March is full of new features for The Sims 4. Indeed, we will welcome the long-awaited major update that Sims fans have been expecting, but also a brand new expansion pack. EA had put us on hold by posting a family tree to present its next novelties. Family and generations seem to be in the spotlight at the beginning of the year. This theme is also very explicit in the title of the extension Growing Together.
The update
Starting March 14, you’ll be able to access a major update to the base game! It is free and includes the update of newborns and the appearance of a new age group that has never existed before in the game. Infants! This is great news for fans who have been looking forward to this.
What has changed in newborns?
Babies are now called newborns. They are much more realistic and have the physical characteristics of their parents (eyes, skin color). Other Sims will be able to cuddle them, entertain them, and react to their stimuli. The cries and voices have also changed.
During treatments, your Sims will no longer rest them directly in their bassinet between interactions, they will be able to keep them in their arms a little longer. Their movements are also more natural. It is now possible to nurse them or feed them with a bottle. New waste is now generated: dirty diapers and empty baby bottles. They will appear on the ground during diaper changes or after using a bottle.
What are the characteristics of infants?
The “infant” age range is between newborn and toddler. Infants will have their own character traits: cautious, sensitive, calm, intense, restless and sunny. Like toddlers, they will also have different clothes, hairstyles and accessories. We can control them, know their moods, their needs, their relationships and we will also have access to their inventory. Infants cannot develop skills. On the other hand, if you take care of them well, they will gain a skill as they grow.
Infants will explore their four-legged environment, which also marks the appearance of the Baby Safety option for doors. This will allow you to keep the infant in a safe space. In the build mode, new fences will be available and will allow you to create a park. The newborn will also be able to explore new foods with small jars. They sleep in a crib that can be customized with a mobile. Later, it can be converted into a bed for toddlers. When they sleep, you can play a lullaby.
A whole new way to procreate
The only ways to procreate in The Sims were the “try to make a baby” action between two Sims or adoption. Now there is a new way called “having science babies”. This way will allow your Sims to have a baby with another Sims of their choice of the opposite sex or the same sex and procreate using their two genetic materials. It will also be possible for them to use this solo way, but it will be more expensive.
New physical characteristics
When your Simette is pregnant, stretch marks will appear on her belly. You’ll be able to add stretch marks to your Sims (white or red). There will also be the scar at the bottom of the belly following a caesarean section. It will also be possible to add birthmarks to different areas of the body. They come in five different colors. You can now check whether your Sims can produce milk or not. This new option is available in the Gender section of the More Details menu.
New social interactions
Currently, there is a large number of social interactions. In order to make things easier for us, the developers have redesigned the social interaction menu by creating subcategories. It is now much easier to find your way around.
The Growing Together extension
The brand new expansion was released on March 16, 2023. She focused on life stages, generations and family.
San Sequoia
San Sequoia is the new world associated with the expansion pack. It is inspired by the city of San Francisco. This world is at the edge of the ocean with a large suspension bridge that crosses it. San Sequoia was originally a small fishing town that later became an important place for industry and fishing. It is now a pleasant and quiet city, ideal for families.
This world is composed of three neighborhoods and three lots per neighborhood. We find Anchorpoint Wharf, it is a former industrial district that is now a lively city center. There is the cinema, the library and small parks. The second neighborhood is Gilbert Gardens, named after the real estate developer who developed San Sequoia. It is a very green area, with a large park. There is also a water play park. Sims will be able to visit this neighborhood for family walks. The third ward is Hopewell Hills. It is a rather quiet suburban area.
It is regrettable that the number of plots of land is quite limited. There are many buildings and houses that are purely decorative and we regret not being able to access them. On the other hand, the world is quite visually pleasing and it has many places for walks whether in parks or at the water’s edge. We understand that this world is very family-oriented, it has a quiet and warm aspect. On the other hand, there are no redwoods despite the name of this world. There are only a few vestiges taking the appearance of stumps.
What has changed in Create a Sims mode?
Create a Sims mode will suit all generations. You will have access to new hairstyles, clothes and accessories. There will also be novelty in physical details to add realism: scars, age spots, sunspots, moles and freckles.
In Create A Sims mode you will be able to determine the relationship dynamics your Sims will have with each member of their family. You can also decide to let the relationship be determined during the game. There are also new features in terms of preferences. You can now choose among 50 different preferences. There will also be preferences for which Sims we get along best with or not and our favorite topics of conversation, which will influence their relationships. You’ll also be able to determine your lifestyle preferences, which will influence your Sims’ behavior.
What has changed in social relations?
Social relations will change a lot. Indeed, affinities will be more present between Sims of the same generations and also according to their preferences. When you go to the relationships tab, you will be able to see a small icon with two puzzle pieces. If they overlap, it means that your Sims will have strong compatibility with this Sims or the opposite if they do not interlock. Your Sims will be able to create friendship bracelets and trade them with each other. New interactions will be possible between these two Sims.
A squatter will be able to come to us and ask us to be housed. If we accept, he will sleep for some time on our couch. You can get to know him and even ask him in exchange for room and board to help us with household chores.
What’s new for newborns and infants?
For newborns, we can change the color of their clothes. Regarding infants, we will have a lot of new content.
Indeed, its development will be much more complex than with the MAJ. Now, infant development will be gradual. He will evolve step by step and will be able to access new interactions. For example, at the beginning he will not be able to move or sit. Gradually, it will begin to crawl and then move on all fours. When he knows how to sit, you can install him in the high chair and start food diversification.
You will be able to follow its evolution in the simology tab with the life stages. The exploration and awakening aspect of the infant is all the more important with this functioning. New objects will also be useful for taking care of the infant. Initially, when he is on the ground, the infant will be on a small play mat. You will also find the play mat and also the changing table. Adult Sims will also be able to move with their infant by placing it on their back in a baby carrier.
What’s new for children?
We can now work on children’s self-confidence. It will depend on many aspects. They may have high or low self-esteem and this will impact their future. This gives much more realism to the game. The skills system will also change. Indeed, if your child is going to play the piano, he will develop the piano skill at the same time as the creativity skill. He will therefore retain his skills in the future.
Children can also learn to ride a bike. Bicycles can be customized. Our young Sims may also lose their baby teeth. They will then put it under the pillow and the tooth fairy will pass by and replace it with some simoleons. They will have a new multi-inspired one, which brings together a mix of several inspirations.
What’s new for adults?
Our adult Sims, like other generations, will be more complex and profound. Indeed, personality traits will appear according to their experience. They may experience work-related burnout, but also an existential crisis akin to midlife / fifties.
What are life stages?
Life stages are more like memories. You’ll be able to find every important moment in your Sims’ life. When the Sims is an infant or toddler, you will find all the stages of his development. From childhood, it will be mainly significant events in his life such as the loss of his first tooth, in the teenager, his graduation or in the adult his marriage.
Many players feel that life stages should have been included directly in the base game. Indeed, in the previous games we could access something similar, the memories directly in the base game and it is a shame to have to pay an extension to have access to it.
Will there be new careers?
In this pack, there will be no new careers. On the other hand, all careers have been redesigned. Your Sims will now be able to have a work rival. It will block you from accessing your promotion. It will therefore be necessary to improve your relations with your rival or eliminate him. If your Sims is too overworked, they may burn out. Your Sims may also be fired for economic reasons.
Some players might regret that there are no new careers, as this is always systematic in expansion packs, but the addition that has been made to the whole sphere of work is much more interesting and adds more realism to the game. It also gives us more challenges.
Buying and building mode
Regarding the construction mode, you will mainly find new doors and windows. Also, there will be a new fireplace and some floor and wall coverings. There will also be the famous cabin tree.
Regarding the purchase mode, there will be a little more content. You will find a lot of decorative content, but also content for infants such as changing table, play mat and toys. You will also find furniture of all types in a slightly mismatched and Californian style. There will be the appearance of new bikes for children, but also sleeping bags for sleepovers. You will also find the souvenir box.
What else is new?
There will be three new events: the Baby shower, the family celebration and the sleepover. The baby shower will give us access to some exclusive items offered by our guests.
We will be able to build tree houses. All Sims will be able to participate in its construction. It will be customizable and can be improved as you go. You will also be able to perform many interactions and control its access.
You will also find the promenade. Your Sims can enjoy family walks, walks, bike rides, and brisk walks.
Conclusion
The update brings a real breath of fresh air to the game’s gameplay. The Growing Together extension is really complementary to the new content of the update. Indeed, it will bring complexity and content to the new age group and newborns. This new content will really give more realism and coherence to our home.
If you enjoy creating scenarios and telling stories through The Sims, you’ll especially enjoy this new content. On the other hand, if you play more for the construction or action aspect, the expansion pack is not necessarily adapted to your game mode. The pack adds complexity to the game, so if you are new to the world of Sims it would be more relevant to wait a little before acquiring the pack.
