Mastering Mortality: How to Change NPC Sims’ Age in The Sims 4
So, you want to play God in your Sims 4 world and manipulate the very fabric of time for your non-player character (NPC) Sims? I get it. Maybe you have a budding romance between your Sim and a townie you don’t want to wither away, or perhaps you need a grumpy elder for a specific storyline. Whatever the reason, changing the age of an NPC Sim is entirely possible, thanks to the power of cheats!
The most direct way to change an NPC Sim’s age in The Sims 4 involves using the cas.fulleditmode cheat and interacting with the Sim in the Create-a-Sim (CAS) interface. This allows you to modify any aspect of the Sim, including their age.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Open the Cheat Console: Press Ctrl + Shift + C on your keyboard. This will bring up a text box at the top of your screen.
- Enable Cheats: Type testingcheats on into the cheat console and press Enter. You should receive a message confirming that cheats are enabled. This step is crucial, as it unlocks the ability to use more advanced cheats.
- Enter Full Edit Mode: Type cas.fulleditmode into the cheat console and press Enter. This unlocks all CAS functionalities, allowing you to edit aspects of a Sim that are normally restricted.
- Find the NPC Sim: Locate the NPC Sim whose age you wish to change. They need to be on the same lot as your active Sim for the next step to work smoothly.
- Shift-Click the Sim: Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click on the NPC Sim. A menu will appear.
- Select “Modify in CAS”: From the menu that appears, choose the option “Modify in CAS”. This will transport the selected NPC Sim to the Create-a-Sim screen.
- Change the Age: In CAS, you’ll see the Sim’s current life stage displayed (toddler, child, teen, young adult, adult, elder). Simply click on the desired life stage icon to change their age.
- Confirm Changes: Once you’ve made all the desired changes, click the checkmark in the bottom right corner of the screen to save your modifications and return to the game.
That’s it! You’ve successfully altered the age of your NPC Sim. Remember that changing a Sim’s age can affect their relationships, skills, and aspirations, so consider the implications before making drastic changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide a deeper understanding of manipulating NPC ages and related aspects in The Sims 4:
Can I change an NPC Sim’s age without using cheats?
No, unfortunately, there’s no way to directly change an NPC Sim’s age in The Sims 4 without using cheats. The game’s natural aging system is designed to progress Sims through life stages automatically, and manual intervention requires cheat codes. You can manage the speed of aging in the game settings, but you cannot pinpoint a specific age for an NPC without cas.fulleditmode.
How do I stop my NPC Sims from aging altogether?
You can disable auto-aging for all Sims, including NPCs, in the Game Options. Go to Gameplay Settings and uncheck the “Auto Age (Played Sims)” and “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” options. Keep in mind that this will freeze the aging process for everyone in your game world, so your Sim will no longer age either. If you only want to control the aging of specific Sims, move them into your household, turn off auto-aging for Played Sims, then age up or down the desired Sim, move them out, and then turn on aging for Unplayed Sims.
What happens if I age an NPC Sim up or down multiple life stages at once?
Changing an NPC Sim’s age drastically can lead to some unexpected consequences. Their relationships with other Sims might be affected, as their relationship status could change depending on their new age. Their skills and career progress might also be reset or adjusted to fit their new life stage. It’s generally best to make gradual age changes to avoid disrupting the Sim’s established life.
Why aren’t my townies aging up in The Sims 4?
If your townies aren’t aging up, the most likely reason is that auto-aging for unplayed Sims is turned off in your game settings. Check your Gameplay Options and ensure that the “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” option is enabled. Additionally, ensure that the lifespan setting is not set to ‘off’.
Can I use the cake method to age up townies in The Sims 4?
Yes, you can use the cake method to age up townies, but they need to be on your lot. Bake a birthday cake, then click on it and select the option to “Add Birthday Candles”. Then, click on the cake again and choose “Help Blow Out Candles” and select the townie you want to age up. This will initiate their birthday sequence and age them up to the next life stage.
Is there a way to edit NPC Sims’ traits?
Yes, you can edit NPC Sims’ traits using the same cheat codes mentioned earlier. Enable testingcheats on and then cas.fulleditmode, shift-click on the Sim, select “Modify in CAS,” and you’ll be able to change their traits.
How do I edit a Sim’s appearance outside of CAS?
You can edit a Sim’s appearance outside of CAS, but the options are limited. You can change their outfits by clicking on a dresser and selecting “Plan Outfit”. For more comprehensive changes, such as facial features and body shape, you’ll need to use the cas.fulleditmode cheat and access CAS.
Can I edit non-editable lots in The Sims 4?
Yes, you can edit non-editable lots by using the cheat code bb.enablefreebuild. Open the cheat console, type in bb.enablefreebuild, and press enter. This will unlock the ability to edit lots that are normally locked, such as community lots and secret lots.
How do I change my Sims’ aspiration in The Sims 4?
To change a Sim’s aspiration, open the cheat console, type testingcheats true, then type cas.fulleditmode. Shift-click on the Sim and select “Modify in CAS.” In CAS, you can then change the Sim’s aspiration to any other available aspiration.
How do I reset a Sim who is stuck or glitched?
If a Sim is stuck or glitched, you can try resetting them using the cheat code resetSim [FirstName] [LastName]. Replace [FirstName] and [LastName] with the Sim’s actual name. This will reset the Sim to a neutral state and often resolve minor glitches.
What is the difference between “testingcheats true” and “testingcheats on”?
Both “testingcheats true” and “testingcheats on” achieve the same result: they enable cheat codes in The Sims 4. The “true” variant is a more explicit Boolean value, while “on” is a more user-friendly term. Either command will activate cheats.
Can I use mods to change NPC ages more easily?
Yes, numerous mods are available that provide more user-friendly interfaces and functionalities for managing Sim ages and other aspects of the game. These mods can simplify the process of editing NPCs and offer more customization options. Always download mods from reputable sources and be aware of potential compatibility issues with game updates.
Do Sims age when I am not playing their household?
By default, Sims in unplayed households will age if auto-aging is enabled in the game settings. You can control whether unplayed households age independently of your active household in the Gameplay Options. This allows you to customize how the game world progresses without your direct intervention.
How do I make sure my favorite NPCs don’t disappear from the game?
To prevent your favorite NPCs from disappearing, you can move them into your household or add them to your “Not Played” households in the Manage Households menu. This will ensure that they remain in your game world and are not culled by the game’s population management system. Consider flagging them as unplayed.
Where can I learn more about The Sims 4 and educational games?
For more in-depth information about The Sims 4 and other educational games, you can visit the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society fosters collaboration among educators and game designers. Their goal is to build more engaging and innovative learning experiences.
In conclusion, manipulating NPC ages in The Sims 4 is relatively straightforward using cheat codes. By following the steps outlined above and considering the potential consequences of your actions, you can effectively control the life stages of your Sims and shape your game world to your liking.