The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits is T-minus two weeks away, and we’ve just got some free content to tide us over until then. Patch 188 is here, bringing with it a bunch of bug fixes, tunings, and loads of other stuff.
It’s a big update, so get ready. But be sure to back up your saves before grabbing it, just in case. Large updates – particularly ones that impact significant gameplay features – often break the game in one way or another.
Playing The Sims 4 on console? You have a little longer to prepare, as the update doesn’t land for PlayStation and Xbox Simmers until September 23rd.
What’s included in The Sims 4’s September 18 (or 23) update?
To put it briefly: A lot. But to be more specific, this update is introducing:
- A new venue type: Playgrounds are officially making their way to The Sims 4. This new lot type is targeted mostly towards Child Sims and their guardians
- A way of (finally) filtering venue types while planning events: You’ll now be able to narrow down your options when planning where to host your parties, hangouts, and other special events. No more scrolling through the house of every single attendee just to find the Rec Centre
- Different interactions for children: Child Sims can now Play Pretend together, much like they can using the treehouse from Growing Together. Except it’s really pretend since there’s no treehouse
- Fresh beanies for Autumn: An ecru slouch beanie has been added for the truly fashion-conscious Sim
- Memory Boost mode: Arguably the biggest feature included in this update, Memory Boost is an opt-in, early access functionality for PC gamers. This optimises your game’s memory usage, hopefully in turn fixing up some lag and frame rate issues. It might even prevent crashing, which is always welcome
- Merfolk bassinettes: While this isn’t the biggest update, it’s weirdly probably the one I’m most excited for. You can now find the Ocean’s Lullaby Bassinet in Build/Buy Mode. It’s designed specifically for merbabies, featuring some cute little shell designs to make them feel right at home on land. The reason why I’m so excited is because it makes me think there might be a mermaid refresh on the horizon…
- Updates to your Sims’ Soul’s Journeys: This feature from Life & Death is being tuned to adjust the amount of points they gain, while adding Aspiration Points into the mix.
- Preparations for the Autumn Apparel Kit: Everything should be ready for this Kit to land on October 9th
All bug fixes in The Sims 4 Patch 188
Alongside all the new features and tunings added in this patch, it also sets out to fix a few pervasive bugs that have been bugging the community. This all lines up pretty nicely with what was covered in the Quality of Life Roadmap and the most recent Laundry List.
Base Game bug fixes
Most of the bug fixes included in this patch relate to the Base Game. Here’s what’s in the patch notes:
- Sims with the entrepreneurial trait no longer experience sudden jumps in career level. This fix will prevent this issue from occurring on any new saves
- The “Venue Info” icon in Build Mode will stop shining when there’s nothing new to display
- A Sim writing a book can now resume it properly after being interrupted by another Sim to socialise
- Sims will no longer always sit to drink water
- Interaction Progress (like cooking or writing) will no longer start from the beginning after loading
- Last Exception and Sim reset no longer trigger when exiting a Changing Table.
- (ymBottom_SDX037Jeans_SolidPink) displays the proper color swatch for Masculine Sims
- Duplicate Swatch no longer shown for (doorDoubleSliding2x1_SDX037BUILDERTileable3Tile_set1)
- The Holiday menu no longer closes when switching between Sims
- The swatch shown for (shelfWallGFPlank2x1_01_set1) matches what is placed
- The diner outdoor sign is now glowing correctly
- The infant’s ‘bald’ eyebrow color swatches are now in order
- The following shower floors no longer flicker when zooming the camera in and out: Tranquil Waters Shower, Modern Grimpressions, Waterfall Shower, EZPZ Shower Stall, and It’s a Shower Trap
- Nail polish will no longer change the colour of yfBody_SP18DressShirt
- Mournful Memories Music Box no longer has a debug name and description on all except the main swatch
- Curtains will now move when using DX11
- Death can no longer be avoided by scheduling an off-lot Event via the calendar on another lot during the death sequence
- The ymShoes_AnkleOxford_TrueBlack variant of this shoe no longer changes shape compared to the other variants
- Skill cheats can now be used to lower skill
- Eyeglasses no longer look like sunglasses
- Some wall mailboxes no longer appear under Misc Appliances instead of Trash Cans & Mailboxes
- Some fireplaces no longer project light from Fire Backwards
- Resolved a missing texture observed when applying yfTop_GP12SweaterVest with some bottom assets
- Texture defects are no longer observed when applying ymBottom_SP56CK001ShortsRuffles with several top assets
- The Undo button is no longer greyed out when using it to make changes for occult types in CAS
DLC bug fixes
The other bug fixes are all for Expansions, Game Packs, Stuff Packs, and Kits. The patch notes highlight the following fixes:
- “Summon a Privy Bush” interaction is now available for Vampire and Fairy Child Sims.
- The Daring Hall Tree is now properly categorised under the Displays category instead of the Decorations Misc category
- Pets no longer get deformed when traveling to another lot after aging up
- Blue swatches for (stair_rail_EP04CAxFrame_set5) display the proper color when placed
- When selecting gray swatches for the object (sculptwall_EP02GENchalk2x1_set1), the proper color is placed
- The Mermaid bassinet is now available in Buy mode like other bassinets
- Resolved flickering animation observed on water after the Sim performs a snorkel interaction on the buoys in Sulani
- Bike pedals will now align with the Sim’s feet when riding the bike from this pack
- (ymBottom_EP08LeggingCropped_Solid Yellow) displays the correct color swatch for males
- Legal Case Files and Dr. Tyson’s Books of Learning are now properly categorised under the Clutter category instead of the Sculptures category
- Piercings from the Eco Lifestyle expansion pack now have the correct Bronze & Gold swatches displayed
- Smooth Sail Diaper Pail trash cans now snap to Lavish One’s changing station
- Starry Eyed Collection Banquet Table is now present in the Bars category instead of the Dining Tables category
- Tenant events are no longer resolved as a failure after the Property Owner fixes what’s needed on the Tenant’s lot
- All colour tags are now applied to Canopy Dreams and Drape Desires objects
- Modern Grimpressions Bathroom Sink and Modern Grimpressions Kitchen Sink objects can now be slotted at the top
- Nails paint no longer creates a texture glitch on T-shirts (yfTop_EP17ShirtGoth) and (ymTop_EP17ShirtGoth)
- Child Sims now show up as ghosts when they die due to overheating & freezing
- YmHat_EP17ToqueDouble no longer clips with ears if ears are extended outwards
- Sim no longer clips into the bar stools when read will interaction is performed in a sitting posture
- Soul’s Journey Progression no longer grants too many points
- Sims will no longer remain in Ghost form after removing the Ghost molecule in CAS after using the Undo button
- (Paint on Me!) wallpaper from the Business and Hobbies category now appears when filtered by color
- (ymHair_EP19Mullet_Auburn) hairstyle no longer clips with hats
- “Fertilize All Crops” interaction is now functional on oversized crop plants with oversized crop fertilizer
- Gnome brought to life for Upgrades and Repairs will no longer continuously upgrade toilets with Composting Container, leading to toilets catching fire
- Vampire Sims no longer constantly disappear and reappear during interactions
- All the nail polish in the fingernail category color yfBody_SP18DressShirt
- GP01GenFern plants no longer clip when placed on the roofs
- Glass Top Stage Stairs is now properly categorised under the Decorations Misc category instead of the Surfaces Misc category
- (ymTop_GP08VestShirt) now displays the correct swatches
- (yfHair_GP12MedWavy_Black) hair displays properly when zoomed out in-game
- (yfTop_SP08TeeBoatNeck) now displays the correct swatches
- When selecting green/yellow swatches for the object (doorSingle1x1_SP40GENTileable3Tile_set1), the thumbnail now displays the proper colour
- Nails are now properly tagged for a masculine frame
