The Sims 4 continues to evolve with fresh content and gameplay improvements, and the latest updates released between March and May 2025 have introduced meaningful changes that cater to creative players, family storytellers, and fans of realism alike. From cluttered households to elder-focused features and the addition of entrepreneurial gameplay, here’s everything new and noteworthy in the world of The Sims 4.
April 29 Patch: Polishing Realism & Personality
Patch Version:
- PC: 1.114.46.1030
- Mac: 1.114.46.1230
- Console: 2.12
This patch focused on enhancing immersion and fixing a range of persistent issues, offering a smoother and more realistic gameplay experience.
Key Additions:
- Cluttered Spaces Enhancements
Sims can now live in homes that feel more “real.” A fresh batch of decorative clutter—think half-used bottles, bags, books, and kitchen odds and ends—lets players design more believable, personalized living areas. - Expanded Elder Wear
Fashion for elder Sims has been notably lacking, and this patch addresses that. New clothing styles specifically designed for senior Sims help them stand out with age-appropriate fashion that doesn’t sacrifice style or personality. - Bug Fixes & Stability Improvements
EA tackled several annoying issues, including stuck interactions, Sims freezing mid-action, and minor animation glitches. Performance across platforms has improved, especially for console players who previously experienced longer load times.
New Kits (Released May 1, 2025)
Three new kits were added, all focused on niche aesthetics and life stages, continuing EA’s trend of highly targeted content drops.
| Kit Name | Focus | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Restoration Workshop | Vintage item refurbishment | Crafting station for restoring antiques and salvaging |
| Golden Years | Elder lifestyle enrichment | Bingo nights, knitting groups, rocking chairs |
| Kitchen Clutter | Culinary detail and realism | Spice racks, dish drainer, paper towel holders |
These kits aim to add texture and depth to the life simulation experience. The Golden Years Kit especially helps rebalance age-related gameplay, giving elder Sims more identity and agency.
Expansion Pack: Businesses & Hobbies (Released March 6, 2025)
Arguably the most impactful addition this year, this expansion adds a new layer of depth by allowing Sims to pursue small-business dreams or indulge in creative hobbies.
Key Features:
- Run Your Own Business
Whether it’s a floral shop, café, or tattoo parlor, Sims can now manage the daily operations of their own entrepreneurial ventures. A full business management system is included, covering customer flow, hiring staff, and profit tracking. - Skill-Based Gameplay
Two new major skills have been introduced:- Pottery: Sims can now mold clay into artistic or functional objects.
- Tattooing: Open a tattoo shop or freelance as an artist with unique design options.
- Nordhaven: New World Unlock
This Scandinavian-inspired coastal town blends minimalist design with nature-forward aesthetics. Think pine forests, fjord views, and cottagecore energy—perfect for creative Sims seeking inspiration.
These updates showcase EA’s ongoing commitment to deepening both storytelling and gameplay variety. While The Sims 4 has been out for over a decade, this latest wave of content proves it’s far from slowing down—especially as speculation builds about The Sims 5.
New Features vs. Enhanced Content in The Sims 4 (April–May 2025)
| Category | New Features (2025) | Enhanced/Returning Content |
|---|---|---|
| April 29 Patch | – Cluttered Spaces: Introduced new decorative items to create a more lived-in feel in Sims’ homes. – Elder Wear: Added additional clothing options tailored for elder Sims. – Bug Fixes: Implemented various improvements to gameplay stability and performance. | – Mod Compatibility: Ensured that existing mods and custom content remain compatible with the new patch. – Performance Enhancements: Improved loading times and reduced in-game lag, enhancing the overall player experience. |
| New Kits (May 1) | – Restoration Workshop Kit: Allows Sims to refurbish and restore vintage items, introducing a new hobby and gameplay mechanic. – Golden Years Kit: Adds activities and items focused on elder Sims’ lifestyles, enriching their gameplay experience. – Kitchen Clutter Kit: Introduces a variety of kitchen items to enhance culinary spaces, adding depth to home customization. | – Expanded Build/Buy Options: Enhanced the Build/Buy mode with new items and decorations, offering players more creative freedom in designing their Sims’ homes. – Elder Sim Engagement: Provided elder Sims with more interactive options and activities, increasing their role in gameplay narratives. |
| Businesses & Hobbies Expansion (March 6) | – Run Small Businesses: Enables Sims to operate various ventures, from retail shops to service-based businesses, introducing a new entrepreneurial gameplay aspect. – Explore New Skills: Introduces tattooing and pottery as new skills, allowing Sims to develop and monetize their hobbies. – Experience Nordhaven: Adds a new Scandinavian-inspired world designed for creative pursuits, expanding the game’s universe. | – Business Management System: Builds upon previous business mechanics, offering a more in-depth and flexible system for managing Sims’ enterprises. – Skill Integration: Enhances existing skills by allowing them to be incorporated into new business ventures, providing a cohesive gameplay experience. |
These updates and additions reflect The Sims 4‘s ongoing commitment to enriching the gameplay experience by introducing new features and enhancing existing content. Whether you’re interested in expanding your Sims’ entrepreneurial endeavors, exploring new hobbies, or adding more depth to their daily lives, these updates offer a variety of options to enhance your gameplay.
Sims 4 Extreme Violence Mod
The Sims 4 Extreme Violence mod continues to push boundaries with version 2.5.6, bringing interactive soul stealing and more nuanced gameplay mechanics. Created by Sacrificial, the update also introduces new safety parameters—violence is now disabled on small business lots to support better gameplay balance.
Murdered Sims now have a distinct “Murdered” death type, giving their ghosts unique traits that reflect their violent ends. This addition opens up richer storytelling opportunities for players who enjoy darker narratives in The Sims 4.
While the base game maintains its family-friendly tone, the Extreme Violence mod introduces expanded interactions for a more mature experience, letting players customize the intensity of their gameplay.
Key Takeaways
- Version 2.5.6 adds interactive soul stealing and restricts violence in small business venues.
- Ghosts of murdered Sims now reflect their cause of death with new traits and visuals.
- Customizable options let players control the scope and frequency of violent actions.
Overview of the Extreme Violence Mod
Developed by Sacrificial, the Extreme Violence mod adds mature, graphic content to The Sims 4 through deadly weapons, aggressive interactions, and behavioral systems. The mod lets players explore criminal storylines, psychopathic tendencies, and fear-based reputations.
Core Features
The mod includes weapons like handguns, knives, and more, accessible through a dedicated menu. New death animations have been added, including for Sims shot while sitting. Protection settings allow players to prevent selected Sims from dying during violent encounters.
Players can fine-tune their experience with toggleable options for autonomous violence, attacker roles, and frequency of incidents.
Aspirations and Tendencies
The “Psychopathic Tendencies” aspiration gives Sims goals centered around violence and chaos. These Sims can develop a violent reputation, influencing how others perceive and react to them. Behavioral traits evolve over time, impacting autonomy and social interactions.
Impact on Gameplay
From building serial killers to chaotic neighborhoods, this mod drastically alters how players experience The Sims 4. It integrates with various expansions and game packs, though violence is disabled on small business lots.
Police investigations, emotional responses, and in-game consequences bring depth and realism, making violent actions feel impactful and part of a larger narrative.
New Content and Interactions
Version 2.5.7 introduces expanded non-lethal and lethal options, improved police mechanics, and new features for occult Sims.
Deadly vs. Non-Deadly Interactions
New assassination options include katanas and greatswords, complete with unique death animations. Non-lethal additions like “Horrifying Intimidation” allow for psychological warfare. Autonomy settings let players restrict non-lethal actions or control all interactions manually.
Police System Updates
Police now react more dynamically to crime scenes. Players can customize response speed, disable responses entirely, or set Sims on police watchlists using the “Marked Targets” feature. Protective flags can be added to ensure certain Sims are automatically defended by authorities.
Occult and Immortality Options
Occult Sims gain unique violent powers. The new soul-stealing feature ties directly into existing supernatural systems, while immortality settings let players exempt chosen Sims from death during mod-related interactions.
Latest Additions
Version 2.5.7 enhances mod functionality with improved interface elements, refined targeting systems, new murder methods, and themed gameplay scenarios.
New Murder Options
The mod adds a shotgun, machete, and primal animalistic attacks, each with unique animations. Sound effects and animation timing have been polished for realism. Suicide mechanics have also expanded for players exploring extreme narratives.
Holiday and Apocalypse Scenarios
Custom murder holidays can now be created with themed decorations, activities, and clothing. The Zombie Apocalypse mode turns neighborhoods into survival zones, featuring undead threats, visual filters, and custom NPC behaviors.
Mod Mechanics and Autonomy
Sim Autonomy
Autonomy settings allow Sims to perform violent actions on their own, influenced by relationships and traits. Players can embrace chaos or maintain control by toggling settings that govern autonomous behavior.
Psychopathic Behavior Systems
Sims develop violent personalities through traits, interactions, and relationships. Special behaviors like “Wash Blood Off” add realism. Violence escalates with in-game progression, creating a personalized criminal arc.
Consequences and Blood Mechanics
The Grim Reaper appears for all mod-related deaths. Blood trails persist until cleaned, and mod settings allow certain Sims to be immune to fatal violence. Violence stats are tracked for each Sim, influencing how others react to them.
Interactive Objects and Gameplay
Weapons and Effects
New weapons like assault rifles and Molotovs offer more dynamic interactions. Enhanced animations and particle effects improve immersion across all weapon types.
Cleanup and Evidence Management
Blood can now drip and leave trails, requiring players to clean crime scenes using interactions like showering or wiping up evidence. Visual effects have been enhanced for realism and gameplay challenge.
Combat and Defense Options
Martial arts techniques like taekwondo allow Sims to fight without weapons. Defensive moves are more consistent and fluid, improving the realism of hand-to-hand combat.
Customization and Settings
Configurable Options
Players can adjust everything from autonomy to specific violent actions. The updated UI improves navigation and makes personalization more accessible.
Reputation and Social Impact
Sims gain reputations based on violent behavior. NPCs may fear or admire them depending on their traits. Partners in crime can form, allowing team-based violence.
Loot and Rewards
Loot drops after violent acts vary in quality and can be highlighted using the customizable “Treasure Glow” feature. Players can tweak loot rarity and reward tiers.
Character Development and Long-Term Effects
Murderer Personas
Sims evolve based on repeated violent actions. Moodlets like “Bloodlust Satisfied” and kill-style preferences shape future interactions, forming distinct criminal profiles.
Fame and Notoriety
The mod integrates with Road to Fame, letting violent Sims become infamous figures. NPCs react in terror or awe, and public killings can cause community-wide panic.
Heart Rip and Ghost Mechanics
Heart rip victims become unique ghosts with traumatic effects on witnesses. Heart trophies can be displayed to disturb guests and alter environment scores. Sims protected with the “Death Only” option survive for storytelling purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s new in the latest version?
Version 2.5.7 introduces sitting-death animations, refined targeting, new murder methods, and improved interface features. Sims can also be flagged for police protection or death immunity.
How do I safely install the mod?
Download only from the official Sacrificial Mods site. Place files in the Mods folder, enable script mods in settings, and always back up your saves before installing.
Is it compatible with the latest Sims patch?
Compatibility is usually restored shortly after EA updates. Follow Sacrificial Mods on social media for update announcements and patch-related fixes.
How can I troubleshoot issues?
Check file placement, enable script mods, and clear the game cache. Temporarily disable other mods to isolate any conflicts.
How do I use the mod responsibly?
Use configuration options to tailor content to your comfort level. Avoid using the mod around younger players, and leverage death protection features to safeguard key characters.
