The Sims franchise, over the years, has transformed into a platform for players to recreate, reimagine, and reinvent various aspects of life, and the growth and development of characters in the game play a pivotal role in this experience.
Within “The Sims 4”, there are several life stages that each Sim will traverse through, from infancy to elderly.
But, as a player, what if you wanted to speed up or skip certain life stages? The question on many Simmers’ minds is: how to age up infant Sims 4?
Let’s delve into the details of how you can do just that, while also understanding the nuances of the game’s life cycle.
Why Would You Want to Age Up an Infant?
The reasons to age up an infant in “The Sims 4” could be many. Some players may want to move to the next life stage quickly for narrative reasons, while others might be in pursuit of gameplay objectives.
Whatever your reason might be, understanding the implications and outcomes is crucial.
- Narrative Choices: Players often have a predetermined story in mind for their Sims. By aging up an infant, they can quickly transition to the toddler or child stages to commence specific story arcs.
- Challenges: There are in-game challenges and aspirations which may require Sims of a particular age group. Aging up can thus become a tactical decision.
- Managing Game Dynamics: The Sims 4 is a game of resource and time management. With limited hours in a Sim day, managing an infant can sometimes be time-consuming, pushing players to move to the next life stage.
Methods to Age Up Your Infant
When you’re ready to transition your infant Sim to the next stage, there are a few methods available. Here’s a comprehensive guide:
1. Use a Birthday Cake
A time-honored tradition in The Sims series, the birthday cake is more than just a decorative item. Follow these steps:
- Purchase a birthday cake from the build/buy mode.
- Place the cake in your Sim’s house.
- Click on the cake and select the ‘Add Birthday Candles’ option.
- Next, click on the cake again and select ‘Age Up Sim’. Choose the infant you’d like to age.
- Celebrate as your Sim grows!
2. Through Game Settings
The game settings offer another way to control the pace of life for your Sims. Here’s how:
- Go to Game Options (usually the top right corner).
- Click on ‘Gameplay’.
- Under ‘Auto Age (Played Sims)’, select ‘Yes’.
- Under ‘Sim Lifespan’, choose the duration you prefer: Short, Normal, or Long. A shorter lifespan will make your infant age up quicker.
3. Cheating—Use at Your Own Discretion!
For players who prefer a quicker method without the in-game fuss:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + C to open the cheat console.
- Type in ‘testingcheats true’ to enable cheats.
- Enter ‘cas.fulleditmode’ next.
- Shift-click on the infant Sim and select ‘Modify in CAS’.
- In the CAS screen, you can change the age of your Sim.
Note: Use cheats responsibly, as they can sometimes disrupt game dynamics.
Implications of Aging Up
Understanding the gameplay changes that come with aging up an infant in The Sims 4 is essential.
- New Skill Sets: As your Sim grows, they will need to learn new skills. For instance, transitioning from an infant to a toddler will introduce potty training, communication, and more.
- Changed Interactions: The way your Sims interact with their environment and other Sims will also change as they grow.
- Resource Management: An aged-up Sim means new needs and desires, which will require different resources, be it time, money, or emotional investments.
Conclusion: Making the Most of Each Stage
While the allure of quickly aging up an infant Sim in “The Sims 4” can be strong, each life stage in the game offers unique challenges and joys.
Whether you’re keen on experiencing each phase organically or wish to speed through specific periods, the game offers flexibility for all play styles.
Remember, every decision you make impacts the narrative you’re crafting for your Sims.
So, how to age up infant Sims 4? Now you know, but the real question is: how will you shape their journey?