What is Culling in Sims 4? An In-Depth Guide
Culling is the process of deleting Sims and relationship data in order to optimize game performance. According to SimGuruNick, lead gameplay engineer for The Sims, culling has existed in the franchise since the first Sims game in 2000.
As a passionate Simmer and tech expert, I want to provide an in-depth reference guide to how culling works in Sims 4. This article will cover:
- The two main types of culling
- How the culling algorithms work
- Settings and schedule for culling
- Impact of culling on gameplay
- How to control culling with mods
- Perspectives on the pros and cons of culling
Let‘s dive in!
The Two Types of Culling
There are two primary categories of culling in The Sims 4:
Sim Culling: Deleting Sims from the game when the population exceeds a set limit.
Relationship Culling: Deleting relationship data between unplayed Sims.
Both types target unplayed and non-favorited Sims first, and are designed to counteract game file bloat.
How does the culling algorithm work?
According to SimGuruNick, culling uses a "complex web of logic" to determine which Sims and relationships to delete. However, some key factors are known:
- Unplayed Sims are top priority: Sims not marked as played or favorited in manage worlds are culled first.
- Young adults prioritized: The game culles young adults, adults, and elders before teens and children.
- Relationships go first: All relationship links may be deleted before any Sims.
- Pregnancies postponed: Pregnant Sims are temporarily protected from culling until after birth.
Sim Culling Selection Factors
Played Status
Unplayed>Played
Age
Young Adult>Adult>Elder>Teen>Child
Home Situation
Moved out>Living with family
Employment
Unemployed>Employed
Relationships
Fewer family ties>More family ties
Relationship Culling Selection Factors
Played Status
Unplayed>Played
Age
Elder>Adult>Young Adult>Teen>Child
Family Ties
Distant>Immediate Family
Depth of Relationship
Acquaintance>Friend>Best Friend
So in summary, the algorithms prioritize marginal ties first, working inward to cull Sims and relationships vital to played stories last.
When does culling happen?
By default, culling runs once per Sim week on Sunday at midnight. The game checks if the Sim population exceeds the limit, and culles if needed to get under the cap.
The schedule can be changed with mods like MCCC or Carl‘s Sims 4 Culling Mod.
What is the default Sim limit?
The default maximum Sim population is around 150. However, this can increase with expansions according to SimGuruNick:
- Base Game: ~100
- Get Together: ~115
- Get to Work: ~125
- City Living: ~150
So in a base game save, culling will trigger around 100 active Sims. Expansion packs gradually increase that cap.
Perspectives on Culling
Pros:
- Optimizes performance and load times
- Prevents save file bloat which can cause lag or corruption
- Allows Maxis to develop systems like autonomous NPC behaviors
Cons:
- Can erase player‘s relationship building and NPC storytelling
- Forces starting over with aging NPCs after a hiatus
- Breaks immersion and emotional investment for some players
Many argue culling is a necessary evil for a smoothly running game. But it understandably frustrates players seeking long-term continuity.
Mods That Control Culling
MC Command Center
- Disable culling entirely
- Change culling schedule
- Set custom population limit
- Exempt select Sims from culling
Carl‘s Sims 4 Culling Mod
- Auto "Play With" mode to protect households
- Temporary culling immunity after loading a household
Sims 4 Pregnancy Overhaul Mod
- Prevents pregnant sims being culled
- Triggers offspring generation when pregnancy is deleted
Mods empower players looking to curb culling, while allowing those who need it to optimize performance.
Final Thoughts
In summary, culling is a complex system balancing gameplay continuity with game performance. While frustrating at times, data shows culling pruning is necessary for a smoothly running open world Sims game.
I hope shining a light on how the culling algorithms work provides some insight for our community. As both a gamer and computer scientist, I look forward to seeing how culling evolves in future Sims titles. Please share your thoughts and experiences with culling in the comments!