[INFORMATION] How does this forum work ?
Introduction
This forum is for bug reports on the Sims 4. It's main purpose is to report bugs which the devs need to fix, not to troubleshoot your game.
Bugs by nature don't really have a sol...
Forum Discussion
The Bug Template/ Info to Provide
Before posting in the bug forum, please try the following things first
- Check the compiled list: [READ FIRST] Compiled list of Bugs. If the issue you're about to report already has a thread, please use that one. Make sure to click me too on the first post and if you have new information, also post. Also post if the thread didn't have an answer in > 3 month.
- Search the forum. There's a lot of open issues reported that aren't on the compiled list. A quick search and checking the first page will avoid multiple threads on the same issue.
- It's important that you remove all custom content and mods before reporting something. A lot of stuff is broken the bug forum isn't the place to get support for mod issues. This is so EA can't dismiss a bug as mod/cc related.
- It's always helpful for narrowing down the bug, if you could also test it on a new save as well as other Sims and households/houses. This isn't always possible though.
- In the bug forum, bumping a thread is only considered necro posting if the thread is either has been tagged as FIXED or if it's from before 2017 (when the template was introduced)
Good Practice on your bug report
- Use an accurate title and add Pack tags if you know which pack is involved (List for tags below). Titles are limited in length so don't make them too long. It's not necessary to include Patch numbers unless the same bug occurred before.
- Fill out the template completely and provide all information asked. Information on how to find version number and common known issues with the bug template can be found below.
- Depending on your issues, please also provide, Specs, pictures, LastException/LastCrash files, houses/Sims or when asked Saves. Details on how to find and provide those can be found below.
- If you post a picture it's very helpful if you encircle the actual issue.
- Create one thread per issue. This may sound tedious especially for little things but it allows EA to track issues better. There are exceptions to this when something is very similar or unclear if the same or not. Sometimes one issue also has multiple threads as the symptoms can differ. Sometimes it's hard to distinguish if something is a different issue or the same so your thread might get accidentally merged or you will be asked to make a separate thread even if it's not necessary.
Processing of threads
There are two aspects when it comes to processing stuff in the bug forum.
- EA Bug Team: Bugs reported will be collected by EA and handled internally. They rarely post any acknowledgments and wont' give out ETA's on when stuff will be fixed. The bug team will ask for info when needed.
- Me (and other helpers): I mostly provide a compiled list of reported bugs and try to keep the bug forum free of duplicates (as much as possible). I will also troubleshoot where I see necessary. I do not work for EA or have any other association but I try my best to keep the bug forum organized. How I handle the forum changes from time to time so please check this thread for current info on that: [PLEASE READ] Information/Questions about the bug forum.
Both of these aspects help to ensure that your bug report will be seen even if you do not get an answer. As said before, if you need troubleshooting help, it's better to use the tech forums of your platform. The bug forum is mainly for reporting.
Status of a Bug
EA doesn't give out ETAs or information on status of bugs nor do they acknowledge every issue you see reported. This does not mean that they aren't legit bugs or that they won't get fixed somewhere down the line.
The tag on a thread can give you an indication on what the status is and if it's worth bumping a thread or not. If an issue didn't have an answer in > 3 month and you're still affected, it's always good to bump it.
Threads that are marked as By Design, Fixed, Archived or Mod/CC issue are closed issues. Make new threads (Fixed, Archived) or bump them (Mods/CC, By Design) if you still have issues or don't agree. Archived threads often already have a new thread so check the last post of the thread for links. By Design and Mods/CC are also often moved to feedback/mods.
Threads that are marked as solved (check mark) are still open issues unless they have one of the tag mentioned above. The solved mark is used to increase the visibility of a post within the thread. That post will show as second post in the thread so you don't have to read the whole thread for more information. Threads marked this way are mostly threads that either have a Workaround you can use until EA fixes the issue or to highlight a post of a Guru/CM that contains information. These threads are NOT considered fixed. They are open bugs.
Spoiler
Since there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding of what I do and what I'm capable to do, I want to stress again, that I DO NOT WORK FOR EA. I do have the ability to forward stuff to the AHQ Staff. I compile lists for everyone here to see what's already reported. It's not in my hands what Maxis chooses to handle what way. I do not have any information when what is going to be fixed. I'm basically merely a collector/messenger should I get some info I can pass on (which is really rare). Do not think it's for naught if you report here. It's not. This forum is being monitored by Maxis. There's a lot of stuff I don't know and I depend on each and everyone of you to help me out and clarify things. There's a lot of sites with info and I can't read them all.
The bug forum has a certain way it works. New threads are processed every day except when I'm taking a break which is communicated in this thread: [PLEASE READ] Information/Questions about the bug forum.
Below I will try to explain a bit, how the flow currently works.
It does all sound a bit complicated but it's just the way I work. This is purely informational. Adjustments may be made any time depending on issue.
New thread is created
Issue will be read and handled in the following manner:
Buy/Build/texture/lighting issues
I'm no longer handling those. I'm not a builder, I don't know how to help. There are also so many similar issues that aren't quite the same, so I keep merging/adding to the list to a minium.
If something is common enough for even me to understand, I will start merging and add it to the list.
Console
Any bugs that occur on all platforms will be merged with the PC/Mac threads.
Issues that are console only will either be handled by another hero or forwarded to a CM. I personally can't help with them.
Issues I'm no longer processing at all
These issues are mostly about symptoms about an underlying issue and are very hard to merge or handle. They are basically a standalone bug report each, hence I'm just leaving them. Exceptions always apply if a issue is very common and can be pinpointed to be the same
- All kinds of Lags (Simulation Lag, Sims stand around doing nothing, Low FPS, Lagging gameplay, ..)
- Family Tree
- Other generic reports of several issues that basically describe a symptom but can have multiple underlying issues (for example Sims don't die). These pop up all the time and have since the game came out.
- Threads reporting more than one bug.
Existing Issue
- Post will be merged with the current thread. Depending where you posted and how popular an issue is, I will tag you to say so. Please make sure to click that me too button on the first page cause that is not covered by merging. If you don't agree with the merge, please post in the thread and make sure to tag me or send me a PM (don't be rude about it) and explain why you think your post was wrongly merged.
New issue
- If troubleshooting is needed, it might be moved to the game issues forum to do so. Thread might later be moved back if it turns out to be a bug.
- If it sounds like a tech issue, it will be moved to the tech forum of your platform to better assist you.
- If you state you're using mods and haven't tried without, your thread will be moved to mods/cc issues for further troubleshooting. Please always test on vanilla.
- If it's a known mod issue, it will be moved to Mods/CC issues
- If further clarification is needed, I will ask questions
- If it seems straightforward enough, I will leave it unanswered and start tagging once it reaches a certain weight. More info on that can be found here: [PLEASE READ] Information/Questions about the bug forum
- If the issue peaks my interested I will try myself or ask for saves. Conversation will go from there.
- If it's a rant and just a collection of things, thread will get ignored by me (doesn't mean QA/CM don't see it).
Existing thread is bumped
Handling will depend on the tag as follow:
Open/Workaround
Those are issues that have been handled and added to the compiled list. I will not read or comment on those (exceptions apply) but any new information or voice you want to add is a good thing. It shows EA/Maxis how popular they are and what your concerns are. You can tag me if you think I need to read your post, you have found a workaround or if you find the issue fixed.
A thread needs to have a certain amount of me toos to make the list and be active (new posts, me toos) to stay on the list
I will be dropping the Needs Input tag as it only causes confusion and angers reporters. I won't change threads that already have a Needs input but there won't be any new ones.
As of Nov 4th 2024 I will also be dropping the Open tag. It's just been controversial and has no extra value. Thread treads that already have the tag will keep it unless I need to edit the title for something else. For Reasoning see his thread: [PLEASE READ] Information/Questions about the bug forum
Needs Info/Needs Saves
Maxis QV has asked for saves or more info in these threads. Best message or tag TheSimsDirect to get your saves to Maxis
Unsure
I'm not sure this is a bug.
Fixed
If a bug gets fixed in the patch notes, the thread will be locked accordingly. If you still have the issue, please create a new thread. Exceptions apply to part fixes or if totally unsure the notes are actually referring to that bug.
Mods/CC related/By Design
Will mostly not read. Those are related to mods or by design. Please refer to the solution post. If you feel something is not right, make sure to tag me or create a new thread. By Design threads will be moved to feedback.. Mods/CC will be moved to mods unless it's not 100% certain.
No Tag
There are several reasons why a thread has no tag. Untagged threads are usually not added to the compiled list.
- One of the types listed above that I won't handle
- Not enough weight/ people interested
- Still in troubleshooting/testing status
The Compiled List
On an irregular basis I will add current stuff to my list. I will also check the list on a regular basis for threads that can be removed due to low traffic.
Patch Day
Patch Day is always the most exciting day for the bug forum. I will mark everything as fixed that is on the patch list and remove from the list after a few days of feedback.
