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Pick-a-boo_doo's avatar
Pick-a-boo_doo
Seasoned Ace
4 years ago

Doorbell, house (room) key & door lock

The title issues are slightly related, so I'll combine them into one request.

First, the doorbell issue was posted to Technical Issue once in 2015, but no one seems to have posted it as a request since then, so I am posting it here together.

In the early days of the sim's life, the house will be small and we will be able to hear the knocking.
However, as time goes by and funds and family members increase, the size of the house will increase, sometimes to two or three stories.
In such a case, the sound of knocking will not be heard.
If the walls were made transparent, it would be possible to see if visitors were coming or not, but this would mean that the inside of the house, which has been decorated so well, would not be visible at all, and Sim's life would become tasteless.


If the house is vertically extended, such as two or three stories, it will be difficult to see the entrance even if the walls are transparent. It's hard to even hear the knocking.
That is why I want a doorbell.

In reality, there are times when you don't notice a visitor.
But what if the visitor is a loved one or a relative?
You would give them a duplicate key to your house, right?
That way, if you are doing chores that you can't keep your hands off, or if you don't notice a knock on the door, you can unlock it and come in even if the front door is locked if you have the key.

By adding the CityLiving package, I would add the behavior of handing over the key to the sims4 system.
However, currently, the key that is given does not have the function of "opening a locked door" as it should.

So I want a doorbell.
The doorbell only needs to ring. It is enough if it makes a sound. And if the volume could be adjusted like a stereo, I would be more than happy.
And next that the key holder can enter the house even if the door is locked.
For example, a "key holder" item in the "allow certain sims" menu would be sufficient.

This is just before the three new packs are released. But if you could also focus on improving the old system, the players will be happier.

3 Replies

  • @Pick-a-boo_doo

    Hi!  I don't hand out keys and rarely lock doors, so I didn't even realize that keyholders couldn't access locked doors.  However, I agree that should probably change.  I wonder if there would be a way to give sims access from the relationship panel; just click on a sim and click add to visitor list, or something like that. 

    I also agree we should have a doorbell.  If you're on PC / Mac and don't mind using mods, there is a door knock notification mod that I just could not play without.  It was created by BraveSim but is currently being maintained by Bienchen.  We're not allowed to link mods here and this one is not exactly "easy" to find.  Just search for Bienchen's mods then click on Sonstige Mods / Misc Mods.  On that page, look for the Suchen / Search box,  type in "door knock notification" and the list will filter.  The mod was last updated in February but I've had it in my game since January with no issues.  When a sim knocks on the door, a sound plays and a notification pops up.  You can also click on the thumbnail in the notification to focus the camera on the sim at the door.  I know it's not the best fix since it really should be part of the game, especially since console players don't have the option to use mods and some people prefer not to.  If you do decide to use this mod, I suggest testing it in a new save or make a backup of your current save for testing; just to be sure it doesn't create any issues.  Hope this helps!

  • @JonaO703 Reading your comment about that notification mod made me want to experiment with making the knocking sound more noticeable, so I tried to make it louder. I made it too loud and too distorted, and it ended up sounding like someone was shooting at me when someone knocked at the door lol. The first time I invited someone over and they knocked, it scared the living crap out of me. I also saw a tool that claims it lets you edit sound files within the game, though it's on a site I'd rather not visit anymore so that's one thing I won't be experimenting with.

  • Pick-a-boo_doo's avatar
    Pick-a-boo_doo
    Seasoned Ace
    4 years ago
    @JonaO703
    Hi Thanks for your comment.
    I think the access method from the RELATIONSHIP PANEL also might be a good way to do it.
    However, that would require the player to be able to see and control the visitor, and it would require the player to be aware of the visitor's presence.
    So, since the door itself has a permission menu, I thought it would be simpler for the player to add a key holder item to it, and probably easier to program.
    I also want to thank you for introducing me to the fact that there is a mod for doorbells.
    I don't use mods, but I know some players might get comfort from your introduction here.
    I hope more ideas will be raised here and EA/Maxsis will add the doorbell and locked door feature.