User:CitrusDoodle/sandbox

Sims modding refers to making modifications to the life simulation game series The Sims. While the main title releases have official Expansion Packs (with The Sims 4 also having  Game Packs and Stuff Packs), players use Sims mods in order to add additional unofficial content to the game and improve/enhance the existing gameplay. Some programmers and artists who create Sims mods considers Sims modding as a form of self-expression and art that reflects the Sims community.

Sims mods are supported on Windows and Mac versions of the main title games and do not have support on the console versions.

Custom Content
Custom Content (commonly abbreviated to “CC”) refers to player-made items used to customize characters, called "Sims", or builds.

Examples of Custom Content include new hair, new makeup, new tops, new shoes, and new furniture.

Game Mods
Game Mods refer to player-made modifications that change and/or add to gameplay mechanics.

Examples of Game Mods include improvements to the already existing UI, new traits, and new aspirations.

Official Support
Electronic Arts (EA), publisher of the Sims series, considers Sims modding as an important part of the Sims community and encourages the creation of mods.

Before the launch of The Sims 4 in 2014, EA announced that they would provide better support for mods on PC. This included features such as including a dedicated mods folder in the user data folder and allowing for  Python scripting.

Official Policy
In 2022, EA would update their mods policy. This policy would disallow mod developers from implying that their mods were affiliated with The Sims, Maxis, or EA in any way, including the use of their logos and trademarks. It would also prohibit developers from selling their mods and require mods to be distributed free-of-charge. The lather part of this policy would cause some conflict within the community as some mod creators uploaded their mods on platforms like Patreon as a means of income. Due to the backlash, EA would further elaborate on the policy, stating that mod creators could charge for early access of their mods for a “reasonable amount of time”, but would have to make it free for all players to access after that time frame has passed.

EA encourages the Sims community to report mods that break the EA User Agreement or their Positive Play Charter. For example, mods that include sexual content, excessive cursing, computer viruses, promotion of illegal substances, and/or infringe on intellectual property are all examples of mods that EA would want reported.

CurseForge
EA would collaborate with Overwolf to create a safer platform for users to find and download mods using the mod manager CurseForge. CurseForge has features such as allowing players to organize their mods with thumbnails and automatically updating mods, avoiding issues players often have with their mods not working after a new Sims 4 update.

Using Mods
Sims mods can be found and downloaded online; some popular websites players use to find mods include Maxis Match CC World, Mod The Sims, The Sims Resource, and SimsDom.

The Sims 3
To use mods in the The Sims 3, the  file should be downloaded and extracted in the   directory for both Windows and Mac. When done correctly, a  folder should appear. Within the  folder, there should also be a   and a   folder. Mods should be placed in either the  or   folder depending on the mod.

The Sims 4
To use mods created for The Sims 4, users should navigate to the  directory for both Windows and Mac. Depending on the file type, the downloaded mods should be placed in either the  or   folder; mods with a ,  , or   filename extension should be placed in the   folder and mods with the   filename extension should be placed in the   folder.

To enable the use of mods in-game, the Enable Custom Content and Mods checkbox, located in, should be checked off.

List of Mods
The amount of Sims mods that exist is uncountable as there are numerous Sims mod creators within the community. The following is a listing of popular and notable mods.

The Sims 3

 * Overwatch is a mod created by NRaas Industries that allows for players to change additional settings not available to customize in the base game. This allows users to reduce lag and resolve game breaking bug to prevent the game from becoming corrupted.


 * Ultimate Careers, created by Zerbu, allows for more active gameplay when it comes to Sims and their careers, adding interactions Sims can have with objects while at work that increase and decrease their work performance.

The Sims 4

 * Meaningful Stories is a mod created by roBurky that allows for Sims to experience more human-like emotions and moods, creating a more complex gameplay experience.


 * SimDa Dating App, created by LittleMsSam, adds the ability for Sims to set up dates through their phone using the "SimDa" dating app.


 * Slice of Life, created by KawaiiStacie, allows for Sims to have more complex lives and interact with the world in a more realistic manner through additional mechanics related to the Sims' appearance, memory personality, and social life.


 * UI Cheats Extension, created by weerbesu, allows for players to use cheats that already exist within the base game by right-clicking on the user interface (as opposed to typing out the command).


 * Wonderful Whims, created by TURBODRIVER, adds to the overall dating mechanics of The Sims 4 by expanding the dating, relationship, and pregnancy mechanics of the base game.