Highlights
- Cheats in The Sims 4 are encouraged and supported by EA, making them a foundational aspect of the game.
- Using cheats like testingcheats true and freerealestate can help players build dream homes without budget constraints.
- Cheats like Money, kaching, and motherlode provide players with quick cash for extravagant builds and design flexibility.
To most gamers, using cheats may seem like the antithesis of an authentic gaming experience. Developers even make cheats quite hard to find, as they’re often seen as game-breaking techniques that undermine a title’s integrity. But for The Sims this couldn’t be more untrue, as using cheats is a tried and true foundation of the game.
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The Sims publisher company EA not only encourages the use of cheats in their games, but even has a handy list on their website of some of the best ones. These cheats are applicable in nearly every aspect of the game but are especially useful for players looking to build the house of their dreams. So, for those looking to create astounding Sim homes, here are the best build mode cheats in The Sims 4.
Updated on May 2, 2024, by Taylor Pittman: Building is a major aspect of The Sims 4, and Simmers get new items across the board in DLC. In build mode, they can test their architecture and design skills to create the perfect lots for Sims to live and play in. There are also build challenges in the community to keep things exciting. The Sims 4 lets players use programmed cheats that make building easier and allow for customization. Occasionally, they will add another cheat in a free base game update, so this guide has been updated to include more of the best build mode cheats in The Sims 4.
1 Turn On Cheats
One Cheat To Rule Them All
The use of many cheats in The Sims 4 simply wouldn’t be possible without first using testingcheats true. This cheat is especially necessary for players looking to use cheats in other game modes as well. As with every other cheat in this list, it can be entered on PC using Ctrl + Shift + C to bring up the cheat dialogue box.
For those playing The Sims 4 on consoles, many of the same cheats work using the same entry into the dialogue box. To access the cheat dialogue box players will need to hold down all four shoulder buttons for a couple of seconds. Whether on PC or console, this dialogue box can be closed using the same steps to open it.
2 Free Real Estate
Don’t Let A Budget Stop You
The first thing players do after exiting CAS is pick a place for their Sim families to live. The standard starting funds for a family is 20K Simoleons, but players can increase or decrease this if they use the CAS Stories function. Some starter homes fall within budget, but players who want to move Sims into any house they want can use the Free Real Estate cheat.
After ensuring that cheats are turned on, players can type in freerealestate on to make every Residential Lot cost 0 Simoleons. Sims will keep all their starting funds when they move in. Then, players can decorate or renovate the lot however they want. To reset the home prices, players must simply type freerealestate off in the cheat bar.
3 Set Household Funds
Specify Sims’ Simoleons
After entering testingcheats true in the dialogue box, players will unlock the ability to use a cheat that will grant them a specific amount in their household funds. This cheat can be handy for players participating in various Sims 4 challenges or for those needing a modest monetary boost for their builds.
Typing Money followed by the specific amount of Simoleons players want will grant them with precisely that number. So, for example, typing in Money 123456 will change the household funds to 123,456 Simoleons exactly.
4 Get Instant Money
Money, Money, Money
Ever since the dawn of the original Sims game, now known as The Sims 1, EA has facilitated several ways for players to get money using cheats. The classic rosebud cheat, which appeared in this first core game in the series, is still used in The Sims 4, and grants players 1000 Simoleons every time it is entered in the dialogue box.
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Similarly, kaching will grant 1000 Simoleons as well. For those looking to really upgrade the extravagance in their builds, they can use the motherlode cheat, which will deposit a whopping 50,000 Simoleons into their funds. More money equals more opportunities for expensive and extravagant builds.
5 Move Objects Anywhere
Freedom Of Movement
One of the major gripes of Sims players is the strict standard placement rules for all objects. A plant may only visually take up a quarter of a tile, but Sims 4 will still dictate that it requires a whole one. Items also cannot intersect with one another, and some items will even have other specific rules such as needing to be placed outside or against walls.
Thankfully, the bb.moveobjects on cheat allows players to place items without obeying these rules. Once players have freely layered, positioned, and arranged their furniture they can even toggle the cheat off again by typing bb.moveobjects off in the dialogue box. Using the moveobjects cheat in conjunction with an alt key hold will grant players a whole new level of home design flexibility.
6 Quarter And Half Tile Placement
Change Tile Size And Shape
When placing flooring in a home, players get many options, from carpet to tile and more. Just like many objects, the flooring is placed as square tiles. However, players can place flooring in quarter and diagonal half tiles using a simple keyboard cheat. This allows them to create unique patterns and shapes to cover their floors.
To place quarter tiles, hit CTRL+F. This makes the tile turn into a triangle shape. Players can then click CTRL+F again to make it a full square again. They can also do diagonal half tiles by placing two quarter tiles next to each other. Additionally, the < > keys rotate flooring for even more pattern options.
7 Raise/Lower Objects
Clutter Those Counters
Clutter items can make all the difference when building in The Sims 4. Clutter is a good way to fill in empty space, make a home or venue look active, and add neat storytelling details for a Sim’s interests. The only problem is that some items can’t be slotted onto certain surfaces or can only be placed at awkward angles. A good way to freely place items wherever your heart desires is to raise or lower them manually.
For this to work, players must have the bb.moveobjects cheat active. Then, put an item on the floor and move it underneath the object it will be placed on. Use the 9 key to raise the object and the 0 key to lower it. Look at it from multiple angles to ensure it is placed correctly from every perspective.
8 Increase Or Decrease Object Size
Size Does Matter
Though every item in The Sims 4 has its own default size, savvy players can change this with a keyboard shortcut. This cheat won’t require the usual dialogue box, but instead utilizes the shift and [ ] keys.
With any item selected, players can press shift [ to increase its size or shift ] to make it smaller. This is another shortcut that’s great to use with the moveobjects cheat, as it can be a way for players to hide items within one another but still maintain their in-game use.
9 Unlock Debug Items
Decorative Items Galore
Not everything in the game is freely available in the build/buy catalog. Some objects, often referred to as debug items, are hidden from players use in standard build mode. While many of these items are standard neighborhood environmental features, they can be used to create beautiful and unique builds.
The Sims 4: 22 Tips For Building Spectacular Houses
Building homes is one of the most fun activities in The Sims 4, but it can seem daunting. These tips make it easy and fun to build gorgeous homes.
There are two cheats to unlock debug items in the game which will give players access to a total of over 1200 new objects for their builds. The bb.showhiddenobjects cheat unlocks scenery items and small clutter seen around neighborhoods. The bb.showliveeditobjects cheat unlocks even more of these environmental items.
10 Unlock Career Exclusive Items
Get The Rewards Without The Career
New players of The Sims 4 may have noticed that some items in the catalog are locked from use unless their Sims max out a particular career branch. It may be somewhat achievable to unlock these through gameplay, but for those who don’t wish to waste valuable time there is also a cheat for this.
Entering bb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlement into the cheat dialogue box will automatically unlock all of these items for households to buy. With nearly every expansion pack, more of these kinds of items are always being added, so it’s a quick way to get more build options in the game.
11 Edit Locked Lots
Rebuild The Whole World
Once players have perfected their own homes, they might turn their attention to other buildings or locales in the various worlds of The Sims 4. They may have even discovered that some of these locations are locked and cannot be customized by traditional build mode means. However, the bb.enablefreebuild is an easy way around this.
Entering this cheat will permit players to edit previously locked lots like secret areas, career buildings, or university dorms. This way, Sims players can make sure it’s not just their homes that are built to their tastes, but the entire world too.
The Sims 4
- Released
- September 2, 2014
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
