To embark on the captivating journey of songwriting in The Sims 4, there are certain prerequisites you must meet. First and foremost, your Sim needs proficiency in the chosen instrument, with a minimum skill level of 8. This means that if you wish to write a song using the guitar, your Sim must attain at least a level 8 in the guitar skill.
This skill-building activity isn’t just a means to an end; playing the guitar or any other instrument can also be a source of entertainment and joy for your Sim. It’s worth noting that instruments vary in The Sims 4, so your choice will influence the songs you can create.
The Process of Writing a Song in Sims 4
Diving into the mechanics of songwriting in Sims 4, the process is more detailed than one might expect. Begin by having your Sim interact with their instrument of choice. You’ll spot an option labeled “Write”; selecting it will present you with various song genres to choose from. Patience is a virtue here, as the composition can stretch over a significant amount of in-game time, often not wrapping up in a single sitting.
If life calls your Sim away from their melodic endeavor, there’s no need to start from scratch. Instead of selecting the “write a song” option again, which could inadvertently initiate a new song, navigate to your Sim’s inventory.
Within, you’ll find sheet music representing the song they’ve begun. Clicking on it allows your Sim to pick up right where they left off. When the musical masterpiece is finished, it’s time to christen it with a name. This finalizes your Sim’s hard work and solidifies their song in The Sims 4 world.
Licensing Songs for Royalties
Now, having a song is grand, but wouldn’t it be even better if your Sim could earn from their creative genius? Here’s where licensing comes into play in Sims 4. To get your song out there in the Sim universe and start accumulating royalties, your Sim should possess a skill level of 9 in the instrument they’ve used for the song. Don’t rush to the mailbox immediately after penning a tune; ensure your Sim is adequately skilled first.
Once they’ve reached the required expertise, they can proceed to their mailbox. An option to “License Song” will be available, and upon selecting it, your Sim’s song is sent out for the world to hear. This isn’t a one-time deal. For about a week, royalty payments trickle in, typically around 10 a.m. each day.
These payments can fluctuate, ranging anywhere from a modest $100 to a more substantial $500 sum. This avenue presents a unique opportunity for Sims to garner a passive income, albeit limited to a week. However, there’s flexibility here. If one song stops yielding royalties, your Sim can either re-license it or pen a new tune altogether.
Writing Lyrics
Lyrics are the soul of any song, and in The Sims 4, they’ve made a specific provision for those who wish to add depth to their compositions. However, to unlock this feature, players must have the “City Living” expansion pack. But, merely having the expansion isn’t enough.
Much like instrumental songwriting, lyrical creation requires your Sim to have a specific skill. In this case, the singing skill level should be at least 8 for writing and 9 for licensing the lyrics.
Instead of instruments, your primary tool here will be the microphone. Although, some players might find joy in knowing that a few unique instruments, such as the gigirad keyboard, also offer the ability to write lyrics. Remember, while you can license songs and lyrics simultaneously, only one set of lyrics can be licensed at a given time, resulting in a week’s worth of royalties.
Tips and Additional Information
When diving into the world of Sims songwriting, there are certain nuggets of information that can smooth your Sim’s journey. For one, even though a song requires time and dedication to complete, one should resist the temptation to click on the “write a song” option again.
If your Sim needs a break or is distracted, it’s wiser to resume the songwriting process from the sheet music in their inventory. This ensures continuity and prevents the loss of any progress.
While engaging in the songwriting process, your Sim can also choose to abandon a particular song if they find it’s not turning out as expected. This can be done by scrapping the song.
On completion, you’d be prompted to name the song, after which you can click “Okay” to finalize it. And if you’ve been paying close attention, you’d remember that licensing isn’t immediate. Ensure your Sim has enough skill points before you consider this step.
Pros and Cons of Songwriting in The Sims 4
Embarking on a songwriting journey in The Sims 4 has its highs and lows. On the upside, it introduces an innovative way for your Sim to earn. By writing and licensing songs, your Sim can enjoy a steady (though temporary) income stream, which, when combined with lyrics, can boost their earnings even more.
However, the path has its set of challenges. For starters, a song takes approximately 12 in-game hours to pen down, demanding a considerable time commitment. Further, while it’s an interesting way to accumulate Simoleons, it may not be the most lucrative compared to other activities like painting or authoring books. Plus, the royalties from songs don’t compound; they’re fixed to a week, and then they cease unless action is taken.