I have done a few ISBI challenges where I make my main, controllable sim first, then add in their housemates after. Annoyingly, the main sim's portrait ends up mixed into the middle of the household portraits on the game screen, instead of being the first one. Also, the household name on the map will often be one of the other sims' last names, instead of the main sim's. I would think that the first sim made in the household would take priority, and that the portraits would reflect the order sims were added to the household, either in CAS or through birth. But apparently not. Does anyone know the logic so I can make sure my main sim is the first portrait/household name?

I wish I knew. Logically, it should follow in the order of creation. For instance I make a dad, the mom, and from them generate their children, in the order I see in my own head. But, sometimes, the mom will be first, then the Dad, and sometimes the second child will precede the 'older' one. Face/palm. What I end up doing is aging my Sims in their 'birth order' and often times I need to make the mom a YA if the dad is an Adult. That way at least the parents follow their assigned placement. Sometimes I think it's better to just have the children born in-game. Ooffdda.

"ShadyLady89;c-17187483" wrote:I'm curious about this myself. I've always been under the impression its dictated by the age of the sims.I think it's the oldest sim. If several sims are created as same life stage, the game will probably have given them a random number of days into their life stage, meaning they are not same age, only same life stage.

@Simmerville wouldn't it be nice if we could set that number in CAS? So many little things like that I would enjoy seeing implemented someday.

"ShadyLady89;c-17187492" wrote:@Simmerville wouldn't it be nice if we could set that number in CAS? So many little things like that I would enjoy seeing implemented someday.Absolutely! At least to decide what sim should be the oldest. Or if you plan a family already having twins, then the twins will probably be of different age, lol.

My first Sim in list is usually the cat... Seems fitting.

How does the game choose which sim is head of household?

14 Replies

GalacticGal
Legend
6 years ago
I wish I knew. Logically, it should follow in the order of creation. For instance I make a dad, the mom, and from them generate their children, in the order I see in my own head. But, sometimes, the mom will be first, then the Dad, and sometimes the second child will precede the 'older' one. Face/palm. What I end up doing is aging my Sims in their 'birth order' and often times I need to make the mom a YA if the dad is an Adult. That way at least the parents follow their assigned placement. Sometimes I think it's better to just have the children born in-game. Ooffdda.
Modifien
6 years ago
@GalacticGal I almost always do that, but I've been doing challenges lately that start with a full house, and I can only control one sim. So I've been a bit frustrated with the create 8 sims, have no clue who the household will be named after, or where my one controllable sim will end up on the household portraits in game. Bleh. Just messy.
GreatBritney99
Seasoned Ace
6 years ago
I'm curious about this myself. I've always been under the impression its dictated by the age of the sims.
GalacticGal
Legend
6 years ago
"Modifien;c-17187481" wrote:
@GalacticGal I almost always do that, but I've been doing challenges lately that start with a full house, and I can only control one sim. So I've been a bit frustrated with the create 8 sims, have no clue who the household will be named after, or where my one controllable sim will end up on the household portraits in game. Bleh. Just messy.

You can rename the household through the manage household feature. You can ensure your desired Sim is first by making them older than the rest unless the challenge restricts that. I have only ever played Pinstar's Legacy Challenge. Sims2-4. Otherwise, I just play my favorite households where I control the horizontal and the vertical, if you will. :open_mouth: Best of luck to you and I hope you have more fun than frustration.
Simmerville
Legend
6 years ago
"ShadyLady89;c-17187483" wrote:
I'm curious about this myself. I've always been under the impression its dictated by the age of the sims.

I think it's the oldest sim. If several sims are created as same life stage, the game will probably have given them a random number of days into their life stage, meaning they are not same age, only same life stage.
GreatBritney99
Seasoned Ace
6 years ago
@Simmerville wouldn't it be nice if we could set that number in CAS? So many little things like that I would enjoy seeing implemented someday.
Simmerville
Legend
6 years ago
"ShadyLady89;c-17187492" wrote:
@Simmerville wouldn't it be nice if we could set that number in CAS? So many little things like that I would enjoy seeing implemented someday.

Absolutely! At least to decide what sim should be the oldest. Or if you plan a family already having twins, then the twins will probably be of different age, lol.
Trykmi
6 years ago
My first Sim in list is usually the cat... Seems fitting.
Modifien
6 years ago
"Simmerville;c-17187489" wrote:
"ShadyLady89;c-17187483" wrote:
I'm curious about this myself. I've always been under the impression its dictated by the age of the sims.

I think it's the oldest sim. If several sims are created as same life stage, the game will probably have given them a random number of days into their life stage, meaning they are not same age, only same life stage.

Oh my god, thank you! That makes so much sense!
DeKaythePUNK
Legend
6 years ago
"Simmerville;c-17187489" wrote:
"ShadyLady89;c-17187483" wrote:
I'm curious about this myself. I've always been under the impression its dictated by the age of the sims.

I think it's the oldest sim. If several sims are created as same life stage, the game will probably have given them a random number of days into their life stage, meaning they are not same age, only same life stage.

No, if they are created in CAS with the same age, they will go in order of creation. They will also just start with day 0 of that life stage.