Decoding the Sims 4 Calendar: How Long is a Year in Sim Time?
The captivating world of The Sims 4 offers players a unique opportunity to control every aspect of their virtual families’ lives, from careers and relationships to home decor and even the passage of time. One of the most frequently asked questions by both new and seasoned Simmers revolves around the in-game calendar: How long is a year in Sims time? The answer, while seemingly simple, unlocks a deeper understanding of the game’s mechanics and how to best manage your Sims’ lives.
On the default settings, a year in The Sims 4 lasts 28 Sim days. This is because each season – Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter – is set to seven in-game days by default. Therefore, circling through all four seasons completes a full Sim year. Translating this into real-time, a Sim year takes approximately 504 real-time minutes, or 8 hours and 24 minutes to complete. This conversion is based on the game’s normal speed, where 1 real-time second equals 1 Sim minute, and 1 real-time minute equals 1 Sim hour.
While the default settings provide a balanced gameplay experience, The Sims 4 offers incredible flexibility. Players can customize the length of each season, drastically impacting the length of a Sim year. Shortening the seasons will shorten the year, and lengthening them will extend it. This feature allows for diverse gameplay styles, whether you prefer a fast-paced legacy challenge or a more immersive, slow-burn narrative.
Understanding the length of a Sim year is crucial for strategic planning. It allows you to anticipate milestones like birthdays, graduations, and career advancements. Knowing how quickly time progresses within the game empowers you to effectively manage your Sims’ aspirations and ensure they live fulfilling lives. By considering the season lengths, players can immerse themselves in the unique world of their Sims, and influence their aging and progress in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Time in The Sims 4
How long is one Sim day in real time?
At the normal game speed, one Sim day equates to 24 real-time minutes. This is broken down into 1 real-time second equaling 1 Sim minute, and 1 real-time minute equaling 1 Sim hour.
Can I change the length of seasons in The Sims 4?
Yes! The Sims 4 offers a customizable experience. You can adjust the length of each season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter) within the game settings. You can set them to be short (3 days), normal (7 days), or long (14 days). Changing the seasons is a great way to keep your game experience fresh.
How does changing the season length affect the length of a Sim year?
Changing the season lengths directly impacts the length of a Sim year. If you set each season to short (3 days), a year will only be 12 days long. If you set them to long (14 days), a year will be 56 days long. You can adjust the season length in the game settings under the “Gameplay” tab.
How long is a Sim pregnancy?
Regardless of the lifespan setting you choose, a Sim pregnancy lasts approximately three Sim days. This timeframe covers the initial confirmation of the pregnancy up to the delivery of the baby.
Do pregnant Sims age?
Yes, pregnant Sims do age, but there is a short pause when the Sims get pregnant. The female Sims appear to temporarily stop aging for a few days when pregnant.
How many babies can a Sim have at once?
Theoretically, a Sim can have up to seven babies at one time by using cheats. However, since a household is capped at eight Sims, the number might be restricted if the household already has other members. To achieve this, you’ll need to use a specific cheat code.
How long do Sims live?
The lifespan of a Sim depends on the lifespan setting you choose: short, normal, or long. On the default “normal” setting, the lifespan is fairly balanced. The increases in life stage length (teens from 13 days to 21, YA from 21 to 24, adult from 24 to 33) have now been confirmed to be by design by an EA representative over on the sims forums.
Can I control when my Sims age up?
Yes, you can control when your Sims age up. You can disable auto-aging in the game settings. This allows you to keep your Sims in a particular life stage for as long as you want and manually age them up when you’re ready. Baking a cake and adding birthday candles is a popular method for manual aging.
How long is a term in university for Sims?
A university term in The Sims 4 lasts for one Sim week (7 Sim days). Classes are typically spread over five days of the week.
How long are Sims children?
The child life stage in The Sims 4 is typically several Sim days long. The exact number depends on the lifespan setting, but it represents the equivalent of approximately 5 years old to pre-teen years.
How can I speed up time in The Sims 4?
You can speed up time using the game’s speed controls, located at the bottom of the screen. There are three speed settings: normal, fast, and ultra-speed. Be cautious with ultra-speed, as it can sometimes cause glitches or missed events.
How can I cheat to advance time in The Sims 4?
Yes, time can be advanced using cheats. To use time-advancing cheats, first enable cheats by typing “Testingcheats on” in the cheat console (Ctrl + Shift + C). Then, enter the cheat “clock.advancegametime [hours] [minutes] [seconds]” to move the clock forward.
What is the PEGI rating for The Sims 4? Is it suitable for children?
The Sims 4 has a PEGI rating of 12. This rating indicates that the game may contain content that is not suitable for children under the age of 12. The game features fantasy violence and non-realistic violence.
Can Sims get pregnant from WooHoo?
Yes, Sims can get pregnant from WooHoo, depending on the game settings and any mods you might have installed. It’s also possible for Sims to get pregnant with the babies of Occult Sims.
How can I increase the chances of having twins or triplets in The Sims 4?
While twins and triplets are relatively rare, there are ways to increase the odds. The easiest way to get multiple babies in Sims 4 is to buy the Fertile Reward trait for one of the parents. There is also a 10% chance of having twins, and a 1% chance of having triplets.
Understanding the flow of time in The Sims 4 is key to maximizing your enjoyment and success within the game. Knowing how long a year lasts, how pregnancies unfold, and how to manage aging allows you to craft intricate and compelling stories for your Sims. Remember that customization is a central element of the game, so experiment with season lengths and lifespan settings to find the perfect balance for your personal gameplay preferences.
Want to learn more about the educational aspects of gaming and how games can be used for learning? Visit the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org.
I hope this has been helpful! Good luck and happy Simming!