The Sims 4's Persistent Sidewalk Gap: A Frustrating Building Flaw
The Sims 4 offers a wealth of activities, but those who revel in the joy of building often encounter a persistent issue that, while seemingly minor, proves incredibly frustrating. The recent release of the Lovestruck DLC adds new relationship dynamics, mechanics, and even a Matchmaker career, further enhancing the game's appeal. However, one long-standing flaw persists, leaving builders disheartened.
Despite the developers' efforts to introduce new content and base game improvements through DLCs, this persistent issue has been a thorn in the side of Sims 4 builders since its launch. The latest addition of Ciudad Enamorada and its three new neighbourhoods has failed to address this nagging problem, leaving many who prefer building feeling disappointed.
The issue lies in the way housing lots are designed. In The Sims 4, lots generally don't extend all the way to the sidewalk, leaving an unwanted gap of grass between the property line and the pavement. This gap prevents builders from creating a seamless walkway to their front door and stops fencing from reaching the lot's perimeter, creating an unsightly gap. While it might appear trivial, the consistent undersizing of lots in The Sims 4 is a constant source of irritation for builders.
This gap also encourages Sims to walk across the lawn instead of sticking to the paved path, further adding to the frustration. While a building trick involving retaining walls offers a partial solution, it requires significant adjustments to the build, negating the intended aesthetic and adding unnecessary complexity.
The Lovestruck DLC's new lots also suffer from this frustrating flaw, indicating it isn't a priority for Maxis to address. While the intricate nature of new relationship mechanics and turn-ons/turn-offs may be the focus, neglecting this simple quality-of-life feature is unfortunate.
Adding to the frustration is the lack of customisation options for sidewalks. Unlike open-world games like Valheim, where players can build virtually anywhere, The Sims 4 confines players to pre-defined lots. Static environments outside of these lots remain uneditable, including sidewalks. Reddit user annyonghelloannyong highlighted this issue, lamenting the mismatch between sidewalk tiles and those used on their lot, creating an unattractive visual break.
While mods like The Sims 4 T.O.O.L. (Takes Objects Off Lot) on Curseforge offer a workaround, allowing players to manipulate the environment beyond lot boundaries, it feels like an unnecessary step for a simple request.
The Sims 4 boasts a dedicated community of builders who pour countless hours into crafting stunning homes and neighbourhoods. Addressing this consistent issue would be a simple yet impactful way to improve their experience and enhance the overall building experience. By extending lots to the sidewalk and allowing greater customisation of the surrounding environment, The Sims 4 could finally eliminate this frustrating flaw and provide builders with the tools they need to create truly immersive and aesthetically pleasing worlds.
