.
I purchased my car for a pretty fair price (10,000 Meows), but there is also a variety of different vehicles provided in the “Dream Car” Application.
Purchasing a Vehicle: Press P on the keyboard of your computer, and this will take you to your ZOI’s cell phone. With this phone, there are many different functions to cover but today we will just be covering how to buy a car. Then refer to the top of the phone, pulling up the “Dream Car” application.
How to purchase your InZOI Cars
Once you purchase your vehicle, you will receive a pop up screen that reads the following:
Vehicle Purchase Successful!
The Z-Car has arrived at the parking lot in front of the house.
Click on the Zoi who purchased the vehicle to access the vehicle interaction menu and have it pulled up anytime. Choose between the manual and automatic driving modes and enjoy the ride.
Embark on an amazing journey with your new vehicle!”
Meaning, you will be able to access your Zoi’s vehicle by either going to the parking spot on your lot, or clicking on your Zoi and selecting, “Car>Get in Car” as in the screenshot below, then your Zoi will walk to their car and get into the drivers seat.
Getting Behind the Wheel: How to Enter your Vehicle
Once you purchase your car, it’s time to hit the road. Here’s how to do it!
Adjust your Game Settings Accordingly: First of all, you may need to adjust your game settings manually if you are wanting to drive your car free roam using the WASD keys to move the car you will need to adjust it in your Gameplay settings and turn Manual Driving to on.
Enter your vehicle: After purchasing your car, it will be parked in your designated parking spot at your home. Approach your vehicle, click on the vehicle and select , “Get in>Sit in the Drivers’ seat” you will now be inside your vehicle.
Driving Controls and Mechanics
Acceration: W
Brake: S
Steer Left/Right: A/D
Brake: Spacebar
Exploring the World of inZOI by Car
Once you have mastered the driving mechanics, you will definitely want to explore inZOI’s map! The game’s Early Access version of the game offers three different “worlds”, each with it’s own special vibe and environment. From the beaches, industrial shopping areas, and the local parks, there is plenty of lively places to discover.
Other Transportation Features
While inZOI’s Early Access version already offers a pretty solid driving system, the inZOI team has also offered other means of transportation including Public Transportation, which means players can currently take busses around the three different worlds. This truly adds a layer of realism and convivence for Zoi’s and players who do not have a vehicle. The bus system features stops scattered throughout the city, making it easy to hop on and off the bus system.
Conclusion
Driving in inZOI brings to life an entirely new level of realism to the life simulation genre. Whether you’re commuting to work, or just wandering around the city, the driving mechanics offer a unique and immersive experience. Even though inZOI is an Early Access game, I am genuinely impressed with how inZOI is, I’m really excited for it.
As the game continues to evolve, you can expect more inZOI content here at the Sims Community. Grab your keys and stay tuned with inZOI here!
On April 2nd, The Sims released their latest SDX drop, centered on Pride! Though Pride Month is still two months away, the release is arriving just two days after Trans Day of Visibility. The drop features a collection of build objects and create-a-sim assets featuring pride flags and their color schemes, as well as a few additional black-and-white colorways. Read until the end to see our review of the assets we received!
The Sims 4 SDX Drop: Pride Content Review
Create-A-Sim
The release comes with six new unisex CAS assets. The eyeshadow has 9 swatches, all of which are equally colorful. Admittedly, the texture is somewhat underwhelming – I was hoping for it to have more sparkly quality.
The other form of body art available in this drop is a new tattoo, available to use on the upper left arm. The tattoo has a cute, wispy design, and the 10 swatches feature color schemes from different pride flags. My only critique of the tattoo is that it doesn’t look quite like an actual tattoo, but the design and concept are beautiful.
Moving on to clothing, there are four assets: a layered button-up with a ribbed shirt underneath, jean shorts, above-the-knee socks, and high-top sneakers. All are tagged for both masculine and feminine frames, and, thankfully, the items fit well on both frames!
The top has 14 swatches, the jean shorts have 9, the socks have 17, and the sneakers have 12. While most of the colorways are colorful, the top, socks, and sneakers also have plain black and white swatches, allowing the assets to be more versatile while still prioritizing the colorful and celebratory theme of the drop. The pieces all appear well-made and offer a wide variety of designs and colors. Notably, two of the assets – the high-top sneakers and the jean shorts – are also available to child sims.
The only noticeable glitch is with the jean shorts and bodysuits/tucked-in shirts, where the ‘concealed’ portion of the shirt sometimes layers on top of the shorts. The glitch did not always happen, but I only encountered it on feminine frames, and not on male frames.
Build-Buy
The build-buy addition features six new objects: a double bed, single bed, shelf, gallery, pride collage, and a new knit pride flag. The Burst of Pride double and single beds are essentially the same design, each with 11 matching swatches (including two black and white colorways). The Out & About Wall Shelf has 9 swatches and two small object slots on top of it. The Pride Rocks! Collage features 12 different swatches, each with slightly different details on the flag, posters, and polaroids. The Colorfully Eclectic Wall Gallery has 9 swatches, which, like the collage, also vary in their designs. And last but certainly not least is the Knitted Pride Flag, of which there are a whopping 23 swatches! Each of the objects is detailed, versatile, and aesthetically pretty.
Our Review
The SDX drop is filled to the brim with great new (and free!) assets celebrating Pride. The designs veer away from previous, more “kitschy” attempts to incorporate Pride into the create-a-sim and build-buy objects. Though I may have critiqued the renderings of the body assets (albeit mildly), that does not track for the rest of the objects. By making the game evermore inclusive and celebrating Pride, The Sims has reinforced their allyship for the LGBTQ+ community. Also, they gave us new beds for free! All in all, that’s pretty awesome.
Do you agree with our review? Let us know your thoughts on the SDX Drop in the comments!
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.
The Sims 4 Custom Content Comparison Guide
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!
The first Gameplay Update arrives to InZOI, along with other improvements.
Game publisher Krafton has just issued a brand new InZOI update for Windows PC players. Releasing a new Gameplay Feature which lets you adjust the aging of your Zois and the Zois that you haven’t played with.
Creator @Iron_Cgull has captured what the new options look like in the game. Allowing you to enable and disable aging of your Zois.
Along with the new age features are also improvements to the Karma system, which should be slower now. See everything that’s been added and improved in the official patch notes below!
Patch Date: April 4, 2025 at 02:00 (UTC) Game Version: 20250403.1584.W
Gameplay Update
Added age adjustment feature
This feature can be configured via [Game Options] → [Simulation], under the settings for “Aging (My Zois)” and “Aging (Other Zois)”
Added a detailed error code popup when a Canvas upload fails
Bug Fixes
Improved an issue where Zois were sleeping for excessively long periods
Sleep patterns were originally designed to reflect real-life behavior, such as sleeping in when tired. However, this level of realism caused friction with the game’s time flow. Sleep duration has now been reduced for smoother gameplay.
Slowed the rate of Karma change
Karma changes during autonomous actions were applied too quickly, leading to rapid shifts in personality (e.g., frequent anger or aggressive behavior). We’ve adjusted the pace to allow more consistent and predictable actions. Further improvements are planned so Zois act more naturally based on their situations, and Karma will gradually evolve to affect more aspects of life. For more stable behavior, try adjusting the “Civic Consciousness” and “Karma” values in the City Edit menu.
Improved an issue where relationship points were accumulating too quickly
Relationship progression was previously accelerated to encourage bonding. Based on your feedback, we’ve slowed progression for families under direct control. Since this may not suit all gameplay styles, you can further adjust relationship values in the City Edit menu if needed.
Improved behavior so that Zois now eat food immediately after cooking
Fixed an issue where the “Give Birth” interaction would not proceed when the interaction queue was full
Fixed an issue where the pregnancy visual was not properly reflected for Zois with reduced abdominal body shape
Fixed an issue where giving birth was not possible if a divorce occurred during the pregnancy test stage
Please note that this change only applies to newly created Zois via New Game. It does not affect existing save files or Zois already in progress.
Fixed an issue where emotional buffs would sometimes remain after their duration had ended
Improved error popup to display file information when a Canvas upload fails
Fixed an issue where the toilet sound effect was too long and felt unnatural
Improved with a toast message when the family tree is inaccessible
Improved with error popups when a JSON object creation error occurs during save file loading
We’ll continue working to make inZOI more stable and enjoyable for everyone.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and valuable feedback.
-The inZOI Team
How to Install the InZOI Update
Simply open up your Steam launcher and check for InZOI Updates. If you have automatic updates enabled in your launcher you should be expecting the update to be downloaded automatically.
Alien abductions have been finally fixed in The Sims 2!
Electronic Arts has released a brand new Sims 1 and Sims 2 Update on the official EA App, Steam and Epic Games launcher platforms. The latest patches bring both fixes and stability improvements, as well as improved functionality which lets you play your favorite sim games more easily.
Downloading the new rerelease patch on EA App
Find out everything that’s been fixed and improved in the official patch notes below:
Table of Contents
Seventh (and Eight) Patch Release
Sul Sul, Simmers!
We’re enjoying playing these games all over again and very much hope you are too! In this patch you’ll see stability improvements as well as some in-game fixes for both games. Please continue to report any issues on the official EA Forums.
-The Sims Team
April 3, 2025 Patch Notes:
The Sims 1 Update Notes:
General stability and performance improvements
Various game tabs don’t use the full available window width
Name selection for townies is not as random as it should be
Animal Control can’t be called if the picture-in-picture window is open
Travel loading screens are inconsistently scaled
Using Shift + Windows + Arrow keys to move the game window between monitors doesn’t always resize as expected
The Sim portrait camera was not always correctly positioned (already created portraits will not be regenerated)
Functionality Improvements:
The Sims will warn users whose user names contain characters that could cause crashes
Edge-scrolling hit zone now includes the full letterboxing area
The Sims General Notes:
The Sims requires a Vulkan compatible GPU. Please check GPU compatibility with the manufacturer, and keep your drivers up to date.
On some NVIDIA GPUs pixels could appear misplaced or misaligned when there is a contrast between them. NVIDIA has a driver in late February that addresses this. Please make sure your drivers are up to date.
The Sims 2 Update Notes:
General stability and performance improvements
CAS Sims are clipped on ultra-wide screens
Alien Baby Sim is missing from Alien Abduction
A member of the Curious family would sometimes not appear in the Alien Abduction
It is possible to queue an infinite number of actions during camera snapshot which results in a crash
It is possible for the keyboard to lose input focus and prevent the player from entering text
In-game UI is too small on higher resolutions (see below)
Edge-scrolling does not work
The UCP panel disappears after the college send-off animation
Improved Functionality:
The Sims 2 now uses a borderless window to provide the fullscreen experience
Improved redraw time when moving the game window from one monitor to another using Shift + Windows + Arrow keys
The Sims 2 will now, by default, use a larger scale factor to produce in-game UI on screens larger than 1080. If a larger or smaller UI is preferred then the cheat code “uintProp uiScaleFactor” can be used to specify a preferred value. Valid options are 1, 2 or 3. The game uses “2” by default. This value can be set to be persistent in the “Graphics Rules.sgr” file located in “The Sims 2 Legacy Collection\EP9\TSData\Res\Config” (where this folder is located will vary depending on which storefront you purchased the game from).
The Sims 2 General Notes:
Gaming performance on Intel Arc systems can be sub-optimal for games that rely on DirectX 9. Intel is continually working to improve performance on these systems, but at the time of this writing we have observed performance penalties that make us recommend caution in playing The Sims 2 on them. Please see the Patch 5 notes for more information
When switching between Full Screen and Windowed mode with Alt+Enter, there can sometimes be a substantial delay (many seconds) while the scene is recalculated and rendered
April 10, 2025 Patch Notes for The Sims 2:
Fixed Issues:
CAS UI is incorrectly laid out on 1280×800 monitor resolutions
Unable to enter text into fields (e.g. when naming a family)
What is your experience like downloading the latest Sims 1 and Sims 2 Update? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned on Sims Community for all the latest Game Updates!
Sweet Allure and Sleek Bathroom Creator Kits are coming next week!
In a surprising reveal from Sims insider @anadius we have a confirmation for the upcoming Sims 4 Creator Kits release date. Confirming that The Sims 4 Sweet Allure CAS Kit by Aharris00britney and The Sims 4 Sleek Bathroom Build Kit by Syboulette are coming next week. April 10th, 2025 to be more precise!
Sleek Bathroom and Sweet Allure Kits are going to be released on April 10th. Apparently I had those dates since February 20th, just didn’t post them. Oops!
With that confirmation we can safely start the countdowns to the the next Sims 4 Creator Kits releases. See what to expect from these two releases!
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Priced at $4.99USD, each Sims 4 Kit brings a dedicated set of new items in either Create A Sim or Build Mode. Players who are looking forward to redecorating their bathrooms can finally enjoy the new Tub, Shower and all the glorious accents and decor to liven up your own personal relaxation space filled with bubbles.
If you’re looking for more romantic Create A Sim clothing, you’ll find that with The Sims 4 Sweet Allure Kit. Which brings a set of new Tops, Bottoms, Outfits and Accessories for Sims aged Teen and up!
You can find the complete screenshot previews and official description & key features down below:
The Sims 4 Sweet Allure CAS Kit
Add soft colors and clothing adorned with ribbons and bows to your Sims’ wardrobe with The Sims 4 Sweet Allure Kit. With fashion featuring light colors and clothing adorned with ruffles and frills, the clothing and accessories in this kit give off an elegant vibe with their everyday looks. Express a more delicate side to a Sims’ fashion sense, effortlessly giving your sim a casual coquette fashion feel. Created by aharris00britney.
Kit Features:
Soft and Sweet Elegance – Whether for a formal event, a walk in the garden, or a simple brunch, adorn your Sims with pearl necklaces, soft sweaters, and delicate cute skirts for them to live out their coquette fashion fantasies.
The Sims 4 Sleek Bathroom Build Kit
Give your Sims a serene, modern bathroom featuring minimalist design and refined details with The Sims 4 Sleek Bathroom kit. This collection brings a soothing vibe with a sophisticated aesthetic.
The combination of clean lines and natural materials strikes a harmonious balance between warmth and elegance. Soft pastel tones blend effortlessly with brushed metal accents, while touches of greenery breathe life into the space, transforming any bathroom into a polished sanctuary. Created by Syboulette.
Kit Features:
Refined plumbing – Let’s bring a balance of style and comfort. A custom glass divider adds style to the walk-in shower, while a simple bathtub creates a high-end feel. The toilet features a streamlined design, paired with a wall-mounted ceramic sink accented with wood. Thoughtful details like towels, clutter, and a draping plant add warmth, while an olive tree and wavy mirrors soften the clean lines, bringing life and flow to the space.
Countdown to The Sims 4 Creator Kits Release
Both The Sims 4 Sweet Allure and Sleek Bathroom Creator Kits are coming across Desktop and Console supported platforms. Retailed at $4.99USD each, you’ll be able to purchase these Kits on the official platforms including EA App, Steam, Sony and Microsoft Stores as well as Epic Store.
The release date of these Sims 4 Creator Kits is expected for April 10th, 2025 at 10AM PT / 6PM BST / 7PM CEST. You can find out exactly when these Kits come out in your area with our countdown below. As soon as the timer turns to zero you’ll be able to purchase these Kits!
Countdown to the release of The Sims 4 Sweet Allure and Sleek Bathroom Kits
Coming to Windows, Mac, Playstation 4 / 5, Xbox One / Series
[janky target_time=”1744304400″ color=”#235c82″]
Kits Release Community Poll
Which Sims 4 Creator Kit do you plan on getting? Let us know in our unofficial community poll down below!
[totalpoll id=”162740″]
Stay tuned on Sims community for all the latest in-depth reviews of the upcoming Sims 4 Kits!
We break down all the features shown in the latest Sims Project Rene Playtest.
There’s a lot that was shown in the latest Sims Project Rene playtest for Smartphones. Including a look into the potential character creator, multiplayer careers and build challenges, manual sim movement and plenty more!
Here’s everything we’ve noticed from City Life Game with Friends playtest from EA and Maxis. Huge thanks to YouTube creators Techzamazing, Gaming Mobile and Adeptless for uploading footage of this playtest.
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Playtest Story Introduction
The Sims Project Rene Smartphone Playtest called City Life Game with Friends has a unique preset story creator the first time you open up the game. This allows you to choose your Sim’s preferred pronouns, body types, outfits and personality.
This doesn’t reflect any customization options that you’re further allowed to make within Create A Sim in the final planned version of Project Rene. But rather the first Sim that you’ll be starting your playtest story with.
Sim Customization
City Life Game With Friends smartphone playtest for The Sims Project Rene has different customization options than you would expect.
There are premade hairstyles and outfits that are selectable in this Project Rene playtest. Including the option to choose a Hair Style, Head Shape and customize your Sim’s outfit.
What’s disappointing from this playtest is that EA seems to also be playtesting a Sims Freeplay / Mobile-like transaction fee for in-game items. Including having to spend virtual Sim currency in order to obtain items.
However, in this playtest, all in-game currency can be earned through gameplay quests and multiplayer activities. Including Build Challenges, Career Shifts and more.
If you’re interested in customizing your Sim’s hairstyle a bit more in-depth, you can definitely do so in detailed mode. Including Hue, Saturation and Brightness of 4 different parts of your hairstyle.
Sim Needs
Sim’s Needs in The Sims Project Rene playtest for Smartphones are broken down to 5 different categories, based on the playtest quests they offer:
Hunger
Relaxation
Socialization
Creativity
Ambition / Quests
The introduction is pretty normal from what you’d expect for a playtest. Send your Sim to go eat from a Vending Machine. Then go and make a wish at a fountain to help them relax.
Manual Sim Movement
The left side of the smartphone has touch input, meaning that you can control your Sim’s movement by sliding your finger across the phone. In theory, this means that the desktop version of The Sims Project Rene could feature WASD type of movement for Sims on the keyboard.
The movements look somewhat natural but still in testing development. There are still some jitters inbetween different animations and stopping /triggering manual Sim movement.
Socialization
The socialization aspect of City Life Game with Friends features Sim interactions that you would expect. Except this time it’s all happening in real time, in multiplayer, with Sims by other players!
The playtest seemed to be big enough to carry around over a dozen Sims in the same server.
Another interesting aspect of socialization is that you can now “Emote” on other Sims and give live reaction feedback. At the moment in the game this is presented through speech bubbles.
Creative Gameplay
You can learn new Skills in this playtest including Painting and Guitar. However, there’s nothing special or new that we’ve noticed in terms of how the game mechanisms go.
Career Gameplay
There’s a new Barista Career in this Sims Project Rene Smartphone playtest. Where a player can work a day shift with other Sims and choose to work either as a server, a barista or a little bit of everything.
Interestingly enough, there’s no full controlled autonomy here. You’re fully responsible of the customers in your Coffee shop. You’ll have to ring up your customers and serve them coffee in real time before they get too angry.
For me, this looks like a minigame within a minigame. And the rewards, or in this case a paycheck is the currency Simoleons I’ve talked about earlier. You can see fully how your shift went and what the statistics of your customers are during your work time.
Decorate Together Multiplayer Challenge
The theme: Foodie Café. The time: 5 minutes.
In this Sims Project Rene playtest, you have five minutes to design a Café with your multiplayer companion. You can choose between different Furniture, Seating, Surfaces, Accents, Plants, Lighting and Decorations.
You can freely place down and rotate items to any degree. Plus, all surface items now have an appropriate surface level field where you can place down additional clutter and objects!
Game Options
Graphic Settings customization is pretty detailed for a smartphone playtest. You can customize Shadows, View Distance, Anti-Aliasing and Post Processing quality from Low to Max.
In the Camera setting, you can customize the movement, rotation and zoom speed. There are some additional features for Audio, including Binaural Audio which improves the immersive audio experience for headphone users. Giving you more of a “Dolby Atmos” experience for The Sims.
This is everything we could find from City Life Game With Friends playtest for The Sims Project Rene!
What are your thoughts on all the features shown above? As a reminder, please note that all features shown are subject to change and do not represent the final product of The Sims Project Rene.
Candid photos that look great can be quite a hassle. If you want to capture something that just happened in game and make it memorable, there are quick and simple Sims 4 Photo tricks for Build Mode to get it done. No Pose Mods, no staging, none of the unnerving task of trying to recreate the moment. Pause the game, go into Build Mode, get the perfect shot and resuming playing. Like that! We have all the secrets to share!
The Sims 4 Photo Tricks in Build Mode
Hit Pause
Young Bob and Eliza meet at a bar and strike up their first conversation! What a moment! Hit pause and go into Build Mode. Make sure whatever you want to capture is happening right now, because we won’t be able to go into Live Mode again until after we are done!
Step-by-Step
Spotlights
The Expansion Pack Get Famous and Stuff Pack Moschino have great spotlights and floodlights – but don’t worry, we also included base-game options! Put spotlights (or foodlights), far from the subjects, at an angle, so lighting isn’t flat. Test out distance and angle and the number lights.
Wrong position
If the spotlights are too close to the photo subjects, they get washed out.
Base Game Option
Even in the Base Game, there is a floor lamp that replace a spotlight.
Colored Lights
To add mood, play with colored lights. Don’t worry if they don’t look right. They won’t appear in the picture and we will reverse all the changes.
Before
After
Base Game Options
Base game has a few options too, mostly amber. (You can also try candles.)
In-Camera Lighting
Add lamps or candles if you want that extra glow.
Set Decoration
You can also add any extra detail you like. We put a vase of flowers to add romance.
Result
Before
After
Important!
Don’t forget to hit the G key on your keyboard before taking the shot, otherwise you capture the grid lines, as we can see near his forearm below:
Base Game-Only Result
Now undo all the changes and go back to Live Mode, like nothing ever happened!
Changing Natural Light
Sometimes the right thing happens at the right place, but at the wrong time. It might be too bright, too dark, or there is too much shadow. If you jump into Build Mode, you can easily alternate between Morning, Afternoon, Evening and Night. Bob chose a morning date to woo Eliza, but the afternoon light was much better!
Before
After
Remember!
Make sure to hit the G key on your keyboard to avoid grid lines, like these:
Conclusion
You never know what is going to happen in your sims lives. Bob and Eliza could not a expect that a night at a bar would lead them to the altar. But every snapshot of time can be special. Let’s review what we learned using the Pancakes wedding photo:
Before
Birdview
Photo
After
Birdview
Photo
Just remember to undo all the changes before switching back to Live Mode. If might be a bif of a trial and error the first time around, but, soon, you’ll be able to do it in a minute!
Do you want to learn more? For the The Ultimate In-Game Photography Guide, click here. For The Sims 4 Moschino Stuff: Photography 101, click here.
Comment below or in our Socials what else you want to learn about Photography and check back often, because Tutorials and Guides are posted all the time!
There’s free now content waiting for you in The Sims 4 Base Game!
EA and Maxis have just released a free new Sims 4 SDX Drop across PC, Mac and Console platforms. The latest free content update can be downloaded simply by going into the Game Options or agreeing to the notification popup when you open up The Sims 4.
Here’s what the download process should look like:
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How to download and install the latest Sims 4 SDX
With Sims 4 SDX (Sims Delivery Express) you are able to download new CAS Content, Build Mode Content and small bug fixes and improvements into your game. All straight through The Sims 4! Simply open up The Sims 4 and your game should automatically check for new content.
If not, go into Game Options > Sims Delivery and Check for new Content. This method of bringing new Sims 4 SDX content into your game works both on PC and Consoles! Note that you will have to restart your game in order to obtain new content. You can select “Yes, Restart Now” for the game to restart automatically for you.
April 2nd, 2025 Release Notes
The new Free Content Update included with the latest Sims 4 SDX Drop includes new content for both Create A Sim and Build Mode. With new Pride-themed content and presents that represent all the beautiful colors across different themed items.
Official Screenshot of All Items added to The Sims 4
There are new wall decors, face makeup / paint and and even beds to match your pride.
Take a look in the official previews below:
Create A Sim
Build Mode
EA stated that this is “Just one of the free content releases coming this year in The Sims 4”. Meaning that you should expect more Free Content Features to the game soon this year!
What are your thoughts on the latest Sims 4 SDX Drop? Join the conversation below and stay tuned for a more in-depth review on Sims Community!
