An unofficial new challenge in The Sims 4 has seen players trying to make the tiniest house possible and still have it meet all of a Sim's needs, compacted tightly into a neat 3x2 frame. Six squares isn't much space to build a living space in The Sims 4, but at least a couple of people have pulled it off, and the results are impressive.
Maxis and EA's long-running life simulator has been going strong for well over 11 years, fueling its longevity with numerous updates, DLC expansions, Stuff Packs, and more. Although its creation tools let players throw together a vast array of homes reflecting a spectrum of different lifestyles, more recent DLCs have leaned heavily into fantasy and opulent living, such as the scandal-filled Royalty and Legacy expansion, which was released in February. Plenty of fans have been enjoying the grand mansions and royal intrigue contained within, but others have been left longing for something closer to reality.
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Sims 4 3x2 Tiny House Challenge Produces Some Impressive Builds
One player seems to have accidentally started a new challenge or trend in the game, sharing a set of images of a tiny 3x2 home they built in the game that somehow manages to fit in all the amenities needed to keep Sims' need meters full. Reddit user Brave-Astronaut2085 garnered some love from the game's community after sharing pictures of this cozy, one-room living space, which awkwardly combines a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen in a space that many players would struggle to fit everything needed for just one of those rooms. Featuring a toilet right next to a bunk bed ladder and a desk, minifridge, and microwave underneath the bed itself, the only real questionable feature of this tiny house is the open-air shower, with some commenters jokingly cautioning the player to unplug the microwave before using it.
Those images have already inspired a second 3x2 build that's arguably even more ambitious. Created by Lyceux, this tiny living space features a few extra decorations and creature comforts that make potentially living in it feel like less of a waking nightmare. While still utilizing the under-the-bed desk and kitchenette idea, this player was able to fit all the bathroom necessities into a single square separated from the main living area by a curtain. This was all pulled off with some clever manipulation of Sims 4 building cheats, shrinking down the sink and toilet, and using the "moveobjects" cheat to allow multiple pieces to occupy the same space without cutting off their functionality.
Both designs have gathered a lot of appreciation from Sims 4 fans, who have given multiple takes on how such 3x2 housing builds could be worked into a game narratively. Many have drawn comparisons to the cramped apartments that often come with real-life big city living, suggesting they would fit well into a New York City-style neighborhood in The Sims 4. Others who are planning to move into less-than-spacious college dorm rooms have taken comfort in the functionality and decorating potential of such a small space, and at least one has suggested that these tiny rooms could be incorporated into a cruise ship mod.
Although these tiny houses are getting a lot of attention, the players creating them aren't the only ones who have been striving to create more realistic in-game living spaces. Some players are also building low-rent apartments in The Sims 4, utilizing dingy-looking walls and floors, awkward design choices, and similarly cramped spaces to mimic housing situations that may not be high-class, but feel a lot closer to home for a big part of the game's community.
- Released
- September 2, 2014
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Maxis
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
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