BetterSims
This Mod Was created for
I have no affiliation with EA, Maxis, or The Sims. I'm just a fan creating content
I created BetterSims with the intention to bring a more relaxing experience to my game. I've been a fan of The Sims for decades now. I always loved creating stories and living them through my sims.
In the latest generation, The Sims 4, over time, I found myself recreating the same story over and over again which can easily get boring. Another Issue I found was decision fatigue. Having to chose, and micro manage every aspect of my sims' lives wasn't always what I wanted.
I figured out that I wanted my sims to have more agency over their lives. I wanted them to choose and tell me what life they are trying to live. This is how this project started.
BetterSims is a multi-part mod that allows you sim to make their own decisions. The main files are:
Main
This contains archetypes and other elements used to make sure the story you sim is trying to tell makes sense and it's not just randomized. Required
Personality
This contains new personality traits and overrides that reorganize traits in the game. Optional
Preferences
This contains new preferences and a system that allows you sim to choose their likes and dislikes in game. Optional
Life Choices
This contains different systems so your sim can can make decisions based on their personality, preferences, and life story. They can choose their aspiration, make career moves, choose their degree, and much more. Optional
Talents & Weaknesses
This contains a set of traits that change the rate at which you sim learns certain skills. These get assigned through gameplay and make every sim experience different. Optional
More Wants
This contains custom wants for your sim. used by both BetterSims and BetterGoals. Optional
DISCLAIMER!
BetterSims is a continuous work in process. The systems that allow this mod to work as intended make it so I can just automate parts of this mod. I have to plan and create logical connections to make sure any life choice, preference or trait assigned to your sim makes sense and tells a coherent story.
A project this ambitious and time consuming requires a lot of testing and feedback to be completed so I decided to share the process as I go.
In each update you can expect minor errors in text or even occasional reference typos (These can cause LE's when the game is looking for a reference and can't find it).
Due to BetterSims using simple elements it is very unlikely that this mod will break your game or cause corruption.
Still, I don't recommend using mods when a new game update releases, unless the creator has tested and cleared the mod.
New in V1.4
Compatible with The Sims 4
version 1.119.109.1020 on 11/04/2025
Hello everyone, and welcome to V1.4! 🙋♀️💜
For this update I focused on getting the ground ready for regular updates. Starting with the DLC content people voted for in my Patreon.
Bug Fixes
Fixed character and personality trait images missing.
Fixed broken reference when a teen sim chose the Llamacorn Aspiration.
Fixed the “Serial Romantic” missing text for Secondary aspirations.
Fixed the triggers for Collecting preferences.
Fixed several image and text errors.
Fixed errors in location preferences getting the wrong buffs (might need more work and testing)
Aspiration Life Choices Finetuned. No more overwhelming number of life choices!
New Content
New “Become a parent”/ “have a child” life choices. They are connected to Bucket list goals.
New “Roll Location Preferences” interaction in BetterSims Menu.
Incorporated Tiny Living.
Reading Preferences
Swimming Preferences
New module called "More Wants" with custom whims to be used by BetterSims and BetterGoals.
added tests for BetterGoals so you don't get life choices for it if you don't have BGoals installed.
Added Aspiration life choices for .Frog King/Queen, Plant Sim Dream, Neighborhood Confidante, and Villainous Valentine.
Incorporated Discover University.
Incorporated Parenthood.
New Biking, Ping pong, Soccer, and Parenting Preferences
New Module For custom Wants
New Interaction to Take a Career test under BetterSims Menu
Background Changes
Reworked the regions into Simplanet continents.
Re-structured home life choices.
Re-structured Aspi
ration Life choices.
Re-structured Hobby archetypes to include current content.
Re-structured Personality Archetypes and added new ones for different aspects of decision making.
I will be posting more polls to decide on the next DLC content I should focus on for the next update.
I also have plans to make a new and updated video going over all the features in BetterSims and how some of them are intended to be used.
Release dates will depend of game updates and possible bugs and issues that could Appear. You can check my Patreon or Discord for any updates and announcements.
What's Next
Required and Recommended
By Frankk
This mod allows me to include dlc related content into the mod while keeping Bettersims Base game compatible.
Required
By Zerbu
Required
This mod allows me and other creators to add new preference categories to the game.
I will add mod recommendations over time.
These will be based on my game preferences and what works well with my mods.
Downloads
Public Release of Version 1.4 of the Mod on 11/24/2025
Compatible with The Sims 4 version 1.119.109.1020 on 11/04/2025
Make sure to remove previous versions of the Mod Before Downloading
BetterGoals Downloads
I will be making a new page for BetterGoals, but in the meantime the download is accessible here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BetterSims incompatible with -------?
BetterSims modifies some personality traits, so if you are using a mod that also modifies game traits there could be an issue.
My Personality Trait disappeared, is it a Bug?
A feature of the "Personality" module is to recategorize some traits to not be selected in CAS, instead be selected or earned through gameplay. The traits did not disappear they just won't show up in CAS.
This is something I added because I don't think that traits like "Lactose intolerant" or "vegetarian" need to take a full personality slot.
Feel free to remove this module if this is something you don't want for your game.
Contact me!
midiar@ofnowhere.com
I'm always grateful for the feedback I get. It has been instrumental for my learning process and helped me improve many things over time, so feel free to reach out.
