Category: Graphics Fixes

There was an error processing the startup configuration script – The Sims 4 Mac

Published on by BluebellFloraLeave a comment

Since the January 2025 patch it has not been possible to add a copy of the GraphicsRules.sgr file to the ConfigOverride folder in Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 (for ConfigOverride folder explanation see this post). Doesn’t matter if it’s a straight copy of the installation file or an edited version to tweak your in-game graphics, the game simply won’t launch and throws the following error:

This is only applicable to the GraphicsRules.sgr file. Having a copy of the GraphicsCards.sgr file and/or a copy of the Default.ini file is fine and causes no issues.

There is an easy workaround for this issue if you want to tweak the GraphicsRules.sgr file, simply edit the original file in The Sims 4.app > Contents > Resources. If you want to subsequently go back to the default file the game creates all you have to do is a game repair in EA App and it overwrites your edited file with the vanilla installation file.

Edit 29/05/25 – Thanks to user karoschmitz who has identified it is related to the Ts4CommonRules.sgr file also in the The Sims 4.app > Contents > Resources folder. If you place a copy of the Ts4CommonRules.sgr file in the ConfigOverride folder alongside the GraphicsRules.sgr file you can once again edit the file. Or open the GraphicsRules.sgr file and edit out the third line – include "Ts4CommonRules.sgr"

“Unrecognized Video Card” error on Mac

Published on by BluebellFloraLeave a comment

If you experience this error message at the main menu in The Sims 4 when launching the game, don’t panic! It’s nothing to worry about and won’t stop you playing the game.

It’s simply because EA haven’t updated the GraphicsCards.sgr file in the main game to incorporate your GPU. You can do one of two things to stop the message from appearing:

  • Download the updated GraphicsCards.sgr file I have uploaded here
  • Open your Downloads folder, right click on the downloaded file and select Copy
  • Open the ConfigOverride folder in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4. Right click in the folder and select Paste item. That’s it.

Or:

  • Right click on the Sims 4 base game, wherever you have it installed (Applications folder by default) and select Show package contents
  • Navigate to Contents > Resources
  • Right click on the GraphicsCards.sgr file and select Copy
  • Open the ConfigOverride folder in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4. Right click in the folder and select Paste item.
  • Open the GraphicsCards.sgr file you have pasted into the ConfigOverride folder. If prompted to choose an Application in Finder, choose TextEdit.
  • Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the file to the Apple bit and paste the following lines: 
vendor "Apple" 0x106B
    card 0x0000 "Apple M4" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M4 Max" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M4 Pro" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M3" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M3 Max" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M3 Pro" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M2" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M2 Max" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M2 Pro" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M1" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M1 Max" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple M1 Pro" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh $cardLevelUber
    card 0x0000 "Apple A12Z" $cardLevelUber $resolutionHigh
end
  • Close the GraphicsCards.sgr file, saving if prompted (you shouldn’t be)

It’s important to copy and paste the GraphicsCards.sgr file. Do not drag it to the ConfigOverride folder as it will only create an alias of the original file.

The lines above add all Apple Silicon models to the .sgr file. I think all previous Intel model Macs are covered but if you’re on an Intel Mac and getting the error, jump into my Discord support server for help.

This is not a Mod in the typical sense, it does not need to be in your Mods folder, it is a simple addition to a simple text file. For more info on the ConfigOverride folder see this article.

Improve the graphics in your Sims 4 game

Published on by BluebellFlora2 Comments

I’ve recently discovered an amazing Simmer, Simp4Sims, who not only makes very cool stop motion build videos but has also provided an edited GraphicsRules.sgr file which will greatly enhance your in-game graphics. The GraphicsRules.sgr file is a game file that tells your game which graphics settings to load. It is nestled within the Sims4.app files but, since an update in September 2020, you can place a copy in the ConfigOverride folder in the Sims 4 folder and this will override the hidden original. Spot the difference:

It’s very easy to make this change to your game as Simp4Sims has done all the hard work for you by editing various values in the GraphicsRules.sgr file but it’s also important that your Mac has a GPU powerful enough to handle the increased demand. If you have a Mac with integrated Intel graphics only I would not recommend doing this as it will most likely slow your game to a crawl and possibly cause it to freeze. If you have a Mac with an AMD GPU with 4GB or more VRAM then go for it. You may also notice a hit on performance in-game but you should be able to play. I don’t spend much time in Live mode, for me it’s all about the aesthetic and my game still runs great after adding this file.

After testing I can confirm this will reintroduce swimming pool reflections, something Maxis removed from the default file. It also improves the shadow lines and artifacting issues.

Instructions:

  1. Head over to Simp4Sims Patreon page here and download the GraphicsRules.sgr file. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a Patron, the download is freely available to all. He also helpfully explains the main changes that have been made to the file.
  2. Navigate to your Sims 4 folder (where all your saves, Mods, Tray and other user data is saved) and open the ConfigOverride folder.
  3. Open the Downloads folder in a new Finder window, grab and drag the GraphicsRules.sgr file you just downloaded and drop it into the ConfigOverride folder.

and that’s it! It really is that easy. If you decide to go back to the original GraphicsRules.sgr file just trash the one in the ConfigOverride folder and your game will revert back to using the hidden file in the Sims4.app.

If you like to play a vanilla game don’t let this put you off, this is NOT a Mod. It is an edited game file that you can easily make changes to yourself if you prefer. We used to have to edit the GraphicsRules.sgr and GraphicsCards.sgr files in Sims 3 all the time just to get the game to work. You can find more information on the ConfigOverride folder here.