Mastering the Art of Moving Sims: A Comprehensive Guide to Household Transfers in The Sims 4
So, you want to shake things up in your Sims 4 world and transfer a Sim to another household? No problem! There are several ways to achieve this, offering flexibility based on your specific needs. Here’s the lowdown:
The most straightforward method involves using the Manage Worlds feature. From the World Map, click on the “Manage Households” icon (it looks like two people and a pen). Select the household containing the Sim you want to move, then choose the “Transfer Sims Between Households” option. From there, you can drag and drop Sims to an existing household or create a brand new one for them. Another, more direct option is to use the phone of a Sim in the target household to “Ask to Move In”.
Let’s dive deeper and address some common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Household Transfers in The Sims 4
How do I move an entire family at once in The Sims 4?
Moving an entire family is a breeze! The easiest way is through the in-game phone. Select any Sim from the family you want to move, click on their cell phone (located in the bottom-right corner of the screen), navigate to the car icon, and select the “Move Household” option. This will allow you to relocate the entire family to a new lot. You can also accomplish the same through the “Manage Households” option in the world map, but the phone is faster.
Can I move Sims between households in different save files?
Unfortunately, you can’t directly move Sims between households in different save files. However, there’s a workaround! You’ll need to save the household to your library first. In the original save file, go to Manage Worlds, select the household, and save it. Then, open the other save file and add the household from your library to the world. You can then merge them from there.
Why can’t I transfer Sims between households?
There are a few potential reasons why you might be unable to transfer Sims:
- Maximum Sim Count: You may have reached the maximum Sim count in your Manage Households. The game has a limit on the total number of Sims it can track. You can either increase the maximum Sim count (using mods) or move some unplayed Sims into the “Other Households” category to free up space.
- Sim is Busy: Ensure the Sim is not currently engaged in an action (like sleeping, eating, or working). If the Sim is busy, the transfer option might be temporarily unavailable. Wait for them to finish their current task and try again.
- Game Bug: Occasionally, a bug can prevent household transfers. Try resetting the Sim (open the cheat console with CTRL + Shift + C and type “resetSim FirstName LastName”). If that doesn’t work, try restarting the game.
How do I move Sims into an already occupied house?
You can move Sims into an already occupied house using the Manage Households feature or by having a Sim from one household “Ask to Move In” to another. Choose the target Sim from the household you control, navigate to the desired Sim in the other household, build a relationship and select the action. Alternatively, use the “Transfer Sims Between Households” option in the Manage Households menu to move the Sim into the existing household. Keep in mind that the house must have enough beds for the Sim that is moving in.
How do I split a household in The Sims 4?
Splitting a household is similar to transferring a Sim. Go to Manage Worlds, click on the household you want to split, and select “Transfer Sims Between Households”. You can then drag and drop the Sims you want to separate into a new household. You will have to either create a new family on a new lot or add them to an existing family.
What happens to the relationship between Sims after a household transfer?
The relationships between Sims are maintained even after a household transfer. Whether they’re family, friends, or romantic partners, their relationship status will carry over when they move to a new household.
How do I move Sims into a house on PlayStation (PS4/PS5) or Xbox?
The process for moving Sims on consoles (PlayStation and Xbox) is the same as on PC. Use the Manage Worlds feature or the phone option within the game to transfer Sims between households. The user interface may be slightly different, but the functionality is the same.
Can I download Sims or Households from the Gallery to move them into my game?
Absolutely! The Gallery is a fantastic resource for finding new Sims and households. To download a Sim or household:
- Click the Gallery button in the upper-right corner.
- Browse or search for the Sim or household you want.
- Click “Save to My Library.”
- Go to Manage Worlds and find an empty lot.
- Click on the lot and select “Build”.
- Click on the Gallery button in the upper-right corner.
- Go to “My Library” and select the Sim or household you saved.
- Click “Place Household” in the bottom right corner.
Why won’t my Sims move into a house I placed from the Gallery?
If your Sims aren’t moving into a house placed from the Gallery, it could be due to a few reasons:
- Insufficient Funds: Ensure your Sims have enough Simoleons to afford the house. Gallery houses can be expensive! Use the “money” cheat (“motherlode” gives 50,000 Simoleons) if necessary.
- House is Too Small: Make sure there are enough beds for all the Sims in the household. Sims won’t move in if there isn’t enough room.
- House is Not Fully Furnished: Some gallery builds require certain expansion packs or game packs. If you don’t have them installed, some objects might be missing, preventing the game from loading the house correctly.
- Game Bug: As always, a game bug could be the culprit. Try restarting the game.
Do Sims age when I’m not playing their household?
By default, Sims in unplayed households will age. However, you can disable aging for unplayed households in the Gameplay Options. This allows you to control which households age and which ones remain static.
What if my Sim won’t do what I tell them after a household transfer?
If your Sim is acting unresponsive after a household transfer, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Check Needs: Ensure your Sim’s needs are met (hunger, hygiene, bladder, energy, fun, social). If their needs are too low, they may become unresponsive.
- Reset Sim: Open the cheat console (CTRL + Shift + C) and type “resetSim FirstName LastName”.
- Routing Issues: The Sim might be stuck due to a routing issue. Try moving them to a different location or clearing the area around them.
- Game Bug: If none of the above works, a game bug might be the issue. Try restarting the game.
Is there a cheat to change a Sim’s household?
There isn’t a direct cheat code specifically designed to instantly move a Sim to another household. However, you can use the testingcheats true command in the cheat console (CTRL+SHIFT+C), followed by right-clicking on the Sim and selecting “Add to Family” or “Remove from Family” and then managing the household in the manage world option. Keep in mind that using cheats might disable achievements and certain game features.
How do I move a ghost Sim to a new household?
Moving a ghost Sim follows the same procedure as moving a living Sim. Use the Manage Households feature or the “Ask to Move In” option. Ghost Sims can interact with objects and other Sims, so they function similarly to living Sims in terms of household management.
Can I move a Sim out of my household into a completely new, empty house?
Yes, you absolutely can! When using the Manage Households feature to transfer a Sim, you have the option to create a new household for them. This will place them in a new, empty house or allow you to select a lot for them to move into.
How can educational games like The Sims 4, contribute to learning?
The Sims 4, while primarily a game, can contribute to learning in various ways. It encourages strategic thinking, resource management, social skills (through Sim interactions), and creative problem-solving. Games like The Sims 4 are being studied more and more for their potential as engaging educational tools. Explore more about this topic at the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
With these tips and FAQs, you’ll be a master of household transfers in The Sims 4, creating dynamic and interesting storylines for your Sims! Happy Simming!