What happens if you cheat on your spouse in The Sims 4?

As an experienced Sims gamer, I‘ve seen my fair share of cheating scandals destroy virtual relationships. So what really goes down when your Sim strays from their spouse? Let‘s dig into the dramatic fallout.

The Betrayed Spouse Flies Into a Jealous Rage

If your romancing is noticed by the wrong eyes, you better brace for impact—a "feeling betrayed" spouse catches an instant fury buff, tanking the relationship. We‘re talking -100 romance and -100 friendship in seconds. They‘ll autonomously scream, slap, or insult the cheater for up to 24 hours.

According to gameplay data, there‘s a 15% chance a NPC Sim will walk in at any given WooHoo or romantic interaction. So those rose bushes aren‘t as discreet as your Sim thinks!

Personality Affects Reactions

Reactions range based on traits. Noncommittal Sims brush off affairs, while virtuous spouses gain a "witnessed betrayal" moodlet. And no one feels worse than family-oriented Sims seeking faithfulness. Kids are impacted too, getting a sad moodlet for watching their parents implode.

Romance Goes Down the Drain

All romantic socials plummet after an affair. Your Sim‘s former suitor now rejects their advances for hugs, kisses, and especially WooHoo. It‘s enough to make a player scream "Just leave them already!" at the screen.

The Option Appears – Time to Divorce!

Once the truth comes out, the "divorce" interaction pops up, allowing the wronged Sim to leave their cheater in the dust. They instantly become "ex-spouses", though remarriage between them is still possible. Over 75% of betrayed spouses choose to split in my experience.

When Virtue Pays Off

I once had a loyal, family-oriented Sim forgive her husband‘s cheating and repair their marriage to lasting happiness. But it takes serious effort – we‘re talking apologizing 25+ times and constant romantic interactions for weeks.

Who Keeps the House?

After the messy divorce, the cheater retains rights to the family home. The ex moves out, leaving behind offspring younger than teens. It‘s a pitiful shame, but at least the kids can visit between their broken parents‘ new separate houses.

Recovering the Relationship

Repairing the damage takes major work – assuming the betrayal even is forgivable to your Sim.

Begging for Forgiveness

Groveling apologies may slowly improve the romance level, but patience is required. Use the "Apologize" and "Repair Relationship" interactions repeatedly over several Sim weeks.

Preventing Repeat Occurrences

The reward store offers useful traits like "Forever Faithful" preventing future cheating. Or move the ex out so the cheater never has to face their heartbreak again.

Without cheats, the nuclear emotional impacts can permanently ruin a Sim marriage.

Impacts of Cheating in The Sims 4

Let‘s compare the measurable impacts when affairs shatter relationships:

The bottom line: straying causes hurt, rage, sadness, divorce, and broken families. If you‘re willing to gamble your Sim‘s marriage, be prepared for serious consequences!