Game Help:Sims 2 Cheats

	This article is written for The Sims 2. For the equivalent Sims 3 article, click here.

Sims 2 Cheats
Author	HystericalParoxysm

To Use Cheats

First, bring up the cheat console by holding down the CTRL, SHIFT, and C keys on your keyboard at the same time.

This will bring a small white box up at the top of your screen. This little white box is generally called the "cheat box" or the "cheat console." Type the cheats in there and hit ENTER.

If you don't get the cheat box when you do CTRL, SHIFT, C, then see: Game Help:Cheat Box Won't Appear

Some users report that the cheats may be case sensitive. If you can't get a particular cheat to work, try entering the cheat with the capital letters as shown. Don't enter the brackets around the variables when you enter the cheat.

Example of entering a cheat

Let's say you want to use the 45 degree angle cheat listed below. You'll see that it's listed as:

boolProp allow45DegreeAngleOfRotation [true/false]

The [ ] brackets mean that you pick one option - in this case true or false. So, to enable the cheat you would actually type:

boolProp allow45DegreeAngleOfRotation true

Remember that you never type the [ ] brackets and only choose one option within them. You should always type the bold text prior to the brackets, including any boolProp, etc.

Expansions Required

Some cheats are expansion-pack specific, and you must have the expansion pack that cheat was released in (or any expansion pack released afterward) for it to work in your game. The icon(s) with each cheat denote which EPs that cheat is included in. If a cheat just has an icon for the base game, it will work even if you just have the base game installed, and will work with any and all EPs.

Enabling Cheats Automatically

If you would like to make a user startup cheat file (so you don't have to enter certain cheats every time you play) you can do so by following this guide: Game Help:Userstartup.cheat.

Build Cheats/Lot Cheats

Cheats that are helpful in building on lots. For specific tutorials on using these cheats to create your dream lot, see: Tutorials:Build Mode Tutorials.

LOT CLASSIFICATION AND ZONING

changeLotClassification [low/middle/high]
Changes the classification of the lot.

clearLotClassValue
Clears any 'changeLotClassification' cheat used on the lot and resets the lot class to the correct calculated value.

changeLotZoning [residential/community/greek/dorm/secretsociety/apartmentbase/secretwitchlot/hotel]

Changes the zoning type of the lot. Before rezoning a lot using this cheat, make sure there are no Sims currently living in the lot. To use this cheat, enter the lot that you would like to rezone, and then enter the cheat, choosing one of these zoning options. Note that zoning a beach lot into an apartment lot will severely corrupt the ocean and lot terrain and is strongly not recommended. Save and exit to neighborhood and re-enter the lot. More specific information on using this cheat can be found at: Game Help:Change Lot Zoning.

BUILD/BUY MODE ENABLING AND REMOVING SPECIFIC TOOL RESTRICTIONS

boolProp dormSpecificToolsDisabled [true/false]
When set false, enables build/buy mode tools that would normally be disabled when in a dorm lot. This will also allow you to enable buy mode when it's disabled. If you modify community lots this way when Sims visit them, changes won't get saved when you leave the lot.

boolProp aptBaseLotSpecificToolsDisabled [true/false]
When set false, this enables the locked build and buy tools on unoccupied apartment lots. Once you've entered the cheat, it won't take effect until you switch between Buy or Build mode.

boolProp aptSubLotSpecificToolsDisabled [true/false]
When set false, this enables the locked build and buy tools on occupied apartment lots. Once you've entered the cheat, it won't take effect until you switch between Buy or Build mode.

apartmentBuildBuyRestrictions [on/off]
Enables the locked build and buy tools in apartment lots.

OBJECT PLACEMENT

moveObjects [on/off]
Allows you to move and delete objects in build mode that you cannot normally move or delete. Mainly used in building to overlap objects to create interesting effects.
Use with caution: deleting certain items such as the mailbox, trashcan, and community phone can cause problems with a lot. Deleting a sim living on your lot, saving, and exiting will result in that sim being restored and standing at the mailbox when you re-enter the lot, which can be useful if they're stuck or otherwise bugged.

boolProp snapObjectsToGrid [true/false]
Toggles the ability to fine-tune the placement of items, instead of being limited to just placing them at certain spots on the grid. If you find you can't place windows and doors because they won't snap properly onto walls, disable this cheat (and/or remove it from your user startup.cheat file) and try again.

boolProp allow45DegreeAngleOfRotation [true/false]
Allows users to rotate any object in 45 degree increments. Use the < and > (, and .) keys to rotate the objects; clicking and dragging to rotate will only rotate in 90 degree increments.
Sims may have problems using some objects placed at a 45 degree angle, like televisions and appliances. Plan for objects placed at an angle to be purely decorative.

boolProp quarterTilePlacementEnabled [true/false]
Allows objects to be placed in quarter tile increments. It is recommended that you put this cheat in your userstartup.cheat file, as the cheat itself is inactive in-game until you toggle it in build/buy mode with CTRL+F. A deprecated alias of the cheat which doesn't work in userstartup.cheat file is setQuarterTilePlacement [on/off].

boolProp lockTiles [true/false]
Set to false to place floor tiles at the very edge of the lot and to change the tiles of the road and sidewalks.

BATCH OBJECT DELETION

deleteAllFences
Remove all fences from the lot. You must be in build mode to use this cheat.

deleteAllWalls
Remove all walls from the lot. You must be in build mode to use this cheat.

deleteAllHalfWalls
Remove all half-walls from the lot. You must be in build mode to use this cheat.

deleteAllAwnings
Remove all awnings from the lot. You must be in build mode to use this cheat.

deleteAllObjects [doors/windows/stairs]
Removes all build mode objects of the chosen type from the lot. You must be in build mode to use this cheat.

ROOFING

roofSlopeAngle [15 - 75]
Adjust angle of all roofs on the lot. Values 15 - 75 seem to equate to the angle in degrees.

individualRoofSlopeAngle [15 - 75]
Similar to the roofSlopeAngle cheat, this cheat allows you to change individual pieces of roof, separate from the other roof parts. To use, first build the roof. Then enter the cheat. Acceptable values are 15 - 75 (degrees). While the roof tool is still selected, hold down CTRL and ALT and click on the the section of roof that you want to change. The roof will change angles.
This cheat was broken when Pets shipped - you could change the angle but it would not save with the lot. You must download and install the Pets Patch for it to save properly. This cheat is no longer necessary if you own Mansion & Garden Stuff.

TERRAIN

boolProp constrainFloorElevation [true/false]
Toggles the ability to change the elevation of floor tiles in areas that already have walls, floors, and foundations on them.

boolProp lotTerrainPaints [true/false]
Set to false to turn off viewing terrain paints (ground cover) on the lot. This cheat does not appear to remove them, just makes them invisible.

boolProp lotWater [true/false]
Set to false to remove water (ponds) on the lot.

OTHER

boolProp showCatalogEPFlags [true/false]
When you click on an object in the Build/Buy catalog, a purple text line at the bottom of the object description will show you which EP or SP the selected object came with.

setHighestAllowedLevel [5 - 16]
Sets the amount of floors allowed (so you can build higher). You cannot go higher than 16 or the game will crash.
The Dormer Trick: If you do not have any expansions (you only own the base game) OR if this cheat does not function for you (it appears to work only occasionally or not at all in later expansions) then you can try the following trick: Build up to the highest level you can. On that top level, place a dormer (they're in with the roofs and such). This will let you build one more level up. Put a wall or something up on that next level. Remove the dormer (CTRL-click and drag with the wall tool, remove roofs). Continue building on your new level.

Movie/Picture/Graphics Cheats

These cheats may be of use to you if you are taking pictures, creating stories with the game, making movies (machinima), or otherwise trying to create a nicer appearance. If you are looking for more items that may be helpful in this area, see: Content List: Hacks and Hacked Objects: Pictures, Movies, Stories, and Poses.

POST-PROCESSING EFFECTS

boolProp enablePostProcessing [true/false]
Enables the use of postprocessing cheats described below. You must have a video card that can handle pixel shaders in order to successfully use this cheat. If you use the cheats and you don't have pixel shaders, the screen will most likely go partially dark, and will not come back until you turn off enablePostProcessing. If you turn on postprocessing, and you turn on cinematics, and a cinematic plays, you may also experience unwanted graphical glitches.
This cheat will immediately degrade graphical performance when enabled, even if you do not add any of the further postprocessing cheats. A sudden and dramatically-reduced framerate when enabling this cheat is normal.

bloom [R G B X]
Adds a blur effect, like a sitcom flashback moment, with a tint if you so choose. Acceptable values are from 0.0 - 1.0. To calculate RGB value, divide each number by 255. X is the amount of bloom. Must have entered boolProp enablePostProcessing true for this cheat to work.

vignette [centerX centerY X]
Adds a blur effect from the specified center. Using "vignette 0.5 0.5 0.5" should put some blurry bits at the edge of the screen. "vignette 0.5 0.5 1.0" will give the maximum edge blurryness. Acceptable values are from 0.0 - 1.0. X is the amount of vignetting effect to apply. Must have entered boolProp enablePostProcessing true for this cheat to work.

filmGrain [0.0 - 1.0]
This cheat makes the screen grainy. Must have entered boolProp enablePostProcessing true for this cheat to work.

letterBox [0.0 - 1.0]
Adds a letterbox effect to the view. Must have entered boolProp enablePostProcessing true for this cheat to work.

PLUMBBOB AND THOUGHT BUBBLES VISIBILITY

plumbbobtoggle
Toggles display of the plumbbob. Will not work in a userstartup.cheat file; must be entered in-game.

showHeadlines [on/off]
Removes thought and speech balloons as well as relationship gain/loss graphics. Will not work in a user startup cheat file; must be entered in-game.

SHADERS AND BUMP MAPPING

boolProp useShaders [true/false]

Toggles the use of graphics shaders. This is required to view bump mapping, and also controls other graphical options in the game including visible fish in the fish tank and in ponds (with EP5: Seasons) and clearer/prettier pool water effects. Turning it off can also help the nVidia blue screen issue. For more information, see: Bump Maps and Shaders. Some graphics cards cannot handle this option - turn it back off if you have problems.

boolProp bumpMapping [true/false]
Toggles the use of bump maps, a graphics effect that can add details to many items in the game, including walls, floors, clothing, and more. For more information, see: Bump Maps and Shaders. Some graphics cards cannot handle this option - turn it back off if you have problems.

OTHER

setLotLightingFile [filename]
Allows the player to create a new lighting file with specific lot lighting values. Used to make special light settings per lot.

slowMotion [0 - 8]
Use to slow down the game speed to aid in capturing a picture at just the right moment. 0 is normal speed, 8 is slowest.

floatProp particleDensity [0.0 - 10.0]
Sets different particle density (special effects, such as green stink clouds over dirty plates, werewolf transformation effects, and others). 1.0 is default, 0.0 is no visible particles. The maximum value entered isn't actually limited to 10.0, but there isn't really a visible difference past 10.0, and the frame rate might drop depending on your system.

boolProp debugCinematics [true/false]
If set to true, disables automated camera manipulation during special event cutscenes. The special animations and music of the cutscenes will still play, but the user's screen won't switch to "movie mode," and the camera will remain controllable during the cutscene.

intProp censorGridSize [0 - 9]

Sets number of mosaic tiles in a censor grid covering a Sim's body when they are naked or using the washroom. By setting the size to 0, this cheat will remove the censor blur altogether. This cheat is only functional in the Base Game and unpatched University. If you patch University or have later expansions, this cheat is disabled. For how to disable the blur in those cases, see: Game Help:Disable Censor Blur.

boolProp displayPaths [true/false]
Set to true to see the path where the selected sim walks to.

boolProp displayLookAtBoxes [true/false]
Set to true and blocks appear on sims faces and on parts where sims are looking.

Neighborhood Cheats

Cheats that change the neighborhood view.

TERRAIN

terrainType [desert/temperate/dirt/concrete]
Change the neighborhood's terrain type. You will have to exit the neighborhood (by entering another one) and return to it before your changes will be visible. Only seems to work for the whole neighborhood when changing to desert. Entering any other type reverts to grass except for lots themselves, but not the neighborhood terrain.

modifyNeighborhoodTerrain [on/off]
Edit the neighborhood terrain. Put your cursor over the area you want to lower or raise (click and drag for a larger area), and press [ or ] to lower or raise by one click. Press \ to level the terrain. To smooth terrain, highlight the target area and press P.

boolProp displayNeighborhoodRoadsWithModel [true/false]
Toggle bridges showing up in neighborhood.

boolProp displayLotImposters [true/false]
Toggles buildings showing up in neighborhood.

boolProp displayNeighborhoodWater [true/false]
Toggles display of water in neighborhood.

boolProp displayNeighborhoodFlora [true/false]
Toggles display of trees and plants in neighborhood.

boolProp displayNeighborhoodRoads [true/false]
Toggles display of roads in neighborhood.

boolProp displayNeighborhoodProps [true/false]
Toggles display of neighborhood props like rocks and towers in neighborhood.

boolProp carsCompact [true/false]
Toggles detail level of cars in neighborhood.

boolProp carsOnRight [true/false]
Toggles cars driving on left/right in neighborhood view.

LOTS AND LOT VIEW

boolProp lotTerrainLighting [true/false]
Toggle lots lighting up when selected.

boolProp dontMergeNHFlora [true/false]
When set to false will display more neighborhood objects/decorations while in lot view.

uintProp lotSkirtSizeIncrease [1 - 120]
Sets the size of neighboring terrain surrounding the lot whilst in lot view. When set to 120, the entire neighborhood (including world edges) will be visible, together with neighborhood decorations and lot impostors if those are set to be visible.

boolProp showLotPackageFilename [true/false]
Toggles display of lot's filename when lot is highlighted in neighborhood.

OTHER

boolProp cameraNeighborhoodFlythroughEnabled [true/false]
If set to false, disables the intro flythrough that occurs when you visit neighborhoods named Pleasantview, Strangetown, Veronaville, Riverblossom Hills, Desiderata Valley, Belladona Cove, Sedona, Europa and maybe others. To completely disable the flythrough, put the cheat ending with false in your userstartup.cheat file.

changeNeighborhoodType [primary/university/downtown/suburb/asia/mountains/tropics]
Changes the type of the neighborhood or subhood. For a tutorial on how to create a subhood which further explains the use of this cheat, follow this link.
You must have the EP associated with a type of subhood to change to that type. You will get an error if you try to change a primary neighborhood with an attached subhood to any kind of subhood. The game must be booted in debug mode. You must create a file named userStartup.cheat in your "Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Config" folder, which contains the line: "boolProp testingCheatsEnabled true".

Gameplay Cheats

Cheats that make the game easier, or change the way you play somehow.

MONEY

motherlode
Adds 50,000 Simoleons to the current family's funds.

kaching
Adds 1000 Simoleons to the current family's funds.

familyFunds "[familyname]" [amount]
Sets the chosen family's funds to the given level. Addition and subtraction of the desired amount is achieved by placing + or - before the amount. If the family name doesn't have a space in it, you can omit the "quotes." If there are two or more families with the same family name in one neighborhood, only the most recently founded family will be affected by the cheat.

money [amount]
Sets the currently loaded family's funds to the given level. Addition and subtraction of the desired amount is achieved by placing + or - before the amount. Essentially works the same as the familyfunds cheat above, just for the current family. Your game may have to be booted in debug mode, by having the line boolProp testingCheatsEnabled true present in the userstartup.cheat file.

TIME PROGRESSION AND AGING

aging [on/off]
Disables aging for all sims on the lot, including children and babies. Also pauses any current pregnancies.

setHour [0 - 23]
Sets the hour of the day.

boolProp disablePuppyKittenAging [true/false]
Toggle aging for puppies and kittens. Does not work on adult animals.

agesimscheat [on/off]
Enables "Set Age" when clicking on a sim, which will let you easily change their age group (and allow you to de-age them as well) The "Set Age" interaction will also appear on all objects until you turn off the cheat.

bugJarTimeDecay [on/off]
Set to off to make fireflies and butterflies captured in jars live forever. If you use this cheat in your Userstartup.cheat, make sure it the last cheat entered. Doing otherwise will break your userstartup.cheat.

HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT - SELECTABILITY AND CONTROL

boolProp petActionCancel [true/false]
Allows the user to cancel queued actions of household pets, apartment roommates, and the accompanying party on vacations.

boolProp controlPets [true/false]
Allows the user to control household pets, apartment roommates, and the accompanying party on vacations the same way regular household Sims are controlled.

boolProp petsFreeWill [true/false]
Toggle free will for household pets, apartment roommates, and the accompanying party on vacations.

addneighborToFamilyCheat [on/off]
Enables an interaction on non-controllable Sims to add them to your family.

MOTIVES

maxMotives
Maxes the motive bars of all sims currently on the lot (controllable and uncontrollable).

motiveDecay [on/off]
Stops/Starts motive decay for all sims currently on the lot.

ASPIRATION

lockAspiration [on/off]
Stops aspiration decay/gain.

aspirationPoints [amount]
Assigns the chosen aspiration points to the currently selected sim to buy aspiration reward objects. Does not effect the sim's aspiration level.

aspirationLevel [0 - 5]
Effects the currently selected sim's aspiration level. 0 will drop them into the red, 5 will put them in platinum. Does not effect their pool of aspiration points to buy aspiration reward objects.

OTHER

forceTwins
When a Sim is pregnant, this Sim has to be selected and the cheat entered. The Sim will deliver twins when they give birth.

unlockCareerRewards
The currently selected Sim immediately gains access to all career reward objects in the catalog.

faceBlendLimits [on/off]
Toggles facial bounding limitations. Set to off to remove the normal corrections the game will make for two parents with very different facial structures.

intProp maxNumOfVisitingSims [number]
Allows you to have a decent-sized party, instead of just being able to invite two sims. You may have to leave and re-enter the lot or enter this cheat in the neighborhood screen before entering the lot to be able to invite more party guests.

Game Options as Cheats

Certain options that can usually be accessed through game's graphics and gameplay settings can also be modified in the form of cheat codes.

floatProp tvVolume [0.0 - 1.0]
Allows you to change the volume of the television. A good low level is 0.2.

boolProp nhoodWaterReflection [true/false]
Toggles reflection on water in neighborhood view.

boolProp reflectionWithExtraViewer [true/false]
Toggle reflection on mirrors.

boolProp renderInsideObjectOnlyOnSelectedSimLevel [true/false]
Toggle showing objects only on the level the currently selected sim is on (refered to as object hiding in the game's graphical options).

boolProp objectShadows [true/false]
Toggles display of shadows from objects outside the house.

boolProp guob [true/false]
Toggles display of shadows from objects inside the house.

boolProp simShadows [true/false]
Toggles display of shadows from sims.

vsync [on/off]
Draws display frames vertically instead of horizontally. Set to off to slightly improve graphics performance, but you may experience graphics glitches, depending on your graphics card.

boolProp cameraDriftCamEnabled [true/false]
Toggles camera movement when idle in neighborhood view.

Miscellaneous Cheats

These are cheats that didn't fit into any other category.

CHEAT CONSOLE-SPECIFIC

help
Displays a partial list of cheats with descriptions in the cheat console.

help [cheatname]
Displays information about a cheat.

exit or the ESC key
Closes the cheat window.

expand or x
Expand the cheat window so you can see more lines. Typing it again will shrink the window again.

clear
Clears the cheat log from the expanded cheat window. Any cheats entered will still be in effect.

SIMS-SPECIFIC

stretchSkeleton [0.0 - 2.0]
Use to stretch or squash your sims to change their height. 1.0 is normal. Sims will revert to their default heights upon exiting the lot.
This cheat is fairly limited in usefulness. It's okay if you would like shorter or taller sims, but you cannot change anyone too much or the animations will start to look wrong. Try values of 0.8 or 0.9 for a short sim, and values of 1.1 or 1.2 for a tall sim - much more in either direction and things will start to look weird when sims interact with each other and objects. You must use SimPE to make their height changes permanent. Information on doing so can be found here. When used on pets, causes severe graphical artifacts (for example, broken tongues).

boolProp renderSelectedSimLevel [true/false]
Set to true and walls will no longer cut away from selected sim.

deleteAllCharacters [true/false]
Highly discouraged from using! Deletes all Sims, including NPCs and townies from the neighborhood, and causes irreversible neighborhood corruption.
Not for use on played, inhabited neighborhoods! It has also been reported that this cheat causes problems with later expansions. If you would like to create a new, clean neighborhood, use the method described here instead: Creating a Clean Custom Neighborhood

OTHER

loadLot [lotName] [optional: family name]
Loads a lot and optionally moves a family into the lot.
The game must be booted in debug mode. You must create a file named userStartup.cheat in your "Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Config" folder, which contains the line: "boolProp testingCheatsEnabled true".

boolProp allObjectLightsOn [true/false]
Set to true to light up objects continuously instead of only when used.

*Advanced*

Warning! This cheat is for advanced users, and improper use of it may cause problems in the game.

boolProp testingCheatsEnabled [true/false]
This cheat provides the user with the ability to interact with objects in a different way, by accessing hidden interactions primarily used by game developers for testing. Sims' motives, skill levels, relationship bars, personality and interest points, and hobby levels are now draggable by mouse. Shift+clicking on many objects now reveals hidden interactions used for testing. (For example, you can shift-click on a vacant apartment door and select Rent Furnished Apartment.) Some interactions accessible this way don't appear to do anything (Dump Happy Log). Some interactions may cause mild to severe problems with Sims, or the game (For example, Give Dead Token, or adding Grim Reaper to the active household.) Ctrl+clicking on Sims' wants and fears fulfills them and properly awards Sims with aspiration boost and aspiration points. Object errors will now produce a dialog box asking the user to Cancel (attempt to ignore error), Reset or Delete the object that encountered an error from the lot (as if you deleted the object/Sim using moveObjects in buy mode). Without the cheat active, this would silently Reset the object, resulting in a "jump bug." The cheat itself doesn't cause errors; it just shows you errors that were happening anyway.
A guide to the testing cheats is available at: Game Help:Testing Cheats.

Related Links

• Game Help:Cheat Box Won't Appear
• Game Help:Userstartup.cheat