Playable Sim

A playable Sim is a Sim which belongs to the active household, or in a broader sense any Sim belonging to a household that is playable and not an NPC.

In The Sims 2, The Sims 3, and The Sims 4, most NPCs can be made into playable Sims by moving them into a household. In The Sims, it can only be done with townies; however, doing it runs the risk of triggering the Urban Renewal Loop, unless Makin' Magic or a compilation containing it is installed.

Some Sims can live in a household without being playable, such as butlers in The Sims 3: Late Night, and roommates in The Sims 2: Apartment Life.