Every gamer knows that The Sims is an expensive franchise to be a fan of. Since its creation in 2014, The Sims 4 has spawned 12 expansion packs, 12 game packs, 18 stuff packs, and 17 kits, the cost of which can quickly rack up. There is an alternative to splashing the cash on every new release, however, and that's finding custom content, also known as CC, created by fellow players and shared for free across the web.
New players who have joined The Sims 4 community since the game became free to play in October 2022, or those who have never dipped their toes into custom content and mods, may be overwhelmed and wondering where to find Sims 4 CC. From Tumblr to CurseForge, there are plenty of places to source high-quality CC that won't break the bank.
Tumblr
Perhaps the most useful source when it comes to finding quality custom content is Tumblr, a social media platform home to a vibrant community of Sims players. Tumblr is the perfect place for modders and custom content creators as it allows them to post images of their creations, advertise their other platforms such as Patreon, and make friends and valuable connections in the community. The Sims side of Tumblr even has its own nickname: Simblr.
The community is thriving, with content creators often holding special events - most notably Simblreen, a yearly Halloween event when users are encouraged to send their favorite creators a "Trick or Treat" message to receive free, exclusive CC pieces. Tumblr is free to join and browse, making it the perfect place for new Sims 4 players to dip their toes into custom content and even make a friend or two along the way. While it can be overwhelming for those with no previous experience of the site, try starting with a search for "Sims 4 CC" in the Tumblr search bar.
Llama CC Finds
If the world of Tumblr feels overwhelming, there are certain blogs on the site that are a good place for new Sims 4 fans to start. One of the most significant and well-known is Llama CC Finds, an extensive resource that has been around since the Sims 2 days.
The blog is regularly updated sharing the latest and greats CC creations from across Tumblr, with a useful navigation system to help players find the exact type of content they're looking for. The blog shares a wide variety of content which includes Maxis Match - that's content that blends seamlessly with The Sims 4's art style - and Alpha creations, which are designed to be more hyperrealistic in style.
Maxis Match World CC
If players prefer Maxis Match content that fits in with existing content in the game, then Maxis Match World CC is the perfect Tumblr blog to browse. Much like Llama CC Finds, Maxis Match World aggregates content from all over Tumblr into one handy, well-organized blog. The key difference is that the blog only shares Maxis Match content, which is drawback for those looking for Alpha CC.
There's a dedicated navigation page that shows the scale of the CC on offer. Everything from Build/Buy objects to hair and accessories can be found on the blog.
Patreon
Patreon is a site that allows creators of all types to build a following through memberships. In recent years, it's been adopted by those creating Sims 4 custom content as a way to generate income as followers can sign up for membership tiers, paying a usually small fee to get early access to their content. However, The Sims' policies state that custom content and mods can't be hidden behind a paywall forever, so all the content posted to Patreon still becomes free after a certain amount of time.
Patreon is easy to use, so keeping up to date with a high-quality creator is simple. The only drawback is that players will likely need to be aware of the creator before they can find them on Patreon, so the platform acts more as an offshoot of Tumblr when it comes to CC shopping.
ModTheSims
A veteran Sims platform that's no doubt familiar to long-time players is ModTheSims. While The Sims is by no means a game that is unplayable without mods, they help to enhance it and ModTheSims, originally established in the days of The Sims 2 is a community hub where creators can share their Sims 4 creations, both mods and CC.
Though arguably a bit more dated in style than more recent forums and community hubs, ModTheSims is still a valuable resource for The Sims 4. As the name suggests, ModTheSims is primarily for gameplay mods rather than aesthetic-based CC, but players can still find high-quality gems on the site.
As a visual platform, Pinterest is a great place to find CC if looking to give the vibrant Sims characters a makeover, and it's a platform that many may already be familiar with. Finding content is easy, with a simple search for "Sims 4 CC" returning thousands of results. It has the added benefit of allowing users to organize custom content into different boards too - so personal boards for everything from hair to shoes can be compiled to return to later.
The only downside is that, as content is reposted from other sites like Tumblr, users may be sent on wild goose chase following links to content that may no longer exist or be unsupported by its original creator. Some sleuthing may be involved, but Pinterest should be considered for its organizational options alone.
The Sims Resource
The Sims Resource (TSR) is another thriving community for Sims 4 custom content and mod creators. Controversial for its membership options, it's still a valuable resource for those willing to sit through a few adverts to retrieve the content they want.
TSR is home to some of the most impressive creators in the community, showcasing everything from CC eyebrows and nails to clothing sets and cars. The site can be overwhelming at first, and some features are locked for non-members, but it soon becomes clear how to navigate the site to get the most out of it.
Sims4Updates
Similar to the Tumblr blogs previously discussed, only hosted on a separate site, is Sims4Updates. It functions much the same way as Llama CC Finds and Maxis Match World, curating a collection of exciting CC for players to browse.
However, the website has the disadvantage of being littered with ads that can sometimes hinder the experience. Nevertheless, it's another important resource and worth a browse when looking for new CC to spice up Sims' looks or furnish their brand-new mega-mansion after their latest get-rich-quick scheme.
SimTuber Recommendations
The Sims also has a thriving community on YouTube. There are some great Sims 4 YouTubers, also known as SimTubers, who are well worth a follow for those looking for new custom content. Big name SimTubers like Elliandra and Vixella regularly do custom content showcases and CC shopping videos with links to the creations.
CC shopping through YouTube is a great place to start, as not only can players get links to all the content, but they can see how it looks in-game without having to go through the hassle of downloading and adding it to their own mods folder.
CurseForge
Posted about by The Sims team themselves, The Sims 4 also has a dedicated page on Overwolf's CurseForge platform. Advertised as the "official mods hub" for The Sims 4, it's a great place for players to find new CC and mods.
Though perhaps not as well known as other CC shopping platforms, CursedForge is a place to find all The Sims 4's biggest and best creators in one place. While not solely dedicated to CC, lots of excellent custom content can be found on the platform and it helps to foster a sense of community with dedicated social media pages and even a Discord server for fans to chat about mods, CC, and the game at large.
Source:gamerant.com