Maxis, the developer of The Sims 4, accidentally leaked a new feature called “SimSearch.” The team briefly mentioned in a recent Instagram Story that this functionality was in beta. While the post was quickly deleted, a screenshot was captured by the Sims Community. This new feature appears to be an improvement to the game’s Gallery section and is designed to improve how players discover community-created content.
SimSearch leak for The Sims 4: AI-powered search on the way
The Sims 4 Gallery has been available to players since January 2020. This section serves as a central platform for players to upload and share their in-game designs, from characters to houses and rooms. However, as content accumulated and new features were added over time, players began to voice complaints about issues with the platform. Some in the community argue that the Gallery needs a complete overhaul. SimSearch aims to address these complaints.
According to the leak, this feature was set to be released alongside The Sims 4’s November 4th update. This information was included in the German patch notes, released shortly before the now-deleted Instagram post. However, Maxis later edited these patch notes to remove all references to SimSearch from the text. This reinforced speculation that the feature was delayed at the last minute.
The edited German patch notes listed two different modes for SimSearch, both in “experimental beta.” The first mode, “text-to-image,” will use a visual search (likely powered by AI) to find Gallery screenshots that match the images users are searching for. Initially, this search will be limited to single keywords, but this restriction is planned to be lifted in the future.
The second mode, “interlingual search,” will significantly increase accessibility by allowing players to explore content in their native language. These two modes are intended to work together to improve the experience of finding quality results in The Sims 4 Gallery. Fans have long been demanding EA improve the Gallery. This leaked feature aligns with EA’s goal of “powering” its user content platforms with AI, announced in September 2024.
While SimSearch was removed from the November 4 patch at the last minute, its previous inclusion suggests an imminent release. As with Maxis’ other “Laundry List” updates, this feature is expected to be available to The Sims 4 players as a free add-on.
So, what are your thoughts on these leaked new AI-powered search features for The Sims 4 Gallery?
