Likes and dislikes
Like and dislike categories in Create a Sim.
- For the similar preference system in The Sims 3, see Favorite.
Likes and dislikes are a system that determines aesthetics and activities Sims prefer in The Sims 4, which were added in patch 113 of the base game. It is similar to the favorites system in The Sims 3. They can either be chosen in Create a Sim (by clicking the icon underneath the aspiration icon) or be developed through gameplay, and Sims can have up to fifty in total. There are three categories of likes and dislikes present in the base game (activities, colors, and music genres), with more categories added in The Sims 4: Dream Home Decorator (décor), The Sims 4: High School Years (fashion), and The Sims 4: Growing Together (conversation topics and Sim characteristics).[r 1]
If a Sim is doing an activity in a particularly good or bad mood, the player will occasionally be prompted to add it to their likes or dislikes. The longer a Sim does an activity they dislike, the tenser they get, and they will never do a disliked activity autonomously. Sims who are exposed to a disliked preference for a long time will become uncomfortable, eventually becoming angry if they are exposed to it even longer. Sims can also enthuse or complain about their preferences to other Sims, and their reaction depends on their own preferences. Likes and dislikes are used extensively in the interior decorator career, where decorators have to figure out their clients' preferences first before completing a renovation for them.[r 2]
Growing Together adds platonic compatibility (not to be confused with Chemistry). Sim characteristics depend on traits (including aspiration reward traits), lifestyles, and likes and dislikes. Sims won't accept interactions from conversation topics categories they dislike.
Likes and dislikes can be changed at any time by accessing Create a Sim through a Sim's "Simology" tab in live mode (or through any of the other ways of accessing CAS).
Preferences are expanded further with The Sims 4: Lovestruck, adding a second sub-category next to Likes & Dislikes called Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs. Utilizing the same framework, Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs are the equivalent of Chemistry, introducing romantic compatibility.
Description[]
Choose your Sim's Likes and Dislikes. Sims gain positive or negative moodlets from doing things they Like or Dislike, and find it easier or harder to do Friendly interaction [sic] they Like or Dislike. When a Sim is in a good or bad mood, they can gain a Like or Dislike for what they are currently doing in Live Mode (such as Cooking).
Categories[]
Activities[]
Sims are happier and have more fun when they're doing Hobbies & Skills they Like. On the other hand, doing Hobbies & Skills they Dislike will make Sims tense and drain their fun.
Sims aged child or older can choose from this category. It is associated with the game's skills, though it doesn't include all of them.
Doing a liked activity grants Sims a +1 happy moodlet named after the activity (e.g. if the activity is dancing, the moodlet will be named "I Love Dancing!"). Similarly, doing a disliked activity grants a +1 tense moodlet that is also named after the activity (e.g. for painting it will be named "I Hate Painting!").
Colors[]
Everybody needs a favorite Color! Sims can Ask other Sims about their Favorite Color, and Child Sims can take it a step further.
Sims aged child or older can choose from this category. It is associated with the color tags used to search for objects and clothing, with one exception: the "light brown" and "dark brown" tags are simplified into a single "brown" like/dislike.
Sims who receive a manicure or pedicure on a massage chair will get a +1 happy "I Love This Color!" moodlet if their nails are painted with a color they like, or a +1 angry "I Hate This Color!" moodlet if their nails are painted with a color they dislike.[TS4:SD]
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Music genres[]
Sims are happier when they hear music they Like and feel uneasy listening to music they Dislike. Sims can share their musical opinions with other Sims too!
Sims aged child or older can choose from this category. It is associated with the various radio stations in the game, except for the Talk Radio station from The Sims 4: City Living.
Listening to a liked music genre grants Sims a +2 happy "That's My Jam!" moodlet, whereas listening to a disliked music genre grants Sims a +2 tense "Not My Tempo" moodlet.
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Décor[]
Sims can have some... varied opinions about interior design. Sims may occasionally bask in their refined taste, or scoff at questionable décor.
Sims aged teen or older can choose from this category. It is associated with almost all the décor style tags used to search for objects in build mode. However, the Double Gallery, Holidays, Events, and Shotgun styles have no associated like/dislike.
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Fashion[]
Sims are happier when they are wearing clothes they Like. On the other hand, wearing clothes they Dislike will make Sims tense and drain their fun.
Sims aged teen or older can choose from this category. It is associated with the style tags used to search for clothing in Create a Sim.
Wearing clothes that match a liked fashion type grants Sims a +1 happy "Stylish Choice" moodlet or a +2 inspired "Dedicated Follower of Fashion" moodlet, whereas wearing clothes from a disliked fashion type grants Sims a +2 tense "Not My Vibe" moodlet.
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Conversation topics[]
Not every conversation can be a great one! Conversation Topic preferences dictate how a Sim will react when another Sim performs that type of interaction on them. For example, if one Sim performs a Small Talk interaction on another Sim who dislikes Small Talk, it will have a much smaller chance of success than normal.
Sims aged child or older can choose from this category. Conversation topics are part of patch 142, in which the social pie menus have been reorganized and categorized into different conversation topics.
| Icon | Topic | Description |
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Affection | Whether it's Friendly or Romantic, showing Affection is an expression of adoration towards another Sim. Some Sims love receiving Affection from their friends and loved ones, but others might be a bit hesitant to accept such deep expressions of their connection. |
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Arguments | Whether winning or losing in the end, some Sims just enjoy the furious debate of a heated argument. If they like Arguments, they welcome other Sims to challenge them in verbal battle! Though others that dislike Arguments will be particularly disgruntled when argued with. |
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Complaints | For Sims that like Complaints, hearing others whine about life can be refreshing! Life isn't all sunshine and daisies! But for those that dislike it, they'd rather other Sims keep their complaints to themselves. |
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Compliments | While some Sims enjoy a bit of suave appreciation from a compliment, others might not like that type of attention! |
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Deception | Deception refers to (usually) benevolent lies told by Sims in the name of Mischief, to trick other Sims. Sims who like Deception appreciate humorous lies as an art form! While those who dislike it would rather avoid falsehoods altogether. |
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Deep Thoughts | Sims that like Deep Thoughts want to take conversations beyond the surface. They particularly enjoy thought-provoking or emotional conversations. Sims that dislike Deep Thoughts just want conversations to be a bit easier and lighthearted! |
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Discussing Hobbies | Hobbies are activities (usually related to skills) that Sims can learn to enjoy doing. Some Sims love hearing others discuss their hobby-related adventures at length, but others might find it hard to relate to! |
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Discussing Interests | A Sim's interests can vary widely - literature, science, or even philosophical ponderings about a Sim's way of life! Sims who like Discussing Interests enjoy hearing about the interests of others, while Sims who dislike it might find those conversations boring! |
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Flirtation | Ooh la la! Flirtation fills a conversation with lovey-dovey talk and beguiling, romantic one-liners. For some Sims, it's the perfect way to set the mood! For others, it's the perfect way to make them cringe! |
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Gossip | Sims that like Gossip want all the tea, all the time. However, those that dislike Gossip might find it rude to hear about other Sims behind their back! |
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Jokes | Knock knock! Sometimes jokes are a great way to fill the space in an otherwise lackluster conversation. But some Sims just don't appreciate the humor like others do! |
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Malicious Interactions | Malicious interactions are just downright rude! While most Sims find these interactions to be off-putting, Sims who like Malicious interactions are more inclined to appreciate the art of a finely crafted insult. |
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Physical Intimacy | For Sims who like Physical Intimacy, romantic touch is their love language! Those who dislike it might prefer to maintain stronger romantic boundaries. |
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Potty Humor | Potty Humor can be the pinnacle of comedy for some Sims who like it. But for others, they'd rather have conversations that keep their distance from the bathroom! |
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Pranks | Sims that like Pranks can appreciate a good "Gotcha!" moment, even as the one being pranked! But Sims that dislike them hate getting pranked! |
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Silly Behavior | A bit of random goofing around can bring a smile to some Sims' faces. But try acting silly with Sims who dislike it? A-nnoying! |
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Small Talk | Small Talk never goes deeper than surface level chit-chat. Some Sims like the safety of those types of conversations, while others might find them to be a total bore. |
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Stories | Stories are powerful! Some Sims find that good stories bring a conversation alive, while others might fear the potential of a bad story to completely ruin a conversation. |
Sim characteristics[]
Sim Characteristic preferences will determine what types of personalities this Sim will be socially compatible with. Sim Characteristics are determined from several aspects, including (but not limited to!) a Sim's traits, experiences they've had in life, or activities they Like/Dislike!
Sims aged child or older can choose from this category. Characteristics each have a compatibility with certain traits, preferences, and lifestyles, scoring them on a scale of +3 (most compatible) to -3 (least compatible).
For example, Sims who happen to like Homebody Sims will have the most compatibility with other Sims who have traits such as loner, bookworm, or clumsy, as opposed to Sims with certain traits like active or loves outdoors, with whom they will be less compatible.
| Icon | Characteristic | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ambitionless Sims | Ambitionless Sims tend to lack the motivation to improve personally or professionally. They might avoid putting in hard work in their career, or maybe they prefer to laze about their messy homes. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Argumentative Sims | Argumentative Sims tend to quarrel often with other Sims. Perhaps it's because they feel a bit insecure, or they like the thrill of winning a debate. Or maybe they just enjoy being mean! | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Cerebral Sims | Cerebral Sims tend to favor logical, scientific, or technological pursuits. Perhaps they enjoy a competitive game of chess, diving into a new book, or achieving virtual greatness in video games! | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Egotistical Sims | Egotistical Sims tend to be self-centered, preoccupied with how other Sims think of them. Perhaps they like to look down upon other Sims while buying only the nicest things, or maybe they just enjoy looking in the mirror a bit too much. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Emotional Decision-Makers | Emotional Decision-Makers are in tune with their feelings, but can often be led astray by them! Perhaps they find comfort in the release of anger. Or perhaps they're uncomfortable in their relationships, whether it's due to envy or fear of settling down. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Family-Motivated Sims | Family-Motivated Sims are often very dedicated to their families. They also tend to find contentment spending time with the youngsters in their lives. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Funny Sims | Funny Sims are playful folks that will (at least try to) always keep other Sims smiling. They love to pursue humor and mischief, and aren't afraid to look a bit foolish in the process. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Hard-Working Sims | Hard-Working Sims are not afraid to put in long hours to improve their life and achieve greatness! They often hold themselves to high standards, presenting themselves to the world as polished as possible. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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High Energy Sims | High Energy Sims are all about action! They tend to enjoy active hobbies and adventures, often ones that require athletic skill or feats of strength. High Energy Sims will generally prioritize fitness as well. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Homebody Sims | Homebodies are Sims that prefer to stay home and pursue more calm, laid back endeavors. Rather than a loud party, they tend to prefer cozy nights spent cooking, crafting, gaming, or reading at home. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Idealist Sims | Idealist Sims love to imagine, and don't care much for being practical or logical! They might enjoy the creations of others, or maybe they're motivated to create things themselves. They're often drawn to all sorts of creative hobbies, whether visual or musical. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Nature Enthusiasts | Nature Enthusiasts are Sims that care deeply for the environment! They aren't content to sit indoors all day, as they love getting outside. Some might even choose to not eat meat out of respect for other species of the natural world. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Optimistic Sims | Optimistic Sims always try to look on the bright side of life! They seek to radiate light and positivity, and brighten the days of other Sims around them. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Pessimistic Sims | Pessimistic Sims tend to have negative outlooks on life. Perhaps they feel sad often, or maybe they assume the worst about those closest to them. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Pet Enthusiasts | Pet Enthusiasts are obsessed with fuzzy friends of many kinds, whether house pets or farm animals! They love and respect their animal companions, and seek to treat them like any other Sim. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Rascals | Rascals are Sims that embrace being a nuisance! Whether it's through hilarious Mischief, stealing the belongings of other Sims, or even enjoying being downright mean, Rascals sure know how to get on other Sims' nerves! | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Romance Enthusiasts | Romance Enthusiasts may be naturally flirty, but are also deeply committed to their loved one! Not only do they easily charm other Sims, they value the deep respect and trust that comes with true love. | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Spirited Sims | Spirited Sims are all about that positive energy, and making sure to spread good vibes to other Sims. They bring the party with them, in any social situation! | |
| Positive Compatibility | Negative Compatibility | ||
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Notes[]
- ↑ Even though photography is a base game skill, this option only appears if The Sims 4: Get to Work is installed.
- ↑ Sims who like/dislike Pop music will also like/dislike Prom Night music from The Sims 4: High School Years.
- ↑ This décor style was named "Gothic Farmhouse" prior to patch 115.
References[]
- ↑ Jovic, Jovan (May 25, 2021). The Sims 4 is getting Likes and Dislikes in a Free Content Update. Sims Community. Retrieved on May 25, 2021.
- ↑ SnarkyWitch (May 26, 2021). The Sims 4 Dream Home Decorator: Everything We Know So Far!. Sims Community. Retrieved on May 26, 2021.