The Sims 4 July 23 2024 Patch Notes - The Sims 4 Guide - IGN (2024)

Simmers who purchase the Lovestruck expansion pack aren't the only ones getting a romantic update! The Sims 4 7/23/2024 update for the base game brings a slew of fixes and feature updates, whether or not you invest in the Lovestruck pack. Buckle up, there's a lot here!

Check out the patch notes below or see them as they were posted originally on the official Sims 4 site.

The free July 23, 2024 Sims update includes...

• (New Feature) Romantic Boundaries
• (New Feature) Hide Relationships option
• (Updated Feature) Neutral relationship titles
• (New Feature) Eyelash category in CAS
• New hairstyles and nail styles
• Curved pools
• (Updated Feature) Relationship category in Sim interaction menu
• (New Feature) Safe for Streaming music option
• (Updated Feature) Two new Neighborhood Stories
• Tons of bug fixes for the base game and packs

New Base Game Features

Below is a roundup summary of the major new base game features added to the Sims 4 with this update. Get more commentary on these in the official post.

Romantic Boundaries

In Create a Sim, you'll now find additional options in the drop-down menu below the Gender options for Romantic Boundaries to further craft a Sim's identity. These options can be changed both through in-game play and in the menu. Romantic Boundaries are determined by the following questions:

1. Does your Sim become Jealous from Non-Physical Romance?
2. Does your Sim become Jealous from Physical Romance?
3. Does your Sim become Jealous from WooHoo?
4. Is your Sim open to changing the factors that cause them to become Jealous?

The official post says that the default setting for all of these is "Yes" and new Sims that the game makes after this update will vary.

Other relationship changes include...

• Hide Relationship option in the Relationship Panel.
• Language for Sims' relationships changed to neutral options across the board. These relationship titles can be found in the Household Relationship Panel in CAS.
  • Husband/Wife is now Spouse
  • Fiance/Fiancee is now Engaged
  • Boyfriend/Girlfriend is now Partner
• Partner status can now be set in CAS.

New CAS Options

• Eyelashes have their own category in the makeup section. They're also compatible with other accessories. The base game has two styles of lashes.
• "Apply to All Outfits" button added (thank goodness) as a button on top left side of the CAS customization menu. The post notes that this does not remove outfit pieces, but can replace pieces.

• Select hairstyles have been updated (unspecified number, but two shown in the post)
• The Dark and Lovely Hairstyle Partnership adds two color varients of the new loc braids.

• More nail styles and color palettes added to the base game, including French Tips and Coffin Nails.

Build Mode Gets Curved Pools

Hurray, more design options! There's also a new pool light, the Oblong Wall Light.

Live Mode Updates and New Features

• Relationship interactions in the Sims Interaction menu are now in their own section.
• There's an added music option for "Safe for Streaming."
• Two new neighborhood stories were added. "Friendship Changes" and "Romance Changes" are now available.
• The conversation panel shown at the top of the screen got a visual update. Click a Sims' portrait in the conversation panel to see your Sims' Sentiments about others, moods, and relationship levels.

Bug Fixes

"Top" Fixes

• Toddlers now receive Top Notch and Happy Reward Traits after reaching the required Skill levels.
• Stair Railings no longer disappear when one tile is placed next to a one-tile room.
• When Sims change their mind about how they are walking to somewhere, they no longer teleport to their final destination.
• Sims who are not part of the Date interrupt conversations less often.
• Sims no longer receive a “Break-Up“ Want when they have a High Romantic Relationship with that Sim.
• When leaving Create a Sim, the makeup sliders now maintain their settings.
• Fingernails no longer are warped for male Sims with a female frame and vice versa. The same goes for nails with various outfits.
• Several nose rings now fit properly (yfAfrican09_Nose, yuAcc_NoseLeftGP12RingDouble_Black, yuAcc_NoseLeftEP09Ring_Silver, yuAcc_NoseRightGP12RingDouble_Black, andyuAcc_NoseRightEP09Ring_Silver).
• Smoothed out the frame rate stuttering that sometimes occurred a few minutes after launching the game.

Live Mode Bug Fixes

• Sims in a relationship will no longer receive unsolicited autonomous flirtations from other Sims, unless they have the Noncommittal Trait, of course.
• Sims will Dance if the radio is turned on and playing music, but they'll save their dance moves if the radio is turned off.
• Enchanting and Flirty interactions are now only available for Sims who are compatible with the active Sim's orientation.
• Married Sims no longer receive a Want to flirt with Sims who are not their spouse.
• Teen Sims will no longer feel jealous around a previous Teen romantic partner who has become a Young Adult.
• Jealousy was getting ahead of itself! Those jealousy buffs were wrongly calling an engaged Sim a spouse.
• Upon learning a Sim's WooHoo interest and opening their Sim Profile, the Sim Profile will no longer say “No One“ even when the sim has a WooHoo interest in Men/Women.
• The Knowledge of a Sim's Sexual Orientation and their Sim Profile will now remove outdated information when that Sim changes their Sexual Orientation in Create a Sim.
• The need for fun won't stop a Sim from enjoying their meal—they'll finish eating before fulfilling their fun needs.
• When multitasking two books being read, the Sim will no longer skip the first book. Now they will read it, put it away, and then go for the second book.
• “Make a Move“ now is available between Sims whose marriage was established in Create a Sim.
• If a Sim is rejected after asking another Sim on a date, a notification will be given on why they were turned down.
• Ghost Sims are now available for “Ask on Date...“ from the Relationship Panel.
• Both the Host Sim and the Sim's date can contribute to the main date goal with one another. Before, only the Host Sim could accomplish the goal.
• If a Sim heads off to work or school during an Event, the Event will come to an end.
• Planning a Stay Over during an Event at the Sim’s home will bring the Event to a successful close.
• If a Discovery Quest appears during an Event, the Event progress bar will not reset if the Discovery Quest is canceled.
• If a Discovery Quest appears during an Event that has Goals and Rewards, your Sims now keep their Event titles and the progress remains visible.
• Sims will be able to “Ask on Date...“ without the need for Romantic Relationship. That won't stop Sims from rejecting the date proposal if things are off though.
• When planning an Event, the Plumbob will appear next to the venue choices when scrolling through the available locations.
• When planning an Event, the selected venue will appear at the top of the selection list if you navigate away and then back to the venue selection.
• When planning an Event, Sims that are preselected will now count as a single entry rather than not being counted.
• When planning an Event on console, the tooltip will now inform that a Sim is being changed from a Guest to a Hired Role. Additionally, a tooltip will appear if the Sim being hired for a Role has work scheduled during the Event.
• When planning an Event on console, the location image will not appear in the description section of the planning page. Just the description text will appear.
• When setting up an Event, the checkmark for each phase such as “Invite Sims” now is on the right side of the button for easier reading.
• A Sim now can learn about another Sim's financial status when they “Get to Know“ that Sim.
• Lips are synced so that Sims making out keep their lips on their kissing partner.
• When Sims get steamy in the shower from WooHoo, music now jazzes up the moment.
• Sims in more restrictive costumes now kneel instead of sitting cross-legged.
• Sims wearing the Hotdog costume will not intersect with their knees while kneeling on the ground.
• “Skinny Dip with...“ no longer is available on pools when no other Sims are nearby.
• The complete text for a joke falling flat now appears on failed comedy and funny socials, rather than getting cut off in the pop-up.
• Mugs and tumblers fit better in Sims' hands now.
• Music will continue to play in Live Mode even if “Next Song“ is selected while the game is paused.
• The highlight for newly acquired Sentiments that appears around a Sim's portrait in the Relationship Panel is removed once the Sim profile is opened.
• Unavailable actions in the Interaction menu are easier to read now.
• Icons appearing with the music note have been fixed and are now playing in the right direction.
• The text of phone call pop-ups now fills the space better.
• Shadows no longer are checkered for some platforms.
• Placing a lot from the Gallery no longer changes the color of the world on some platforms while the lot is building.
• Pressing Alt + Tab in Fullscreen Mode on Windows now opens the Task Switcher for computers with DirectX 11.
• Some interactions related to Sims being affectionate, sleeping in bed, reading books, going to other locations, and asking Sims on dates are more performant.
• Answering incoming text messages works with both control method types on console (hovering or snapping the cursor).
• The correct venue is highlighted in the venue selection when planning an Event from a Sim's home lot on console.

Build Mode Bug Fixes

• Cellar stair trim no longer extrudes down to the basem*nt floor when the basem*nt floor is removed.
• Walls directly under stairs now properly cut away in "Walls Cutaway View."
• All “Mega Double Doors“ swatches now include transparent glass.
• Bar Backs are included in the “Bars & Bar Backs“ category.
• When building Pools, Rotate and Copy no longer increase the cost of the Pool.
• Large Curved Walls now can be placed on Large Curved Platforms.

Create a Sim Bug Fixes

• The ability to customize Toddler Toenails has returned.
• Fingernails no longer clip through the gloves of full-body outfits.
• French tip nails (ymAcc_ManiFrenchTip_Beige) have been manicured to no longer intersect with fingers.
• Hair texture no longer changes when the Tank Top (yfTop_SDX021BinderRacerback) is applied to a female Sim.
• The Simoleons thrown by Sims with the Materialistic Trait in Create a Sim now catch a little more air.
• The contrast and font color have been improved for better readability in the Styled Looks section of Create a Sim.

Gallery Server Bug Fixes

• Viewing creations from Followers should return results more quickly (internet speeds allowing) so you can get straight into browsing all of their shared creations.
• Blocked players no longer show up in the Gallery searches.
• Simmers on PlayStation and Xbox can see their Profile Showcase uploads in the Gallery again.

Pack Fixes

Get to Work

• Scheduling Events from the Calendar while in Sixam no longer is available.
• Posing for a picture will look fabulous without creepy zombie teeth cutting into your face.

Get Together

• Closets built into walls once again allow your Sims to "WooHoo" and "Try For Baby."
• Sims will no longer ignore your desire to "Make Out with..." when using theGet Togetherclosets: Perfect Size Closet, Squaring it Square, and Fashionista’s Closet.
• Pronouns on the notification for acquiring the Dance Skill and asking about another Sim are now correct.

City Living

• Rounded decks, walls, platforms, pools, and fountains can now be placed in Apartments in San Myshuno.

Cats & Dogs

• A Sim without the Cat Lover Trait who is watching the sky from the picnic table with another Sim who has that Trait will not spontaneously stare elsewhere besides their partner and the sky.
• A Sim with the Cat Lover Trait will no longer slide in animations when sitting close with another Sim.
• Interactions for collecting Cat and Dog hair piles are more performant.
• Sim clothes will no longer remain on when entering Sim tattoo mode in Create a Sim after using Paint Mode or selecting Coat Colors & Patterns on Pets.

Seasons

• Sims now can use indoor Pools even when the weather is freezing. They can be directed to use outdoor Pools, but won’t do so on their own.
• Flower Bunny and Patchy the Scarecrow now are off the market for Dates.
• Ain't That A Slate Toilet now has the appropriate two-tone swatch color.
• When planning a Holiday, all Traditions will correctly appear as selected when multiple are selected quickly.

Get Famous

• The colors of the male full-body Trench Coat (ymBody_EP06CoatLong) no longer automatically change when paired with tall boots.

Discover University

• Professors no longer run away when attempting to take them on a date.

Cottage Living

• Foxes will no longer appear in Manage Households.
• Finchwick Fair submissions now properly return to Sim's inventory or to their Household Inventory after the Fair is over.

High School Years

• Teen Sims can now complete their Aspiration goal by using the "Ask about College Parties" phone interaction with other Teens and then "Sneak Out" through an openable window.
• If acne is disabled in the Game Options, it will not appear on Sims in Live Mode.
• The correct icons now appear in the Action Queue for "Admire Courage", "Moving Too Fast", and "Talk about Marriage" rather than just showing the Sims face.
• The Social Bunny icon now looks more social instead of romantic.
• Once a Teen Sim becomes a Young Adult, the "Ask a Crush Out" and "Chat with a Crush" Wants are no longer available.
• The light is back in Sims' eyes with certain hairstyles (yfHair_EP12WavyFadeOmbre, ymHair_EP12WavyFadeOmbre, and ymHair_EP12WavyFade).
• "Talk about Marriage" now appears in the "Small Talk" section of the Interaction Pie Menu and won't always surface to the main Pie Menu interactions.
• Benchmark Seating’s preview image now is pink when viewing the pink swatch.

Growing Together

• Even if two Sims have amazing compatibility, romantic interactions won'talwaysbe successful.
• Haughty Herringbone Wall and Floor Tile’s color swatch for the gray version now matches instead of being black.
• Teen Sims will only have memories of "First Mess Around" and will not confuse this with "First Woohoo."
• Photobooth pictures will now fit nice and snug inside the Hodgepodge Photo Collage Frames.
• The social compatibility icon has been improved in the Relationship Panel to better represent compatibility.

Horse Ranch

• If a Sim leaves a conversation while mounted, they no longer blather on indefinitely.
• Chestnut Ridge now shows its attractions when considering it for a Vacation. The tourism board wants you to visit for Dreadhorse Caverns, its rare fishing spots, and, of course, the horseback riding!
• "Ask about Getting a Horse" now shows the Friendly interaction icon in the Action Queue rather than showing the Horse Trainer's face.
• Up to eight Sims can enter the Equestrian Center instead of just one to spectate competitions.
• If the computer is broken, Sims now have to repair it before they can purchase or rescue a Horse with it.
• Horses move more smoothly and navigate more directly at Fast Speed and Ultra Speed.
• Horses no longer teleport to their destination when trying to walk backwards in Fast Speed or Ultra Speed.
• Foals turn around instead of sometimes going backwards to use objects.
• Horses have lots of "locomotion" improvements! They travel more directly to their destination, slow down when going through gates, and stop more smoothly.They walk in and out of narrow spaces and gates (forwards and backwards!) more deftly.
• Moreover, autonomous Horse movement is more performant.
• Sims on Horses no longer socialize with Sims through walls.

For Rent

• Residential Rentals are now available for Penthouse Lots! We were waiting for Residential Rentals to high-rise to the occasion and now they're ready to be built to your specifications.
• The name of the Residential Rental lot will stop reverting back to its default name.
• The amount of Rent per Day now can be set with a controller on console.
• Households that do not use utilities such as power and water and owe zero Simoleons will not receive messages that threaten utility shutoff.
• When the Property Owner is visiting a Tenant unit on the same residential property, the Sim Picker specifies "Visit Unit..." rather than displaying "Go Home..."
• Deleting and then undoing the deletion of a shared unit wall in a Residential Rental lot that has reached its maximum unit capacity will no longer cause issues with the "Create Unit" functionality.
• Visiting the Property Owner on the same residential property will no longer state that the Property Owner is not home—they can't escape meeting you now!
• Changing the name of the Penthouse Residential Rental will also be reflected in the Property Management Interface and the Lot Name headers.
• "Sell Residential Rental" is specifically used to avoid confusion with commercial businesses when selling residential property.
• All versions of Oh So Floral, Oh So Fancy Tile now are shiny.
• The Rent shown now is correct based on the unit size and amenities.
• When renting a residential unit, a tooltip now specifies "Rent Unit" before confirming the rental, similar to renting an apartment.
• Tenants and Property Owners can now find each other in the Business filter of the Relationships Panel.
• The ability to increase and decrease the panel height on console is now available for the Owned Business Panel.
• The Unit Selection display for Residential Rentals in Manage Worlds now uses the D-Pad instead of L1/R1 (PlayStation) or LB/RB (Xbox) when changing floor level.

Spa Day

• Short Round Nails look more natural and match the preview image.

Dine Out

• Sims will drink and eat autonomously when they order both food and drinks at a restaurant. Previously, they would only drink.
• Sims no longer get stuck when replacing a restaurant they are running with another from the Gallery.
• Special non-playable Sims (like Michael Bell) are no longer available to be hired for restaurants.
• Neighborhood Sims now leave the restaurant after completing the eating of a grand meal and will no longer wait until the restaurant is closed.
• Wearing the respectable shirt and vest combo (ymTop_GP03Vest) was cutting off circulation, causing a groove to appear around the Sim's fingers. The cuffs have since been loosened and the Sim’s fingers are back to normal.

Vampires

• Occult rank status for non-household occult Sims can now be seen in the Sim Profile.

Star Wars: Journey to Batuu

• For galactic safety, scheduling Events from the Calendar while in Batuu no longer is available.

My Wedding Stories

• Wedding Cakes now note that only the Sim who plans the event can select the Cake.
• "Call off the Wedding" is available on both the Sim and the wedding arch while performing the vows.
• Sims who are hungry will not eat the Wedding Cake until instructed.
• Sims who travel to Tartosa can now successfully “Get Married to…” their partner at Town Hall.
• We heard that you wanted the option to plan a wedding with the Base Game Wedding Event even when you have My Wedding Stories, so Sims now can choose between “Plan Wedding Event“ from Base Game or “Plan Customized Wedding Event“ from My Wedding Stories when they're ready to get married.
• Sims now stand instead of sitting on the floor from “Please Take Your Seats“ if there aren't enough chairs.

Werewolves

• The Sweater (ymTop_GP12SweaterDecal) no longer distorts at the arm for male Sims when viewing from a distance.

Crystal Creations

• When a Sim wears jewelry crafted and charged with the Fire Opal crystal on a Date, completing date goals will count 50% more towards the Date's score.

Bust the Dust

• The “Filth Kills the Fun“ Moodlet now has a unique icon all its own.
• Sims no longer get multiple negative Dust Moodlets at the same time.

Industrial Loft

• The preview image of the Johnny Zest's Sweet Revenge Sofa faces the same direction as the other couches in Build Mode.

Urban Homage

• The Track Pants (ymBottom_SP50Track and ymBottom_SP50Denim) are now correctly tagged as masculine.

Riviera Retreat

• All Riviera Retreat rocks are included in the Rock category in Build Mode.
• Essence of Bergamot Planter now exists fully in this realm (it was semi-transparent before).