Non-playable character

NPCs are Non Playable Characters. They are in every Sim game: The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. There are two main types of NPC; ones that through relationships and simple cheats will be able to be playable characters without any programming errors and ones that were specifically not meant to be played.

The Sims
There are several NPCs who appear in the game other than those which can be hired to provide services. In The Sims, most NPCs either can't be interacted with at all, or only have a few interactions that are related to their function. (While townies are considered to be a class of NPC, they are outside the scope of this article.)

Most NPCs are listed below:


 * Nancy the Paper Girl: The most commonly seen NPC in the game. She appears at 9 am every morning to deliver the newspaper. If a family has a dog, the dog may scare away the paper girl, but she will deliver the paper first.


 * Postal Woman: She appears every 3 days to deliver the bills, which she places in the mailbox.


 * Repo-man: If a family doesn't have enough money to pay their bills, the repo man will show up and use his repossessing gun to absorb some of the objects in their house to cover the bills.


 * Social Worker: If the player doesn't see that babies are taken care of, the social worker will appear to take them away.


 * Burglar: Whenever every Sim on the lot is asleep, the burglar may sneak in and steal their possessions. Players can either have a Sim call the police, or buy an alarm. With the alarm installed, the police will arrive instantly. If the police are called over the the phone, it may take too long for them to arrive, and the burglar may escape.


 * Entertainer: The Entertainer is introduced in House Party. Using the large cake bought in buy mode under miscellaneous and clicking on the command, 'Buy Male/Female Entertainer', causes the entertainer to emerge from within and start entertaining the guests. Be careful, though, because the entertainer might stir some jealousy from other people at the party.


 * Mime: Introduced in House Party, the Mime will show up at a party if it is going very badly. While he will try to raise the mood a bit, he isn't very good at it. The Mime has been known to steal objects around the house. He will leave only when the party gets better.


 * Party Crasher: Also introduced in House Party, party crashers will arrive during mediocre to fairly good parties, and have been known to destroy objects, though they do not always do so.


 * Drew Carey A real life celebrity who shows up as a reward for a great party.


 * Santa Claus: If one has a Christmas tree up, and a plate of cookies on a table near the fireplace just before midnight, Santa Claus will show up while the Sims are sleeping. He'll leave a "gift" for each of Sim in the family, plus an extra special present, which could be any item.


 * Obsessed fan: Introduced in Superstar, Sims can attract unwanted attention if they achieve 3 stars of fame or more. The obsessed fans will stalk the Sims wherever they go, at home or at work. They leave 'special presents' for the Sims - black roses. They also paw through dustbins.


 * Grim Reaper: Introduced in Livin' Large. Grim shows up whenever a Sim dies. What happens next depends on his mood. If Death is in a bad mood, he will take the corpse with no way to prevent it; if Death is in a good mood, the player can direct another Sim to challenge Grim. If he accepts, he will play rock, paper, scissors with that Sim, or will put a die under three cups and mix them up. The Sim will have to try to pick the cup which holds the die. If the Sim wins the game, or picks the right cup, the deceased is brought back to life for a second chance, but if the Sim loses/picks the wrong cup, Death will either take the corpse or, be nice and create a zombie.


 * Animal Control Evan: Introduced in Unleashed, he is the neighborhood's animal control officer. When Animal Control is called, he will come to remove El Bandito or Henri LeStanc. He cannot be called unless one of the two is on the lot.


 * Marilyn Monroe, Christina Aguilera and Avril Lavigne are introduced in Superstar. They will appear at random on lots in Studio Town.

The Sims 2
The Sims 2 NPCs are much more colorful. For starters, basic NPCs can be interacted with (talked to, befriended, married, etc.) and each has a different face, hair color and name. They can be male or female, and they generally make more logical decisions, though there are exceptions. When an NPC becomes playable, a new NPC will be generated to take the old NPC's place. There are two types of NPCs. One can be made playable or selectable (using testingcheatsenabled), and can be interacted with. The other one cannot be interacted with, or made playable or selectable. Most NPCs are generated 3 each.

Townies
Townies form the largest class of NPC. Townies wander around the neighborhood or visit to Sims' houses. There are many types of Townies in The Sims 2:
 * Townies: Townies are Sims who do not live in the neighborhood, but live close enough so that they can come into town. They are full-fledged Sims with jobs, skills and personalities. They can be found almost anywhere, on both residential and community lots.
 * Dormies: Dormies are young adult Sims who live in college sub-neighborhoods. In addition to acting as Townies within their college sub-neighborhood, they occupy the empty rooms in the dormitories where playable Sims live.
 * Secret Society Members: They are Dormies who are members of the Secret Society.
 * Downtownies: Downtownies are similar to Townies, but they can only be found in Downtown. They also have more skills and better jobs than regular Townies.
 * Strays: Strays are wandering dogs or cats who behave just like common Townies, only as pets. They don't belong to anyone.
 * Garden Club Members: In most respects, Garden Club Members are ordinary Townies. However, they sell the Plantophic-C potion, which cures PlantSimism. Also, when a Sim applies for Garden Club membership, they will come to inspect their garden and approve (or reject) the application.
 * Locals: Locals are special Townies who only live in specific vacation destinations. There are 3 types of locals: Mountain, Beach, and Far East. Locals already know their own local gestures, dance, and so on. When invited to a house, they can be houseguests for 3 days.
 * Tourists: Tourists are like locals, in that they can only be found in vacation destinations. Unlike locals, they don't have specific locations, so the same tourists can be found in different vacation destinations. Sometimes, they have already learned some gestures or dances. When invited to a house, they can be house guests for 3 days.
 * Social Class Townies: These townies aren't the same as regular townies. They have their own gestures and favorite stories. Their presence indicates how high a reputation the residential lot or apartment has. For example, if the apartment is surrounded by high class lots, and the apartment itself is luxurious, Techies and Socialites will be more likely to occupy vacant apartments and walk by. Only Social Class Townies occupy the vacant apartment slots. Regular Townies never share their behavior.
 * Roomies: Also known as Roommates, Roomies are a bit different than other Townies. They are Sims' roommates, so they can be selectable, but not playable. Their Sim icon (in the Sim selection area on the left of the screen) will always be on the same branch as pets' icons. Even if they are guests or visitors on a community lot, their icon will still be on that branch, so they will not be controllable even if they are selected. When they are no longer listed as Roomies, they become controllable.

Service NPCs
Service NPCs are NPCs that help Sims around the house.
 * Maids: Maids clean the house and do most of the housekeeping. They come every day.
 * Gardeners: Gardeners clean Sims' gardens, pull weeds, water flowers, trim shrubs, and rake falling leaves. They come every 3 days.
 * Nannies: Nannies take care of babies, toddlers, and children. The player can have them track the calling Sim's work schedule. It's important to hire a nanny if there's no teen or older Sim in the house, as the social worker will take children who are left unattended. Nannies are also needed when going to a community lot or going on vacation would leave children home alone.
 * Bartenders: Sims can hire a bartender if they have a bar in their home. They are paid by the hour. Bartenders are also Community Service NPCs.
 * Exterminators: Whenever a Sim's house is infested with cockroaches, they can call exterminator to get rid of them.
 * Repairmen: Sims can call a repairman to fix broken objects. They'll fix everything from clogged toilets to broken electronics. They even tune pianos.
 * Gypsy Matchmaker: Gypsy Matchmakers sell potions to Sims. Sims can buy love potions, or potions to cure Vampirism, Lycanthropy, PlantSimism, or Witchiness. Sims can also ask the Matchmaker for a blind date. In FreeTime, the Gypsy Matchmaker may deliver a Dusty Old Lamp to Sims with high enthusiasm in a hobby, and high Lifetime Aspiration.
 * Obedience Trainers: Obedience Trainers train adult pets and sell Lycanthropic-B potions.
 * Butlers: Butlers take over almost all of the Service NPCs work. So, Sims no longer need to hire every single Service NPC for housekeeping. Butlers are very costly, so players should mind a family's budget before having them hire one. Butlers don't take care of some problems, such as cockroaches, fires, or burglars. Instead, they call the appropriate NPCs.
 * Landlords: Landlords are assumed to be the owners of the apartment lots. Sims can pay the weekly rent directly to the landlords or by using the mailbox. Sims can lower their rent by making friends with them. They will garden and clean the common area in an apartment lot.

Emergency NPCs
Emergency NPCs arrive immediately after Sims call them on the phone, or when summoned by an alarm.
 * Police: Police can apprehend a burglar, but are not always able to. They also appear when a Teen is caught sneaking out or a party lasts until midnight. Sims also need to call the police when their Teens or pets run away. When Sims adopt a pet, a police office will bring the pet. In University, a police officer wearing a llama blazer will "arrest" Sims who are to be inducted into the Secret Society.
 * Firefighters: Firefighters are always able to put out fires, though when a fire is very large, they sometimes call for help from other firefighters.

Other Service NPCs
Other than hired Service NPCs, there are also some Service NPCs who come on some occasions.
 * Social Workers: A Social Worker come when any babies, toddlers, or children are left unattended for a period, have critical needs, or become too cold or too hot, and will take them away. They also come when a family adopts a child.
 * Repo Men: If bills are left unpaid for 3 days, a Repo Man will come to take away some of a family's objects to cover the bill.
 * Mail Carriers: Every Tuesday and Thursday, a mail carrier will come to a Sim's house to deliver bills. (In college sub-neighborhoods, the mail carrier comes every 3 days.) Mail carriers also come to take paid bills.
 * Newspaper Boys/Girls: Often called "Newsie". They deliver the newspaper every morning, and also deliver hobby magazines. They are always teenagers.
 * Carpool Drivers : Carpool Drivers are the ones who drive the carpool and school bus, fly the helicopter, etc.
 * Pizza Deliverers: They deliver pizza when a Sim orders one.
 * Chinese Food Deliverers: Just like pizza deliverers, only they deliver Chinese Food.
 * Delivery Men: They deliver most of the things, other than bills, newspaper, pizza, and Chinese food. In the base game, they deliver groceries. FreeTime expanded their functions so they also bring novels (when a Sim finishes one), photo albums, and photo snapshots.
 * Bellhops : Bellhops appear on hotel lots, and will be at the podium in the hotel lobby. Players can click on a them to have Sims check in and check out. They also deliver room service to the Sims' room.
 * Housekeepers: Housekeepers clean the messes Sims make and fix broken things in their hotel room. They arrive in the hotel in the morning and leave at night. Sims can keep them away by putting "Do not disturb" on the door.

Community Service NPCs
Community Service NPCs are Service NPCs who serve Sims on community lots.
 * Cashier: Cashiers are always teens. Whenever there's a cash register on an unowned community lot, they will occupy it. Although they appear to be very skilled in cashiering, if Open for Business is installed, they may not have a talent badge in operating a cash register.
 * Cafeteria Chef: They work in dorms or community lots in college sub-neighborhoods, if a ShinyTyme Cooktop is present.
 * Barista: They serve Sims at espresso bars on community lots. They are similar to Bartenders.
 * Hosts: In restaurants, hosts greet Sims at in the podium, and seat them at any available table or bar.
 * Servers: Servers are the waiters or waitresses in a restaurant. They wait on Sims, bring their food, and clean tables and dirty floors.
 * Cooks: Cooks prepare the dishes in restaurants. Unlike other Service NPCs, they cannot be interacted with.
 * DJs: If there's a DJ booth on a community lot, a DJ will operate it. Playable Sims can also work for a while as a DJ and earn simoleons.
 * Salon workers: When there's a vacant salon chair in an unowned community lot, a one of these Sims will take over the salon chair, and will be able to give Sims makeovers. They may not have talent badges in Cosmetology.
 * Masseuses: If there's a massage table on a community lot, a masseuse will use it. Sims can purchase a massage from them, and they will gain comfort and energy needs. Special massages can be purchased or learned in every vacation destination.
 * Local Chefs : Local Chefs cook food for Sims whenever there is a Food Stand on a community lot. There are four kinds of Local Chefs: Mountain, Far East, Tropical, and Diner. Each Local Chef prepares different food.
 * Fire Dancers : If there's a fire dance mat on a community lot, there will be a Fire Dancer. Sims can watch them fire dancing or study fire dancing from them. They are mainly available in Twikkii Island, but they can be available anywhere as long as a fire dance mat is on the lot.
 * Tour Guides : Tour Guides appear in every community lot and hotel lot in any vacation destination. Sims can book tours from them, and when they do, a vehicle immediately arrives to pick them up.
 * Human Statues : When Poised Podium by Performance Arts is placed on a community lot, a Human Statue will appear there. Sims can watch them or give them tips.
 * Break Dancers : If there's a break dance mat on a community lot, there will be a Break Dancer. Sims can watch them break dancing or study break dancing from them. They are similar to Fire Dancers.

Wandering NPCs
These NPCs usually wander around the town, or even walk by Sims' houses.
 * Professors: Professors are elder or adult Sims that young adults meet when they go to their first class in a college major. Each major has two professors, one male, one female. They can be interacted with normally, but college students can gain class performance by building relationships with the professors in their major. Playable students can also ask the professors in their major for tutoring, but that decision must be made by the player. Professors may appear on community lots outside of the college sub-neighborhood, and sometimes appear on secret hobby lots.
 * Coaches: Coaches sometimes appear on a lot, whether it's a college community lot, dorm, Greek house, or even a private rental house. They will yell at Sims and try to force them to work out, but can often be avoided.
 * University Mascots: There are two types of mascots. One is the llama mascot, who appears to be a costumed male version of the cheerleader. The other is the evil mascot, who is dressed as a cow. They may appear on any lot in a college sub-neighborhood. The llama mascots will autonomously do the school cheer in front of any Sims. The evil mascots will do pranks, will irritate and annoy Sims, and may even do some flirting. When the llama and cow mascots see each others, they will fight. The llama mascots will always win because their Body skill is maxed, while the cow mascots have little or no body skill.
 * Cheerleaders: Cheerleaders are similar to llama mascots, except that they are always female and do not wear full-body costumes.
 * Streakers: Streakers streak in any lot in a college sub-neighborhood. Other Sims will be shocked when they see the nude streakers. Unlike most NPCs, they cannot be interacted with.
 * Mrs. Crumplebottom : This cranky, strict old woman can be seen in any community lot in Downtown. Mrs. Crumplebottom hates to see two Sims are doing romantics social in public. When she sees any, she will beat them with her purse. She will ruin any dream date, making it into a bad one. She will also lecture any Sims who are wearing undies or swimsuits, or are naked.
 * Dateable Slobs: These slobs are very mean and sloppy. They can only be found in Downtown or on Secret Hobby Lots. Slobs are easy to recognize since they wear very dirty clothes.
 * Mr. Big &amp; The Diva: Mr. Big and The Diva have different (randomly generated) names in each neighborhood, but they always have the same appearance. Mr. Big wears a red lounge suit and has neat hairstyle, while The Diva wears black dress with red scarf, and has long hair. They are Downtownies and very rich, but also mean. If they move into a family, they will add §70000 to the family funds.
 * Grand Vampires: They are the leaders of the vampires in Downtown, and can only be found in Downtown at night. Grand Vampires have a bluish skin tone, red eyes, and fangs. They have the pleasure aspiration. Grand Vampires always have the prefix "Count" in their name if male and "Contessa" if female. If playable Sims makes friends with them, they can bite those Sims and turn them into vampires.
 * Pack leaders: Pack Leaders appears as a wolves or large dogs with black fur and glowing yellow eyes. If a Sim makes friends with them, they can nibble that Sim, and he or she will become a werewolf. They mostly appear at night. They can be greeted and interacted with, but they usually break things and make messes. They also can't be taught any commands or be given commands. Pack Leaders have their own names.
 * Stinky Skunk: Stinky Skunk wanders around residential lots. Sims may pet him, watch him, or chase him off, though the former two actions will cause him to spray them. If sprayed, Sims will get a negative memory, have an empty hygiene bar, and will be a subject of gossip. Pets can also be sprayed.
 * Penguin: Penguins may appear at a house if it's snowing, there's a snowman in the lot (Whether finished, unfinished, or broken), or a fish is mounted on the wall. He will talk to the snowman for hours and leave. Sims can pet him or shoo him. If he's unhappy, he will leave the house or may eventually pee himself.
 * Unsavory Charlatan : He appears in all community lots frequently. He is a pickpocket, and cannot be interacted with. He may autonomously greet any Sims, and may eventually pick their pocket. Sims with high logic skill may prevent it. If the Sims became his victim, they can attack him or report it to police using the phone.
 * Ninjas : Ninjas only appear randomly in Far East Vacation Destination Community Lot. Sims can learn to teleport by answering two questions from Ninjas, much like Chance Cards. Ninjas always teleport here and there in a lot, and then disappear, so it's quite hard to approach them.
 * High Witches: There are two High Witches, Good and Evil. Sims who make friends with one can ask to be turned into a witch. They appear on every community lot, including those in college sub-neighborhoods. The Good Witch will cast Beautificus Locus and summon a Good Spectral Cat when arriving in a lot, while the Evil Witch will cast Corruptus Locus and summon an Evil Spectral Cat. When both Witches appear at the same time, they will usually fight each other.

Special NPCs
Special NPCs come when a special or rare occasion occurs.
 * The Grim Reaper : The Grim Reaper only appears when there's a dead Sim on a lot. Most of the time, Sims can plead with the Grim Reaper to bring the dead Sim back to life, unless they died of old age, drowning, or have been eaten by Cowplant. When a Sim dies of old age happily, The Grim Reaper will appear with 2 Hula Zombies accompanying him.
 * Hula Zombies : Hula Zombies appear only when a Sim dies of old age. They will dance hula while The Grim Reaper escorts the dead Sim. Their face resembles Bella Goth a lot.
 * Social Bunnies : If there's a Sim with critical social need, a Social Bunny will hop and appear in front of the lonely Sim. Only the Sim with low social need can see them. Sims can interact with them, friendly or mean. Either way, Social Bunny will fill up the social need by any interaction. When the need is halfway to full, they will hop to disappear. There are 3 colors of Social Bunnies: pink, blue, and yellow.
 * Headmasters: Headmaster appear when Sims invite them to send their children or teens to private school. They will arrive for dinner at 5 PM. The Sims need to schmooze and impress him in order to get his approval to send the children to private school.
 * Burglars: Burglars steal things from homes. On rare occasions, a burglar appears at night and steals something on the lot. Sims can't apprehend a burglar themselves. Players can buy a burglar alarm or get a Sim to call the police. The police officer will attempt to apprehend the burglar, but may lose the fight, in which case the burglar will get away. However, if the police officer wins, the victims will get a reward for catching the burglar.
 * Therapist: Often called Sim Shrink. When there's a Sim with critically low aspiration, the Therapist will appear. Only the Sim with aspiration failure can see him. He will help the Sim to push their aspiration a bit higher. After that, he'll be gone.
 * Reporters: Reporters come to owned business lots, browse the shop, and score it. If the owner can impress the reporters, they will give it a positive review, or maybe even the Best of the Best Award. Reporters don't have a fixed uniform, so it can be hard to tell who they are, unless they are seen taking notes.
 * Bigfoots: Bigfoot can be found in Hidden Burrow, the secret lot in Three Lakes. They have maximum skills and gold in every talent badge. When Sims make friends with them, Bigfoots will give them Bigfoot hug, and they will get a "Befriended Bigfoot" vacation memento. If Sims become best friends with a Bigfoot, they can ask him to move in, and another Bigfoot will be generated.
 * Wise Old Man: The Wise Old Man can be found in Pagoda in the Shadows, the secret lot in Takemizu Village. He will tell the dragon tale story. Sims who listened to the story can tell it to other Sims, and they will get a vacation memento. Sims must serve tea or bow to Wise Old Man, and then perform Tai Chi with him in order to be told the dragon tale story.
 * Witch Doctor: Despite the name, he's not a witch. The Witch Doctor can be found in the Mystery Hut, the secret lot in Twikkii Island. On arriving there, all his appliances and plumbing are broken. He will be relaxing in his hammock, and Sims can offer to help him. After a Sim is done fixing his broken stuff, he will give them a voodoo doll, and they will get a vacation memento. However, if the Sim didn't accept the doll, or was too slow to accept it, or the player canceled the interaction, the Witch Doctor won't give the voodoo doll again, unless the Sims reenter the lot.
 * Pirate Captain Edward Dregg: The Pirate Captain appears in the pirate ship if Sims plunder the captain's cabin. When befriended, he will teach Sims to sing a sea chantey.
 * Hobby Instructor: Each hobby has its own instructor. Hobby instructors can be met when a Sim gains 5 levels of enthusiasm in a specific hobby, has gained maximum hobby enthusiasm, or is in the hobby club. When they're on the secret hobby lot, Sims can ask the instructors for instruction in their hobby.
 * Rod Humble : Whenever a new family or household moves in (merging families does not count), or a family is played for the first time, Rod Humble will appear, deliver a new computer with The Sims 3 game in it, and leave. He will not appear if the player is currently playing in a college sub-neighborhood.
 * Spectral Assistants Both Good and Evil Witches can summon a Spectral Assistant, each with different purposes. Good Witches can summon one by using the Apello Servantus spell. The Spectral Assistant will help clean the house and garden, like a maid and gardener combined. Evil Witches can summon another by using Servantus Attackum. The Spectral Assistant will attack the intended Sim.
 * Spectral Cats: Also known as Feline Familiar. A witch can summon a Spectral Cat by using the Apello Cattus Amicus spell. The Spectral Cat's alignment depends on the alignment of the caster. Each witch can only summon one Spectral Cat, and the cat will always be the same if summoned again. Spectral Cats will behave like common cats, with some exceptions. In particular, they don't have the bladder need, can't get a job, don't age, and can't have litters.
 * Santa Klaus : Often being mistaken as Santa Claus. He will appear if there is a fire in the fireplace and there's a Santa Cookies in the same room as the fireplace. He will automatically become best friends if a Sim interacts with him.
 * Father Time : When throwing a New Year Bash, Father Time will appear on the sidewalk around 11 PM. He will occasionally make a ruckus and other Sims will react to it. At midnight, he will turn into Toddler New Year.
 * Toddler New Year : Father Time will eventually turn into Toddler New Year at midnight. Toddler New Year will autonomously smustle dance and fade away.

Other NPCs
Some NPCs only appear as thumbnails, cannot even be met. and never appear in the game. NPCs in this category are not included in any category above.
 * Pollination Technician : If an adult, male Sim who is more than 5 days away from becoming an elder is abducted by aliens, he will get home impregnated by Pollination Technician, and will give birth to a half-alien baby. Pollination Technician will appear in the child's family tree, but is not a real Sim. It's actually a set of genetics which is given to the half-alien baby.
 * ideal plantsim : When a PlantSim spawns a sporebaby, the baby will inherit genetics from the father/mother and ideal plantsim. Like Pollination Technician, ideal plantsim is actually a set of genetics, not an actual Sim.
 * Weather : Weather is a the weatherman of the forecasting channel in the TV. He predicts the incoming weather that could probably happen. Sometimes the Weather tells some funny jokes, but at others, he is rather resentful.
 * Genie Midlock : Though Genie can be met in the game, he is hardly any Sim. He grants 3 wishes to the Sim after they have the Dusty Old Lamp, then leaves, whether the wishes succeed or fail.

Playable NPCs
These NPCs can become playable through many different ways. For a full list of ways to make them playable see Turning a Townie into a Playable Sim. Since The Sims 3: Late Night the CharacterImport.xml in world files has been tuned to specify preferred NPC roles for homeless Sims.

Service NPCs


 * Maid - In premade worlds such as Sunset Valley maids are premade, otherwise they are randomly generated. Maids carry the Makes No Messes hidden trait, and are often Flirty or Kleptomaniacal. The maid service recurs until it is cancelled.
 * Repairman - In premade world suchs as Sunset Valley repairmen are premade, otherwise they are randomly generated. They can be phoned when plumbing and electronic devices break down.
 * Babysitter - In premade worlds such as Sunset Valley babysitters are premade, otherwise they are randomly generated. They are always teens.
 * Adoption Service - In premade worlds such as Sunset Valley adoption service workers are premade, otherwise they are randomly generated. They are rare and usually only appear when bringing new adopted children to a lot.
 * Butler - In Bridgeport there are several premade butlers, otherwise these service NPCs are randomly generated. They have black uniforms and tidy make up. Butlers are a very expensive service and require a bed to sleep in.
 * Mixologist - These bartenders can be hired for parties. In Bridgeport they can be premade Sims, otherwise they are likely to be randomly generated.

Emergency NPCs
 * Police - When a burglar appears on the playable lot and an alarm is installed, they will arrive soon after and fight the burglar, but without an alarm they can be called. However, calling the police when there's no burglar, they will fine the Sim §500.
 * The Fire Department - Sims with a low cooking skill that attempt to cook anything involving an oven or a microwave, sometimes a fire will result. A fire can also be started by lighting a fireplace with flammable objects nearby, or a birthday cake can spontaneously combust. The fire alarm should alert the fire department whenever there is a fire, but they can also be phoned. Prank calling them when there is no fire, will get Sims a §500 fine.

Other NPCs
 * Carpool/Taxi Driver - These Sims are never playable and always randomly generated. They are not drawn from the homeless pool.
 * Burglar - A burglar appears at night when Sims are sleeping or out on the town. In official towns they are premade Sims that as time goes by are replaced by randomly generated Sims. Befriending burglars does not stop them burgling friends. Burglars will be in the Criminal career track, playable sims can also become burglars. NPC burglars carry the hidden Burglar trait.
 * Child Protection Worker - In premade worlds such as Sunset Valley maids are premade, otherwise they are randomly generated. They take neglected children away from active households.
 * Paper Delivery - Appears every morning to deliver the papers. Can either be male or female, but is always a child. In official towns they are premade Sims that as time goes by are replaced by randomly generated Sims. Also delivers a random book, on Mondays along with the newspaper if a member of the household is a member of the book club.
 * Mail Delivery - They are the people that deliver the bills in the mail. In official towns they are premade Sims that as time goes by are replaced by randomly generated Sims. They also deliver mail.
 * Science Geek - Science Geeks are very rare. In official towns they are premade Sims that as time goes by are replaced by randomly generated Sims. They will visit lots during a certain move in scenario.
 * The Pizza Man/Women - Delivers pizza. In official towns they are premade Sims that as time goes by are replaced by randomly generated Sims.
 * Mummy - NPC Mummies are randomly generated in tombs from sarcophagi. They have unique mummy-like names and cannot be made playable. Playable mummies are made by turning active Sims into a mummy or by summoning one with relics.
 * Tourist - Tourists are Sims from other locations who are visiting foreign worlds like Shang Simla. Tourists can be any Sim that does not live in the active world, so Sun Young Kim can be a tourist in Sunset Valley and Cornelia Goth can be a tourist in Shang Simla.
 * Explorer - Explorers are randomly generated Sims that appear in adventure neighbourhoods. They wear tan and khaki explorer outfits and visit tombs and graveyards
 * Location Merchant - These NPCs are recruited from residents, not from the pool of homeless Sims. They only appear naturally in adventure worlds, but can appear in base neighborhoods that have World Adventures registers placed on community lots.
 * Tattoo Artist - Tattoo artists can give Sims tattoos. Tattoo artists are recruited from the pool of homeless Sims. Tattoo artists appear on community lots that have a tattoo chair placed on them. Tattoo artists always have lots of tattoos on their body.
 * Consignment Specialist - A resident Sim who works at the Consignment store. Since the consignment specialist is a randomly picked Sim, even sims in the neighborhood could work there. If the Consignment Specialist is moved in via Edit Town, he/she loses the job.
 * Bartender - These mixologists are different to the service ones, they are recruited to Bars on community lots. Bartenders are recruited from the pool of homeless Sims and if there are not homeless then they are randomly generated.
 * Bouncer - Bouncers guard doors on lots with velvet ropes placed. They can be brided for entry. Bouncers are recruited from the pool of homeless Sims and if there are not homeless then they are randomly generated.
 * Paparazzi - Paparazzi are recruited from the pool of homeless premade Sims and if there are not homeless then they are randomly generated. They follow celebrities and take photos. They are very difficult to interact with.
 * Pianist - Pianists are recruited from the pool of homeless Sims and if there are not homeless then they are randomly generated.