I am guessing that this is a precursor to what will be happening in "Sims 5" and they want us to get used to it now. Also, once that new game is released, they might want to move Sims 4 to a store content set up, rather than more packs, and then the cart might connect seamlessly to the store for instant downloading of individual items, something like in Sims 3. It is just a guess, but either of those scenarios would be an incentive to introduce a cart.
I think the pulsating effect is the biggest mistake, and to not entirely remove it when they know it is harming people is unforgivable. The only reason I am still able to play is because of a mod that removes the cart. So I do completely understand that anyone who is not on a PC and cannot use mods might just throw in the towel, out of necessity. As well as principle.
It is a huge mistake for the company to not address this situation openly, and to refuse to communicate their rational for keeping the cart in the game. It was also a mistake to call it a feature, when it is plainly advertising. Whoever came up with the idea, and the approach, does not understand marketing.
If EA still had a monopoly on a people-type simulation game, I could comprehend them standing their ground and toughing it out, because they would have a real hold on the vast majority of people. However, to make such a move now, when several viable alternatives to the Sims franchise are in the news and set to release in the near future is more than foolhardy. EA's next offering will not be ready to directly compete with the new simulation games, all of which have features never seen in the EA Sims franchise. Features that look really good. This is NOT the time to drive your base into the arms of an up and coming company, EA.
It is not too late for EA to reverse course, if they hurry. But time is running out. Once people stop playing, and find other things to do with their time, they will not feel the need to look back. Especially with a new shiny grabbing their attention.
I want to continue to play Sims 4 because I only came on board when Henford-on-Bagley released (Sims 3 never had bunnies), so it is still all fresh and new to me. I have been buying everything on release day, just because of the excitement and thrill of new content. But after this fiasco, I will be sitting back without updating, to see if anything else might threaten my continued playing of the game. I will not risk losing what I have right now. Only when I am sure my game is safe will I update or buy the next content offering. What a buzzkill.
And the chances of me moving on to Sims 5 is looking dimmer each day. I cannot afford to invest in a new game that might "explode in my face," at any moment. I have loved the Sims since Sims 1, but EA has managed to kill all my excitement. Sigh.
I think it’s a risky strategy from EA. I’ve read so many simmers who’ve been playing for decades, who’ve played earlier Sims games, who’ve bought every pack (or pretty much), and who’ve been so loyal to the Sims that they’ve put up with bugs and so many other serious issues and would have carried on buying every pack and staying loyal because of all the good times and memories they’ve had with the Sims — but they’ve finally had enough and are saying that this is the last straw, and they’re walking away from the game. With competition for the Sims coming thick and fast now, these players will never come back.
And in their place are newer players, who don’t have fond nostalgic memories of playing the Sims for decades to keep them persevering when they have issues with the game. These new players will try the Sims for a bit but won’t have any qualms about quickly discarding the game if they find something better made/less buggy/better value for money. It’s foolish to aim all your marketing at these newer players, and not care about the effect on your long-standing loyal fan base.
@FreddyFox1234 You make a valid point. And even the young people who experienced the sims for the first time when Sims 4 first came out have years of experience and many happy memories playing the sims, now. The people who will be using the next version of the sims will not remember any of that. They will likely have been playing an EA competitor in people simulations, and their loyalty will be to that company, first. EA will find themselves measured against the accomplishments of another company, and that has never happened before in the sims. So, yes, very risky.
Also, populations are decreasing, not keeping up with past projections. A smaller pool of potential players and competition that never existed before to factor into dividing up that smaller pool, is not a recipe for growth. EA really should be trying to hang onto every player they currently have. Especially since economies world wide are in turmoil, and no one knows how that will all turn out. Not a good time to take chances. Not at all.
