New patch brings cool skin details and Sims 4 pack tool update
The latest Sims 4 update dropped with a bang and gave players some brand-new tools and fresh customizations. This free patch added realistic new skin details like wrinkles, stretch marks, age spots, rosacea, and freckles that bring even more depth to your Sims. There were also several performance improvements and bug fixes across the board.
But one of the most talked-about additions is the brand-new pack selection tool. It lets players pick which expansions and packs to load into the game. Sounds amazing, right? You can finally turn off that one pack you never use or keep certain interactions from clogging up your gameplay. Whether you’re after a more streamlined experience or want to test mods in a clean setup, it’s supposed to make it all easier.
Unfortunately, this Sims 4 pack tool update has been causing major headaches for many Simmers.
The pack selection tool is glitching hard
In theory, this Sims 4 pack tool update should be a dream feature. Many of us have been disabling packs through the EA app using launch commands, like the method shown by James Turner. Having an in-game option for that seemed like a total win.
But here’s the catch: after disabling packs and confirming your settings, players are getting stuck with a message that reads, “Game data is still loading. Please wait.” And for some, that message never goes away.
One player tested the feature with only a few packs disabled, and everything worked. But when they tried running just the base game, the system broke. The game restarted but only showed a few packs as active, and the loading message sat there for over an hour without changing.
This isn’t a PC issue either. Fast SSD, high-end processor, plenty of RAM, still no luck. EA does give a heads-up not to use the tool on existing saves because it could break them. But even brand-new saves are running into trouble, which makes this tool pretty unreliable right now.
A temporary fix mentioned by Little Simsy involves deleting a specific user settings file from your Sims 4 directory. It’s a bit ironic, though. A feature made to save time is causing even more hassle than the old command line method.
Almost all mods are broken after the patch
As if the Sims 4 pack tool update issues weren’t enough, the patch has also broken nearly every major mod in the game. EA made changes to how injection scripts function, which pretty much nuked compatibility for all mods that rely on them.
If your game is crashing or you’re being kicked back to the world screen, chances are your mods are the issue. Some of the most popular mods not working right now include:
- Wicked Whims
- Tool Mod
- MC Command Center (MCCC)
- Healthcare Redux
It’s frustrating, but mod creators are working hard to fix things. This is not EA’s fault as code changes are normal with updates, and mods will need some time to catch up. Players are encouraged to be kind and not rush or harass creators. These fixes take time and patience.
What players should do now
If you’re planning to use the new pack selection tool of the Sims 4 pack tool update, be cautious. Maybe skip it entirely until EA rolls out a hotfix. For now, sticking to launch command methods to disable packs might save you some big headaches.
And if your game is crashing or your favorite mods are missing, try running the game without mods for a few days until updates roll out. It’s not ideal, but it’ll help you avoid the mess.
The patch gave us some cool skin details and smoother performance, but for many players, it’s overshadowed by bugs and broken mods. Fingers crossed that fixes are on the way soon.
FAQs Sims 4 pack tool update
What does the Sims 4 pack selection tool do?
It lets players choose which expansions and packs to load in-game.
Why is my Sims 4 stuck on “Game data is still loading”?
This is a known glitch when disabling packs with the new tool.
Can I use the pack selection tool on existing saves?
No, EA warns this may cause issues or break saves.
How do I fix the Sims 4 loading issue?
Delete the user settings file in your Sims 4 directory.
Are mods broken after the latest Sims 4 patch?
Yes, most mods using injection scripts are currently not working.
I’m out dawg. I’ve been playing with all those mods since literally day 2 of owning the game. The vanilla game is so buggy and featureless that it’s functionally unplayable. Even with auto update disabled and a computer that’s disconnected from the Internet by default, EA still forced me to accept this garbage patch in order for my game to launch. It feels like they manage to break it a new way every other week. Meanwhile, my other favourite game – manic miners, a labour of love by a single dev that runs like a fucking dream – just got a brand new campaign from the active, non-toxic, non-paywalled mod community. I’ll check back with the sims in like a year or so maybe, if I remember. Absolutely f this.