Sims 4 May 28 patch notes: DirectX 11 preview, performance improvements, and general bug fixes

After the announcement of a new laundry list, fans have eagerly awaited the next Sims 4 update. Fortunately, the wait wasn’t too long with the Sims 4 May 28 patch notes. We’re here to show what to expect with this update, from a DirectX 11 preview to gameplay fixes.

Sims 4 May 28 patch changes, explained

According to the Sims 4 May 28 patch notes, players can opt-in for a DirectX 11 preview to improve overall performance and graphics quality. This enhancement is a direct response to the multiple gameplay issues players have reported. However, you may still encounter problems with mods. To ensure the success of this update, Maxis Studios suggests turning off all mods altogether.

The complete DirectX 11 experience will be available later, as it is currently in a testing phase. This ensures that when it becomes officially available, it will be a stable and reliable addition to your Sims 4 gameplay. You can check to see if this feature is accessible on your device via the DirectX 11 Sims 4 thread.

Even if you aren’t opting for the DirectX 11 feature, the new Sims 4 update offers additional performance improvements. In particular, the game will now use less memory to boost frame rates and reduce crashing. Loading into lots should also go by much quicker to get you Simming instantly.

Other bug fixes mentioned in the early laundry list have made their official debut. For instance, campfires won’t be as deadly as before, given that they previously had a much higher percentage of burning nearby objects. The focus has shifted to Fireworks, where fires can possibly occur when ignited.

Although there have been some rumors regarding daily log-in rewards, this Sims 4 patch does not include this mechanic. This potential feature will provide new items to avid Simmers and may debut soon. The game’s start section hints at its arrival in the next week or so, so stay tuned for this latest development.

For the complete list of changes from Sims 4 May 28 patch notes, here’s what to expect:

Sims 4 May 28 patch notes

Bug Fixes & Updates

Base Game

• Oh you thought you could hide, dishes? We will find you and we will wash you. Dishes left in corners will no longer be ignored when cleaning up. 
• Begone weeds! Plants won’t grow weeds when Out of Season. If a plant has them when it becomes Out of Season, the weeds will be removed until it’s In Season again.
• Campfires will stop causing so many fires on the lot. Campfire spreadfire was triggering a 50% chance every 10 sim-minutes to burn objects other than chairs in the area. We removed that to only focus on when Fireworks trigger (which we all know is the real danger).
• “A Trash Can Is Required“ message will no longer display when trash cans are present on the active lot. Get that garbage outta here. 
• Skills will not randomly increase or change when leaving the lot or editing the household. If your Sim knows, they know.
• The skills list is arranged in alphabetical order and my eye will no longer twitch when looking at it.
• TS4 Packs are listed in the right order in the Build/Buy filter. Get back in line For Rent, Home Chef Hustle and Crystal Creations!
• Careers will no longer have a blank daily task menu.
• Summon Grilled Cheese interaction will no longer drop from the interaction queue.
• Sim will no longer get stuck in the ground and continue to Swim Laps if the pool is removed in the middle of it. Because physics. Now the Sim will reset. Because magic.
• Calendar notification light will remain on after traveling. No forgetting those important events.
• Customizable pronouns were adjusted to appear correctly on a few of the Romantic Relationship phone calls and will no longer display improper usage like “ask their out.”
• Sims can properly merge or move households with NPC Sims “not in world“; the merge/move button is now accessible. It’s all about bringing families together! 

Console

• After switching to build mode from world map a red bar will no longer display in the upper right corner.

Performance

• We’ve made some optimizations so the game uses less memory. You may experience fewer crashes, better frame rate, and/or more responsive simulation.
• We’ve improved the lot load process so it should happen a bit faster.

Cats & Dogs / City Living

Small dogs, puppies, and kittens will properly use the elevator to go downstairs from Penthouses. They can finally go potty! Poor little things.

Cottage Living

Hatchable and spoiled eggs will now remain visible in the Chicken coop whenever the Sim travels to the lot.

Dine Out

• ‘Order For Table’ interaction will properly clear from the interaction queue after the waiter delivers food to the table.
• Home Chef Hustles players can now add Waffles to the Restaurant Menu. More menu additions to come.  

DirectX 11 Preview

• DirectX 11 is available on The Sims 4 on an opt-in basis and will be rolled out fully in a later update for Simmers running Windows. If you opt to run The Sims 4 using DirectX 11, you will potentially experience enhanced game performance and graphics quality. This update is designed to increase the overall gaming experience, with improved rendering capabilities that will allow for more details and immersive environments in future releases! We would appreciate your feedback and any issues you experience on our DirectX 11 Answers HQ thread.
  • Simmers running Windows and have DirectX 11 compatible hardware can now enter the argument -dx11 into the EA App or Steam to switch to using this renderer. You will be able to see which DirectX version The Sims 4 is using in your game version information displayed in the bottom right corner of the Main Menu.
    • You can find all the information you need to check if your PC is DirectX 11 compatible and learn how to enter launch arguments for both EA App and Steam here.
  • While DirectX 11 is available for those Simmers who want to try it, you may experience visual issues with mods so we recommend disabling all mods while using this command line argument.

Eco Lifestyle

• Nose rings will no longer break when paired with brow piercings from this pack.

For Rent

• Property Ownership of “Tam Nang Sands“ lot will be recognized in the owned rental tab.
• “Unpleasant Surroundings“ Moodlet no longer triggered from the Pressure cooker and Kettle.
• Tourist location icons will now appear correctly when hovering over the Tomarang world select screen.

Gallery Server

• All profanity filter false positive reports sent to us via  The Sims 4 Gallery Profanity Filter Feedback survey up to May 1st have been reviewed and changes implemented. We appreciate all the reports and responses and will continue to update our systems based on your feedback.
• Non-anonymous Gallery users appearing in the Following and Followers tabs will once again display the number of Followers each user has.

Get to Work

• Aliens will stop having noticeable changes in facial structure (placement, size, etc) when aging up. No more morph faces.

Growing Together

• The “Had a Baby“ Milestone now triggers from having a Science Baby or giving birth at the hospital rabbithole.

High School Years

• Teens cannot send flirty messages on Social Bunny to adults or household family members.
• After a teen high school Sim completes all tasks and aces exams, they will also be promoted to a better grade. They’ve earned it!

Horse Ranch

• We all know how cute they are, but Sims will no longer autonomously want to buy mini goats (causing the UI to pop up).
• Nectar value is now properly increased when selling to the mysterious rancher.
• Horses will no longer get stuck while sleeping too close to the Horse training ball.

Island Living

• Mermaid Conservationists can now complete the “Snorkel in Mua Pel’am“ job task.

Seasons

• During winter, the weeding animation will no longer repeat and the Sim will actually remove all the weeds surrounding the plants. Checkmate weeds!