Why Aren’t Other Sims Aging in The Sims 4? A Comprehensive Guide
The Sims 4, a delightful digital dollhouse, allows us to craft intricate lives for our virtual people. However, a common source of frustration arises when the world around our active Sims seems to stagnate. The core reason other Sims aren’t aging boils down to your aging settings. If your townies or unplayed Sims seem frozen in time, it’s likely because auto-aging for unplayed Sims is turned off in your game options. Let’s dive deeper into the mechanics of aging and troubleshoot why your Sims’ neighbors are perpetually stuck in their current life stage.
Understanding the Aging Mechanics in The Sims 4
The Sims 4 offers granular control over the aging process, designed to cater to various play styles. Whether you want a fast-paced generational saga or a timeless community, the game provides options to customize the life cycle. Key to this is the “Auto Age” setting, found under “Game Options” -> “Gameplay.” Here, you’ll find two crucial choices:
- Auto Age (Played Sims): This controls whether the Sims in your currently active household age. If disabled, your playable Sims will remain the same age indefinitely.
- Auto Age (Unplayed Sims): This determines whether Sims outside your active household age. This includes townies, NPCs, and Sims in other households you’ve created but are not currently playing. If this is off, the world outside your immediate family will remain static.
Troubleshooting Aging Issues: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve noticed that other Sims aren’t aging, the first step is to verify your aging settings:
- Pause the game and navigate to “Game Options”.
- Select “Gameplay”.
- Ensure that “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” is checked. If it isn’t, check the box.
- Click “Apply Changes” to save your settings.
If this doesn’t immediately resolve the issue, consider these additional factors:
- Lifespan Setting: The chosen lifespan setting (Short, Normal, or Long) dramatically impacts how quickly Sims age. A “Short” lifespan will make aging feel much faster, while a “Long” lifespan will make it seem slower. This can create the perception that Sims aren’t aging when, in reality, they’re simply aging at a slower rate.
- Mod Conflicts: Mods can sometimes interfere with the game’s core mechanics. If you’re using mods, try temporarily disabling them to see if the aging issue resolves itself. A common culprit is outdated or conflicting script mods.
- Game Updates: The Sims 4 occasionally experiences bugs, and sometimes updates can inadvertently introduce new issues or exacerbate existing ones. Ensure your game is up-to-date with the latest patch. Check the official Sims 4 forums for known issues and workarounds.
- Corruption: In rare cases, save file corruption can cause various glitches, including aging problems. While less common, consider starting a new save to see if the issue persists.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
Many players assume that if they’re not actively playing a household, those Sims shouldn’t age. This is only true if “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” is disabled. With this setting enabled, the game automatically progresses the lives of Sims outside your active household, simulating a dynamic and evolving world.
It’s also worth noting that certain traits and actions can influence lifespan. For example, Sims with the “Active” and “Long-Lived” traits will generally live longer than other Sims. Additionally, certain reward traits earned through aspirations can extend a Sim’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sims 4 Aging
H3 FAQ 1: How do I turn on aging for all Sims in The Sims 4?
To enable aging for all Sims, go to “Game Options” -> “Gameplay” and ensure that both “Auto Age (Played Sims)” and “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” are checked.
H3 FAQ 2: Why is only one of my Sims not aging?
If only one Sim isn’t aging, it’s possible you accidentally clicked on them to stop them from aging. This can happen if you were playing with a new family and did not realize you had turned the function on.
H3 FAQ 3: Why aren’t my babies aging up?
Make sure aging is turned on in the options menu. If they are still not aging, try turning aging on, allowing the babies to age, and then turning it back off if you prefer manual aging. Sometimes a game reset is needed for it to function.
H3 FAQ 4: Why do some Sims live longer than others?
Traits such as “Active” and “Long-Lived” can extend a Sim’s lifespan. Aspiration reward traits can also affect lifespan. The selected lifespan setting (Short, Normal, or Long) also plays a crucial role.
H3 FAQ 5: What is the longest a Sim can live in The Sims 4?
With the “Long” lifespan setting, Sims can live for approximately 364 days. This is a virtual measurement and each Sim day equates to real-world minutes, dependent on how long the player plays.
H3 FAQ 6: Can I completely turn off aging in The Sims 4?
Yes, by unchecking both “Auto Age (Played Sims)” and “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” in the “Gameplay” settings, you can effectively disable aging for all Sims.
H3 FAQ 7: Why are my Sims aging so fast?
The Sims 4 has experienced aging bugs where Sims age rapidly due to game transitions. Ensure your game is updated, and try avoiding the “Long” lifespan setting, as it has been linked to the aging bug in the past.
H3 FAQ 8: How do I force a Sim to age up?
The quickest method is to bake a cake, add birthday candles, and have the Sim blow out the candles. This will trigger their age transition.
H3 FAQ 9: Can Sims get pregnant if aging is turned off?
Yes, Sims can still get pregnant when aging is off. The pregnancy will proceed normally, and the Sim will give birth. However, the baby will not age further unless aging is turned back on.
H3 FAQ 10: Has the Sims 4 aging bug been fixed?
Generally, yes. Most reported aging bugs have been addressed in subsequent game updates. Keep your game updated to avoid encountering these issues.
H3 FAQ 11: How do I prevent unplayed Sims from aging?
Uncheck “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” in the “Gameplay” settings to prevent Sims outside your active household from aging.
H3 FAQ 12: What does “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” mean?
Enabling “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” means that all Sims not currently in your active household will age automatically, simulating a dynamic and evolving world.
H3 FAQ 13: How do I manually age up a townie?
Enable cheats by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C and typing “testingcheats true”. Then, type “cas.fulleditmode”. Shift-click on the townie and select “Modify in CAS.” You can then change their age in the Create-a-Sim (CAS) editor.
H3 FAQ 14: Do Sims only age when I’m playing them?
No, if “Auto Age (Unplayed Sims)” is enabled, Sims will age even when you’re not actively playing their household.
H3 FAQ 15: What causes the Sims 4 birthday glitch?
Aging bugs can cause a Sim to age quickly due to game transitions. It is important to make sure your game is updated.
The Social Impact of Gaming
The Sims series demonstrates how games can simulate complex social dynamics and offer players agency in shaping virtual lives. The Games Learning Society explores these intersections of gaming and learning, examining how games can foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and social awareness. To learn more about the positive impact of gaming, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
By understanding the game mechanics and troubleshooting common issues, you can ensure that your Sims 4 world evolves and ages as intended, creating a rich and engaging gameplay experience. Whether you prefer a dynamic world where everyone ages or a timeless community where Sims remain forever young, The Sims 4 provides the flexibility to tailor the game to your preferences.