Re: [PS4/XB1] Updating Graphics Settings Message

@simsplayer818 If there's no noticeable difference in graphics, this does not sound like the bug reported. The crashing is a longstanding issue that the QA team has been working on. I've heard less of this issue being reported as time goes on and since the graphics screens started being reported, so I think it may be old saves still affected. You can find more information here [XB] Crashing during travel, save the game, entering/exiting build mode

I bought a new Xbox series S on December 23rd hoping the game would play better on a next gen console. Since the day I bought it I've encountered this issue. The game pauses while playing, pops up a screen that says it is currently changing graphic settings so I can continue to play. This happened once or twice when I only owned base game. It is now happening regularly. Thinking the Xbox runs smoother than the PS4 I cashed in my credit card points& bought every pack over vacation. I'm now unable to load a few lots without crashing every time I try.

I'm especially confused because I've deleted every household except those needed for the game to work. Father winter, the vampires, the sages, eco experts, cottage living mayor etc.

I thought the loading screen saying the system is adjusting my graphics was a feature of the Xbox next gen. I didn't realize it could be a sign of bigger problems. I last owned an Xbox in 2009. Frankly I'm pretty upset to have spent so much stashed digital cash on something I answered own on PS4 & PC only to learn it's just as broken on Xbox.

Given how well base game ran i thought that was a good sign. Example, loading a game on my PS4 takes 9 minutes. On Xbox 2½. Fool me once shame on me fool me 3 times and I'm an idiot.

If I can provide video or anything to help track down whatever is happening please tell me how. I'm new to the console & unsure what is helpful or how to access it.

@simsplayer818 

I'm absolutely with your in all factors here. I started with Sims 1 & 2 skipped 3 & have played 4 since just after launch on PS4. I'm frankly in awe how differently the game runs on PC vs consoles. My PS4 takes 9-17 minutes to load the game & that problem is persistent over 4 consoles. Yes 4. It's not a my hardware on a single console issue.

Like I said the problem of the loading screen telling me my graphics are being optimized started the day I started playing on XB-S with just my Game Pass base game installed. So that at least is not related to owning cottage living but the base game update for every pack installs pack compatibility content to base games. So it could have started in June last year & I wouldn't know since I've only owned this console a few weeks.

I want to just reiterate that the Xbox Series S plays like my gaming PC. Load times are fast! Bugs are limited to a minimum. Simulation lag is almost unnoticeable. I'm really disappointed with Sony right now seeing the extreme difference in the game quality. I even installed only base game/ cats & dogs on my newest PS4 last August to try& get some value for my already owned product& the game just took forever to do anything. I've timed my PC & PS4 loading in as a race to see exact times from launch to actually moving a sim in a household in a new game. 22 minutes on PS4 & 6 on PC. I'm at a complete loss! I'm absolutely stunned at this difference.

I'm also currently unsure what are bugs & what are features having just bought a while new console from a while new company. 

@enzomscThat's something I didn't know and might shed some light on the problem.
I hope there's a way to address it as now my game is crashing on travel at the point where I'd usually get the graphics message. I then struggle to load my game up again. I can't believe this is happening on a brand new console.

Edit: I am noticing the graphics occasionally look shadowed and movements slightly look slowed. For example in the jungle all the trees sometimes look as if there are shadows everywhere and as the Sim is running or walking the ever so slightly flicker. I can't even reload my game and that's all that fixes it, as I struggle to load it recently. It doesn't look right but I just have to put up with it when it happens.

I get the graphics message at least once per gaming session on my Xbox, but thus far it’s just an annoyance that only lasts a minute or so. But as you has also mentioned a crashing issue, I wanted to add some input. I’ve been playing in Henford on Bagley for a few months, (super cute Stardew Valley re-enactment builds), and my primary household is on the big 64x64 lot.  A few weeks ago the game began crashing when trying to load that specific lot. No other Henford lots experienced the issue, just the 64x64. It initially would take 2-3 load attempts before letting me play, but just got worse and worse. I tried saving the lot, bulldozing it then re-placing it from my library, no luck. I tried starting my household visiting a different lot, then returning home, which sometimes worked initially, but eventually became ineffective. Finally a few days ago I got so fed up after trying to load the lot for over 2 hours to no success, I went into build mode, bulldozed the lot and uploaded a pretty lot from some random creator on the gallery. The new house is about half the size of my original, but so far so good. It loads every time without issue. ( Still getting that graphics settings message periodically though, lol)

So my conclusion here is that something about my original house was a game crasher. Weather that be because it was a build I had been using for a while that for some reason was no longer compatible with the latest sims delivery updates, a specific object that is game breaking, or some other issue altogether, I don’t know. But I do know that though I love my original house, it was doing me no good if I couldn’t play the thing, so I’m learning to love the new house I found on the gallery.

I haven't had the message for a couple of days but instead have had the crashing at the same point. I would usually get it while loading a lot my Sim is travelling to. Now it just crashes. Loading screens are much slower too. I'm looking at the series X now instead, even though they are once again impossible to find in stock at trusted retailers here.

Again I don't know if I'm throwing good money after bad but I've invested in all these packs and want to be able to play the game and add future content. Plus since through player feedback on here, finding out that graphics aren't optimised for Series S...I wish I'd known that before I got one and I spent weeks doing my research! But it's looking like the same thing as with my Xbox one S. It's fine, it's full of games at it's new home but the sheer size of all my Sims packs was too much. Someone at home keeps saying it's the memory size but I've got loads of memory, Microsoft told me it's not the memory either. It's processing power and graphics capabilities. I see info about what specs PCs need to run the Sims but not that same info for console users unless I'm looking in the wrong place. But I did see an article by a well known Simmer who said it really needs pro level consoles with all (or nearly all in my case) downloaded content. I would recommend the series S to anyone, to be clear. It was fine until I went over 32 packs. I really like my console so I'm very disappointed. But there's not enough engagement from the team on console specific issues in my opinion.

I agree that us console gamers don’t seem to get the same engagement compared to PC users. It’s a shame. I currently play on both an Xbox One and an Xbox One S, depending which room of my house I’m in. We plan on getting a couple of Xbox Series X’s once they’re more readily available (whenever that will be…) The game seems to run ok on both our machines, other than fairly extended loading times (4-5 minutes on initial startup, 2 minutes loading up my save file, and another 3-4 minutes loading the actual lot. Patience is put to the test daily, lol) no matter what lot I’m playing. I too have nearly all the packs. I’ve only been playing since September but I’ve spent over 1000 hours on it so far, (I’m addicted, I know) For the amount of both time and money I’ve sunk into the game I’d really like to see better response from the devs on console related issues. Some issues I’ve seen had have a known fix on PC, but console users remain SOL sometimes. 

I even found myself looking for the series X again because of all the problems I'm having. But then I took a week long break from the Sims and added a bunch of other games to my series S. Finally I can actually enjoy using it, without bugs or crashes. I can play games as they are meant to be played and I'm really happy with my console. I've added 6 games now that have absolutely no problems loading or playing and the graphics aren't causing any issues, no crashing, no bother.

I know it's updated this week and I've not even played it I'm so disillusioned.

It has to do with the graphics you guys.. us console players don’t have the option to raise or lower the graphic and control the graphic settings like PC players. When that messages appears that’s says it’s adjusting your graphics, it actually does change the graphics, it’s makes them weaker and less desirable. I had come to the point of not minding it because it usually allows my game to run smoothly.. from build to live mode and even traveling from lot to lot. We on console need the option to adjust the graphic settings manually, because whatever they have them set at is not compatible with our gaming systems, but as I stated I had come to not even mind the message appearing to adjust the settings even with the bad graphics and all as it actually allows me to play and save my game for hours on end. However, I wish we knew who to contact about add the graphic settings to the option menu because we definitely need it as it would cure a lot of the issues we are having.

@simsplayer818 A lot of people are complaining about the graphics on the series x aswell.

@simsplayer818 No problem its the same for ps5 so dont waste your money just for one game when other games look great on next gen a few of us next gen players have been asking for a next gen upgrade on twitter but we get ignored.

@simsplayer818 This is what tattoos look like on series x

Yes.. I seen the PS5 thread too, we on consoles need the graphic setting in options like the PC players have. Like when you think about it, it’s really crazy we don’t have that option. Not to mention how EA/Maxis are still selling and promoting a game for all console variations but don’t even have a team in setup in office geared toward the console consumers issues. I was actually fine with it adjusting the settings everytime I play my game because it actually allows me to play it, but has really frustrated me again. Like who do we contact? We need to make more noise about the situation.. we all need to head to twitter and get at the gurus or even try to get some of the popular YouTubers to cover this situation because they really are being insulting about it.

@tinronney1234 A few of us have taken to twitter but we get ignored.

Oh okay, I see… it’s not enough of us complaining ultimately and it’s not really a known issue across the whole Sims community so I see why they try to ignore us, I’m gonna start to try to reach out to a couple of YouTubers that does Sims content and see will they consider doing a quick few min video about it maybe just to start to shed more light on the situation. I’ll break it all down as best I can to show why it’s really an issue and unfair.

@tinronney1234 I wish you luck.

@simsplayer818 Problem is we are console players we are bottom of the pecking order if this problem was on pc it would be fixed.