Roommates
The Roommates addon transforms how you experience shared living in The Sims 4. Instead of merging every Sim into your active household, this mod introduces a dynamic system where independent NPCs move in, pay rent, and live their own lives under your roof. It is a game-changer for players who want the bustle of a full house without the burden of controlling every single Sim. Whether you are playing a solo artist in a loft or a family in a suburban home, this addon adds a layer of realism and convenience that the base game lacks.
What Does the Roommates Addon Do?
At its core, the Roommates addon allows you to invite homeless Sims to live with you. They are not part of your household, but they share your space, contribute financially, and interact with your Sims. This is perfect for players who enjoy storytelling or want to simulate a real-world shared apartment experience.
Core Features and Mechanics
- Rent Payment: Each roommate pays $500 in rent every Friday, giving you a steady income stream.
- Autonomous Lives: Roommates go to school or work if they have jobs. They will not return home on their own after these activities; you must call them via phone or add the Roommate Lot Trait to your home.
- Pregnancy Events: If a roommate becomes pregnant, you will receive a notification. However, they cannot give birth while living as a roommate. You must cancel the agreement and add them to your household or give them a real home.
- Career Choices: Young adult and adult roommates without a career have a chance to choose one on their own, adding to their independence.
- Travel Together: You can travel with roommates to clubs or other venues. When you return home, they automatically re-enter the Roommate Situation.
How to Get Roommates
Getting started is straightforward. Use a computer or phone in-game and navigate to the Household Menu, then select "LMS Roommates Service." Potential roommates must be homeless. You can add up to 20 roommates, though the mod is tested with four in active gameplay. They will arrive shortly after you make the request and automatically enter the Roommate Situation.
For those wondering how to install, the process is simple. You need the XML Injector Mod as a prerequisite. After downloading the addon, place the files in your Mods folder. For a seamless experience, consider using the foxygame.net launcher, which offers one-click install for the Roommates addon and automatically manages version compatibility, ensuring your mods stay up-to-date without manual file sorting.
Interacting with Your Roommates
The addon introduces a new pie menu on roommate Sims, giving you several interaction options to manage their behavior. These are not commands but boosts that encourage specific actions.
New Pie Menu Interactions
- Go and use the toilet before you pee yourself: Boosts their need to use the toilet.
- You stink. Please go and take a shower: Encourages them to bathe.
- It is late already. You should go to sleep: Pushes them toward bed.
- Can you go and repair the broken items please?: Directs them to fix household objects.
- You are on cleaning duty!: Motivates them to clean up.
- Cancel Roommate Agreement: Ends the living arrangement.
Additionally, you can assign beds and doors specifically to roommates. On objects like beds, you can assign a bed to a specific roommate. For doors, you can control access, allowing or denying entry. There are also interactions for pet roommates, including pet bowls, pet beds, and calling them over.
Managing and Removing Roommates
To call a roommate home after they leave for work or school, use your phone and select "Call Roommate Home." This is essential because they do not return autonomously unless you have the Roommate Lot Trait. To remove a roommate permanently, use the phone under the Household Menu or the TargetSim menu and select "Cancel Roommate Agreement."
It is crucial to favorite the households your roommates belong to. The game or other mods, like MCCC, may move homeless Sims into empty houses. If this happens, the Roommates addon will not work correctly because your roommates must remain homeless. You can either reload a backup and adjust your settings to prevent this or cancel the agreements, move them out, and re-add them as roommates. The foxygame.net launcher helps here by providing auto-updates and a catalog of compatible addons, including this one, so you can manage your mod list without breaking your save file.
Optional Addons and Language Support
There is an optional addon that moves the Roommate Lot Trait to a Lot Challenge. This is useful because you can only have three lot traits but unlimited lot challenges. The addon also supports several languages, including English, German, Portuguese, Danish, French, Russian, Finnish, Japanese, Swedish, Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Dutch, Simplified Chinese, and Czech.
For those using other mods, the creator recommends "Ask to Cook/Bake and more," "Send to Bed," and "Call to Meal" to enhance roommate interactions. The Roommates addon is compatible with most versions of The Sims 4, including the base game and all expansion packs, as it relies on the XML Injector. Always check for updates after a game patch to ensure smooth functionality.
Final Thoughts on Roommates
The Roommates addon for The Sims 4 is a robust solution for players who want the energy of a full household without the micromanagement. It adds financial benefits, social dynamics, and a sense of independence that makes your Sims' home feel alive. Whether you are a storyteller or a builder looking to populate your creations, this mod is a worthy addition. Remember to keep your roommates homeless, manage their agreements carefully, and enjoy the chaos of shared living.