The programming skill lets a Sim become a coder or a hacker on the computer. The skill allows Sims to make additional money without having to join a career. Even if the Sim does join a career, the programming skill will add additional income for the Sim.
Quick Navigation
Creating a Programmer Sim
When creating a Sim that will master the programming skill, it is important to know if the Sim is going to be a full-time programmer or if the Sim is going to program as part of a career. Knowing this information will help determine what traits, aspirations, and goals will help the Sim in the future.
Picking Traits
The best traits for a Sim that will pursue the programming skill are:
- Genius
The genius trait provides Sims with a random focused Moodlet.
There are a few childhood traits that help the Sim with building the skill. These include:
- Mentally Gifted – 25% faster in creative skills
- Happy Toddler – 10% faster in all skills
- Top Notch Toddler – 25% faster in all skills
Reward traits are also another great method when trying to build the skill. The best reward traits are:
- Morning Sim – 25% faster skill gains between 5 am – 12 pm
- Nigh Owl – 25% faster skill gains between 8 pm – 3 am
- Savant – 25% faster skill gain in all skills
Lot traits are another good way to build the skill quickly. The best lot trait for building the painting skill is:
- Fast Internet – 50% skill gains
Picking Aspirations
The best aspirations for this trait include:
- Computer Wiz
- Renaissance Sim
The Computer Wiz aspiration requires the programming skill to progress. It is perfect for a Sim young adult and older. The benefits of this aspiration include:
- Quick Learner Trait – 10% faster gains in all skills
Picking Careers
The best careers for Sims with the programming skill are the ones where the skill is needed to progress. These careers include:
- Criminal Oracle Branch – Level 8
- Freelancer Programmer – Level 10
- Tech Guru – Level 10
Programming Skill Overview
The programming skill is more difficult to master because of the lack of traits to get a Sim focused. It comes with several benefits in all of the skill levels. The programming skill is one the the skills in the game the developers seemed to have put in a lot of effort.
The programming skill description:
Almost like speaking a second language in today’s world, programming is becoming more and more essential. Get ahead by learning to make machines do your bidding!
Programming is done on the computer. Increasing this skill will allow Sims to create Plugins, Games, Mods, and Mobile Phone Apps. Sims will also be able to Hack on the Computer!
Sims will also get a notification when they use the skill for the first time. The notification says:
[Sim’s Name]’s new skill in Programming will allow him/her to Hack and Practice Programming. The higher the level of the skill, the more Hacking opportunities will emerge.
Ideal Emotions
The ideal emotion for the programming skill is Focused. This breakdown will show how positive emotions affect the skill:
| Emotion | Faster by |
|---|---|
| Confident | 20% |
| Very Confident | 40% |
| Focused | 40% |
| Very Focused | 60% |
| Happy | 20% |
| Very Happy | 40% |
There are also some emotions the Sim should avoid when trying to build the skill. These include:
| Mood | Slower by |
|---|---|
| Angry | 20% |
| Very Angry | 40% |
| Enraged | 60% |
| Bored | 20% |
| Dazed | 50% |
| Sad | 20% |
| Very Sad | 40% |
| Tense | 20% |
| Very Tense | 40% |
| Uncomfortable | 20% |
| Very Uncomfortable | 40% |
Objects that Build the Skill
- Computer – Levels 1 -10
- Programming Manual – Levels 1 – 6
- Programming Skill Books – Levels 1 – 8
Skill Levels
As the Sim gains new skill levels, they will have access to more programming interaction.
- Level 1
- Computer
- Practice Programming
- Skill Book
- Beginner
- Computer
- Level 2
- Computer
- Make Plugins
- Hack Llamacorn Listserv
- Computer
- Level 3
- Computer
- Mod Games
- Hack Lothario Trust Fund
- Computer
- Level 4
- Computer
- Make Viruses
- Hack School Grades (teen only)
- Skill Book
- Intermediate
- Computer
- Level 5
- Computer
- Perform Side Jobs
- Hack Landgraab Systems
- Computer
- Level 6
- Computer
- Hack Work Performance
- Computer
- Level 7
- Computer
- Make Mobile Phone Apps
- Hack National Sims Security Agency
- Skill Book
- Advanced
- Computer
- Level 8
- Computer
- Better at Hacking (does nothing special)
- Computer
- Level 9
- Computer
- Make Computer Games
- Hack PlumBook
- Computer
- Level 10
- Computer
- Hack Supercomputer
- Hack Crumplebottom Servers
- Computer
Whims
The whims for this skill are focused around getting the Sim to programming. The skill comes with a decent amount of whims compared with other skills.
| Whim | Points |
|---|---|
| Buy a New Computer | 50 |
| Complete a Side Job on the Computer | 75 |
| Create a Computer Virus | 50 |
| Create a Mobile App | 75 |
| Create a Plugin | 50 |
| Earn 100 from Programming | 50 |
| Become Focused | 50 |
| Try to Hack Something | 25 |
| Hack Something Successfully | 50 |
| Hack School Grades | 50 |
| Play a Modded Computer Game | 25 |
| Practice Programming | 10 |
| Practice Programming for an Hour | 50 |
| Sell 3 Mobile Apps | 75 |
| Level up in Programming Skill | 100 |
| Create a Computer Game | 50 |
| Start Making a New Mobile App | 25 |
Moodlets
The programmin skill comes with a few new Moodlets. They include:
| Moodlet | Description |
|---|---|
| Confident +2 4 hours | Feeling Accomplished (From Making A Plugin) Those programming skills are starting to pay off! |
| Confident +2 4 hours (Evil Sims Only) | Feeling Devious (From Making a Virus) All those poor computers that will get infected. It’s beautiful! |
| Confident +2 4 hours | Job Well Done You’re becoming a hot commodity in the freelance programming game. |
| Embarrassed +2 4 hours | Caught Cheating [Sim’s Name]’s wonderful hacking skills got him/her busted. |
| Embarrassed +2 4 hours | Caught Hacking Work Performance [Sim’s Name]’s wonderful hacking skills got him/her busted. |
| Stressed +2 | Brain Fried (From Too Much Programming) Too much time trying to program will really get to a Sim. Take a break! |
Making Money Programming
There are a few ways to make money using the programming skill and these include:
- Making plugins, computer games, viruses, and mobile phone apps
- Hacking
- Completing side jobs
Making Plugins
Plugins are a great way to generate extra income for a Sim. The higher the skill level, the more a Sim will make from plugins.
| Skill Level | Pay |
|---|---|
| 4 | 30-50 |
| 5-7 | 65-100 |
| 8-10 | 130-175 |
Making Viruses
Making viruses is a darker way to generate money. The higher the skill level, the more a Sim will make from viruses.
| Skill Level | Pay |
|---|---|
| 6 | 195-300 |
| 7-10 | 370-505 |
Making Mobile Phone Apps
Mobile apps are way to generate a large amount of money. The higher the skill level, the more a Sim will make from mobile apps. Money is generated over a few days rather than all at once.
| Skill Level | Pay |
|---|---|
| 7-9 | 700-1225 |
| 10 | 2015-2730 |
Making Computer Games
Computer games are way to generate a large amount of money. The higher the skill level, the more a Sim will make. Money is generated over a few days rather than all at once.
| Skill Level | Pay |
|---|---|
| 9-10 | 1350-2635 |
Hacking Normal Servers
Hacking allows Sims to generate small amounts of money in a short period of time. Each server the Sim hacks has a cool down time. The cool down time for each server is 24 Sim hours.
There are a few ways Sims can generate more money from hacking these include:
- Patched In Moodlet – available from hacking the mainframe while in the Oracle branch of the criminal career
- IP Spoofer – computer upgrade available at level 9 handiness
The higher the programming, the quicker the Sim is able to hack the server. This table shows the time it takes to hack each server at the Sim’s skill level:
| Server/Level | Time to Hack (minutes) |
|---|---|
| Llamacorn Listserv | |
| 2-3 | 96-120 |
| 4-6 | 90-120 |
| 7-9 | 60-90 |
| 10 | 45-60 |
| Lothario Trust Fund | |
| 3 | 112-140 |
| 4-6 | 90-120 |
| 7-9 | 60-90 |
| 10 | 45-60 |
| Landgraab Systems | |
| 5-6 | 120-180 |
| 7-9 | 90-120 |
| 10 | 60-90 |
| National Sims Security Agency | |
| 7-9 | 90-120 |
| 10 | 60-90 |
| PlumBook | |
| 9 | 120-180 |
| 10 | 90-120 |
| Crumplebottom Servers | |
| 10 | 90-120 |
The table below details the payout for each server:
| Server/Level | Payout |
|---|---|
| Llamacorn Listserv | |
| 2-4 | 20-50 |
| 5-7 | 60-95 |
| 8-10 | 120-185 |
| Lothario Trust Fund | |
| 3-5 | 35-60 |
| 6-8 | 90-140 |
| 9-10 | 165-245 |
| Landgraab Systems | |
| 5-7 | 75-120 |
| 8-10 | 165-260 |
| National Sims Security Agency | |
| 7-9 | 160-275 |
| 10 | 320-435 |
| PlumBook | |
| 9 | 180-335 |
| 10 | 385-520 |
| Crumplebottom Servers | |
| 10 | 335-705 |
Hacking the Supercomputer
The Supercomputer is a special hacking option that is given when reaching level 10 of the programming career. Unlike the other hacking options, with the supercomputer, there is a chance of failure. To improve the chance of success, a Sim needs to do the following:
- Level 7 Mischief skill
- Focused or Playful Mood
The below table show the details of hacking the supercomputer:
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Time to Hack (Minutes) | 96-120 |
| Payout | 400-840 |
| Cool down | 7 Sim days |
Hacking the supercomputer is risky because if the Sim fails, unless the computer is unbreakable, it will break the computer.
Side Jobs
Side jobs are an additional way for Sims to earn money. The better programming skill the Sim has, the more money the Sim will earn from completing side jobs.
| Skill Level | Payout |
|---|---|
| 6-7 | 150-360 |
| 8-10 | 325-800 |
The Sims Circus 