Do you ever read articles or social media posts about the Sims and wonder… What is this person talking about? I just don’t understand the lingo or acronyms! Well in this chapter of TSR Academy, we are looking at Sim terms and definitions so to speak… to help you out!
General Terms
CC in the image found in the Summer Trending Colors Blog
The following are the general Sim terms that you will see Simmers use.
Simmer – A Simmer is a person who plays the Sims.
Plumbob – The Plumbob is the symbol, the green crystal that appears over a Sim’s head and in The Sims game logos. In most game renditions the Plumbob also changes color based on the mood of the Sim.
Base Game – When someone says they play Base Game they mean that they are not using any additional packs.
Build Mode – Build Mode refers to when a Simmer is designing or editing a lot.
Buy Mode—Buy Mode is inside Build Mode, where a Simmer can place items and decorate extensively.
Game Acronyms
This next list is all about Sim Terms within the Sims game and franchise.
EA – Electronic Arts, the company that publishes The Sims.
CAS – Create A Sim, This is where you create your Sims, you know the screen with the blue and teal background? That’s it! My favorite place in the game!
EP – Expansion Pack, is a purchasable pack in addition to the base game Simmers can purchase to add a great deal of content to their games created from EA. An example of an EP is The Sims 4: Seasons, which heavily adds content to the gameplay, build, buy, and CAS.
GP – Game Pack, is like the Expansion Pack, however a bit less content.
SP – Stuff Pack, A Stuff pack is smaller than a GP and focuses on BB items and CAS items. If there are gameplay additions they are minor like the hamster bite death in the My First Pet Stuff Pack.
Content Terms
CC in the image found in the Valentine’s Day Collection Blog
The following terms all relate to custom content and the Sim terms that define different types of content and mods.
CC – CC is Custom Content; clothes, hair, makeup, furniture, decor, shoes, accessories, etc that you can download for your Sims game.
Vanilla – A Vanilla game has NO mods or CC at all. The game is in its purest straight from EA format.
BB – Build/Buy, Reference to Build Mode and Buy Mode in the game or items of this state in gameplay.
Mods – Modifications or Mods that you can download into your Sims game. These Mods can be used to improve, change, or customize game areas such as gameplay, user interface (UI), lighting, CAS-related, or various other areas.
Presets – Presets are mods that act as selectable features such as; body type, eyes, nose, eyebrows, lips, and other elements. These presets allow Simmers to select more than just the EA-provided features, adding more diversity and options to your game.
MM – Maxis Match, This is Custom Content (CC) that is created in a similar style or look as the Sims game. Sometimes this style of hair is referred to as having a clay look or called ‘clayified.’
Alpha – Alpha CC is generally more texturized and realistic in design. The CC will not be as cartoony and with hair, you will be able to see the individual hair strands.
Gameplay
Our next group of Sim terms is all about gameplay and the lingo that represents these elements.
Townie – A Townie is an EA or randomly generated Sim that appears in your game. Sometimes these Sims move into empty lots, sometimes they don’t. Notable Townies include; Bella Goth, Bob Pancake, Nancy Landgrabb, Don Lathario, Agnes Crumplebottom, and Dina and Nina Caliente.
Rabbit Hole – A Rabbit Hole is an activity that you do not see your Sim complete. An Example of this would be going to class in The Sims 4: Discover University. The player does not ever see the class, but the Sim goes.
Simoleon – Simoleons are the currency that Sims uses. Simoleons can be used by your Sims to purchase items or services in the game.
Simlish – Sul Sul! Simlish is the fictional language that Sims speaks, however, there are translations of some of the things that Sims says.
Community
CC in the image found in the Homecoming Looks Blog
And finally, we have our Community section on Sims Terms!
Guru/Sim Guru – A Sim Guru is an individual on the Sims team who has a presence on the official forums or on social media. These individuals can be anything from moderators to producers.
Simmer – A Simmer is sim-ply an individual who plays the Sims
TSR – The Sims Resource, the best place to find EVERYTHING Sims! Of course, I am not biased!
Summary
CC in the image found in the One Color Room Challenge – Pink Retro Kitchen Blog
I hope you enjoyed this chapter of TSR Academy! If you would like to read more please check out the TSR Academy Hub Page HERE (coming soon)! You can also find the previous chapter The History of Sims HERE.
KEEP UP WITH MORE SIMS STUFF AND WHAT I’M UP TO AT @TSR JEZI ON TWITTER OR VIEW SOME SCREENSHOTS AT @JEZITSR ON INSTAGRAM.
