The Sims 4 is known for its expansive customization, and while most players think first about furniture, clothing, and home design, there is also a surprising amount of content that can be personalized with text. These text-based customizations allow players to inject personality, storytelling, and humor into their Sims’ lives in creative ways. Here’s a detailed look at all the things you can customize with text in The Sims 4.

1. Sim Names

The most obvious text customization is naming your Sims. First names, last names, and even nicknames (through mods or cheats) can reflect culture, humor, or narrative. You can name newborns manually or let the game generate names for you.

2. Lot Names

When you build or edit a home or community lot, you can give it a custom name. This is especially useful for roleplaying neighborhoods, themed builds, or when sharing lots on the Gallery. A simple family home can become “The Willow Retreat” or “Sunset Bungalow” with a bit of creativity.

3. Household Descriptions

In the Manage Households screen, players can write descriptions for their Sims. These are often overlooked, but they’re perfect for storytelling. You can write short biographies, dramatic summaries, or even joke entries to entertain players browsing your Gallery uploads.

4. Lot Descriptions

Every lot can be given a custom description. Whether you’re creating a haunted mansion or a futuristic nightclub, this description helps set the tone. It’s another spot to expand the narrative or add humor when uploading to the Gallery.

5. Club Names and Descriptions (Get Together)

With the Get Together expansion, players can create Clubs with custom names and detailed descriptions. You can use this space to define the club’s mission, attitude, or quirky behavior. Whether it’s a serious literary society or a silly llama worship group, you’re in charge of the tone.

6. Retail, Vet, and Restaurant Names (Get to Work, Cats & Dogs, Dine Out)

Business-owning Sims can name their retail stores, vet clinics, and restaurants. These names appear on the signage and UI, offering great opportunity for wordplay, branding, or storytelling.

7. Custom Paintings with Descriptions (via Paint from Reference)

Using the “Paint from Reference” feature, Sims can create paintings of in-game scenes. Once finished, you can rename the painting and write a short description. This is a fun way to create keepsakes, inside jokes, or gallery-worthy art collections.

8. Books Written by Sims

Sims who reach higher levels of the Writing skill can author books. You name the book and write a short summary for it. This feature is perfect for storytelling, humor, or referencing pop culture. Some players create entire libraries of themed works.

9. Song Titles (City Living)

Musical Sims can write and license songs. You get to name each song they write, whether it’s a haunting violin piece or an upbeat guitar jam. This feature adds depth to musical careers and lets you personalize their artistic journey.

10. Video Station Content (Get Famous)

Sims using the Video Station can record vlogs, beauty tips, or gadget reviews. Each video must be named and can include a short description. This mimics real-world content creation and allows you to give your Sim their own brand.

11. Social Media Updates (City Living)

While less extensive, Sims with a strong social media presence can post status updates. These don’t use direct player-entered text, but you do choose the type of message, which affects their fame and relationships.

12. Holiday Names and Traditions (Seasons)

When creating custom holidays, you can name them anything you like. You also choose their associated activities and icons. This helps you craft personalized celebrations such as “Spooky Friday” or “Neighborhood Cookout.”

13. Spell Names (Realm of Magic with Mods)

With certain mods, you can create and name your own spells, curses, or alchemical concoctions. This extends the magical storytelling potential and adds more identity to spellcaster Sims.

14. Neighborhood Stories and Save File Naming

When saving your game, you can name the save file anything you want. This can help organize legacy families, challenges, or themed neighborhoods. Some players also write accompanying notes in external files or screenshots to track events.

15. In-Game Notes or Journals (with Mods or CC)

Some custom content and mods add journal systems or notepads where you can write and store entries. These are great for players who like immersive gameplay or keeping track of Sim drama.

Conclusion

The Sims 4 may be best known for its visual customization, but its text-based personalization options offer a rich layer of creativity. From naming pets and places to crafting fictional stories and digital content, the text elements in The Sims 4 give players another canvas to tell stories, add humor, or immerse themselves more deeply in their game world. Whether you’re a builder, storyteller, or casual player, there are countless ways to leave your personal stamp in Simlish.