How to Stay Over in Another Sim’s House: The Ultimate Guide

Want your Sim to experience the ultimate social immersion in The Sims 4? Staying over at another Sim’s house is a core element of social gameplay, adding depth and realism to your Sims’ relationships. Here’s a breakdown of how to arrange an overnight stay, along with tips and tricks to make the most of it.

The primary method for arranging a stay-over involves initiating a social interaction with another Sim. Build a strong enough relationship with another Sim, and eventually the “Ask to Stay Over” social interaction will become available in the friendly conversation options. Select this interaction, and if the other Sim accepts, your Sim will initiate the stay-over.

Arranging the Sleepover: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Build a Relationship: The foundation of any stay-over is a solid relationship. Focus on building your relationship meter with the Sim you want to visit. Engage in friendly interactions such as chatting, joking, and sharing interests. The higher the relationship, the more likely they are to accept your invitation.
2. Initiate the “Ask to Stay Over” Interaction: Once you’ve cultivated a good relationship, navigate the friendly conversation options. Look for the interaction labeled “Ask to Stay Over.” This option usually appears when your relationship is at least at the “Friend” level, but specifics vary between game updates and relationship characteristics.
3. Wait for Acceptance: After initiating the interaction, the other Sim will decide whether to accept or decline. Their decision depends on several factors, including their personality traits, current mood, relationship level, and current circumstances. If they are preoccupied, feeling negative emotions, or have low relationship levels, they might decline. Don’t be discouraged if they decline, just try again later once you have a higher relationship level.
4. Travel to Their Home: If your invitation is accepted, your Sim will automatically travel to their home or you will be given the option to travel immediately. If the stay-over is pre-arranged and set for a later day, your Sim will automatically travel to their home at the designated time.
5. Enjoy the Stay: Once your Sim arrives, they can interact with the host Sim, use the house’s amenities, and participate in activities available on the lot. The length of stay can vary, typically lasting until the next morning or longer depending on the context of the visit.

Maximizing Your Stay-Over Experience

• Choose Your Host Wisely: Different Sims have different living situations and personalities. Consider these factors when choosing your host. Sims with larger homes and diverse hobbies can offer more engaging stay-over experiences. Sims with negative traits, however, might create drama during the visit.
• Pack Appropriately: Even though your Sim can use the host’s amenities, packing essentials like toiletries and favorite comfort items can make the stay more enjoyable.
• Be a Good Guest: Help with chores, respect house rules, and engage in activities that both Sims enjoy. Building a positive reputation as a guest will improve the chances of future invitations.
• Observe Social Cues: Pay attention to the host Sim’s mood and energy levels. If they are tired or stressed, offer to help or give them space. Avoid engaging in unwanted interactions that might strain the relationship.

Managing Stay-Over Invitations

Sometimes, Sims might invite you to stay over at their house. Here’s how to manage these invitations:

• Accepting Invitations: If your Sim receives an invitation, evaluate whether they have the time and energy for a visit. Accepting invitations can strengthen relationships and provide new experiences.
• Declining Invitations: If your Sim is too busy or not in the mood for a stay-over, politely decline. Be mindful of maintaining the relationship, and consider offering an alternative arrangement, such as a shorter visit or a raincheck.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I stay over at any Sim’s house, regardless of the relationship level?

No, you generally need a relationship of at least “Friend” to unlock the “Ask to Stay Over” interaction. Lower relationship levels may not provide this option.

2. What happens if a Sim declines my invitation to stay over?

If a Sim declines, it might impact your Sim’s mood negatively. Improve the relationship and try again later, or consider a shorter visit first.

3. Can my Sim stay over at a celebrity’s house?

Yes, if your Sim has a good relationship with a celebrity, they can stay over. However, be prepared for paparazzi and other unique challenges that come with celebrity households.

4. How long can my Sim stay over at another Sim’s house?

The duration of the stay-over varies. It typically lasts until the next morning but can be extended depending on the Sims’ schedules and interactions.

5. What activities can my Sim do while staying over?

Your Sim can engage in various activities, including sleeping, eating, using the facilities, participating in hobbies, and socializing with the host and other Sims on the lot.

6. Can I control the host Sim while my Sim is staying over?

No, you can only control your active Sim. You can, however, influence the host Sim’s actions through social interactions.

7. How do I end a stay-over early?

Simply have your Sim use their phone to “Travel Home”. This ends the stay-over immediately.

8. What happens if my Sim gets sick while staying over?

Your Sim will experience the same symptoms as if they were at home. Ensure they get proper rest and medical care to recover.

9. Can my Sim bring children or pets when staying over?

This depends on the specific game settings and interactions available. Generally, you can’t bring children or pets unless the game allows it explicitly through a specific prompt.

10. How does the stay-over interaction work with different packs (e.g., Parenthood, Growing Together)?

Different packs enhance the stay-over experience with unique interactions and consequences. Parenthood might introduce family dynamics, while Growing Together could affect relationships based on shared milestones.

11. Is there a way to make a Sim more likely to accept my stay-over invitation?

Boosting your charisma skill, giving gifts, and ensuring your Sim is in a positive mood can increase the chances of acceptance.

12. What happens if there’s not enough beds for my Sim?

Your Sim might sleep on the couch or another available surface. Some Sims might offer their own bed if the relationship is high enough.

13. Can I stay over at a Sim’s house who lives in a different world?

Yes, as long as you have discovered that world with your Sim.

14. My Sims have a negative relationship and the “Ask to Stay Over” option is available. Is this a glitch?

A high enough relationship must be in place for the stay-over interaction to occur. If the option is available when the relationship is negative, this may be due to specific game updates or the social traits of the Sims involved.

15. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and social interactions in The Sims 4?

You can find detailed guides, tips, and community discussions on official Sims forums, fan sites, and educational resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. This is a great place to learn more about the educational aspects of gaming and how games like The Sims can teach valuable life skills.

Staying over at another Sim’s house is a great way to make friends, build relationships and create fun, memorable stories in The Sims 4. Get out there and enjoy the fun!