Thank you for all you do for our Sims game ❤️

EA_Cade​ 

I think the updated statuses are way better that what we had before when we were reporting bugs. Here are some updates for more improvement:

• The update to the bug statuses should have been a blog post rather than a forum post so all players are aware about how to track the progress of their bug report.
• I'm disappointed the "Awaiting Additional Reports" status wasn't clarified better. The description states: These issues are currently in our backlog as we await further reports or information from the community on them.
  • The posts don't provide clear information on what is needed from the community to move the reports forward in the bug reporting process. For example, I reported this bug [GF] Skill Icon Missing from Perform Romance Scene for Tips | EA Forums - 13067266. I included an image showing the issue. It is for a missing icon. I don't know what additional information is needed from the community. Does this mean save files are needed to identify the problem in the game?
  • There is no clear distinction between this status and Needs More Info. The status for Needs More Info states: We need more information from the community to continue investigating this issue.
• The information on reporting bugs is still scattered, disjointed, and too complex for a player to understand and this new post on the updated statuses contributes to the issue. There should be a single post detailing how to report a bug. Example: 

🌟 Quick Guide: Reporting Bugs in The Sims 4

Short, clear steps so you can create an excellent bug report quickly.

1. Confirm it’s a real bug

• Note what happened, what you were doing, and how often it happens.
• Remove all mods/CC from your Mods folder (don’t just disable them).
• Clear your cache:
  • Close the game.
  • Open your The Sims 4 folder (Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4).
  • Delete these safe-to-remove files/folders:
    • localthumbcache.package
    • cache
    • cachestr
    • onlinethumbnailcache
  • Do not delete your Saves folder.
• Test in a new save with a new Sim.

If the issue still happens, you’re ready to report.

2. Search the bug report forum

• If a report already exists:
  • Vote for it — more votes mean higher visibility and priority.
  • Add extra info such as screenshots, saves, videos, or new discoveries.
  • Do not create a new thread for the same issue. Duplicate posts will be locked and merged.
• If no report exists:
  • Create a new post.
  • Only one issue per post or it will be locked as Multi Report.
  • Reports must be in English or they will be locked and marked Unsupported Language.

3. Write a strong bug report

Title

• Write a descriptive title that someone else could find.
• Include names of objects, assets, careers, aspirations, worlds, lots, and similar details.
• For CAS, you may use names from S4Studio (optional).
• Add pack abbreviations only if the bug affects three or fewer packs.
• Use the official title tag abbreviation list from the EA Forums.

Body

Include:

• Game version number
• Clear description of the bug
• Exact steps to reproduce
• How long you’ve seen this (for example: “since patch X”)
• Error codes (if any)
• LastException.txt text (PC/Mac only), if generated
• LastCrash files (PC/Mac only), if generated
• Links to:
  • Save files (for example, via cloud storage)
  • Screenshots or videos
  • Gallery builds, if relevant

Thread tags

Choose tags that describe your setup and issue. Missing platform or mod-usage tags will cause your post to be marked Incomplete Report.

• Platform: PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation
  • If on PC, also choose Steam, Epic, or EA App.
• Mod usage (choose exactly one):
  • CC or Mods Removed
  • Never CC or Mod
• Performance (only if relevant):
  • Crashing
  • Freezing
  • Lags
  • Loading Times
• Game issues (as needed):
  • Error Codes
  • Live Mode
  • Build Mode
  • CAS
  • Maps
  • UI
  • Gallery
  • Game Menu
  • Other relevant categories

Submit your report

• When your title, body, and tags are complete, publish your report.

4. Understand the statuses

Your report may move through these statuses:

• New — Just created.
• Troubleshooting — Staff or community are gathering details.
• Reviewed — Staff believe it might be a real bug. Aim for this status.
• Validating Report — QA is testing to reproduce the issue.
• Needs More Info — More details or files are needed from players.
• Verified — QA reproduced it; waiting on development work.
• Under Investigation — The development team is actively working on it.
• Validating Fix — A fix is being tested internally.
• Upcoming Fix — A fix is approved and planned for a future patch.
• Fixed — Resolved in a patch or confirmed by players.
• Incomplete Report — Missing information or tags; must be updated.
• Awaiting Additional Reports — Waiting for more player reports.
• Unsupported Language — Not in English; thread locked.
• Multi Report — Multiple issues in one post; not allowed.

5. Follow up and be patient

Check your report regularly

• Look for status updates every few days.
• Within 2–3 days, your report should usually move to Reviewed, meaning staff has accepted it as a possible bug.

Respond when needed

If your report is marked Troubleshooting, Needs More Info, or Incomplete Report, you may need to add:

• Missing thread tags (platform, mod usage, and similar details)
• More details or clearer steps
• Save files, screenshots, or videos
• Error codes
• LastException.txt text (PC/Mac only)

If your report stays in Troubleshooting or Incomplete Report for about a month, it may be moved out of the forums.

Keep your report updated

• You can add new information at any time by editing your post: new saves, screenshots, discoveries, or patterns help a lot.
• Update your report if your issue was fixed and the report was not marked as Fixed, and include the patch number.

Be patient

• Some bugs take time to investigate and fix, even after they reach Verified.
• There is no need to contact forum staff about the status unless they specifically ask you for more information.

Stay informed

• Check posts marked Important Info to keep up with changes to the bug reporting process.

Vote on reports

• Bug reports with more votes receive higher priority.
• Continue voting on existing reports that affect you.

This feels so much clearer! Thank you!

A suggestion to keep the communication flowing. It would be helpful when tagging a report to "Needs More Info" would be to confirm what that info is. Sometimes, it might be more votes to see how widespread this is or save files to be sent over. I feel that this tag is only expanded on when save files are needed and not when it might need other interactions. It would be helpful for the poster to know what "More Info" is needed, so they know where their report stands. 

I appreciate all you do. Thanks for continuing to listen and improve. 

Thanks for the clarification and breaking up the Under Investigation status for more clarification. 

There is no guidance on the Awaiting Additional Reports status. I include images and videos to show bugs in the game. Then my reports are marked Awaiting Additional Reports for confirmation without letting me know what additional information is needed to confirm the bug. 

I thought it was because reports needed additional votes, but I've seen highly voted bug reports such as this one Disappearing ceilings (Build Mode) with 165 votes and this one [GTW] Excessive alien abductions with 94 votes with the status.

I think thought it was for reports that couldn't be validated but I include images and sometimes videos in my reports. Then I see reports like this: [BH] Coffee drinks don't have empty models | EA Forums - 12225480 where the user showed the problem in the game files and it was still marked Awaiting Additional Reports.

The tag and confusing and needs to be explained as to what's needed to get the status of the report to remain in Reviewed so it can potentially have a chance of getting fixed. If my bug reports keep getting marked Awaiting Additional Reports then unfortunately, I'm going to stop reporting. It's time consuming to take videos or screenshots and draft reports for them to be removed from the bug reporting pipeline.

Here is a post I made in feedback that details more of my frustrations with the forum: Feedback on Updated EA Forum Bug Statuses | EA Forums - 13155404