Whether you’re a new player to the Sims or you’re a long time player that constantly falls in and out of love with the game, you have most likely micromanaged your sim at one time or another. Maybe you just need some reminders about how to loosen the reins on your sim or maybe you never have and you’re finding the game boring. Either way, these tips are sure to get you going on a journey that you’ll never forget! Without further ado, here are my top 5 Tips to Stop Micromanaging the Sims!
1. Play your Sim like a Person, Not a Pixel
Raise your hand if this is how you play the game: you create a sim, find them their perfect job, work them to the bone skill building (and cheating their needs along the way), create their soulmate, and basically have them be perfect?
Don’t be shy. I’ve done it too. The key though to exciting gameplay is to let your sim live like you (or someone totally chaotic you know) would live. The second you stop skill building and accept that phone call inviting them out onto the town, their life truly begins.
Let them be messy. Start them in a job that isn’t perfect. In the first season of The Legacy of Hannah McCoy, my sim Hannah began in part-time retail, struggling to make ends meet, but she didn’t care. As a hopeless romantic, she was more focused on finding “the one”. She then proceeded to date many sims along the way until she truly found the sim for her. Her life was a mess…but an addictive mess.
2. Avoid Constant Skill Building
Do you sit around all day building your skills for a big promotion or do you play The Sims? Obviously you need to have your sim ditch the skill building and sit them down at their favorite computer for hours of play time instead (you know they want to!)… I’m just kidding.
In all seriousness though, constant skill building will burn you out of the game in no time. Please, I beg of you, don’t do it. Instead, try to incorporate skill building into their daily life. Do they need fitness skill? Wake them up bright and early at 4am before work, whether they stayed out all night or not, and send them to the gym for a couple of hours. Maybe they’ll meet some hunky trainer there or maybe they’ll pass out on the floor from total exhaustion. Either way, they’re getting out and mingling!
It’s vital for your sims (and your personal entertainment) that you let your sims do more than just skill build!
3. Follow Their Lead to Avoid Micromanaging the Sims
They may be your sim, but it’s their poor choices that drive the game. Watch their expressions and build your story from there. Maybe they were talking to a sim who you thought would definitely be their soulmate…and maybe on paper, they’re even perfect for each other. But for some reason, they’re not getting along or your sim is grimacing along the way. Don’t force the relationship. If the chemistry isn’t there, move on!
You may be thinking, how is that possible?! They’re sims. If they’re compatible, that’s it. In my experience though, that is far from the case, especially when you make their interactions natural.
Likewise, if your sim is doing an activity and it turns out they hate it, let them hate it. On the flip side, maybe they’re doing something for the first time and LOVING it. As they find their passions, it’s easier to set them on the path they truly desire in life.
4. Natural Interactions Only, Please
Do you constantly find yourself hitting the same command over and over just to increase the relationship? Instead, try running the conversation like it’s real…and try to keep it in tune with the personality traits you picked out for your sim.
For example, my sim Hannah McCoy is a good hearted hopeless romantic. Therefore, in my mind, she’s naive and gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. What’s the result? I never have her ask if a sim she’s flirting with is single. I also have her attempt pick up lines and ask for phone numbers. She may tell some awkward flirty jokes too. Will the sim she’s doing this with be receptive to it? 80% of the time, maybe not. But then there’s that one sim that just gets her.
Of course, he turns out to be married…Ooops! Now his wife is catching them together, she’s trying to find her way out of the messy situation, and she’s back to square one looking for the one!
Has she completed her aspiration? Absolutely not. But did you have hilarious chaos, totally.
5. Not Micromanaging the Sims Doesn’t Mean Not Playing
It’s easy to think that when someone says “step away from the keyboard” that they literally mean let your sims just do whatever they want. While it’s absolutely important to stop scheduling their trips to the bathroom, their constant skill building, and just let some conversations flow on their own, that doesn’t mean you don’t play!
Instead, you need to step into the mind and soul of your sim. Are they socially awkward? When choosing conversation commands, avoid the simple interactions that always work just to raise the friendship. Instead, tell some weird jokes and choose the interactions that actually sound awkward.
If your sim is currently trying to achieve a promotion (maybe they actually have a want or whim to!), absolutely have them put in some skill building time…but keep it to a couple hours, make it a natural part of their day, and if someone calls them up to hang out during that time, take that opportunity. Or as I mentioned early, have them go into town for their skill building! Let them experience the rest of their world and chat with other sims while they learn.
If by the end of the day they didn’t complete the skills they needed because they were tired, it’s okay. Instead of cheating their needs, let them go to sleep. Let them have a day off. Let them call in sick to work and head to the spa.
The moment your sims start living, your game comes to life too.
Check Out More of My Gameplay Tips to make the most out of your game!
I hope you have found these tips to stop micromanaging The Sims useful! For plenty more gameplay tips, stories, and content, please follow me on Facebook and Patreon.
