The Sims 4’s new free patch adds hearing aids, binders, and more
The Sims 4 is a bustling life simulator game with tons of inclusive options, and developer Maxis has added even more Create A Sim options for more authentic representation. A new patch was released on Tuesday that includes a handy light switch, better building on consoles, and bug fixes. Most notably, the patch includes wearable medical gear like hearing aids and glucose monitors, and trans affirming customization options like binders and top surgery scars.
How to equip medical wearables in The Sims 4
In Create A Sim, select your Sim’s face, then select Accessories. The new Medical Wearables category includes a new hearing aid that can be put on any Sim who is a toddler or older. The hearing aid comes in fifteen colors, and can be placed in the left ear, right ear, or both ears. For glucose monitors, select the Sim’s body category in Create A Sim. Players can add glucose monitors to the left or right arm, or the left or right side of the lower abdomen.
Under the same Body category, all players can find a Body Scars category with an option for Teen and older male Sims (masculine or feminine frame) to add a Top Surgery Scar to their Sims.
How to equip binders and top surgery scars in The Sims 4
Binders, shape wear, and top surgery scars are ways that players can create trans Sims. These assets are available in the Create A Sim section of the game. Binders can be found in the Tops category, under Tanks, and can be equipped by Sims who are teenagers or older. There’s new shapewear available in the underwear section as well.
The Body category in Create a Sim has a section called Body Scars. Teen or older male Sims (with either a masculine or feminine frame) can add a top surgery scar to their Sim. These scars come from a breast tissue removal surgery, a common gender affirming procedure for trans and non-binary people.
Previous updates to The Sims 4 have allowed for better trans representation. In 2016, Sims were unlocked from the gender binary, and instead can be customized on a spectrum between masculine or feminine options. In May 2022, Maxis added customizable pronouns to Sims, including custom options for neopronouns.
Build mode updates and bug fixes
The new patch also updated Build Mode UI on consoles. “Now the Catalog is opened by default and STAYS open as you grab items and interact with the lot. You no longer need to reopen the Catalog and re-navigate to the menu you were in every. single. time.” Players will also be able to toggle on Guidance System, which will offer players assistance with Build Mode at any time.
There are also bug fixes for the base game along with a handful of expansions, including City Living, Get Famous, and High School Years. This includes delightful changes like toddlers no longer bathing with slippers on, and Child Sims who get at least a B average at school getting recognized be progressing in Parenting Predicaments scenario objectives.
You can read the full list of bug fixes in the patch notes.
‘The Sims 4’ update adds top surgery, binders, and hearing aids
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The Sims 4 has released a free update that adds top surgery scars, binders and shapewear, and medical wearables to the base game. It’s a great step forward for the game’s inclusivity that has disabled and transgender fans rejoicing.
Added in today’s new patch, The Sims 4‘s Create a Sim character creator now offers a Top Surgery Scar, found in the Body category’s new Body Scars subcategory. Players can add the Top Surgery Scar to any male Sims aged Teen or older, regardless of if their base body model is masculine or feminine. Top surgery scars indicate the person has undergone surgery to remove their breasts.
SEE ALSO:
‘The Sims 4’ is now free to play, so say goodbye to your social life
Gender-affirming clothing items have also been added to The Sims 4 for the first time.
The game’s new Binder can be found in Create a Sims’ Tops category, sub categorised under Tanks, while Shapewear is categorised as Underwear in the Bottoms section. These clothing options are often used by transgender and non-binary people to help them alleviate gender dysphoria.
These are significant additions to The Sims 4. The game’s character creation has allowed players to mix and match masculine and feminine traits regardless of gender since 2016, and updates last year enabled them to choose Sims’ sexual orientations and pronouns. However, today’s update is the first time Create a Sim has included such overt and unequivocal physical indicators of trans identities on characters’ bodies.
The Sims 4 fans immediately began rejoicing at the news.
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These weren’t the only inclusive upgrades in The Sims 4‘s Jan.
31 update(Opens in a new window). The game also added medical wearables, specifically hearing aids and glucose monitors.
Found under the new Medical Wearables subcategory in Create a Sim’s Face customisation menu, The Sims 4‘s hearing aids can be given to all Sims that are Toddler-aged or older. They come in 15 different colours, so particularly stylish Sims can match their hearing aid to their outfit, and can be placed in Sims’ right ears, left ears, or both.
Glucose monitors can be found under the new Medical Wearables subcategory under the Body category, and are available to Child-aged Sims and above. Like The Sims 4‘s hearing aids, these medical devices offer some customisation by allowing players to put them on a Sims’ right or left arm, or the right or left of their lower abdomen.
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All of The Sims 4‘s new assets are merely aesthetic additions, so your Sims won’t have any difficulty hearing if you remove their hearing aids.
Similarly, the game’s binders don’t actually flatten Sims’ chests(Opens in a new window), and their categorisation as Tops means Sims can’t wear shirts over them like binder wearers would in real life.
This doesn’t make the additions any less meaningful though, allowing players to see themselves at least slightly more accurately portrayed in the popular life simulator.
The new items’ lack of functionality also means Sims can wear binders 24/7 without any adverse consequences to their health(Opens in a new window), so it could be considered an improvement over reality in at least some areas.
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The Sims 4‘s update further added some improvements to console players’ experience, such as allowing them to make their cursor larger and keeping the Build Mode’s Catalog open while players grab and move items. Though most attention is understandably squarely on the game’s new inclusive content, these are a few great quality-of-life additions for anyone playing on Xbox or PlayStation.
If you want to check out the update yourself, The Sims 4 has been free to play since late last year. Just maybe set a timer so you don’t get sucked into playing for the entire day.
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Amanda Yeo is Mashable’s Australian reporter, covering entertainment, culture, tech, science, and social good. This includes everything from video games and K-pop to movies and gadgets.
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Update: 31.01.2023
Update: 31.01.2023
version 1.95.207.1030 (PC) / 1.95.207.1230 (Mac)
Version 1.69 (game consoles)
Hello, fans of the Sims !
We just released our last update, but we’re not going to stop there, so here’s a fresh game update that focuses a lot on the console version of The Sims 4. In it, we have improved the main interfaces, so now they are much more convenient to use with a controller and gamepad. PlayStation and Xbox users can still play The Sims 4 with a mouse and keyboard, but since most game console owners still prefer to use a controller or gamepad, they should like the new features. nine0005
We continue to improve the console version of the game and invite The Sims 4 players on PlayStation and Xbox (especially those who prefer to use a controller or gamepad) to the Answers HQ forum, where you can share your thoughts on the game with our team.
Do you play on a computer? Excellent! This update has new content and bug fixes for you too.
Let’s not delay and get acquainted with the innovations!
— The Sims Crew
There are so many new features in this update that we can’t wait to tell you all about it. However, we would like to point out that while the new content has an unfamiliar appearance, it does not bring new gameplay features to the game. Well, to business! nine0005
Medical Items
A new Medical Items category has been added to Create a Sim, under the Body and Face Accessories sections.
Select a Sim’s face and then «Accessories» to view the «Medical Items» category, where you’ll find a new hearing aid for toddlers and older Sims. This medical item comes in 15 different colors and can be used on a Sim’s right, left, or both ears. nine0005
You can also get into the Medical Items category by selecting a Sim’s body and then selecting the Body category. It features glucometers for kids and older Sims that can be used on the left or right arm, and on the lower left or right side of a Sim’s abdomen.
Surgical Scar
In addition, the Scars category is available to all players in the Body category, where you can add a postoperative scar to teenage and older male Sims (with male and female figures). nine0005
Bandages and Shapewear
Two new items have been added to Create a Sim in this update. Under the Undershirts section of the Tops category, you’ll find the headband, which is available to teens and older Sims. New shapewear is also available in the Underwear section of the Undergarments category!
To switch or not to switch, that is the question
Great news for perfectionist builders: you can now create the perfect room by placing a new switch from Build Mode! nine0005
UI location on PlayStation
Previously, The Sims 4 players on PlayStation had to calibrate the game screen in system settings by going to Settings > Sound & Display > Display Area Settings on Game prefix.
This option is still available, but PlayStation players will now be able to customize the interface layout. The setup program will automatically launch the first time you use The Sims 4, but can also be activated manually in Section «Game Settings» > «Other».
However, we still recommend that you calibrate the display area in the PlayStation settings.
Change Cursor Size
Players can now adjust the cursor size on PlayStation and Xbox both in virtual cursor mode when using a controller/gamepad, and when using a mouse and keyboard.
Additional setting allows you to use a larger cursor without having to change the scale of the entire game interface. This will make it easier for you to see the cursor on the TV screen when playing on the couch, which is located on the other side of the room. nine0005
You can adjust the cursor size by going to Game Settings > Accessibility .
Build mode improvements on game consoles
Switching to build mode is a bit.
.. well, a lot has changed. The catalog now opens by default and STAYS open while you select items and place them on the lot. You no longer have to re-open the catalog every time and go to the menu you need.
No matter which cursor mode you use, you can now interact with the catalog or lot without any problems, and the console version of the game has become more similar to the PC version of the game.
Console Build Mode Help System
If you’re new to The Sims 4 or have the help system turned on, Emily will help you not only in Create a Sim and Live Mode, but also in Build Mode. If you don’t know how to build, use the mode’s tools, or find the object you need and place it in a specific location, Emily will help you get comfortable in build mode and unleash your creativity. nine0005
Controls and navigation update
While we’ve retained the ability to switch between control methods (by pressing the trackpad on PlayStation or the View button on Xbox), we’ve greatly reduced the automatic switching between these modes.
If you enabled the display of the control scheme in the section «Game settings» > «Other» , then now you will see the cursor switching window at the top of the screen. Moreover, next to the window it is indicated which control scheme is currently used. nine0005
We’ve also added controller/gamepad shortcuts to some dialogs and windows to make it easier and faster to navigate the game. These buttons can be used at certain points in the game, where previously you would have to scroll the window for a long time to the «Confirm» or «Cancel» button.
Base Game
- Babies do a lot of weird things, but this doesn’t usually extend to swimming in slippers. Now their feet will be as clean as they are.
- The Lot Details icon in the top left corner of the screen contains a lot of useful information, but that doesn’t mean it should always appear as new. Now the icon will only appear when something new actually happens. nine0112
- Sims created using the Story feature in Create a Sim whose starting capital is set to high will now receive 30,000 Simoleons per household instead of the standard 20,000.
character creation should only cover the Sim’s clothing, not their appearance. Using stylized skins now results in an update to the Sim’s outfit rather than a radical change in appearance. - Customizing a Sim’s physique with Bantu Bunts (yfHair_SDX019BantuKnots) or Buntuos (ymHair_SDX019TwoStrandTwists) will still display the plumbob icon in the picture, symbolizing our unforgettable collaboration with DeeSims on these hairstyles.
- Parenting Challenges scenario objectives now correspond to requiring a child to blow out the candles on a birthday cake and mature into a teenager to complete the scenario.
- A child’s good studies at school will no longer be in vain, and his achievements will be taken into account in the fulfillment of the goals of the «Difficulties of upbringing» scenario. nine0112
- If Sophia or Leonardo from the «Parenting Challenges» scenario level up to level 5 before the target appears, then it will be marked as completed later.
- In addition, teens usually have aspirations (although waking up before noon is not one of them, as it turns out), and teens in Parenting Challenges can now complete goals to achieve their teen aspirations.
- Someone thinks this is a conspiracy theory. Someone thinks that the parents are so fed up with the aliens that they sent them home. Others suggest it’s just a mistake. In any case, parents will no longer return home during the «Aliens Stole My Parents» scenario if Sims leave the lot and then come back. nine0112
- The «Forever in the Shadows» scenario was not supposed to take forever… The scenario now ends if your Sims have completed all of their objectives.
- Emily loves helping players get a head start, but she seems to get too carried away, causing players to not be able to see the scenario objectives in Create a Sim if they haven’t met Emily yet. Now you can get familiar with the goals of the new scenario and create the perfect family to fulfill them even before meeting Emily. Emily isn’t going anywhere and will help you later. nine0112
- Experienced players will no longer experience problems creating Sims due to this option not being available because they have disabled Emily’s help system in Game Settings while in Create a Sim.
- Merging Sims from the Gallery while Emily is explaining the basics of Create a Sim no longer causes Emily to stop talking about the help system in Create a Sim.
- Navigating to Create a Sim from the Simology panel is no longer a hindrance to story creation. nine0112
- While using the help system to create a sim, you will no longer be able to add a new character to the family until you complete the customization tutorial or refuse help.
- Some Build Mode tips were blocking access to features like Demolish and Save to My Library, but we’ve fixed that.
- Sims with modified torsos now have access to all nail colors, including kit nails.
City life
- Interior design is not an easy job, especially if you can’t get into the house. Now, when choosing a job at the Penthouse, your Sims will be able to knock on the door of the building and do their job well.
- Illumination pillars should light up the way! We replaced a few light bulbs, passed the current through ourselves a couple of times and checked the wiring, but now everything works.
Path to Glory
- After our last update with the new learning design, long title names in some languages began to go beyond the window. But now they fit everywhere and are easy to read. nine0112
Green Living
- Premium Plumbob, Sandstorm, and Dizzy Palms ceiling fans now include an energy factor.
High School
- If Sims wear the yfAcc_NecklaceEP12Beaded_SolidRainbowLt necklace, it will no longer hover around them when the camera zooms in. It looks like we forgot to remove the levitation spell from him. We apologize!
Paranormal
- Paranormal investigators who visited San Myshuno offline often noticed that the apartments were missing doors unless full wall mapping was turned on. The doors should now be in place. But are they really there? Someone needs to investigate! Horror what!
Not a Mote of Dust
- Dust and dust patches now appear after a while.
So, where’s my dusty dandy cordless vacuum cleaner?
Hiking!
- We have drawn conclusions, and they consist in the fact that sections of the training should have headings. Now training on the set «On a hike!» has a name, and is not some kind of mysterious section. nine0112
Sims will remain aggressive until December. Patch for The Sims 4 postponed
An update to The Sims 4 that fixes an issue with an important aspect of gameplay will not arrive until early December.
The specific date is not known. The problem began to be talked about in October — players complained about the constant quarrels of the characters in the game. It looks like the update has changed their characters. nine0005
“I’ve also noticed that my Sims have become extremely obnoxious.
My Sim’s relationship with his wife deteriorated significantly as he started yelling at her at random times. I have to manage every interaction so they don’t start arguing for no reason.»
Some players have suggested that the introduction of a new «loyalty» feature was the culprit. These Sims are less likely to flirt and cheat if they are in a relationship. Studio on Twitter wrote:
nine0002 «A patch to balance overly aggressive/unfriendly Sims was due out today, but has been delayed until early December. We sincerely apologize for the change in plans.»
Source
2022-11-23 08:50:02
Dmitry Krivov
The Sims 4
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