News Article
Platform empowers creators and players to build, share and play
For years, The Sims™ community has been expanded by modders and custom content creators. We are taking a big step forward in recognizing and celebrating modder contributions. For the first time in our history, we’ll have a destination for The Sims 4 players to download mods and user-generated content. This will come to life through our new collaboration with Overwolf, on their mod manager and discovery platform for user-generated content, CurseForge. The platform is a moderated, curated space for users and creators to manage The Sims 4 mods and user-generated content.
If you aren’t familiar with mods or custom content the most important thing to know is that they are fan created gameplay options or items like furniture and clothing that you can add into The Sims 4 to expand and change your game.
With this new collaboration, we're empowering creators to give to the community by introducing a destination to host their incredible creations, and allow even more players to download their content for The Sims 4. When the platform launches later this year, it will include content from some of your favorite creators such as HeyHarrie.
The Overwolf team has already begun to invite a pilot group of creators to create in-game mods and custom content. We encourage you to follow us across our official channels for the latest news and developments.
Our VP of Franchise Creative for The Sims Lyndsay Pearson sat down with HeyHarrie and Baby Hapum to chat about user generated content, the new collaboration with Overwolf and advice for Simmers using mods.
BABYHAPUM: Lyndsay, thank you for chatting with us! What advice do you have for The Sims 4 players who are using mods?
LYNDSAY: I will remind any mod users that choosing to access mods outside of Overwolf may pose more risks. Always back up your data and proceed with caution as you venture into the world of mods! It’s important to note that we will NOT REQUIRE modders and creators to move to or use the CurseForge platform. This partnership is intentionally providing a supplementary experience to existing avenues for modding.
HEYHARRIE: Great advice! What is your approach to selecting creators for the program?
LYNDSAY: Thanks Harrie! Together with Overwolf, we’ve collaborated to select creators for the pilot based on their positive creative contributions to the community. We have intentionally started small, and focused, as we test and learn to help us onboard future creators. After launch, Overwolf will continue to select and approve even more creators, providing opportunities to apply to the program directly or to join community focused events such as Overwolf’s CC Festival, which is happening November 14.
HEYHARRIE: I can’t wait to start building new custom content for the community. What type of content can a creator develop for the platform? Can I upload my existing custom content?
LYNDSAY: Great question! You’re a creator that’s already been onboarded into the platform - that means you can create any mods or custom content within the guidelines provided by Overwolf and The Sims. You could make clothing, furniture, etc. This platform exists to empower our creators to express themselves and really let their imaginations go wild. It’s also really important to note that you, and other onboarded creators, can upload your own existing mods from any other location as long as they meet the provided guidelines.
BABY HAPUM: Interesting! Where will the approved mods be hosted for players to find?
LYNDSAY: Overwolf will be managing the mod hosting directly, through their CurseForge platform, a mod manager and discovery platform for user-generated content. CurseForge will be the official mod repository for The Sims 4 content and players can access the mods directly through their desktop app or through their website. For those of you that haven’t dipped your toe into this world of mods yet Overwolf offers a great starting point to discover creators and content for your game. If you aren’t sure where to start, keep an eye on our channels for tips and tricks.
LYNDSAY: Now, knowing you can come to Overwolf and CurseForge to find a myriad of new creations for your game - I have to know - what are you most excited to find!?
BABYHAPUM: I am excited to explore more modders from different cultures who are creating super cool custom content. I personally love exploring different traditions. It is just beautiful and unique. There are many modders who create amazing stuff such as clothes, snacks, decorations. They help people learn about new worlds through the game and I'm so excited to discover their Mods through this new platform.
HEYHARRIE: I can't pick because there are so many amazing creators involved, but I'm
really most excited for the community members that will get to discover custom content for the first time via this new platform.
LYNDSAY: Thank you HeyHarrie and Baby Hapum for taking the time to chat with me and to
help reveal all of this incredible info for The Sims players. There is so much in store for our creator community and we are just getting started.