In The Sims 4, Sims can sometimes act mean towards others without a clear reason. This behavior can be influenced by certain traits that some Sims have, such as being mean-spirited or hot-headed.
These traits affect how your Dimd interact with others and how their relationships develop in the game.
However, if your Sims don’t have any of these traits that would make them naturally mean, there could be other factors contributing to their behavior.
How do I stop my Sims from being mean to each other?
Disable the Roughhousing Encouraged NAP
If Sims autonomously perform mean actions and you have Eco-Lifestyle installed, check if the Roughhousing Encouraged NAP is active in your neighborhood. This Neighborhood Action Plan encourages Sims to be mean and rude towards other Sims and start random fights.
Check your mailbox to see if this NAP is active. Use cheats to disable and stop Sims from being mean to each other.
Check if mods are to blame
If you have MC Command Center installed, check if you’ve left Autonomous Mean Interactions on. If this option is active, your Sims will autonomously use mean interactions and insult other Sims.
My Personality Pack (Slice of Life) has a hidden buff that encourages Sims to start random fights, insult other Sims, or talk down to people.
Click on the Slice of Life menu, go to the Control Panel, and disable this feature to prevent your Sims from being mean and getting into random brawls all the time.
Evil Sims are mean by nature
If your Sim likes Mischief and they have the Evil trait, they’ll perform all sorts of Mean and Mischief actions on their own. Being mean and rude is in their nature.
If you want to avoid this type of behavior, you can disable Autonomy. This will prevent them from doing things on their own.
Sims that are feeling Angry or Tense tend to be mean toward other Sims. When they’re in a bad mood it seems they want to drag others along.
Random brawls in Windenburg
Mean interactions and random brawls are quite common in Windenburg. Sims will suddenly start fights with other townies for no reason. This happens by design.
Even if your Sim doesn’t have any evil or mischief traits, they’ll often get dragged into random brawls while visiting Windenburg. Townies will attack your Sims randomly, especially in the old town area.
This behavior is written in the game code as “situation_autonomous_OpenStreet_brawl” and “buff_NPC_VeryAngry”.
This code makes NPCs head straight for your Sims and attack them even if they’re busy with other activities.
Mean interactions will turn relationships sour. Even if your Sim apologizes and uses friendly interactions, it will take time until they manage to fix broken relationships.
Note: This guide was updated in June 2023.