Disabling Seasions But Keeping its Stuff - Want to disable weather or make plants in season year-round? You can do so with my new Seasons Tuner Mod
Improving Sims 4: The past month, I've spent every day tinkering The Sims 4, making quality of life improvements, gameplay changes, and new difficulty settings for the game. If you'd like to learn more about my project, visit the post on Patreon where you can download it now.
The Sims 4's Video Gaming Skill lets you earn Money in Tournaments
The Sims 4's Video Gaming Skill is a new means for Sims to make money off their gaming prowess. As you level up, new Tournament Options and games become available, each of which giving better payouts should you enter and win a Tournament. Each level of the Skill increases the likelihood of championship, as does being Very Focused. In this Guide to Video Gaming in The Sims 4, I'll give some tips to help you get the most of the Skill and other Skills that synergize well with it, so that you can win Tournaments as often as possible. Doing so will allow your Sim to live off their tournament winnings!
How to: Video Gaming Cheats
Press Control + Shift + C then type testingcheats on and press enter. You can now set your skill level with stats.set_skill_level major_videogaming x (fill in 1-10) - we also have a full listing of Skill Cheats and a master list of Cheats in The Sims 4
Good Traits and Aspirations for Video Gaming
Naturally, the Genius Trait comes to mind given it makes Sims capable of getting random Focused Moodlets. However, Cheerful and Good (if other Sims are in the House) may also do this indirectly, as Happy boosts Focused. The same can be said of Lazy, for these Sims will get better Moodlets for sitting in a comfy chair. The single best Trait for this is likely Geek, as it will give an occasional Happiness Boost when playing Games, while also giving your Sim lots of Whims related to gaming (especially if you're focusing hard on the Skill). You'll get Whims for using the Skill anyway, but Geek would definitely help. So, personally, I'd go with Geek, Genius, and Lazy. Computer Whiz is the Aspiration most directly tied to this Skill, but does require you to enter the Tech Guru Career. I'd go with the Gaming Career Branch for the Motion Gaming Mat. Still, that Career comes with great Rewards that give Focused Auras for use around the home, and will directly help you win those Gaming Tourneys!
Handiness Upgrades can reduce the Breakdown chance of your Sim's Computer
Skill Synergies
First, the Handiness Skill is nearly essential when you'll be using Computers so much. You don't want to have to replace them at high cost, and you don't want the computer to break down during a Tournament. Upgrading to ECC Ram will let you see less breakdowns. This will also let your Sim upgrade the Graphics Card, which will make games more fun. The problem with this is that you will need a high level of Handiness (9) to upgrade Electronics. Still, it's worth the effort and your entire home can be upgraded with time.
Programming is another. When you can mod games, you make them more fun, resulting in the Sim getting an Epic Game Moodlet for +2 Happiness. This requires only a few minutes of play time, and will last a full 4 hours - longer than a Tournament. This makes it much easier to get Very Focused. On the upside, you can also occasionally hack while the Tournaments are on cooldown so that you get some extra Money from your time with the Computer. What makes this great is that Handiness and Programming both benefit from Focused!
Explore My Mods! Color Picker for Builders, Seasons Tuner, Dine Out Reloaded and a Gameplay Overhaul! Like other modders, I've been working to make The Sims 4 a better game. Check out my many mods here!
All you need to Learn Gaming is a Computer
Getting Started as a Gamer
The primary means of using this Skill is the Computer. It is the only device that gives you all the features. A cheap computer can play all games (unlike reality) and give you access to watch livestreaming, tournaments, and the games themselves. The Slablet (Tablet computer) is your other option, and it can be used on the go. It only features a few games and the ability to watch live streams and research game strategies. Lastly, the MotionMonitor Gaming Mat wil let your Sim play games physically, and enter into Tournaments that pay out better on the games it features. However, the best payouts are found on the Computer.
Being Very Focused is Ideal for Competing in Tournaments
Getting Very Focused for Tournaments & Faster Skill Gains
Using an Easel while Focused can let you make Aura objects that will help your Sim get Focused (Mathematical Diagrams). Additionally, you should Browse Simipedia on the Computer. Listening to Music while you play games by clicking that Interaction first will give +1 to Happy and help you get the +8 total Happy/Focused to reach Very Focused. You may also buy a Focused Emotional Book and drink Pitch Black Tea from the Tea Brewer.
Skill Level Unlocks
As you level the Skill, your Sim will get better and better at gaming while also unlocking the following skill features:
Gaming Interactions don't do much, but can help make Friends
Interactions
The Debate Game Strategy and Latest Games, along with Gossip about Gaming Pros Interactions will not give your Sim a moodlet. They're merely there to help your Sim make friends with other Gamers. Watching Livestreams and Researching Advanced Game Strategy on Computers will not give a Focused Moodlet. Those are meant to raise your Sim's gaming skill level a little faster than playing, and both are on a cooldown of a few hours. None of these are very impressive, but are side bonuses to leveling the skill. Let's get on to the good stuff! Something unrelated to Skill unlocks - if your Sims' household has two Motion Gaming Mats, they can play together! (Thanks Lindsay!)
Computers, but also Motion Gaming Mats, may be used for Tournaments
Gaming Tournaments
Game Tournaments are first unlocked at level 3, when you can enter Novice Tourneys. These offer fairly low payouts, but do increase based on the investment and the level of the game. The same is said of Professional Tournaments at level 6. These are much harder to win, but when your Sim is level 10 and Very Focused, you have a good chance of winning. Each game has a cost to enter on Novice, but all Professional Tournaments are $100 and scale in difficulty based on when the game unlocked. It's much easier to win at Blicblock than Hillock II, because there is more competition for a higher payout. There is a 4 hour cooldown after the Tournament is over. If your computer breaks during a Tournament, you can enter another since you didn't finish. Each game has an associated hidden Skill, and your Sim will get better as they play each of them. Spend time on the best paying games and you'll greatly improve your odds of winning! thanks to DarkWalker for sharing the info and Ciosa suggesting I add it to the Guide.
Payouts for Professional Tournaments can be huge. I did not bother to get all the placements for Novice Tournaments, but took down all the prizes you can win for Pro Tourneys on the Computer.
| Game Title | First Place | Second Place | Third Place |
| Blicblock | $450 | $300 | $150 |
| Sims Forever | $660 | $440 | $220 |
| Incredible Sports | $836 | $550 | $275 |
| MySims Go! | $1212 | $816 | $408 |
| The R.E.F.U.G.E. | $2054 | $1378 | $689 |
| Road Rival Alpha | $3833 | $2550 | $1275 |
| Hillock II | $4995 | $3330 | $1665 |
Gaming Tournaments played on the Motion Gaming mat give out anywhere from double to 25% more than the normal game. The best game to play for Tournaments on the gaming mat is Maniac Matchums, when it unlocks later in your gaming skill progression. You can win $3465 for first there, while R.E.F.U.G.E. pays only $2618. Blicblock is the biggest leap, giving Sims a $920 payout.
Overall, this Skill is all about the Tournaments and the chance at winning money by using your Sim's gaming Skills. As you can see through the table above, Hillock II can give gobs of money if you're able to win consistently. Find new means of helping your Sim stay Focused, by viewing my Emotions Guide.
Acting | Archaeology | Baking | Charisma | Comedy | Cooking | Dancing | DJ Mixing | Fabrication |; Fishing | Fitness | Flower Arranging | Gardening | Gourmet Cooking | Guitar | Handiness | Herbalism | Juice Fizzing | Logic | Media Production | Mischief | Mixology | Painting | Parenting | Photography | Piano | Programming | Robotics | Rock Climbing | Rocket Science | Singing | Skiing | Snowboarding | Vampire Lore | Veterinarian | Video Gaming | Violin | Wellness | Writing
We now have a Youtube Channel with over 50 guides in video format to go along with the huge site I've already created. Check it out and consider subscribing if you like my style.
The Sims 4 Seasons expansion now has options! Want to disable weather or make plants in season year-round? You can do so with my new Seasons Tuner Mod
The past month, I've spent every day tinkering The Sims 4, making quality of life improvements, gameplay changes, and new difficulty settings for the game. If you'd like to learn more about my project, visit the post on Patreon where you can download it now.
Cottage Living Guide! Here is my guide to new features in the Sims 4 Cottage Living Expansion
You can also find handy Cottage Living Cheats
I have much more to come, since you can actually write a few guides about this pack!
Blender has been incredibly useful in video production, so I made my own Physics and Simulation Improvement Addon that lumps a ton of unique tools into one compact interface.
Snowy Escape Cheats
Lifestyles in Snowy Escape
Climb Mt. Komorebi
Sentiments in Snowy Escape
Rock Climbing
Skiing Skill
Snowboarding Skill
I've released a guide to Sentiments in The Sims 4 & Snowy Escape.
There is a new platform tool in The Sims 4. There's also a new Sentiments system, but it'll take some time to create a guide to that. Players can also use rental lots in any world now by changing lot types of builds in manage worlds.
I've created a massive List of The Best Mods in The Sims 4 that should be very helpful to new players and those who have not yet explored modding and how much it can do for your gameplay.
New - Secrets I have a new guide to secrets in the game. If you prefer, you can also watch a video about secrets in Sims 4.
Nifty Knitting is now available. Learn all about the stuff pack on my guide page here.
NEW - Nifty Knitting CheatsNew features in the Sims 4 June 2020
The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Guide
Eco Footprint: How it Works
Neighborhood Action Plans
How to Cheat in Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle
Civil Designer Career
Insect Farms & Bio Fuel
Fabrication Skill in Eco Lifestyle
Juice Fizzing NEW
Traits and Aspirations in DLC
Gameplay Ideas for Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle
Updated
Trait Cheats Updated
Traits List Updated
Aspirations List Updated
Readers who use adblock or those who'd like to thank me for my efforts can now pledge $1/$5 monthly via Patreon. This helps a lot with server costs and provides some stability for my business.
This is inspired by a new series in which I start at toddler and gradually take on the major bonuses. Here's a link to the full playlist!
I now have a guide page to Tiny Living Stuff where you can learn about Murphy Beds, the new death, as well as the lot bonuses you'll receive if you manage to keep the size of your lot down with this new pack's Tiny Home Lot Type.
New I now have a guide to Making Super Sims in The Sims 4. Look for a text version within the next 72h. It won't have THAT much more info but it will help out as a checklist.
This was inspired by a series, "Let's Play a Super Sim" in which I start at toddler and gradually take on the major bonuses. Here's a link to each part for people who are interested. You can also see the Let's Play as a Playlist on Youtube.
The Sims 4 Discover University has been announced for November 15 for PC/Mac and December 17 for Xbox and Playstation 4 consoles. Click to learn more about the pack, see my summary of the livestream or read our FAQs below.
Other Guides to Discover University:
New Lot Traits: Study Spot and University Student Hang Out
New: Discover University FAQ: Gameplay Features
New Video The Sims 4 Discover University Gameplay Tips Video
More videos coming soon!
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Comments (15)
Installing Origin
I heard somewhere you can earn money (lots of it) by livestreaming while videogaming... is there any more information about this? I think I heard it somewhere on your forums but I forget where now.
This was the case with the Base Game but has been changed in a patch. Originally sims could make insane amounts of cash when live streaming a game but now instead Sims gain a large number of followers.
There was a new Level 1 game added with either Discover University or Tiny Living - SimScuffle. It looks like Sim City 4.
It was added with Discover University.
Any idea what the payout for first place professional tournament is? I'm guessing it's higher than the hillock but that also means it's harder also to win first place. And I thought I read somewhere that the more a Sim plays a game the better they get at the game increasing their chances at winning.
You're probably looking for this info post on the forum Forum Post (Click)
Lots of tuning info there but also (I quote):
So, basically, if you want to maximize the chances of winning: focus on a single game to get the hidden skill in that game up, practice about three hours per day to keep the hidden skill high (taking part in tournaments counts as practice), play for an hour or two before each tournament in order to get the hidden skill near its max, and get into an emotion that boosts the video gaming skill. Do keep in mind that winning is random; with a video gaming skill of 6 (or 4 when focused) and no practice it should already be possible to win a tournament, though it will be very rare.
Is there a bug? I reached level 10 but I never unlocked Hillock 2 or Road Rival Alpha and there's no notice on the Notification Wall of unlocking either one and there's no notification of reaching level 8 or 9.
Not that I am aware of, but I'll throw a Sim through this skill to test and edit this post a little later.
**Edited: The message that occurs at L9 is "Simsname is now an elite gamer. Few can match his gaming prowess", and the game Road Rival Alpha Game unlocks as an option under 'Play Game...' on a PC or laptop.
At level 10 of the video gaming skill the message is simply "Games within Games. Have a Sim reach max level in the Video gaming skill" which is also a game achievement and the final game option unlocks which is Hillock ll
So everything went as normal for my test. Maybe try a Game Repair and see if that fixes the issue for you.
how do you play and long in i did what it said?????????
You just need a PC, laptop or even your Sims phone to start playing games and so learning the Video Gaming skill.
very well. I don't know
i dont know how or where to find how to findout how to download ive seen comments saying scroll down i see nothing on this page, please explain on a reply please