In The Sims 2, every adult and elder Sim is assigned a Lifetime Want, a long-term aspiration that aligns with their personality and aspiration type. But what if your Sim’s Lifetime Want doesn’t match their goals or your gameplay style? Don’t worry, there are a few ways to change a Sim’s Lifetime Want in The Sims 2. Here’s how to do it.
What Is a Lifetime Want?
The Lifetime Want is a major goal your Sim aspires to achieve during their lifetime. These are tied to your Sim’s primary aspiration (like Family, Fortune, or Knowledge) and can unlock a permanent Platinum aspiration level if fulfilled. This keeps your Sim in a great mood for the rest of their life, so it’s worth going after a want that fits.
Can You Change a Lifetime Want in Vanilla Sims 2?
In the base game and most expansion packs, there’s no built-in way to change a Lifetime Want after it’s been assigned. However, you can work around this in a few different ways:
Method 1: Use the ReNuYuSenso Orb
If you own The Sims 2: Nightlife expansion pack or later, you can buy the ReNuYuSenso Orb from the Aspiration Rewards section. Here’s how to use it:
- Make sure your Sim is in a Platinum Aspiration level when using the Orb (to avoid failure).
- Use the Orb to change your Sim’s Aspiration type (e.g., from Romance to Family).
- After confirming the change, your Sim will be assigned a new Lifetime Want aligned with their new aspiration.
Note: You cannot directly choose the Lifetime Want — it is randomly selected from the new aspiration category.
Method 2: Use Sims 2 Mods (Sim Blender or InSimenator)
If you’re open to mods, there are tools that allow full control over Lifetime Wants:
- Sim Blender (TwoJeffs): Allows you to manually set the Lifetime Want.
- InSimenator: Provides various options to change aspirations and Lifetime Wants directly.
These mods are popular in the Sims 2 community and make customizing Sims much easier.
Method 3: Use Debug Mode (Not Recommended for Casual Players)
Advanced players can enable boolProp testing cheats to trigger aspiration and Lifetime Want rerolls, but this can lead to instability if used incorrectly. Mods are generally safer and more user-friendly.
Final Thoughts
While the base game of The Sims 2 doesn’t offer a simple way to change Lifetime Wants, expansions and mods open the door to flexibility. Whether you’re storytelling, min-maxing, or just want to shake things up, changing a Sim’s Lifetime Want can help you tailor your gameplay to your liking.