A new mod gives The Sims 4 a more connected world map, making travel between neighborhoods feel more natural and immersive.

The Sims 4 has changed considerably through years of free updates, but some parts of the game still feel surprisingly dated. One of the clearest examples is the world selection screen.

With more than 30 worlds now available, players are still presented with a simple menu that makes each location feel separate from the others.
 Modder SimMattically decided to change that with the Immersive Map Mod, which brings the game’s worlds together on one large map.

The result makes The Sims 4 feel much more like a single, connected world. That approach works particularly well because several of the game’s worlds are inspired by real locations and regions.To create the map, SimMattically worked with illustrator and graphic designer Edkisn. The finished design follows the Maxis Match style, so it fits naturally alongside the game rather than looking like some of the more realistic custom content available for The Sims 4.

The different worlds have also been positioned in locations that reflect their real-world inspirations, creating a map that feels surprisingly cohesive.The mod works with the base game as well as the various expansion and content packs. It also supports custom-content maps, giving players some flexibility if they have added additional locations to their game.

There are a few customization options, too. Players can decide where tooltips displaying a world's name and description appear on the map. Cloud animations can also be enabled to make the map feel more alive.

Installing the mod is straightforward. It comes as a single package file, meaning players simply need to place it in their The Sims 4 Mods folder.

There is one catch for anyone wanting to try it immediately. The Immersive Map Mod is currently in early access, so players need to subscribe to SimMattically's Patreon for $5 to download it.Those who would rather wait can get it for free once the mod reaches its full release. There is no confirmed date for that release yet, but SimMattically has said the goal is generally to make mods publicly available within a month or two.

For a game that has accumulated so many worlds over the years, having them finally presented as parts of the same map makes a lot of sense. It is a relatively simple change, but one that could make exploring The Sims 4 feel considerably more connected.