Forum Discussion

Re: Fewer Masterpieces and decreasing values.

@BlackDragon4160 I have just run a test with my Sim, who is also 10 in painting skill, etc. The masterpiece she just made is priced at $10,020.

Can I ask if you play with Mods or CC? If so perhaps one has a current issue and causing the issue, even if it didn't in the past. 

If you do have Mods or CC please remove them in this process and try the troubleshooting as described below. (If you don't have Mods or CC, just skip the part about removing the Mods folder, but still delete the cache files mentioned and run the repair.) If you ever had Mods or CC in the past then do the steps as if you have them currently (removing the Mods folder), as there could be damage that has remained after you removed them.

  • Exit your game then exit Origin. Please drag the Mods folder from your 'The Sims 4' folder onto your desktop (for future reference) then delete the localthumbnailcache.package file in your 'The Sims 4' folder. Also delete any other folders in the 'Sims 4' folder with word cache in the name. (When you restart the game it will automatically create a new Mods folder.)
  • Next please run a game repair [ Open Origin, click 'Game Library' then right-click Sims 4 > Repair Game ]. Make sure to let it run until it has completed all repairs (it will do the base-game first, then run through each of your expansions/packs). After that, please see if the issue has stopped.

If it was Mods/CC: If this fixes the issue I would recommend that you check with the Mod and CC creators to see if there are any known issues with their Mod/CC clashing with the recent update and if so do they have an updated Mod/CC that will address the changes in the game's code from the update. You can then re-add your updated Mods/CC one at a time to see if one was conflicting with the function/causing the glitch - but do not re-add the old config file from the old mods folder, as it is possible for it to have become corrupted also.

Let us know how it goes. Thanks!


SheriGR ☕ –  I don’t work for EA.
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13 Replies

  • I am playing on a PS4. I have no mods. Not sure what you mean by CC. 

    I have deleted the game as well as the User File, Auto-Save file and rebuilt the data base. I have yet to reinstall add-ons one at a time, but did reinstall those I had before the problem came up.

  • PugLove888's avatar
    PugLove888
    Hero (Retired)
    6 years ago

    @BlackDragon4160, just popping in to explain what CC means 😇 -- it means Custom Content, which, like Mods are a 3rd party add-on but instead of changing gameplay like a Mod does, CC changes how your game looks, like new furniture or hairstyles, etc.   Mods and CC aren't able to be used on consoles.  The reason why @SheriGR  asked if you used them is because they can cause a lot of problems if they become outdated. 😞

  • SheriGR's avatar
    SheriGR
    Hero
    6 years ago

    @BlackDragon4160 Thank you for updating us. Since you're on console obviously it isn't Mods or CC (thanks for clarifying about Mods & CC @PugLove888 🙂) since console will not accept either CC or Mods. We would love to know if the issue is still occurring once you have finished all of your reinstall steps.

    Since paintings are so lucrative - and known to be one of the 'easier' ways to make good money quickly or on the side - it would not surprise me if EA began to tone that down a bit at some point. I continue to keep this in the back of my mind, but hope, like you, that this will not change. I have fun with this aspect of my game as-is.

    I was thinking that perhaps it seemed that my painter used to make a bit more money for the paintings, but I hadn't been really paying close attention or monitoring (and most of the time I spend in the game anymore is building). I've assumed that it was my imagination, my not monitoring closely to know for sure, or the fact that I normally play huge and very busy households, so it's very easy for me to miss small 'aside' facts (things I'm not currently monitoring) or for a sim to not be in 'prime masterpiece production' conditions due to the large household factors. (Plus many of her paintings I just find done - she does them spontaneously - so I have no idea how high her needs were, etc.)

    I happen to have been playing a household this month with my painter sim in it, though, and when I specifically made sure that she was high in the green for all needs while painting plus painting in an area that she had a current 'moodlet' boost  (a combo which should result in a masterpiece for her) she did in fact produce a masterpiece, and the price was high (as mentioned in the test I posted).

    Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing about if the reinstall fixes the issue for you and your sim's results are what they used to be. Please update us when you know. Thank you!

  • Thank you so much.  I just uninstalled the game and installed only the add-ons I had originally purchased. I also backed up my files then deleted all game files except the Library. Right now the game is updating. Will be creating a new character. If his painting is successful (Masterpieces worth 7k and up) show up I will be sure to let you know.

    It is disturbing that EA may have deliberately caused this. SHAME ON THEM if this is true.

    Again, thank you.

  • SheriGR's avatar
    SheriGR
    Hero
    6 years ago

    @BlackDragon4160 I have no reason to believe EA caused the issue since so far no one else is posting that they have the issue, and since it didn't show up in my test, so hopefully it's just some glitch that will work itself out after your updates/reinstall. I look forward to see what you find happens in the 'new' game. Good luck! 🙌

  • RandomBuzziness's avatar
    RandomBuzziness
    Seasoned Ace
    6 years ago
    @SheriGR This is slightly off-topic but EA definitely lowered the value of rare fish when they re-vamped Fishing a few months back. To me it did seem out of balance before the change anyway, so I was ok with it. Idk about paintings though, but maybe it is possible?

    On a very limited test I just tried my Level 10 painter, all needs in the green, +3 Inspired, and on the best easel, and after many attempts she couldn't produce anything near 10k simoleons. She did have two cats in her studio, constantly meowing for attention, so I blame them xD
  • SheriGR's avatar
    SheriGR
    Hero
    6 years ago

    @RandomBuzziness Yes, I also wouldn't be surprised if they ever did tweak it some, especially with the addition of freelance careers that use the skills, etc. In the lot I mentioned I see she completed another Masterpiece on the easel (also all primed in environment, easel type, etc.) and this one is only worth $2,740. In that case I'm not positive of all of the mood/need conditions, but since it's a masterpiece you would think the pricing would be similar to the other one, as this is supposed to be the highest quality and all!

  • After Day 1 of testing with only the (updated) game; Vampires and first few packs added I created a new character I was able to get a masterpiece worth 9800.  I then created another Sim from my advanced Sim and have gotten Masterpieces worth 7,005; 8,990; 7,464; 8,280 and 9,600.  Also my excellent quality paintings are consistently above 2k now.

    Am wondering if the lot location is playing a roll in these results. For these tests I evicted the Landgrabs and built my house on that lot. Thinking I will delete and reload everything and move back to the Landgrabs lot and see what happens.

    Wondering if you have maxed out your purchased traits if that could cause a problem also since my new characters have traits my original Sim doesn't. Man I sure DO NOT want to start all over!

    Thank you and everyone who has helped. Very much appreciate it.

  • SheriGR's avatar
    SheriGR
    Hero
    6 years ago

    @BlackDragon4160 You are very welcome. That's what we're her for and we enjoy helping! Happy simming! 🙌


    SheriGR ☕ –  I don’t work for EA.
    Me Too – if you also have this problem – first post on thread has this button

    XP – for helpful comments (& to help others 'level up')
    Mark As Solution – to help others find the answer to the issue now & in the future

  • Well, here we are... 3 years later... I dunno about u all but I have a family of phenomenal painters. I get duds like we all do but I get masters that range from 4k - 8k REGULARLY. I get Masters that range from 9K - 15K Kinda Often.... The illusive ghost I've been chasing is this one Masterpiece (Surrealism - Looks like a zombie Cow Plant) I painted worth 20K. Someone on another form said they painted something worth 65K (I didnt see any pics for proof), but I'm chasing the dream of surpassing my 20K painting.

  • EA_Darko's avatar
    EA_Darko
    Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
    4 years ago

    Hey @KingMarcus9485 going to lock this thread as it is quite old.


    If having an issue please create a new thread with as much info as possible.

    Darko 

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