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How to play The Sims 4

Create people, build homes, and guide everyday lives and stories.

👥 1 playersOpen-endedRecommended age 12+

The objective

Your goal is simple: create people, build homes, and guide everyday lives and stories. This guide uses the most common beginner-friendly rules. Families and groups may agree on variations before starting.

What you need

The Sims 4 on a supported device.

How to set up

  1. Create a household or choose a premade family.
  2. Move into an affordable home and review basic needs.

How to play: step by step

  1. Direct Sims to eat, sleep, socialize, work, and develop skills.
  2. Use Build Mode to furnish or redesign the home.
  3. Complete aspirations and career goals for rewards.
  4. Pause or change game speed when managing several tasks.

Beginner strategies

  • Keep some household money for food and bills.
  • Use the pause button to plan busy moments.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Spending the entire budget on decorations.
  • Ignoring several needs until they become urgent.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Sims 4 free?

The base game is free, with optional add-ons.

Can Sims act without instructions?

Yes, when autonomy is enabled.