The Sims 4 Update Brings Disturbing Glitch
Before the latest expansion pack for The Sims 4 hit the market, the developers rolled out a free game update, a standard practice to introduce new content and features. However, this particular update has introduced one of the most unsettling bugs the game has ever seen. Instead of the usual temporary disruption of mods, this update has caused a glitch that applies adult body types to children Sims. This means that kids in the game are suddenly turning into bodybuilders, appearing pregnant, and sporting adult-sized rear ends. While the visual transformation might seem humorous at first, it’s a deeply uncomfortable and disturbing glitch that has left many players shaken.
Player Reactions: From Laughter to Concern
The reaction on Reddit was immediate and varied. Many players posted images and examples of their children Sims’ new, exaggerated bodies. These posts often led to quick takedowns by the moderation team, as they violated subreddit rules against depicting images of children Sims that appear to be pregnant. Despite the censorship, the glitch has sparked a wide range of emotions among players. Some are finding the situation comically absurd, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) remarking, "Well the new Sims 4 update gave us back burglars but also players are now reporting that their Sim children are randomly getting pregnant so like, good job EA." Others are genuinely concerned and frustrated, as the glitch overshadows the new content the update was meant to introduce.
Mitigation and Workarounds
Thankfully, not all children Sims are affected by this bug. When creating a new family, the newly generated children have regular, childlike bodies. However, children who already exist in existing save files are the ones experiencing the glitch. This discrepancy suggests that starting a new game could be a viable workaround to avoid the unsettling transformations. It’s important to note that even if a child Sim looks pregnant, they won’t carry an actual baby to term, offering a small but necessary relief. The developers have yet to address the issue, but players are hopeful that an emergency patch will be released soon to rectify the problem.
Varying Degrees of Glitch
The glitch doesn’t affect all children Sims in the same way. While some appear pregnant, others look as if they’ve started a rigorous workout regimen. This variety adds to the surreal and sometimes humorous nature of the bug. One player noted, "Both my kids put on pregnancy weight overnight and garden salads and yoga don’t seem to be helping." Despite the comedic relief, it’s clear that the glitch is having a significant impact on the game experience. Normal activities like working out, playing sports, and eating healthy have no effect on the affected children’s body shapes, leaving players feeling helpless.
Community Anxiety and Game Play
The glitch has caused considerable stress among the player community. Many are hesitant to log into the game, fearing that their save files might be corrupted. One user mused, "Surely there’s gonna be an emergency patch this coming Tuesday before the pack release, right." The lack of a clear fix has left many players in a state of limbo, unsure whether to continue playing or wait for a resolution. If the bug persists, some players might choose to avoid the game altogether, potentially impacting the community and the game’s overall engagement.
Looking Forward: Hope for a Fix
While the glitch is undeniably disturbing and a bit amusing, the most important thing now is to wait for the developers to address the issue. New save files seem to be free from the glitch, which is a small comfort for those who want to continue playing without the risk of encountering the body horror. The community is rallying, with many players expressing hope that an emergency patch will be released to fix the problem before the new expansion pack’s release. Until then, the Simmers are in a holding pattern, eager for the game to return to its usual, less unsettling state.
