The Sims 4 Custom Content (CC) refers to player-created items and modifications that can be added to the base game. It's the ultimate way for players to personalize their game, bypass limitations, and add virtually endless variety to their Sims, homes, and gameplay. CC is a huge part of the global Sims community, often referred to simply as CC or mods.
CC is essentially fan-made digital content that expands the game beyond what the developers at Maxis/EA provide in the base game and official Expansion Packs. This can include:
Create-a-Sim (CAS) Items: New hairstyles, clothing, accessories, makeup, and even skin details for your Sims.
Build/Buy Items: New furniture, decor, appliances, and architectural pieces for building and decorating lots.
Lots and Sims: Entire homes (Lots) or pre-made Sims that are shared on the Gallery or download sites, often packaged with the CC used to create them.
CC is generally categorized into two main styles:
Maxis Match (MM): Content designed to seamlessly blend with the game's original, stylized, and slightly cartoonish art style.
Alpha CC: Content focused on realism, often featuring highly detailed textures and meshes for a more lifelike appearance, though this can sometimes look disconnected from the rest of the game's aesthetic.
Downloading and installing Custom Content is a straightforward process that allows players to quickly inject fresh life into their game.
All custom content files must be placed within a specific folder inside your computer's file system:
Navigate to: Documents $\rightarrow$ Electronic Arts $\rightarrow$ The Sims 4 $\rightarrow$ Mods
You can find CC on thousands of sites, including dedicated platforms, community hubs, and creator-specific blogs. A few good sites include The Sims 4 Custom Content, Tumblr CC Finds, and Patreons from individual creators.
For a vast selection of downloadable CC, you can explore community repositories like CustomContent.net, which aggregates content from various creators, making it easier to find a wide range of items in one place.
File Types: Most CAS and Build/Buy CC will be .package files. Do not unzip these; place them directly into your Mods folder.
Tray Files: If you download a Sim or a Lot, the accompanying files (usually a mix of .bpi, .blueprint, .sigi, and .trayitem files) go into the Tray folder, not the Mods folder.
For CC to appear, you must enable it in your game settings, as it is disabled by default for safety:
Launch The Sims 4.
Go to Game Options (Press ESC).
Select the Other tab.
Check the box for "Enable Custom Content and Mods".
If you download any large-scale gameplay changes or modifications (Script Mods), you must also check "Script Mods Allowed".
Restart the game to ensure the changes take effect.
The process of creating Custom Content is more complex, requiring specific software, but it's an incredibly rewarding skill for advanced players.
Sims 4 Studio: A free, indispensable tool that acts as the central hub for creating, editing, and packaging your CC for the game.
Image Editing Software: Programs like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP are required for creating or editing the textures and patterns that give items their final appearance.
3D Modeling Software (Optional): Programs like Blender are necessary if you want to create entirely new items with unique shapes (Meshes), rather than just recoloring existing items.
The easiest way to start is by creating a Recolor—a new color or pattern for an existing item (known as a Maxis item).
Use Sims 4 Studio to select the item you wish to recolor (e.g., a t-shirt or a sofa).
Export the item's texture file (usually a .png).
Open the texture in your Image Editing Software and apply your new colors, patterns, or logos.
Import the new texture back into Sims 4 Studio.
Save your new creation as a .package file, which is now ready to be placed in your Mods folder and shared with the community.
The video below offers a tutorial on how to install Custom Content in The Sims 4.