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Will My Sim Age Up Automatically? A Comprehensive Guide to Aging in The Sims 4

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Yes, your Sims will age up automatically in The Sims 4, but with a few caveats and plenty of options for control. The game’s default settings allow Sims to age through their lifecycles, from helpless newborns to wise elders, bringing a sense of realism and progression to your gameplay. However, the beauty of The Sims 4 lies in its customizability. You have the power to manipulate the aging process, choosing to let your Sims age naturally, pause their aging altogether, or even expedite the process with a little bit of cheat magic. This article will explore the intricacies of Sim aging, providing you with all the information you need to manage the lives of your virtual families.

Understanding the Basics of Sim Aging

The Sims 4 offers various lifespan options, each dictating the length of time a Sim spends in each life stage. These options include:

Short: This speeds up the aging process considerably, allowing you to experience multiple generations in a shorter amount of time.
Normal: This is the default setting, offering a balanced gameplay experience where Sims age at a reasonable pace.
Long: This extends the lifespan of each Sim, giving you more time to develop their skills, build relationships, and achieve their aspirations.

Beyond these preset options, The Sims 4 also allows for custom lifespan settings, giving you granular control over how long your Sims remain in each life stage.

How Automatic Aging Works

When automatic aging is enabled (which is the default setting), your Sims will progress through their lifecycles without requiring any specific action from you. When a Sim’s lifespan in their current age group is up, you’ll receive a notification. They will then age up automatically at the end of their birthday.

Newborns are a slight exception. They automatically age into Infants within one in-game day.
For all other life stages, Sims will age up on their birthday.

Taking Control: Turning Off Automatic Aging

If you prefer to maintain a static population or focus on a particular generation for an extended period, you can disable automatic aging. To do this:

Go to the Game Options menu.
Select the Gameplay tab.
Under Auto Age (Played Sims) and Auto Age (Unplayed Sims), select “No”. This will prevent your actively played Sims, and those in unplayed households, from aging.

FAQs: Your Sim Aging Questions Answered

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further navigate the world of Sim aging:

Can Sims age up without a cake?

Yes, Sims can age up without a cake! While baking a birthday cake and having them “Have Birthday” is the traditional method, you can also use cheats to force an age transition. Access the cheat console (Ctrl + Shift + C), type testingcheats true, then type cas.fulleditmode. Afterwards, click on the Sim and select “Modify in CAS”. You can then change their age directly in Create-a-Sim.
How do I stop my Sims from aging automatically?

As described above, you can halt the aging process in the Game Options menu. Go to the Gameplay tab and set Auto Age (Played Sims) to “No”. Similarly, you can turn off aging for unplayed households by setting Auto Age (Unplayed Sims) to “No”.
Why did my Sims suddenly age up?

Several factors could contribute to Sims aging up unexpectedly. If you have the “long lifespan” setting enabled and recently entered and exited the “Create a Sim” (CAS) menu, this could trigger a glitch causing immediate aging. Ensure your aging settings are as you want them. Sometimes patches can have unintended side effects.
Do Sims age if you don’t play them?

Yes, by default, Sims in unplayed households will age. However, as mentioned earlier, you can control this in the Gameplay options by adjusting the Auto Age (Unplayed Sims) setting. You can let them age, not let them age, or only allow them to age within your played neighborhood.
How long does it take for Sims to age up naturally?

The time it takes for a Sim to age naturally depends on the lifespan setting you’ve chosen. The “Normal” lifespan provides a balanced experience, while “Short” and “Long” lifespans adjust the time accordingly. Babies, however, age up to toddlers after approximately three in-game days (if aging is enabled).
Why can’t I age up my baby in Sims 4?

Make sure that aging is turned on for your household in the Gameplay options. If aging is disabled, the option to age up the baby will not appear. If it is turned on, you can use a birthday cake or select “Age Up” from the baby’s crib.
Why are other Sims not aging?

If you notice that Sims in unplayed households aren’t aging, double-check that the Auto Age (Unplayed Sims) option is enabled in the Gameplay settings.
What is the fastest way to age up a Sim?

The fastest way to age up a Sim is using cheats. As described earlier, open the cheat console (Ctrl + Shift + C), type testingcheats true, then type cas.fulleditmode. After that, open CAS by clicking on the Sim and choosing “Modify in CAS”. Then, you can change their age to whatever you wish. Alternatively, you can age up a Sim by clicking on a birthday cake and selecting “Add Birthday Candles”.
How many days does it take for a baby to age up in Sims 4?

Babies will automatically age up to toddlers after about three in-game days if aging is enabled. You’ll receive a notification before this happens. You can also age them up manually before this time by selecting “Age Up” from their crib.
Why can’t pregnant Sims age up?

This is working as designed. To prevent complications with the pregnancy, pregnant Sims cannot age, die, or experience other major life events until after they give birth.
How do you get twins on Sims 4?

There are multiple ways to increase the chances of having twins or triplets. The simplest is to purchase the “fertile” trait from the Rewards Store for 3,000 satisfaction points. Alternatively, the lot trait “On Ley Line” can increase the chances of twins. Cheats can also guarantee multiple births.
Can Sims go through puberty?

Yes! With the High School Years Expansion Pack, Sims now experience puberty, including body changes and acne. These features can be toggled on or off in the Pack Settings within Game Options.
Why can’t my married Sims try for a baby?

Several reasons could prevent Sims from trying for a baby:
- Household Limit: The household may already have the maximum of eight Sims.
- Age: Only Young Adult and Adult Sims can try for a baby.
- Another Pregnant Sim: If another Sim in the household is pregnant and adding another baby would exceed the household limit, they won’t be able to try.
How long can Sims be pregnant for?

Sim pregnancies typically last around three in-game days. You can use cheats to advance the pregnancy to different trimesters.
How often do Sims age?

The frequency of Sim aging is directly tied to the lifespan setting chosen in the Gameplay options. The “Normal” lifespan setting provides a balanced pace, while “Short” accelerates aging, and “Long” extends it. The time it takes for a Sim to age from birth to death is approximately 60 action-days, which are time spent actively playing as the Sim.

Mastering the Art of Sim Aging

By understanding the mechanics of aging in The Sims 4, you gain greater control over your gameplay experience. Whether you prefer the natural progression of generations or the ability to freeze time, The Sims 4 offers the flexibility to customize the aging process to your liking. Experiment with different lifespan settings, explore the cheat options, and enjoy the dynamic lives of your virtual families.

As you continue exploring the multifaceted world of gaming, consider the educational potential it holds. Organizations like the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, are dedicated to researching and promoting the use of games in education. Games are not merely entertainment; they can be powerful tools for learning and skill development.