"The Sims 4" is the latest installment in EA Maxis' life-simulation video games and continues the proud tradition of the series' 2000 original.

One thing that hasn't changed through four "Sims" generations is that players cut corners. Just as in real life, the game's virtual reality allows you to cheat -- and just as in real life, you do so at your own risk.

One code called "freerealestate," for example, makes every home buyer's dream come true: You can acquire houses for free. But beware, GameFAQs points out, because you will still have to pay taxes on all those newly "purchased" lots, and those charges may just put you into bankruptcy.

The list of possible cheats seems endless, and the way to get around the rules is straightforward: Hold down the "Ctrl," "Shift" and "C" keys, and you will be prompted to type in the magic command. What happens could range from the delightful to the downright morbid. Here are a few examples:

  • In real life, it's always a headache when you need a plumber or electrician on a busy day. In the virtual world, that's no different. But type in "soak.create_soak_handyman_situation" and a handyman will be on his way.

  • Heartache is no laughing matter, and you might find it hard to reprogram your significant other when he or she is upset you spent the whole day playing "The Sims." In the game, luckily, that's less of an issue: typing "modifyrelationship (Sim's name) (Target Sim's name) (-100 to 100) Friendship/Romance_Main" will do the trick. Yes, it is a trickier command for a more complex desire.

  • You need to pay the bills and put food on the table. And since there's no pawnbroker in the game, its makers allow you to win the lottery, so to speak, by typing in "kaching" or "rosebud." Either command will yield you 1,000 Simoleons. If only the Powerball will do for you, try "motherlode"; that nifty term is worth 50,000 Simoleons.

Let's just hope, though, that you're not too embarrassed about all that cheating in the end. Because otherwise, there is a (tragic) cheat for that, too: With "sims.add_buff Buff_Mortified," your Sim dies of embarrassment within five hours.

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