Do Sims Age on Vacation in The Sims 4? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes and no! The aging mechanics in The Sims 4 during vacations are a bit nuanced. The core rule is: when your active household is on vacation, Sims in your active household do NOT age. However, Sims in unplayed households will age if you have aging enabled for unplayed Sims in your game settings. Let’s dive deeper into the details and clear up any confusion.
Understanding the Aging Mechanics
The aging system in The Sims 4 is controlled by several factors, primarily whether the game is tracking your active household or running in the background for unplayed households. When your Sims embark on a vacation, the game essentially puts their aging on pause. This means no birthdays, no life stage transitions, and no unexpected gray hairs will appear on your vacationing Sims. This pause only applies to members of the active household.
However, the wider world of Sims continues. Unplayed Sims, also known as townies and Sims in households you are not currently playing, can still age if your game settings allow it. This is crucial to understand because it affects the overall progression of your Sim world. If you want a static world where no one ages unless you’re actively playing them, you’ll need to adjust your game settings accordingly.
How to Control Aging Settings
Fortunately, The Sims 4 gives you a lot of control over the aging process. You can customize it to suit your preferred play style. Here’s how:
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Go to the Game Options menu.
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Select the Gameplay tab.
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You’ll find two crucial settings here:
- Auto Age (Played Sims): This controls whether your currently active Sims age. You can set this to ‘Yes’ (normal aging), ‘No’ (Sims never age), or ‘Only Played Household’ (only the current household ages).
- Auto Age (Unplayed Sims): This controls whether Sims in households you are not actively playing age. Unchecking this box effectively freezes the aging of all townies and unplayed families.
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Click Apply Changes to save your settings.
By manipulating these settings, you can tailor the aging process to match your storytelling needs. Want a world where everyone ages dynamically except for your main family? You can do that! Prefer a completely frozen world where only the household you’re playing ages? That’s possible too!
The Vacation Exception: Oasis Springs
The article you cited mentions an exception related to Oasis Springs, where NPC Sims seemed to give birth after 72 hours during a visit. While this might have been an observed occurrence, it’s not necessarily a guaranteed behavior. Game mechanics can change with patches and updates, and individual experiences can vary due to other factors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarity about aging, vacations, and other related aspects in The Sims 4.
1. Can I prevent all Sims from aging, even when not on vacation?
Yes, by going to the Game Options, selecting the Gameplay tab, and setting both Auto Age (Played Sims) and Auto Age (Unplayed Sims) to ‘No’, you can completely stop aging in your game world.
2. What happens to my Sim’s career while they are on vacation?
Your Sim’s job performance won’t be affected negatively by a vacation. They will simply miss work during their time off, and upon returning, they can resume their career as usual. Be mindful to schedule the vacation reasonably, so they don’t miss too much work.
3. Can pregnant Sims go on vacation?
Absolutely! Pregnant Sims can travel and enjoy a vacation just like any other Sim.
4. Will my pregnant Sim’s pregnancy progress while on vacation?
Yes, a pregnant Sim’s pregnancy will progress as normal while on vacation. They will not give birth on vacation.
5. Can Sims have babies while on vacation?
No, Sims cannot give birth on vacation. They will need to return to their homeworld for the birth to occur.
6. Can children and toddlers go on vacation?
Yes, children, toddlers, and even infants can join their families on vacation.
7. Can I take my pets on vacation?
Yes, with the Cats & Dogs Expansion Pack, you can bring your furry friends along on your Sim’s vacation.
8. Can I change my Sim’s age while on vacation?
No, you cannot directly change your Sim’s age while on vacation using in-game options. However, you can use cheats to alter their age if needed.
9. What happens if I forget to feed my Sim while on vacation?
Sims still need to fulfill their needs while on vacation. If you neglect them, they can become unhappy or even face negative consequences.
10. Can my Sims die while on vacation?
Yes, Sims can still die on vacation from various causes, such as accidents, illnesses, or old age (if aging is enabled for played Sims).
11. Can I meet new Sims and form relationships while on vacation?
Yes, vacation destinations are great places to meet new Sims, strike up conversations, and even develop romantic relationships.
12. Can Sims get married while on vacation?
Yes, Sims can get married on vacation. You can plan a destination wedding and make lasting memories in a beautiful setting.
13. Does the length of the vacation affect aging?
The length of the vacation does not impact aging for active Sims. Aging is simply paused while they are away. For unplayed Sims, the length of time that elapses will impact them according to the game setting you have chosen.
14. How does time progress in unplayed households while my active Sims are on vacation?
If you have “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” enabled, time continues to progress in those households at the normal rate.
15. Where can I learn more about the impact of games on learning and behavior?
You can explore valuable resources and insights at the Games Learning Society website, GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization is dedicated to understanding and promoting the positive impact of games on education and cognitive development.
Conclusion
Understanding the aging mechanics in The Sims 4 during vacations empowers you to control your Sims’ destinies and craft the stories you want to tell. Whether you prefer a dynamically aging world or a timeless haven for your favorite Sims, the game offers the flexibility to create your ideal experience. Remember to adjust your game settings to align with your desired play style, and enjoy your Sim’s well-deserved vacation without worrying about unwanted aging!