Want to know about the most recent updates to The Sims 4? Keep checking back for the latest patch notes!

 

Update: 03/22/2016 – PC Version 1.16.61.1020 / Mac Version 1.16.61.1220

 

Greetings Simmers,

 

How is everything?

We have a small bit of something here in this release… and I know, reading your responses to the announcement, that there are some questions. So, let me see if I can give you some information.

 

First off, let’s talk about the new stuff. It’s Spring, and there is a Spring Challenge!

Jasmine Holiday, our new Challenge Coordinator, is waiting for you at the community gardens found in Oasis Springs and Willow Creek. And she is looking for your help in gathering growfruit… turns out she needs a lot.

Bring her 20 growfruit and she’ll give you a new planter. Bring her a perfect growfruit, and she’ll give you the bedazzled planter. Jasmine also has a limited supply of super fertilizer that she is willing to share with you to help you grow that perfect growfruit.

 

We’ve also added back the Egg Challenge from last year. Now with 2 new eggs added to the mix. Gather all 12 from around the world to unlock a stuffed bunny!

• For those that unlocked the stuffed bunny last year – it’s still there along with the new bunny look added to its color options!

 

Ok, so the couple of questions that may come to mind (or did already get asked), that I can help address here.

• Will Jasmine remain after the challenge?
  • Jasmine is just around for the challenge, she is our Challenge Coordinator and is very busy.
• Will she be back?
  • I’m glad you asked that…

 

Other questions that may come up…

• What about the eggs and the growfruit, will they stay around?
  • We will not be removing anything you have found, but like last time, the eggs will no longer be scattered about for you to find.
  • The growfruit will still grow on your trees, can be planted, and harvested… however with Jasmine departing, you will not be able to buy new seeds.

 

We also have some issues that have been addressed:

General Issues

• Gallery lots that have been bulldozed will no longer maintain the pre-bulldozed "original by" information when uploaded to the Gallery.
• Gallery uploads that are using custom thumbnails will now be marked as custom content.
• Sims will now finish reading a book!
• Using moo, to moove wall objects that have a "preferred" height (wall book shelves, mirrors), will no longer reset their position when picking them up from their new moo position.
  • Ok…how many of you read that as “new moo poo-sition”?
• Mooving a room that has moo'd objects within it, will no longer incorrectly reset or place in inventory, the moo’d moved objects.
• "Using the cupcake machine (OF DOOM*) will now count towards your daily requirement to prepare food in the culinary career (OF DOOM*).
  • * OF DOOM references are for enhanced reading experience only, and are not present in game. Sound fx have not been added post editing. AA batteries sold separately. Batteries however are not required for your text reading experience, unless you are reading on an ancient hand held device that actually runs on AA batteries. In which case I apologize for the “ancient” reference.
• Ownership of an activity table, in regards to the completion of the "Have an Activity Table" aspirational goal of the Artistic Prodigy aspiration, no longer fails if the ownership occurred prior or post to the goals presence.
• “Perform Routine in Space” will now properly count towards the “Perform 3 Comedy Routines” aspirational goal for Joke Star aspiration.
  • … pigs in space…
    • For no reason except to date myself…
• The whim “Send Happy Text” will now properly complete if the interaction is initiated from the phone menu.
• Becoming friends with siblings (who are of the child age) will now properly track against the "Become Friends with 3 Other Children" goal of the Social Butterfly aspiration.

 

Outdoor Retreat

• Ultra or Super (fanatical, rabid, outlandish, drastic, ludicrous,…. )… Ludicrous speed (also known as Super Speed) should now properly work when Sims sleep or nap in a tent.
• Dragging a stack of inventory items from one Sim to another Sim, should now properly drag the stack.
  • Interesting data point… knowledge that dragging from one Sims inventory to another Sim inventory was possible in The Sims 4 - less than 0.5% of players.

 

Spa Day

• After a small debate, yoga has emerged victorious - and the Yoga Mat now counts as a piece of workout equipment when attempting to complete the Bodybuilder Aspiration.
  • On an unrelated side note, the original engineer would like to know the number of a good chiropractor.

 

Get Together

• The “Light a Bonfire” whim should no longer appear if there is no bonfire near.
• The whim "Dance to Stereo Music" will now properly complete if the Sim dances to music from the DJ booth.

 

Wishing you enjoyment in game and out,

-SimGuruGnome

 

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Update: 02/04/2016 – PC Version 1.15.55.1020 / Mac Version 1.15.55.1220

 

Happy 16^th Anniversary!

 

Yep, 16 years this February 4^th! Amazing! And we have a few throwbacks to celebrate the 16 years of the Sims!

 

From the early days… when you were amazed your Sims didn’t burn to death just pouring a bowl of chips, we bring you memories of those trying times with the Tragic Clown Painting!

• A “new” old friend can be found immortalized in print in the Build catalog. Search up the Tragic Clown and you’ll come across the ol’ clown’s likeness. Viewing his print may place you in a sad mood however as you reflect upon the deeper meaning of balloon animals, bulbous red noses, and tragic kitchen fires.

 

…as we step forward, looking into the second iteration of the Sims, you will find the Grilled Cheese Aspiration!

• You can unlock this aspiration by eating a grilled cheese… or three.
• Once you finish the aspiration, you’ll unlock the Melt Master trait, where you will learn:
  • To Paint Grilled Cheese on the Easel
  • Summon Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with but a thought
  • And unlock the ability to evangelize about Grilled Cheese Sandwiches… because cheese!

 

…and into the third installment, we bring to you, The Kleptomaniac Trait!

• Available now as a selectable trait in Create A Sim

• Your mischief skill will guide your ability to swipe various objects, but be careful to do so alone...
• And if you do end up feeling guilty for taking that valuable do-whaty-a-thingo from your neighbor, you can always return it… or sell it.
  • “What ‘do-whaty-a-thingo’ were you referring to?”

 

In addition to our throwback memories…

 

You can now Hire a Gardener from the Hire a Service option in the phone menu.

• If you have some garden plants that need tending, you can hire the gardener for a one time “help me out” or as a re-occurring scheduled service.
• So get out there, buy a planting pot, drop some seeds, and eat the fruits of their labors!
• There are also a couple of new socials available on the Gardener: Ask for Gardening Advice and Discuss Gardening Techniques

 

And there is a new 16^th Anniversary print found in Build Mode. Search up “Let there be Plumbobs!” and you’ll find this high gloss print with its’ 15 plumbobs staring right back at you!

• …the 16^th … it’s there… I think if you close your eyes you can probably sense its presence… a presence not felt since…
  • And then he just sort of turns away. I mean, he was in mid-sentence, and then he just stops and walks away. Why was he talking to himself to begin with? I know it’s the classic… but I always thought that part was strange…

 

Also Twitter! Share screenshots, gallery uploads, and achievements directly to Twitter.

 

And we have also improved your ability to find and filter modded content.

• Now you can easily identify modded content in Create A Sim and Build Mode with some handy icons we’ve added!
• We have also made it easy to separate modded from Maxis content with a new filter available in both modes.

 

Oh yea, almost forgot – we liked the trick items far too much not to give them away also! You can now find the Boneyard, Buyer Beware, and Stoar the Bearded Trickster Door in Build Mode.

 

But we can’t have just new stuff, not without cleaning up some of the old stuff. So what’d we do to the old?

 

Issues Addressed

 

General Issues

• Sims invited to spend the night will no longer spend the night standing around not sleeping. They will now behave in a way that makes sense for someone who has been asked to spend the night.
  • They will sleep. It’s a little strange and unusual… but we figured, let’s give it a go. See what happens.
• We fixed an issue with the Activities and Skills filter in Build Mode that was preventing the gold “something is new” highlight from properly clearing itself.
• Sims will no longer autonomously choose to drink potions or herbalism drinks.
• Wedding plates and cake will no longer disappear during the Share Wedding Cake interaction.
• We fixed an issue that was causing Sims to react as if most food was spicy.
• Fixed an issue that could result in some floor tiles failing to rotate along with the lot when rotated.
• Sims should no longer find themselves unable to exit the hot tub after autonomously woohooing.
• Playing with the Lump of Clay will now properly satisfy the "Play with 3 Toys" aspiration goal in the Artistic Prodigy aspiration.
• We addressed an issue that could result in the player receiving error code 533 when attempting to save the game.
  • Thank you to our players who sent us your save files, as it greatly assisted us, and we were able to identify the problem and address this issue.
  • Players who have received error code 42, just know you have the answer.
• Hacking notifications now properly address the Sim, and not the player…
  • You there! Get outta my code...
• We have added an option in the Audio options called “Match Speed Stereo Music”
  • When checked on, in game stereo music will play at the same speed as the game.
  • When checked off, in game stereo music will always play at normal speed, regardless of game speed.
  • When checked checkered, black goes first.
  • When checked plaid, check flannel status.
  • When chalked, hit the cue ball with a medium stroke at the center, to top stop it dead after hitting the object ball.
• The Princess Cordelia's Galleon Bed may now properly be found under the Queen Anne style sort.
• Fixed an issue in which it was possible to resize the Sim and Object inventory panels beyond their minimum constraints, which could result in them being unusable.
• Fixed an issue during the move in new household flow that could cause the "moving household" dialog to reappear and prevent the user from taking any further actions.
• Sims carving pumpkins or working at a woodworking table will no longer ignore Sims who die near them.
  • Sims dying near a pumpkin carving or woodworking station will no longer have as their last memories the face of an uncaring carver.
• Babies will no longer send text messages congratulating your Sims on their marriage, engagement, or pregnancy…
  • "Hey mom, we haven’t met yet. How are you doing? I just wanted to say congratulations on your pregnancy. Talk to you later."
  • "My what?!"
• Sims who sabotage their own belongings will no longer be kicked out of their home by another Sim of their household.
• Maids will no longer attempt to put away toys or books if there is no Toy Box or Bookcase on the lot.
• Sims will no longer immediately cancel their shower or bath, if there is an infant anywhere on the lot.
• Sims with the jealous trait will no longer send congratulations on engagement/marriage messages to their ex'es.
• Item titles, descriptions, and player bio information can now be copied/pasted within the Gallery.
• Sims near a child who finishes reading or doing their homework will no longer improperly reset.

 

The Sims 4 Get to Work

• Paint by reference will no longer override your ability to take photographs of differing sizes and orientations.
• The “Straight Bizoleons Neon Sign” business perk sign can now have its emotional aura disabled.
• Food set for sale on retail lots was being improperly cleaned up by the midnight cleaning services under some circumstances … this should no longer occur.

 

The Sims 4 Get Together

• We fixed the Brickwall brick texture variants to no longer improperly dupe the Up-Bricking wallpaper variants.
• Club gatherings will no longer start autonomously on the active Sims home lot.
• Children in club outfits will no longer "distort" when aging from child to teen…
  • Their behavior upon becoming teens however is completely out of our hands.

 

The Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat

• The Rejuvenated! Buff acquired from camping should no longer keep returning indefinitely. Now once it expires, you will have to go camping to again feel Rejuvenated!

 

The Sims 4 Movie Hangout Stuff

• Cuddle while watching a movie was not queuing for both Sims… it should now properly appear in the queue for both Sims.
• Popcorn does indeed satisfy the club rule for Eat, and now should show the icon indicating such.
• Cleaning the popcorn popper does indeed satisfy the club rule to clean, and now should show the icon indicating such.
• Reading release notes does indeed satisfy your need to know, and now you have been properly informed.

 

Happy Anniversary, happy Simming, happy, happy, joy, something something… and thank you for everything!

-SimGuruGnome

 

 

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Update: 01/07/2016 – PC Version 1.14.49.1020 / Mac Version 1.14.49.1220

 

Happy year of the new, Simmers!

We have a short and sweet release this fine 7^th of January, like a New Year’s Eve peck – just a quick welcome to 2016!

Around the corner, I hear Sims are prepping the popcorn for their movie relaxations (just remember, if the bunny in the woods is too much, just call on the super kids to battle the dancing undead).

 

And with that warning out of the way, we have a bit of NEW…

• We have modified the way in which Sims react to those acting inappropriately in their neighbors’ homes. Beware, for you might find your Sim asked to leave if they get out of line.

 

• We have also modified the behavior of Sims when a fight occurs.
  • Your friends may cheer you on, but your enemies may cheer when you’re down.

 

• There are 8 new wall decorations to decorate your décor! (ok, well, they don’t decorate the décor, they add to the décor… I really just wanted to ignore the conventions of grammar and write what I wanted to write. There… I admitted it, I ignore grammar!)
  • Movie posters for It’s Amber!, Stay Weirder, Cow Plant Love, Cop and Llama, Malpractice, Epic Wood, Sul Sul, and Still Life, are all now available in the Build catalog.

 

… And have addressed a few Issues…

• The repair service will no longer become unavailable if the player switches active households while the repair service was in progress.

 

• The repair service is no longer available to not service a retail lot.
  • It is now not available, as it was not repairing. Thus, the service will now not charge you for not repairing, when you attempted to have a repair service, service your repairs.

 

• We fixed an issue that could result when connecting or reconnecting online, in an interface misalignment in the My Library tab of the Gallery.
  • Essentially, interface elements were not redrawing properly, and were overlapping in ways that made parts of the interface inaccessible.
    • In-acc-sess-ible is so much more fun to say when you accent each syllable.

 

• We have addressed an issue that could allow users to modify existing lots and upload them as their own.
  • Without going into too much detail, through a means of saving, deleting, and re-uploading, it was possible for the owner ID to be “lost” and thus allow the owner modification to occur.

 

• Sims can now chat with children playing on a jungle gym without route failing.
  • … of course I thought the whole purpose of the park was to let your kids run free, while you found peace in the nature inspired sanctuary of silence…
    • “Dad?!”
  • Blissful, golden silence…
    • “DAD!!!”
  • SILENCE!
    • “DAD?!”
    • “What?!”
    • “Nuh-thing.”

 

• We fixed an issue with the DJ booth that could result in the upgrade action failing to perform, but still deducting the parts from the Sims’ inventory.

 

I hope you had a pleasant December, and wish you joy as we move into the beginnings of this new year.

 

-SimGuruGnome

 

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Update: 12/17/2015 – PC Version 1.13.106.1010 / Mac Version 1.13.106.1210

 

Hey Simmers!

This is SimGuruGnome on the Issue-Chop Express and I’m writin’ to whoever’s readin’.

It’s like I told the last public relations rep, I says “SimGuruDrake, I never write more than I can read. Besides that, it’s all in the spellchecker.”

But just listen to the Issue-Chop Express and take the Gnome’s advice. When some wild-eyed Sim wanders by, knocks on your front door and asks you “Sul sul, plerg majah bliff?” You just stare them back in the eye and remember what the Gnome always says.

“Plerg majah bliff? Neeshga, voo oonapa oonsosh…”

 

So, what have we done?

• We have addressed a few PC 64 bit specific issues that were quickly identified by the community.
  • Videos will no longer be blank when played back on some video players.
  • Sims will no longer flicker in dim light.
• Telling your Sim to use the toilet will no longer cancel other actions already in their action queue.
• It has been noted that our Sims have taken to WooHoo a bit more frequently than has been the norm. Perhaps it is the winter months, perhaps it is the coming of Spring… perhaps it…
  • Yea… it’s too much. Autonomous woohoo is allowed, but we have reduced the frequency at which Sims choose to, increased the restrictions for “why they are allowed to”, and generally have requested that Sims seek hoo in less wooful ways.
• Description hashtags (#hashtag) in the Gallery are once again clickable.
  • And as a result, trending hashtags are back in the Gallery.
• We have also fixed an issue with mp3 playback in custom music that was causing some mp3 files to not be recognized.
• Club outfits will now work better with Custom Content.

 

Thanks again for listenin’ to the Issue-Chop Express, and take this advice on a stormy night, when the game’s playin’, the music’s roarin’, and the data’s downloadin’ in sheets as thick as a bunch of streaming green numbers, letters, and symbols (because that’s what the pattern looks like). Remember what old SimGuruGnome does when the neighborhood shakes with life, and the abductions come from the sky, and the pillars of the Goth’s estate quake. Yeah, SimGuruGnome just looks that big old storm right square in the eye and says “Gimme your best ob-la-di pal. Ob-la-da… ob-la-da.”

 

Until next time,

SimGuruGnome

 

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Simmers!

How is everyone? It’s the holiday season… have you been good?

…you know, nobody ever really defined for me the limits of good in the context of the holiday seasonal question of naughty or nice. I was mostly good… I hope.

Anyway, given that I have also failed to define “good” for you, we have plenty of gifts to pass around no matter what your naughty/nice standing may be with the polar ice powers.

 

So, on with the unwrapping… what’d you get?

 

THE NEW!

• There is now a 64 Bit executable for 64 bit Windows users.
  • Players with 64bit Windows do not need to do any extra action, you will automatically be using the 64bit executable.
  • To learn more, please visit the FAQ - http://help.ea.com/article/when-to-use-the-sims-4-64-bit-or-32-bit-version
• For those players that use Mods and may not realize that an update has occurred, or that their Mods may conflict with the new update, we now automatically Disable Mods when we patch.
  • To turn them back on, open up Game Options, select the Other tab, and check on the Enable Custom Content and Mods option.
  • Please use caution when re-enabling your Mods, as Mods have been known to modify your game.
  • To learn more about this update, visit this FAQ - http://help.ea.com/article/mods-and-the-sims-4-game-updates
• We have made significant changes to the behavior of groups.
  • You will now have the option to add (or remove) Sims to groups.
  • When a Sim is added to a group you will be able to pull groups of Sims around with ease.
  • In addition when you travel with a group of Sims they will automatically be put into a group with each other.
• Create A Sim has had the underlying structure of how relationships are built and remembered overhauled.
  • This has allowed us to close many issues that could result in the relationship data becoming lost or corrupted, which could break existing relationships (brothers could forget their sisters) and allow invalid relationships to exist.
• There is a new Hire [NPC] interaction available on several objects, such as Hire Bartender (on the bar), Hire Caterer (on the fridge), or Hire Masseuse (on the massage table).
• Sims will have more relevant greetings. You now may see parents and children hug each other when they greet, or Sims might shake hands if they are acquaintances.
• We have spent some time fixing up the Fire and Death reaction systems. Sims will now behave in a more expected manner when either occurs near them.
• Looking forward to spending the holiday season with your Sims? Good news! We’ve updated the free* Holiday Celebration Pack with new snowflake decals, a lighted tree, piles of presents, a tree centerpiece, and new formal outfits that are perfect for wearing to holiday parties.
  • *Requires internet connection, The Sims 4 (sold separately) and all game updates to play.
    • The Sims 4 - sold separately at participating sellers of things and stuffs.
      • Sellers and cellars – homonyms
        • Homonyms, hymns, and yeoman… not the same.
          • Yeoman reminds me of yeti…
            • We had a yeti in MySims™ Agents…
              • Sold separately.
• There is a new venue type: Pool Venue
• There is a new option to color your pool water – default or purple! Because… purple!
  • That’s such a weird word... puuur’pull, purple, purple, people, purple, purple people. Weird.
• We have made several interface updates:
  • The World Maps have been updated!
    • First and probably the most noticeable, they are now in glorious color.
    • In addition we have also updated all of the interface elements of the map! (pst… the play button is in the bottom right… I know right, it took me FOREVER to remember).
    • There is also a Return to Map button in Live Mode.
  • The relationship inspector (when two Sims are talking, it is the UI that appears in the middle top of the screen) has been updated.
    • You can also right click on the Sim portrait in the inspector to center the camera on that Sim.
  • We have updated the Screenshots & Memories interface.
    • We have also improved the quality of pictures your Sims take, so that they look better when in the screenshot viewer.
  • The interface used when an NPC calls your Sim has had been updated.
    • As well as… Sims may now call to offer condolences, or congratulate you on that new job or promotion.
  • We have updated the Events display for non-goal oriented events. They will now have a bar with the event name and the remaining time countdown.
    • This should help with those stealth Welcome Wagon events that would suddenly yell at you for not paying attention to them.
  • The camera controls have a new button option to swap between Sims 3 and Sims 4 camera styles.

 

But wait… there’s more!

More, Billy?

…we have a few issues we have been looking into as well.

But that’s not all?

 

Issues Fixed

General Issues

• Sims who are sitting next to each other (such as at a 2x1 table or picnic table) can now converse with other Sims directly next to them without feeling the need to reposition themselves.
• We fixed an issue that could result in all saved games disappearing if an individual save slot was found to be corrupted. We now ignore the corrupted save, allowing the remaining save to be available.
• Players who use IME, will now find that that it works properly with Windows 10.
• We fixed an issue that could result in employees not showing up for work.
  • Do you think they were watching ‘Kung Fu’?
• Doc Sweet's Luke-Warm Tonic Dispenser (from Get to Work) and The Chillbox 2100 (from Spa Day) will now properly appear broken when they are broken, rather than being stealth broken. Because broken is broken, no matter how the visual broken'ness may appear.
• Convincing a Sim to leave their spouse while the spouse is present, will now cause the ‘leaved’ spouse to lose relationship with the ‘leaving’ spouse, should the action succeed.
• We fixed an issue that could result in event timers becoming out of synch with the actual time remaining.
• Super speed 3 will no longer trigger when there are still NPCs present during an active event.
  • In addition, super speed 3 will no longer attempt to run when there are NPCs on the active lot.
• Bring Here is now an available option on household ghosts when traveling... Because Ghosts are Sims too!
• Should the TV turn off when the Sim is no longer watching or should it stay on? The polls are in, the votes counted, and … I lost. Sims will now turn off the TV when they are finished watching.
• It turns out that a dancing tense Sim was not performing some crazy move called the "hold the invisible box." They were actually attempting to rub their temples from the stress… they just couldn't reach them. We have helped them out and allowed them to reach their temples.
  • So long “hold the invisible box” dance move… you were a good friend when I needed one.
• The BLT will no longer sit in a pile of unappetizing grey when on your plate.
  • Grey food and unappetizing grey food… pretty much the same thing.
• We fixed an issue where Sims would occasionally react to fire once, then just watch it burn.
  • I suppose this is just an issue in a game… but it feels like a societal commentary put forth by the engineer. Life isn’t about just sitting back and letting it happen. You have to get out there, dig your feet in, and put forth some effort.
  • Of course… I may be reading too much into it.
• Sims should now appear surprised to see the Grim Reaper.
  • Unless of course the Grim Reaper is there to see them… and then they will appear dead.
• Instant Upgrade and Insta-Repair interactions are now available on the Dishwasher.
• We fixed an issue that could result in an unplayable Sim when switching between Sims who are on and off lot.
• You can now put your Grills in your inventory.
  • The kind you cook on, right? Great, online chat has ruined my ability to understand the basics of language…
• We fixed an issue that could result in the game freezing when a Sim attempts to repeatedly socialize with another Sim who is currently unable to multitask a socialization action (such as showering or bathing).
• You will no longer be allowed to ask a working bartender, to star or cloud gaze with you. They just have no idea how to multi-task the action, and found themselves flailing about in conflict with the desire to gaze, and the desire to mix drinks… it wasn't pretty. Don't do it!
  • Interesting note, this action violated the forgotten rule #4 of the provisos (or quid pro quos) “you can lead a bartender on, but you can’t make him mix and gaze.”
• Sims with a significant other, will now lose the relationship with both the initiater and the initiated when they observe a jealous action betwixt their SO and their SO's not so SO.
• We fixed an issue that could result in low fat Sims not properly displaying muscle tone when going from Create A Sim to Live Mode..
• We fixed an issue that could result in teens, sometimes, holding their cellphone backwards when using it.
  • “Hey Marge! This here phone is telling me to ‘afpao a;lodu3’ myself.”
  • “That’s just Alexander backwards texting you again George!”
  • “Dern that whippersnapper and his backwards cellphone!”
• We fixed an issue that could result in a Sim seated at desk, near a wall, first walking outside when performing their next action.
• We fixed an issue where Sims returning home with low motives, could cause them to fail to perform autonomous actions and just stand idle.
• Loading a saved game will properly focus the camera on the currently active Sim. This was primarily an issue when the Sim was on a floor other than the ground floor.
• Ambient critter effects (insects, fireflies, or similar) will no longer play on the buildable portion of the Comfy Cubby lot.
  • We have vigorously applied ample amounts of bug spray in order to keep them at bay*.
    • *no actual bugs were harmed in the eradication of the bugs on the Comfy Cubby lot.
• Sims were floating above ground on parts of the Crick Cabana lot in Willow Creek. We have addressed this issue by attaching gravitational stabilizers to the bottoms of all Sims feet which should keep them more firmly attached to the ground. Should the problem persist, please replace the batteries in yours Sims gravitational stabilizers. Thank you.
• Adding the Repair Service or Maid Sim to your household while in the performance of their duties could leave the "work tone" icon permanently attached to their portrait. This issue has been fixed.
• Sims will no longer spin in place when attempting a sneak up on (approach from the side) an ice cream machine.
  • Also, it is not true that food that is unaware of your presence will not add to your waist line. Eating from someone else’s plate does not equal zero calories. And eating after midnight will not cause Stripe to get “grumpy”.
• The reach level 5 of the Tech Guru career goal for the Computer Whiz aspiration will no longer complete when you reach level 6… it will now complete when you reach level 5.
  • You know, we could have just changed the text but that would change the whole dynamic. And if you haven’t got your dynamic, then you haven’t got anything.
• Previously the maid misunderstood the concept of Sunday and Monday, and turned their Sunday into a Monday, which meant their Monday was their Sunday… and really the whole point of a weekend is to have TWO days consecutively in order to refresh and recharge... breaking up and reversing your Monday and Sunday is just unfortunate… for all involved.
• Sims should no longer flash light and dark while washing dishes at the Pure Simplicity sink.
  • …who washes dishes? I just throw them away.

 

 

General (Build)

• Objects (such as ceiling lights or cabinets) will no longer pop out of the view of the camera when dragging them to a lot edge.
• Cabinets are no longer sent to the household inventory when an action would cause them to change models (such as moving them from a corner to a flat wall) while automatic counters is on.
• Sims will no longer ignore the existence of the foundation when attempting to use a door along a diagonal wall on a raised foundation.
  • Creatures with the power of flight however, will be able to enter the door without issue… so long as they are able to open the door, exist in the game, and have the proper permissions to enter.
• Rugs will no longer appear above the fog.
  • Fog being the highly technical term used to denote the “greyish fuzziness” that occurs when the game graphics settings are set to low (greyish fuzziness is also highly technical…).
• Corner Cabinets can now be placed on left wall corners that are adjacent with right wall corners.
  • Fun Fact: A corner adjacent to a corner, depending upon direction, is also called a U-turn.
• Placing a tall window on a roof wall should no longer cause an empty space to appear beneath the window
  • I did that once, was not easy to fix... Of course, I also had an empty space where the window was… and a lot of glass shards on the ground.
• Circular Neon Tiki Sign and Neon Parrot Sign are now visible from both sides.
• Floor tiles placed in a block that has had its floor removed can now be removed with the sledgehammer tool.
• Placing a basement should now only clobber the objects on the floors above it that should be clobbered when a clobbering action is warranted.
  • Clobber: to pound merci… no, um... to defeat overwhelm… no. Maybe go with “to defeat easily”? That one is pretty close… but it is definitely not “someone’s clothes, supplies, or equipment” – because that would just be weird.
    • “Did that basement just clobber your room?”
    • “Yes, and I had no idea it would look so good in a dress.”
• Wall decoratives placed in a room that is above a basement, will no longer vanish when changing wall heights.
  • Spellchecker does not like the word decoratives. What does it expect the plural of a decorative to be? Decoratice?
• Several build objects that are available pursuant to the bb.showhiddenobjects cheat, were only available on specific lots. We have removed the lot restrictions for these objects
  • I’ve always wanted to misuse the word ‘pursuant.’
• Dishwashers will no longer tell you that they "must be placed on a larger surface” when attempting to place them in an invalid location. Now they will tell you "must be placed on specific objects."
  • It’s much clearer this way…
• The flat square block named “Rounded Deck” in the build catalog will no longer be known as the flat square block named “Rounded Deck”. It will hence forth be known as “Flat Square”, or, if you favor nostalgia, the flat square block formerly known as “Rounded Deck.”
• Rugs placed on the ground on certain lots will no longer disappear as the camera was brought closer to them.
  • A shy rug… huh… I’ve seen stranger.
• The audio during Build Mode will now play even when the audio quality is set to low.
• The Quaking Aspen tree is now visible at all angles on low graphics settings.
• Using MOO to place objects will no longer improperly position the objects when moving the lot/room to a larger sized lot.
  • MOO – move objects… on, except that we don’t use the “on” part in the current cheat. So, it’s really more of a MO.
• We fixed an issue where sometimes when deleting the deck of a home, it would leave behind floating objects, which would then allow the Sim to use those floating objects and get into all sorts of odd animation situations.
• Basement dirt floor is now an available floor pattern in Build Mode, named Bottom of the Basement.

 

 

General (Create A Sim)

• Changing the hair color of an alien child will no longer also change their eye color.
  • I suppose, being a color, one might be confused as to the intent of the desired outcome. After all, being an alien, it is hard to determine the motivations behind the color change… perhaps the desire was indeed to change all colors to be uniformed. Well, we’ll never know now, will we?
• We fixed an issue, whereupon resizing the male Aliens feet, their pinky toe would not resize.
  • Not kidding… their pinky toe would not resize.
• Randomizing your Sims sleepwear will no longer add a hat (or cap) to your Sims sleeping attire.
  • We will also not be applying a kerchief to your mother no matter how quickly you throw up the sash.
• The yfTop_BlazerRound is once again tucked in.
• cfHair_longStraight is now available for male and female children.
• Randomizing Sims from the gallery should no longer result in a baby being added to the household… surprise!

 

 

General (Gallery)

• Uploading a room to the gallery with a raised foundation will no longer cause the foundation pattern to appear floating in the preview image.
• We fixed an issue with objects outside of a room, being uploaded to the Gallery as part of the room if the MOO (MO?) cheat had been used.
• You will no longer be able to upload a lot to the Gallery if it is on fire.
  • For your safety while using the Gallery, please keep your flames and embers inside your game at all times. Young children should not be playing with burning lots, unless accompanied by an adult. Please honor curated content. Also, for the comfort of those who seek to download your lot, we request that there be no flash photography, eating, or drinking while uploading. Thank you, and enjoy your game.
• In the case that a player replaces a Sim in a household with a gallery Sim, or randomizes a Sim from the gallery into their household, and then re-uploads the household the original ‘created by’ data will be remembered.
• Shared items with Custom Content will now show in the Player Profile.
• Lots will no longer be allowed to be saved as rooms.
  • Turns out there is a difference between a room and a lot… and in California that is small fortune.
• Rooms cannot be placed from the Gallery if created using MOO (MO!) when wall height is set to short and the cheat is not enabled.
  • This change fixes a general issue where users could not place a room whenever a parent object would be suppressed. An example being, windows are not allowed on exterior walls of a basement room. If you attempted to place a room in the basement with windows and curtains, you would find you were unable to do so – because the curtain’s parent object (the window) was being suppressed.
• Players will no longer become stuck in Create A Sim, when downloading Sims from the Gallery who have traits that are not present in that player’s game.

 

 

General (Interface)

• Adding custom mp3 music files will now properly display in and play from the options panel.
• Exiting the game without closing the Game Options panel after applying changes, will no longer not apply the changes upon restart.
• You will no longer need to zoom all the way out in order to use the Design Tool on the rocket ship.
• We now allow edge scrolling along ALL of the edges!
  • Discriminatory bottom edge practices have been outlawed, and those practicing the practices shall find no safe haven within our borders.
• The cursor shall no longer flicker when you hover over the Play with Genetics button in Create A Sim.
• The Reset Tutorial option has been moved from the Gameplay tab to the Other tab. Why?
  • A fundamental question posed to development… are tutorials gameplay? or are they interruptions prior to gameplay? As you can tell we are still in debate over this one... however the result of the latest internal debate has given victory to the Not-Gameplayers Party, and has pushed their agenda to the forefront. Thus the shift in the options panel. Ultimately we are lucky the Marketeers Party (an independent third faction) didn't get ahold of the victory, or this would be a modal interruption upon relaunch, asking "What are your thoughts of the tutorial system?" with a 5 part multiple choice question, and optional essay.
• We have made various updates to the lessons in the Lessons panel.
• You will no longer be informed that "A maid cleaned your house while you were away…" when your hired NPC was the repair service.

 

 

The Sims 4 Get to Work

• Alien mannequins now also have access to the styled looks… just like their human counterparts.
• Downloading a retail room from The Gallery, with mannequins placed inside, will no longer have a chance to crash your game.
  • Mannequins in a retail space… how absurd!
• We have addressed several issues when placing hats (or helmets) on the mannequins that could result in transparency or missing texture issues.
  • It’s odd that every time I write hat (or lid), I feel compelled to offer an alternate form of the word.
• Doctors that are at work, will no longer leave work to go to work, preventing others at work from asking the Doctor to take care of their patient because they aren't at work.
  • Aka: If you were unable to transfer a patient to a doctor, you should no longer run into this issue.
• We fixed an issue that could prevent the user from entering Build Mode, or saving their game, if they had 11 or more mannequins on their lot, and had deleted several of them with the Sledgehammer Tool.
  • That’ll teach you to sledgehammer a mannequin… everyone knows you are supposed to take them to your nearest nuclear test facility for set dressing… or was that just the 1950s?
    • …I’ve been playing too much in the post-apocalyptic wasteland…
• The "For Your Protection Chain Link Fence” no longer has a reversed texture on one end.
• Sims in the Science Career will now find they can properly order their co-workers to invent, rather than the coworker having the option to ignore the issued directive.
• Replacing the rounded fence portion of the rounded fence deck with the “Be Prepared Security Fencing” will now appear as expected.
• Out of stock objects will no longer cast a shadow.
  • The Shadow will still cast a shadow however.
  • However it should be noted that only The Shadow knows why The Shadow casts a shadow.
• We have added the alien plants as additional collectibles to the gardening collection.
• Visual effects will no longer persist for the following objects after they have been sold: Stereo, Bonfire, Fireplace, Dartboard, Frogs, Butterflies, Tiki bar, Cloning machine, Waterfall, and the Arcade machine.
  • It should be noted that one of the above items exists in the game. As well as the other items. In fact, all of the above items exist in the game. There is no item above that doesn’t exist in the game. If there were an item above that didn’t exist in the game, then it wouldn’t be there… as it doesn’t exist.
• Sims tending bar will no longer be allowed to use the Sim Ray on the bar…
  • If you didn't like tending bar, you could just walk away… you don’t have to ruin it for the rest of us.
• It will now cost you 875 Simoleons to purchase the Crime Map.
• We fixed an issue that could result in the APB guilty Sim not matching the Sim described in the notebook.

 

 

The Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat

• Sims should now be able to join a game of horseshoes when attempting to Join a Game… of horseshoes.
• The Bee, Walking Stick, and Blue Morpho Butterfly insects can now be found.

 

 

The Sims 4 Spooky Stuff

• Light Candle and Extinguish actions on a pumpkin worn by a ghost are now available Everywhere.*
  • *Everywhere is limited to places the ghost can actually travel, walk, or otherwise route to. Everywhere is exclusive to locations within The Sims. Everywhere does not include different game modes, such as Create A Sim, Build Mode, or the Gallery. Everywhere is a trademark of the Everywhere for All and All for Everywhere slogan corporation.
• Skeleton face paint will no longer paint on top of a Sims beard.
• Sims should find themselves to be far more comfortable in the hot tub once they have situated themselves, and will decide to reposition themselves far more infrequently.
• The Spooky Party will now count towards the Throw 3 Parties objective of the Welcoming Host milestone for Party Animal aspiration.

 

MAC

• Fixed several lot seam issues when on low graphic quality setting.
  • It may seem odd, but if you leave a seam un-seamed, it is unseemly, and it seems, can allow a Sim to fall through the seam, into a seemingly endless void. Seems like a good stitch.

 

Well, that’s about it for now… I hope that you have a wonderful December.

[/sappiness warning] Remember that it is better to give than to receive. Go out and give. [/end of sappiness]

 

Thank you for your time and attention… and Happy Holidays to you!

-SimGuruGnome

---------------------------

Oops, I guess there is more… some post Release Notes notes…

Hey folks,

I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to one of our most important issues.

We have listened to your feedback on culling and performance. And we have been, and will continue to address these issues, and have a group dedicated to them.

Some of the work they have been doing recently has been focused on optimizing load times, reducing memory usage, and increasing performance… but what about culling? Well, it turns out culling happens because of the need of those three items: load times, memory usage, and performance.

• Outdoor Retreat was over using our compatibility region filters (when a Sim is requested for a “thing” we use a filter to determine who). Such that when the filter failed to find someone that fit the requirements exactly (male, bartending skill 5, young adult), it created a new Sim to fit the role rather than allowing for some flexibility (bartending 4 or 6 is probably just as well).
  • Along the same lines, we took the above fix and made it general – rather than always creating exactly what was requested by the game, we allow flexibility. Reducing the number of new Sims being created, that more often than not, would just come and go without the player realizing.
• Get to Work added aliens, and one of the requests of the spawning system was to create disguised aliens. Turns out we were creating A LOT of disguised aliens. Not on purpose, but there was a cool down assigned to the spawned Sim that would then prevent them from spawning again in a given period of time. Sadly, the system was requesting ‘in disguise’ aliens more frequently than the cooldown’s timer… and thus creating brand new Sims on each request. We adjusted the tuning, and saw an increase in performance.
• We have spent some time optimizing lighting draw calls, to assist with framerate issues while in Build Mode.
• We removed some data duplication between the game side code and Create A Sim code, saving around 50kb per Sim data (also known as SimInfos).
  • The smaller the size of a SimInfo, the faster it is to load a given Sims information.
• We discovered a large memory and performance spike as a result of inventories. Turns out that NPCs, who don’t need to know exactly what is in their inventory when they are an NPC, were carrying around large amounts of data and in some cases could have many hundreds of inventory objects, resulting in slow load times, and memory/performance spikes when the NPC was created.
  • Now NPCs do not instantiate most of the objects in their inventories until needed. This provides a much needed relief in the runtime performance spikes in our test environment.

 

These are some of the specific issues we have addressed recently, all with the goal of making the game stable, performant, and enjoyable. Please know that we are always looking at performance, culling, memory, and load time optimization issues among our highest priority issues. And while we can’t always speak to them, we are always appreciative of your feedback.

 

Thank you,

SimGuruGnome

 

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Update: 11/03/2015 – PC Version 1.12.118.1020 / Mac Version 1.12.118.1220

Hey Trick and Treaters!

Did your team win? Did your Sims trick, treat… or a little bit of both?

I know what I wanted to win!

I didn’t win…

It’s alright though... I’ll… *sniff*… I’ll carry on. Maybe someday…

 

But wait, have you seen the Gummie Fish in your game yet? Or the Bonefish? No? Why are you reading this?! Go play now!

Oh… but you only got one? I’ve heard rumors that Gummies and Bone fishies are natural enemies, and can often be found in the same fishing spots…

Well, I hope you had fun with the challenge. And now - The rewards!

• A new door, Edgar the Generous, offers lionhearted thanks to #TeamTreat, and can be found in the Buy catalog, eager to greet your friends and neighbors.
• The Gumber Fesh Bow is now available in the Buy catalog, with a lifetime supply of Gummie Fish to fill your bowls.
• The Ornate Beauty storage chest can be found in your Buy catalog. Open it up and let it store all of your collections for you.
• We also are going to say goodbye to the Trick and Treat interactions. Thank you for spending time with us… and maybe we’ll see you again.

But wait – is there more?

We’ve heard tell that repairing is tedious, tiresome… now, you can call the Repair Service any time, day or night, to fix up your broken this and that’s… for a small fee of course.

• Found in the phone menu, the repair service will send over a speedy repair technician to quickly repair your brokenings.
• There are also new socials that are available on the repair person to gain Handiness skill for your handiless Sims.

We have also addressed a handful of issues (if you could figuratively hold a single issue upon a finger, then there is literally a handful of addressed issues in this release).

• We fixed an issue that could prevent the maid from arriving during their normally scheduled work hours, if they attempted to arrive for work on a weekend.
  • Maids should now properly work their Mon-Fri shifts, and will no longer attempt to work overtime on the weekends.
• As we were introducing the repair service to the game, we noticed long periods of time where the repairperson would stand doing nothing – this also occurred for other repair services (such as the maid). We have adjusted the ‘do-nothingness’ for the service NPCs, and are happy with the lessening of the nothingness time.
  • “Hey Bub? Fella?! HEY! BUB?! Hey! I’m paying you by the hour here fella!! BUB!?!”
• You can now remove a fish from a fish bowl if the power is off.
  • Apparently our fish were afraid of the dark, and would cat clamp themselves to the sides of the fish bowl if you attempted to remove them when the power was off. We fixed this, and now you can shove as many fish as you want into your pockets regardless of power state.
• We addressed several foundation issues that would result in Sims being unable to properly route over foundations within some lots in Willow Creek.

 

EP01 Issues

• The Booking Station and Interrogation Table will now properly function even when they are not in their default colors.
  • Somehow these two objects lost all functionality if their colors were altered… yep, that happened.

Thank you so much for all of your participation in the October Challenge! I hope you had as much fun with it in game, as we did watching the challenge play out.

Until next time,

-SimGuruGnome

 

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Update: 09/24/2015 – PC Version 1.11.64.1020 / Mac Version 1.11.64.1220
 
An early Boo for you Simmers!
 
There seems to be some Spooky Stuff skulking in the shadows just around the corner, but before we peek into the candy bowl, we have a few treats for you in today’s release!
 
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Boo!
Boo who?
Don’t cry… I’ll tell you what’s new.

• Sims have a new social trait to choose - Jealous!
  • These Sims get Jealous more easily than other Sims. They gain a boost of Confidence from being around their significant other, but get Tense if they haven’t seen them recently.
  • Be wary of those jealous tendencies however – we spent some time encouraging Sims to react more consistently in situations where jealous reactions are warranted.
• Two new interactions have snuck their way into your social options along with a special icon next to them…
  • The icon is there to indicate that these are limited time interactions.
  • Limited? Yup, for a limited time only, we’ve introduced “Trick” and “Treat” interactions in preparation for that spooky festival at the end of October. We will be sharing more info on why being a Tricker or a Treater might matter in the coming weeks.
• A new interaction “Claim” can now be found on beds. Choosing this interaction will cause Sims to prefer the chosen bed when sleep comes to claim them.

 
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Ya.
Ya who?
I know, I’m excited about the fixed issues too!
 
General Issues

• We fixed an issue that was causing some users to be unable to progress past acquaintance relationship status, no matter how high their relationship.
  • This would be most obvious as players attempted to progress up the Friend of the World aspiration track – finding they were unable to complete several of the milestone tracks.
• The creative juices are flowing, the melody is visualized, and you are ready to write that song! And then you aren't… you just want a snack, chat with your friends, or maybe it's just time for work. But wait, you can't stop writing the song! “Why!?” you scream silently.
  • Fear not my little song writers. We have defeated the unseen entity that bound you to your song writing – now, you can stop writing that song (whether from a guitar or violin) any time your little Simmy heart desires.
• We fixed an issue that could be caused when using a trackpad, resulting in the cursor becoming stuck (most often while in Create a Sim), and leave users in an unplayable state.
• The Clayblob and Microscope slides are now live draggable.
  • We were creating inventory issues by allowing items in the inventory that could not be live dragged, resulting in some bad behaviors.
• Sims that are soulmates prior to reaching the "Achieve Soulmate Relationship with Spouse" aspiration goal, will now auto complete that goal.
  • New and Improved Soulmate 2.0! …when your first soulmate just doesn’t cut the aspirational mustard.

• Nothing says completed Space Rock collection like an Orchid! Aren’t space rocks and orchids practically synonyms for one another?
  • "Hey mom, did you see this cool orchid I got from space camp?"
  • "The bouquet of space rocks you gave me for mother’s day are beautiful sweetie."
  • ...see?
  • Fine, we changed this. Now, you get a plaque. A commemorative plaque... are you happy? Space Rock Commemorative Plaque... it hurts just to say it.
• Elder Sims hair color no longer changes to grey when modifying their eye color.
  • I knew it! Eye color, grey, hair, changes – it all adds up! Elders are old!
• We have added more lot sizes to the gallery filters in order to properly filter lots into their own sorts.
  • The 40x30 and 50x40 sizes now have their own filter.
• We fixed an issue that was incorrectly locking the male beige cardigan (ymTop_CardiganCollar_Beige) from being worn by Sims.
• Sims now prefer to wash their dishes in a dishwasher rather than a sink.

• Divorced Sims, who live in the same household… really? Because that's not a tiny bit awkward… will no longer autonomously sleep together in the same bed.
• The level 3 Criminal reward interaction “Pick Pocket” is once again available under the Mischief category after being unlocked.
• The “Go on 2 Dates” goal of Amore Amateur milestone will now properly track for all dates, no matter who initiated them.
• The help text for teen careers will no longer reference school performance tips.
• You will no longer be able to upgrade a broken refrigerator.
  • I suppose, technically you can upgrade a broken refrigerator, since repairing it could be considered an upgrade from the broken state. So, it should have read “You will no longer be able to choose the interaction named upgrade when the refrigerator is broken.”
  • But it was probably fine not going into that extra level of detail.
• The "Make a Friend" goal for the child Social aspiration will now properly satisfy… when you make a friend.
• Rugs now properly resize with the "[" and "]" keys when using the resize cheat.
  • This has just opened up an entire new world of home decorating possibilities for me!
• Tense Sims can now resume their wood working crafts.
  • I always find that when I'm feeling stressed out and tense, that wielding a hammer and a saw do wonders for my tension.
    • I'm sure it'll be fine.
• Fixed an issue where some sculpture objects were not able to be cloned with the eyedropper tool.

 
Get to Work

• The Lice Cold Freezer will now allow Sims to properly route to it in order to make a purchase.

 
Outdoor Retreat

• Placing a home from the gallery on top of a rented home in Granite Falls will no longer make the game unplayable.

 
Spa Day

• Yoga is definitely good for your health and fitness, but you should no longer expect your Sim to become hulking masses of pure muscle tone madness by doing Yoga alone.
• We fixed an issue that was preventing the use of Saunas when placed in a basement.

 
Perfect Patio Stuff

• The Hot Tub control panel should no longer hide for no apparent reason.
• The Buy a Hot Tub whim will now only complete when you buy a hot tub… not when you buy anything other than a hot tub.

 
Cool Kitchen Stuff

• Restocking an ice cream bowl will now also include ice cream in the bowl.
  • I’ve often found that when bringing my children to an ice cream shop, having ice cream as the end result often yielded greater positive results over simply stepping in to grab a spoon.
• Dragging a carton of ice cream onto a counter will no longer cause the carton of ice cream to disappear.
  • Leaving a carton of ice cream on the counter however does increase its probability of disappearance through natural causes.
• The Steam Catcher (a ceiling light) has been made easier to find by sorting it within the stove sort.
  • That made more sense when we fixed it than it does when we read about the fix.
• Ice Cream tubs can now be live dragged into the refrigerator for safe keeping.
  • Now you can make tubs and tubs of ice cream without feeling guilty as you watch them melt away on the counter tops. Just place them in a fridge for a dozen nights of ice cream delights!
• Dragging a partially eaten bowl of ice cream will no longer refill the ice cream bowl magically.
  • Why can’t this be true!? Whyyyyyyyy!?

 
MAC

• The game will now properly launch when Origin is set to offline.

 
Thank you for your feedback, keep the tricks and treats coming, and happy Simming,
 
-SimGuruGnome
 

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Update: 09/01/2015 – PC Version 1.10.63.1020 / Mac Version 1.10.63.1220

Howdy Simmers,

We've got a small handful of fixes to share this week. Now rest assured more fixes are _always_ in progress, but since these were ready to release we wanted to get them out. 

General
•    Sims should now be able to change their relationship status normally with all other Sims. Wait... didn't we already fix this? *GRRR* Well we fixed more cases of stuck relationship levels. The Friend of the World aspiration should also be working for any new friends you make.

•    Fixed an issue where produce grown from seeds appeared all black. Existing black produce will stay that way, but new plants should appear properly.

•    Growing up with Italian family I always had plenty of Panettone every holiday season. If you've ever had this Italian version of the fruitcake you will agree that there is nothing to hate about this delicious pastry. Unfortunately the fruitcake our Sims share when welcoming a new Sim to the neighborhood is not delicious Panettone. It is some cursed monstrosity that has a chance to make your Sim hate all food. Well, we un-cursed the fruitcake. Your Sim may still hate it, but at least they shouldn't hate everything else.

That's it for this week. Thank you again for all your reports. All of these issues were pulled from community feedback and there are many more in the pipeline. Together we're making the game better.

-SimGuruJanitor

 

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Update: 08/06/2015 – PC Version 1.10.57.1020 / Mac Version 1.10.57.1220

I-scream’immers!

Happy August everyone! Summer heat abounds, ice cream is afoot, and it’s patch day!

We are days away from Cool Kitchen Stuff, and delivering frozen treats to Sims of all ages! And what could be better than bowls and bowls of half-eaten, melted ice cream littering the counters and tabletops of your Sims? Ice cream cones of course! …and maybe a dishwasher to help clean up the place.

So, you said Dishwashers?

Indeed, found within the Kitchen Appliances sort, or by searching for “dishwasher”, you can add to your Sims home an appliance made for the sole purpose of washing your dishes – a Dishwasher!

The dishwasher is slotted easily within your already manicured homes into any non-island counter.

Scrubbing at the sink is for the powerless!

Did you fix my issue?

I hope that we did, but if we didn’t please let us know. Here are the issues we did look into however…

General

• Mail will now arrive at your residence even if you are not there! No more lost packages... stolen by some hunger-need-failing Sim looking for the tart of the month package delivery. No, now your mail will safely arrive to your home... even when you aren’t there.
  • The hunger-need-failing Sim is ok, he’ll probably just grab a bite from your fridge.
• Male eye colors - alligator green, gray-green, deep blue, dark grey, purple - will now properly save on male Sims both while in Create a Sim, and after exiting.
• Original by creator lot information will no longer be lost when a downloaded lot is modified via manage worlds and then re-uploaded to the Gallery.
• We fixed the issue that caused several lots to display black/missing textures as a result of overlapping roofs (most noticeable in complex roof creations, and sometimes would cause roof objects to also appear incorrectly in shadow).
  • We hope to see your beautiful structures continue to enhance the Gallery.
• Searching hashtags in the Gallery will no longer reset the advanced filter settings. Search away searchlings… search away.
• Randomly placed poles at the park near Rippling Flats are no longer randomly placed, but instead have been purposefully removed, and will be thoughtfully considered before we once again decidedly place them in any future location.
• Alien ears will no longer change in size or shape as the Sim ages up.
  • …outside of the normal “I aged up so my heads bigger” type of size and shape changes.
• Using the interaction "Send Neighbors Home" will now properly end the Welcome Wagon event, and send the neighbors home.
• Turns out, in the code, all non-played Sims are considered ready to age up at any time. Which means, whenever the code would say "I want to start an NPC hosted birthday party. Is there anyone available to host it?" The answer was always yes. Oddly enough, it also turns out that this was causing players non-played Sims to age up quite often if the player went to the birthday parties they were invited to. We've fixed the availability for non-played Sims to host their own birthday party to properly check against their age.
• Cereal is no longer grungy looking and unappetizing, but is now vibrant, colorful, and quite appetizing. And as a cereal lover of many varieties... I have to say I agree with the vibrancy.
• Custom music tracks will no longer choose to play silently for no apparent reason when listening to them on the stereo.
  • However, I have to wonder if it was just the game deciding it didn’t like a particular track.
• Sims shadow detail once again includes extremities and not just an odd blob beneath their feet. Because Sims are more than just blobs to us... they are arms, legs, and the whole package.
  • *sniff* bring it in here big guy… I’m feeling a hug coming on.
• Sims will no longer reset when attempting to clean up spoiled food in their inventory while in a hot tub or pool… because it's completely normal to carry spoiled food in your pockets when you go swimming.
  • You don’t mind if I respectfully decline that pool party you were inviting me to, do you?

 

Luxury Party

• Sims will no longer reset when attempting to resume eating a garnished chocolate covered strawberry, caramel covered apple, or cheese dipper. Great… now I'm hungry.

Perfect Patio

• Sims who are cuddling in a Hot Tub, will no longer leave their intimate positions to awkwardly ask to woohoo from a friendlier position, only to get back to cuddling before then secretly slipping beneath the jets.
• Applying the hair best described as ‘Swept Frosted Black’ to a child Sim will now actually give the child black hair… and not some other randomly selected hair color.

 

Spa Day

• Note the following tuning Change: Teleportation from stools has been moved from level 5, to level 7.

 

Get to Work

• We fixed an issue in which…. before we continue, I feel that I must legally ask that you take a moment to stretch your facial muscles. Do some warmups (ah-oh’s, face pops), really get ready. Ok? Ok, let’s continue...
  • Restocking a multi-object (like the drink tray) while a 3rd object (like a chair slotted into a table) was blocking the restocking, was resulting in a partial object restocking but a full charge for the restocking. Restocking should now fully restock an object, whether or not another object was blocking the restocking.

 

May you always find ice cream when you seek it, garnish when you need it, and toppings for all your flavors,

-SimGuruGnome

 

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Update: 07/28/2015 – PC Version 1.9.83.1010 / Mac Version 1.9.83.1210

Hey Simmers

Today we are releasing a small, but focused update to address two specific issues that have been affecting some folks. This update would not have been possible without your help and support. To everyone who contributed save files and participated in bug threads on the forums and Answers HQ, you have our sincere thanks!

"Can't Make Friends" a.k.a. "Relationship Stuck At Impartial"

Sims should now be able to change their relationship status normally with all other Sims.  

"Map Reload Issue" a.k.a. "Loading a lot kicks me back to the map"

This should be fixed for most players, and you should now be able to visit problem lots once again.  This actually turned out to be a few different issues that all had the same result.  In each case some sequence of events would put a lot into a 'bad' state, and the game would essentially run back to the safety of the map screen.  We believe we've fixed the most common causes of this effect, but there may be other methods that might scare the game away.  If you encounter a new one, please share! 

Thank you again for your continued support and participation!

SimGuruJanitor

 

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Update: 07/09/2015 – PC Version 1.9.80.1020 / Mac Version 1.9.80.1220

Welcome Simmers,

Please relax. If you desire, grab a towel, be comfortable. Have some herbal tea. The music is set to zen. And our minds are free to mingle with the universe, as we contemplate the mixing of 1s and 0s in this update. We allow ourselves to submerge into our subconscious, as we along with the data, flow together to form all new outcomes.

Ahhhm feeling very one with you right now. The time is ready. Let us find out “the new”.

*sneezes* Whelp, there goes my zen. Oh well…

 

The New

Half Walls! Not Full Walls!

I’m not sure why we call them half walls, as that would imply we are just giving you one size… a half wall. But we’ve got five sizes for you! So they really are more like Not Full-Wall Walls.

 

To begin building with your very own Not Full-Wall Walls:

• Open up Build Mode, and click on the Build sort.
• In the picture, select the deck (near fences and doors) called Walls and Empty Rooms
• From here, you can find Half Walls and Half Wall Trims in their similarly named sorts
  • Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to change their names in game… so sadly they are still called half walls. But you and I know better.

You can replace existing walls or draw your own half walls, similar to fences. Once you have placed a half wall, you can texture the wall using Wall Patterns, or modify the trim piece from the Half Wall Trims catalog.

 

Door Locking

Sims can now lock their doors!

• Click on a door, choose Lock Door For… and select who you want to keep out.
• Once you have chosen who doesn’t get to use the door, you can modify the access list by choosing Allow Access For… and select who gets to come in.
• Or you can unlock the door.

 

Some new things!

• The King’s and Queen’s Door (allowing only just the men or women to pass through it)
• The Seeing Glass door
• The Smooth Keeper fence
• The Subtle Saucer ceiling light
• 6 new Wall Decals (4 arrows and a male/female decal)
• A male and female Towel full body outfit for all ages
• A pair of slippers for the kids

 

Gallery Updates

• Updated the organization for and added all new sorts for your Households, Lots, and Rooms
  • Size, Room Type, Lot Type, Price, # of Sims
• Funds and Lot Size for your current lot is now visible when placing a lot from within Live Mode
  • This is incredible! To not have to guess what lot size I was playing on, or how many Simoleons I had left to build with… so nice!
• A large assortment of new lots can be found in the My Library tab, from library to park, and residential to lounge (over 25 lots added).
• A new option to place lots from Manage Worlds without entering Build Mode.

 

World and Venue Interface Oooverhaul

It’s been proven through statistical manipulation that if you use really big sounding words to describe something, it sounds awesome! That said, this is pretty awesome!

The Lot Info Panel layout has been updated

• Residential lot bedroom / bathroom fields are now text entry fields rather than drop downs
• Lot Value and Dimensions are easier to find
• And there is a new button, View Venue Type in Gallery, which takes you to lots of that type in My Library for quick placement.
  • This option also exists within the venue type drop down

 

The World Maps have a new button next to them to View World Info. From within

• Add / edit the world description
• Click View Lot Types to see which lots already exist with the current world, and again easily find within the Gallery if you wish to place a specific lot type.

 

Issues Fixed

General (Crash / Performance / Critical)

• We have continued to improve performance through various optimizations.
• The cas.fulleditmode cheat will no longer allow a pregnant Sims to switch age or gender.

 

General (Tuning / Interface)

• The unbreakable PrioPerfection Motion Sensor Game Mat is now unbreakable.
  • The unsinkable Molly Brown is not.
• Child only households are no longer allowed to move directly into a lot without an existing household from the gallery.
• The Gallery description fields not only allow you to type 500 characters, but now they also let you read 500 characters!
• Joining a play date with a Sim that is playful will now properly satisfy the hidden playful goal for the event.
  • Sometimes goals that are “obvious” to an event are hidden in order to streamline the way an event is presented.
• Roof trims are now free!!!
  • Well, they've always been free, but now they also SAY they are free.
• Items flagged as “New” will no longer be “New” once you know them.
  • Or I could just say “Clicking on a new flagged item will clear the flag.”
• Phone options in the phone menu will no longer crawl their way off screen when switching tabs.
  • Because that was creepy.
• Fixed an issue in Create a Sim that could cause facial features to incorrectly modify if a Sim was first randomized from Gallery and then switched ages.
• Burned stereos will no longer continue to visually act as if they are still functional.
• We fixed an issue that would prevent you from being able to rotate an object after using the "M" key to swap which slot the object was resting in.
  • Did you know about the "M" key?
  • I didn't.
  • And I’m all about keyboard shortcuts (WASD for life!).
• The riverside curb found in the neighborhood containing Fern Park, Beech Byway, Oak Alcove, and Midtown Meadows will no longer allow your Sims to contemplate life, existence, everything… fish… by being able to see through to the infinite void.
• Fixed an issue that could cause photos and paintings to turn black if they were first placed into the Household Inventory, and then placed on the lot.
• 2560 x 1440 resolution will now be remembered when switching between fullscreen and windowed modes.
  • Also, if you are playing at 2560 x 1440, I’m jealous. So…yep, there it is.
• The thumbnail loading animation in The Gallery will now actually animate, rather than appear as if you have frozen… once again freeing you to contemplate life, existence, forty-two…

 

MAC

• Pressing "B" will now properly select the Wall Tool, and not the basement tool.
  • Because Wall starts with B! It’s silent.
  • And invisible.

 

Outdoor Retreat

• Several flowers and shrubs recently became incorrectly hidden behind a cheat. We have fixed this issue and returned the foliage to their proper place in the catalog.
  • I love the word foliage.
• Players can no longer choose to move their household into Granite Falls… since that corrupted their save file…
  • … and the other Sims 4 save files on their system
  • But that’s it!
  • Except there was that one designer… supposedly he went a little, you know, as a result of working on the issue. But that was unconfirmed. Completely unrelated. I mean, I’m not one to talk… but, well, his family has a “history” you know. He lived with his mother at this motel on the interstate. And well I don’t want to bore you with the details, but there was talk about how his mother had passed under mysterious circumstances and you know, he was finding it difficult to accept her passing. Spending his days listlessly working his motel desk, cleaning the showers… it is true that ‘we all go a little mad sometimes,’ his words not mine of course, but I’m not sure he’s put the past behind him. And well, I think it’s affecting his work. Maybe I’ll head over to his place, and talk to him about it. Should be fine… it’s not prying you know, I’m just concerned.
• Choosing to "Join Vacation" will no longer use a llama icon in the action queue.
  • The llama does have a name, it's Dolly.
• You will no longer receive the Unbearable buff if you run into the bear when the bear is not in character.
• Sims will no longer become stuck with the dirty clothes look if they were grungy while on vacation and took a shower/bath to clean up.
  • They will however maintain the look if they are LARPing 90s Northwest bands.
• Using the Fireweed Spray on a bed will now have visual fx when using it.
• The forest ranger now has an icon of their very own when asked about their career.

 

Get to Work

• We fixed an issue that prevented the hiring of new employees if a former employee had died while on the job. And while we are concerned for the safety of all employees, it is equally, if not more important to ensure that you can keep your store running. What you do with your employees, at your store is not for us to worry about, we just want to make sure you can keep hiring.
• The Memory Erase interaction now increases mischief skill. We just forgot.

 

Perfect Patio

• Now when you search for Hot Tub, you will find… hot tubs.
• Also, hot tubs now provide fun for your Sims.

 

Much appreciation, happy relaxation, and thank you for your continued dedication to The Sims,

-SimGuruGnome

 

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Update: 06/11/2015 – PC Version 1.8.61.1020 / Mac Version 1.8.61.1220

Hey Simmers,

It’s Thursday! There’s some exciting Stuff happening just around the corner, and we have a release to release to you… in this release. So, stretch out to a new world, welcome your Sims with a little fruitcake, and draw up a room where you can place a chair to sit in, in order to relax, if that is your inclination, or perhaps you’re more of an on the edge of your seat type of person, in which case you shouldn’t sit back, because that wouldn’t really make sense…

…well, anyway.

Um, what’s new!?

We have heard the cries from the mountain tops for space (“My Sims need space!” <- see right there). And so, welcome to Newcrest! Fifteen lots await your creative hand to build to your desire. OR if you are less inclined to build from scratch, jump into the Gallery and populate your world from your fellow Simmers’ creations. Some have already built some amazing lots, just search for #BuildNewcrest.

The return of the Welcome Wagon! Have you been finding it difficult to break the ice with your neighbors? Can’t seem to get anyone to come to the door and engage in a deep conversation about dinosaurs or your insecurities? Now when you move in to a new lot, your neighbors* will arrive with a welcoming smile and a pound of fruitcake.

*Please note: fruit cake, welcoming smile, and inviting neighbors require neighbors.

And to answer the unanswerable question of where does a lawn ornament go when their time is up, the Reagnomper gnome has been seen skulking about the Build catalog.

Tutorials have been given a facelift! Introductory dialogs now provide context as to the mode or lesson being taught, and allow you to skip a portion of the tutorial that you may already be familiar with.

A new tool, the Custom Room Tool, is now in Build Mode. This tool will allow you to draw your own room shapes.

• You can find the tool in the Walls and Empty Rooms sort in Build Mode.
• As you draw, each click will place a new wall segment, an indicator of the last clicked position, and a starting position. To complete the room, click back to the starting position.
• The last clicked position provides information to you in regards to the undo behavior.

And what about issues we’ve fixed?

Issues (General)

• We fixed a plagiarism issue that was allowing the “Original by” creator information associated with a lot or room to become lost after using the placement option via Manage Worlds and then re-uploading the lot to the Gallery.
• Sims in inactive households will no longer find themselves conscripted into unwanted jobs.
• You! Yes you ‘in the inactive household’ behind the ‘build structure that approximates the appearance of a’ grandstand. Stand still, Simmie!
• We fixed an issue that could cause corruption of the save files when players attempted to share their save files with one another.
• Using the “Enchanting Introduction” while running on a treadmill will no longer cause the Sim to sink into the treadmill.
• Working Out will no longer satisfy the Mentor Fitness or Study Opponents daily tasks from Professional Athlete and Bodybuilder career branches.
• Hungry Ghosts will no longer be informed that they might drown while they are swimming... mostly because we couldn’t quite agree from a philosophical approach about what it means to die when dead.
• I suppose if you consider the ghost as a reanimation of former life, it is possible that the re-death would result in a termination of that animation. But not all agree that the ghost is a reanimation, but rather a reflection of the former Sims spirit housed in a ghostly apparition. In which case, death of a reflection no longer made sense.
• Discussions on a Sims development team can get quite odd sometimes… 
• don’t ask me about woohoo.
• Fixed an issue that could prevent the player from editing the relationships of a household that was downloaded from the Gallery and merged with a currently non-played household.
• Candles will no longer be impacted by the paying of or lack of paying bills.
• Much to our dismay, it turns out that candles don't actually draw their fuel source from the power grid, but instead rely upon a rudimentary combustion for their fuel, or in some cases battery power. Neither of which are impacted by payment of bills. Huh, crazy I know.
• Ask on Date was available as an option earlier than intended, resulting in many Sims hopes being dashed without any possibility of success.
• I remember those times.

 

Issues (Get to Work)

• Aliens have begun to adjust to the strange and scary visiting Sims to their home world and are more likely to venture from their homes, if only to catch a glimpse of a Sim.
• Male Sims that reach level 10 in the detective career will now properly unlock the prison jumpsuit in Create a Sim.
• Fixed an issue that was failing to save the mannequin outfit, resulting in the mannequin display reverting to another outfit rather the players setting.

 

Issues (Luxury Party Stuff)

• Fruit Punch Fountain will now appear charred when charred.
• Ok, you probably didn't run into this (crosses fingers)… but if you ran into the "why doesn't it burn issue" that was briefly possible in late May, and you have installed Luxury Party Stuff and you then attempted to upload to the Gallery or bulldoze the lot that had the burn issue, you may have found yourself in a “my lot is corrupted, life has ended, I see a light” state of mind, or maybe not to that extreme. This issue has now been fixed. 

 

Much appreciation for your time, feedback, and patience,

-SimGuruGnome

 

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Update: 05/14/2015 – PC Version 1.7.62.1020 / Mac Version 1.7.62.1220

Hey Simmers,

We know it’s only been a short while since our most recent release. We have just a small update here as we are getting ready for the up and coming release of The Sims 4 Luxury Party Stuff Pack.

So, what have we got for you?

 

What’s New?

Sims that your household knows can call you up and invite you to some of their events!

Sims in a relationship might get a phone call to go on a date. Your child’s friends might ask them over for a play date. Or your “ready to age up, but not yet aged up” friends can call to ask you join them for their birthday party*.

*If you have aging turned off in the options panel, this will not invalidate that option. However, if you attend the birthday party, the Sim throwing the party will age up as a result of the party.

And we addressed a couple… well I mean, a couple is two, right? Yea, and a few is more than a couple, while some is more than a few? And several is greater than… yea ok, I got it. We fixed some issues. Some, yea, some is good.

 

Issues Fixed

• We fixed an issue where the social Ask on Date was working correctly, however if you chose the same action from the Relationship Panel or the Phone, it was 100% guaranteed to succeed. The Relationship Panel and Phone options now have the same chance for success and failure as the social.
• We fixed an issue that was preventing the Create a Sim tutorial from advancing properly in some cases when the Genetics panel was active.
• We fixed an issue that could cause the phone to ring only when the game was paused.
  • I’m picturing a family of frozen Sims, unable to reach the ringing telephone. The parents, they’re fine, they’ve long since taught themselves to ignore the phone… the teens? The teens are silently screaming, unable to claw their way to the ringing phone. It’s a movie, called “The Unanswerable.”
• We fixed a few text errors in the chance card for level four of the Writing career. Ironic?

 

Thank you,

SimGuruGnome

 

Btw, did you know that if you add just one letter to a sentence with ‘few’, it alters the meaning significantly:

• I have few friends vs. I have a few friends.

 

Thanks again!

-SGG

 

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