- Predictably, I am running out of empty lots, so may first question is: is there a mod with which you can move lots around (plenty of unused space) and, above all, make new ones? I never heard anyone mention it so I guess not, but I'd still like to check.

- I built the community pool the way I always did in older games, with a small bar, some chess tables, a hot tub, etc. Townies came to swim, play chess and soak, but no barista. I changed the lot to "generic": still no barista and no townies either; finally changed it back.

- I made a couple of other "generic lots" with what you might call mixed functionality and nobody, except my Sims, ever visited them. What is "generic" good for?

Usually my answer would be no, you're stuck with the lots in the world. There's no way to move around lots or increases lots. No Create a World tool for Sims 4. That said, I've recently heard that some people have figured out a way to copy the terrain from neighborhoods and make their own worlds. I don't know how or where to find those sort of modifications though.

Disclaimer, I'm no expert, nor a modder. But I've formed some ideas of how it works, out of my playing of the game. I might be wrong though.

As far as I know, in Sims 4, townie AI is dependent on lot classification. If the pool lot doesn't support a barista, the game won't spawn one. Little Ms Sam has some mods that allows you to hire NPC to your lots. One of those might fix the problem.

Same with generic lots. There's no "coding" to tell the game to spawn townies or tell them what to do on such lots. In essence, generic lots are useless. Sure, your Sims can use the facilities, but townies doesn't know "how". Little Ms Sam have mods that allow you to add lot traits and challenges to generic lots that might make townie Sims "do stuff". But I haven't tried that myself.

Great; thank you!

There are empty worlds (with all lots demolished) available, e.g. on CurseForge, and saves with revamped worlds as well, but that is not what I am looking for. I also found Arnie Studio that was abandoned a couple of years ago but restarted in October 2024. Could be what I am looking for, but somebody more experienced should have a look. - I guess I'll have to do demolishing of my own for now.

I quickly found Little Miss Sam; must take a closer look. - BTW, you can hire a mixologist without a mod; it costs 100$. My Sim is, of course, quite well off by now, but it still feels silly.

Indeed, generic lots are good for builds that you "don't" want a lot of sims to visit. I use it for special builds that I only want certain sims to visit without having to use mods to block everyone else (although, there will always be the occasional townie who'll show up eventually, so I may have to use one anyway). For example, I use it to place a "club hall" for certain clubs I've added, and therefore have my club(s) meet there. Another use is for builds that you add just for esthetic reasons. In other words, you don't intend to use them anyway.

They work

So do Chingyu lot traits.


Sims 4 can be a great game but it needs a modding hand or two to make it work.

To auto-spawn employees, like a barista, without using their corresponding lot type (e.g., a cafe for a barista), you can use LittleMsSam’s Auto Employees (Lot Trait) Mod.

Thank you.

When I first played TS4 there were (almost? - I really don't remember) no mods around. Now there is a ton of them and quite a few are real game changers; there are some very good hacks as well. I am slowly learning about them and the few I have are already indispensable.

ETA: I discovered how to make a sandbox. Then I went online and found out that it has been known for years. Now I know how the second man who invented wheel felt.