Sending Guests Packing: Your Guide to Sending Sims Home in The Sims 4
So, you’ve got a house full of Sims in The Sims 4. The party’s raged, the gossip’s been spilled, and frankly, it’s time for your guests to… depart. The million Simoleon question is: How do you send a visiting Sim home in Sims 4?
The most direct route is interacting with the Sim you want to bid farewell to. Select your Sim, click on the visiting Sim, and scroll through the interaction menu. You’re looking for the interaction labeled “Ask to Leave.” Clicking this will prompt the visiting Sim to pack their virtual bags and head back to their own digital dwelling.
However, the Sims world, as we all know, isn’t always that simple. Sometimes “Ask to Leave” doesn’t appear! Let’s explore why, and other methods.
Why Isn’t “Ask to Leave” Showing Up?
Several factors can contribute to the elusive “Ask to Leave” interaction disappearing. Identifying the reason is crucial for a successful guest expulsion.
Relationship Status Matters
The most common culprit is your Sim’s relationship with the visiting Sim. If their relationship is too high (think close friends or romantic partners), the game might not offer the “Ask to Leave” option immediately. Sims are often reluctant to abruptly kick out their loved ones. Try performing some “Mean” interactions to lower the relationship score slightly. Just enough to create a little distance, a little tension.
Sims are Busy
Is your Sim currently in the middle of an activity, such as cooking, sleeping, or using the bathroom? Or is the visitor engaged in something? The interaction won’t appear if either Sim is currently occupied. Cancel their actions (if it is your Sim) or wait until the visitor has completed the current activity.
Hidden Moodlets or Scenarios
Occasionally, a hidden moodlet or scenario might be preventing the “Ask to Leave” interaction from appearing. This is rarer, but it can happen, particularly if you’re playing with mods or custom content. Try resetting the Sim (more on that later) if you suspect this is the issue.
Alternative Methods for Guest Expulsion
If the “Ask to Leave” option is stubbornly refusing to cooperate, fear not! There are other, sometimes more creative, ways to send those Sims home.
The Power of Travel
This method is slightly less direct but can be effective. If you have the “Outdoor Retreat” or “Jungle Adventure” Game Pack, you can simply travel to a vacation world. When you return to your home lot, the visiting Sim will no longer be present. This also works by travelling to another neighborhood.
Throwing a Party…and Ending It
If the visiting Sim came to your lot as part of a party (social gathering), ending the party will automatically send all guests, including your target, home. Simply select your Sim, click on the phone, and choose “End Social Event.” A swift and decisive approach!
The Reset Sim Cheat
This is the nuclear option, but it can resolve many glitches, including stubborn visitors. Open the cheat console (Ctrl+Shift+C on PC/Mac, or all four shoulder buttons on consoles), type “testingcheats true” and press Enter. Then, type “resetsim [FirstName LastName]” (replace “[FirstName LastName]” with the actual name of the visiting Sim) and press Enter. This will reset the Sim, potentially clearing any glitches preventing them from leaving.
Letting Nature Take its Course
Sims have needs, and when those needs aren’t met, they’ll eventually leave to take care of them. Deny your guest access to the toilet (lock the door!), make sure there is no food for them to eat, and make them uncomfortable enough that they will leave by themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sending Sims Home
Here are some commonly asked questions and their answers to further enhance your understanding of Sim guest management.
1. What happens if I don’t send a visiting Sim home?
If you don’t send a visiting Sim home, they will eventually leave on their own when their needs become too low or the reason for their visit (like a party) has concluded. However, they may hang around longer than you’d like, consuming resources and generally being a digital houseguest.
2. Can I send a Sim home even if they’re asleep?
Yes, you can usually “Ask to Leave” a sleeping Sim. Your Sim will wake them up to deliver the message, which might slightly decrease their relationship.
3. Is there a way to prevent Sims from visiting in the first place?
Yes, you can adjust your phone settings to prevent unwanted visitors. Open the phone, navigate to the settings menu, and customize who can visit your Sim. This is especially useful if you are looking for some peace and quiet.
4. Can I send a Sim home who doesn’t live in my current world?
Yes, the “Ask to Leave” interaction works regardless of where the Sim resides. They’ll simply return to their home, even if it’s in another world.
5. What if the Sim is a townie with no home?
Townies will simply disappear from your lot once you ask them to leave. They don’t have a specific home to return to.
6. Does sending a Sim home affect my relationship with them?
Yes, sending a Sim home can impact your relationship. If you have a high relationship, it might lower it slightly. Continuously asking Sims to leave when they visit will certainly damage your relationship.
7. Can I send a Sim home while they’re using an object (like a computer or a shower)?
No, you need to wait until they finish using the object. The “Ask to Leave” interaction won’t be available while they’re actively engaged in an activity.
8. Is there a mod that makes it easier to send Sims home?
Yes, various mods exist that can modify visitor behavior, including making it easier to send them home or preventing them from overstaying their welcome. Check reliable Sims modding websites for options. Always back up your game before installing any mods!
9. Can I send a Sim home during a holiday?
Yes, the “Ask to Leave” interaction is available even during holidays. However, be mindful that it might be considered rude, potentially affecting your Sim’s holiday traditions or relationships.
10. What happens if I accidentally send the wrong Sim home?
Unfortunately, there’s no “undo” button. The Sim will return to their home, and you’ll have to invite them back over if you want them to visit again.
11. Can I send a Sim home if they’re a celebrity?
Yes, celebrity status doesn’t affect the “Ask to Leave” interaction. They’re still subject to the same rules as any other Sim.
12. What if a Sim refuses to leave when I ask them to?
This is rare, but it can happen if the Sim has a very strong reason to stay (e.g., they’re in love with your Sim and have nowhere else to go). Try lowering the relationship, using Mean interactions, or employing the Reset Sim cheat. You can even try removing beds, sofas and chairs to remove the ability for them to sit down and relax.
13. Is there a way to send all visitors home at once?
Ending a social event is the quickest way to dismiss all guests at once. Otherwise, you’ll need to interact with each Sim individually.
14. Can I send a Sim home if they are currently pregnant?
Pregnancy does not affect the ability to send a Sim home.
15. What happens if I invite a Sim to move in and then immediately ask them to leave?
This will result in the Sim moving out of the household and returning to their previous home (or becoming a townie if they didn’t have one). It’s a somewhat convoluted way to evict a Sim, but it works!
Mastering the art of sending Sims home is crucial for maintaining order and sanity in your Sims 4 households. Whether you prefer the polite approach of “Ask to Leave” or the more drastic measures of travel and cheats, you now have the knowledge to effectively manage your Sim’s social circles. Remember to consider the relationship dynamics and potential consequences before sending someone packing!
Want to explore the educational aspects of gaming? Visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more about the intersection of games and learning.