The Sims 4 is a 10-year-old game with over 100 DLC packs (110), and EA will likely keep releasing more for years. Competing life-sim games like Inzoi and Paralives offers much of this content in their base game. For example, Inzoi can provide content equivalent to 30–40 Sims 4 packs in its basegame for the price of just one expansion pack(40$) and we already have 21 of them.To stay competitive and keep players engaged, EA should make some older packs permanently free—such as Seasons, Cats & Dogs and Get to Work. Giving 2–4 free packs from each pack category would greatly benefit new players so they can complete other packs without pirating.For players who already own these packs, EA could offer new Kits free for a month (like they did with Desert Luxe Kit when The Sims 4 became free).I think forever free packs should be; 2 expansion packs -> seasons, cats and dogs (out of 21 eps)2 game packs -> dine out, get to work (out of 12 gps)4 stuff packs -> cool kitchen, bowling night, backyard, spooky (out of 20 sps)5 kits -> throwback fit, industrial loft, blooming rooms, carnaval streetwear, moonlight chic (out of 43 kits of excluding 12 creator kits and 2 spongebob kits, total 57) 21 EP, 12 GP, 20 SP, 57 KITS

For those opposed to making packs free bc you/other players already paid or them, I think that is a bad outlook, not just for the Sims, but for life generally. We shouldn't live by an "I had to suffer so everyone else should too" mentality. I paid full price for MANY sims packs and I know that those prices are not attainable for most players. I would love for the Sims to make many of the older packs (Get to Work, Seasons, Cats & Dogs, etc.) free because I want other/new players to have a BETTER experience than I did. If we experience something that we think is unfair, we should advocate to change it for a better future for others, even if it's "too late" for us.

Call me a scrooge, but if they were to do that, I'd still want some sort of reimbursement. I'm not saying a full monetary reimbursement, but something significant in return for buying an expansion pack that is suddenly free for newcomers. Old game or not, there are players who have invested an excessive amount of money to own the insane amount of packs and will continue to do so. Within that, however rests the problem in that newcomers would feel they are being punished for not having bought the packs.The Kit idea I question for the sake of CC creators who made full kits. They still have chances of getting a little payment for their work via the creator codes. Maybe if they do not include those kits in the free release list, sure.In the end, the only thing I'd be cool about becoming forever free for all would be Digital Deluxe thing, Kits not made by CC creators and Stuff Packs whose gameplay feature doesn't hold much merit anymore, like the buffet table and hot tubs. Tiny Living, Paranormal, Homes Chef Hustle and Crystal Creations obviously would not be included in the list of "forever free".

I think that the older packs should be free and come with the main game and the new packs, kits etc be bought at a cheaper price than 40 dollars example the Expansion packs.

For the record I own everything From Sims 1 to 4 plus all Sims 3 Store items with exception of 1 Sims 4 Kit. The clothing is literally unusable. I support this because I see the bigger picture. This is how I would implement this if I were EA. If I were to suggest which packs SHOULD be free at this point (considering its continuance and the lack of plans to have a Sims 5) so as to benefit most Simmers and Game Play overall I would say these and in this order. (You are never going to make everyone happy so you shouldn't try this is a list to please most, not all) Seasons Spooky Stuff as a complement to Seasons and the already free Happy Holiday PackCats & DogsMy First Pet Stuff - Because by rights it should have been in Cats & Dogs Get To Work Dining Out - as a compliment to Get to Work and IF the bugs are ironed out University Life - For the YA life stage AND to make sure all current and future careers have classes compatible with them. Outdoor Living - then there wont be an excuse not to add a few items now and then to improve it. Herbalism could give ROM added value not to mention GTW. Laundry Day - Its such a basic chore and should have been Base Game in my opinion. Add Laundromat as Lot Assignment Paranormal Stuff - to better work with Life & Death and set the stage for the return of the Fortune Teller. Could make some better cross pack compatibility with Seasons & Spooky Stuff pack too. Come to think of it Realm of Magic also Cool Kitchen Stuff - Only to get the Ice Cream and then use that to make a cool old-fashioned Soda Fountain & Ice Creamery with appropriate Lot Assignment, Menu items and uniforms Special Mention - My Wedding Stories IF they fixed the bugs and brought back the idea of dogs as ring bearers. If not then forget about it. My thinking is that once you have these main components already free and in everybody's game then they have little excuse for not having better cross-pack compatibility. Also think of all the money making potential there is to be made in improvement packs like Game Packs even Kits when the base concepts are in every base game. Not to mention all the added value to the rest of the packs that would be for sale. The Compensation for having these packs as free when you purchased them previously is the fact that EA now has an incentive to improve and expand upon older concepts. Did you like the Spa Day refresh? This is just that but on a grander scale and for everyone. More Lot assignments specifically in the areas ofBar TypesEntertainment VenuesParksPrivate Professional OfficesRetailRestaurant Genres More NPC animals and appropriate to various areas. That don't have to be a dog or cat variant or tied to an object and can have its own vocalizations, movement, and behaviors Wolves - Which arguably would be a dog variant DeerRaccoons Skunks - That behaves just like in Sims 1 and sprays Sims & Pets who mess with it. Gives a reason for lots of Tomato Juice (Although this is not effective IRL) Fix the Foxes to their own categoryIncentive to add New/Edit Old Breeds to fit past packs like Cottage Living or Life & Death Incentive to add new coat textures/colors to fit previously unmade breeds New types of Weather can be in any pack appropriate or added to the base game Dust Devils Dust Storms Eclipsing Fog as an Update for Vampires (Sims 3 Supernatural Origin) FogHailReviving Sprinkle if we get a Fairy PackSandstorms New Holidays & Traditions can be added in any pack or even as updates to ones we already have New Businesses with all the props to make them good Grocery StoresFarmers MarketsPerfumeryFlorist ShopSolicitors/Attorney Office Might fix the whole Vampires going to class and dying thing in University Life New Costumes for the Spooky Day parties maybe some for pets With Baking basically now Base Game the entire Recipe List can be overhauled to make more sense and be easier to find things. All future obvious baked items will be found under Baking not trying to look between the three categories of cooking find a specific thing. Another thing is the canned stuff can work better with all the recipes Gourmet Cooking would be also improved with more difficult items to make being placed there and the Baked goods being switched out to easier to find things. Additional Nectar flavors and canning recipes due to the berries you can get in Outdoor Living now being able to be used in other things than just HerbalismNifty Knitting could now add pet sweaters Some of the clothing from packs that certainly look like it should be cold weather clothing can be sorted into the cold weather clothing Pets can experience heat and cold more effectively New Pet Breeds in new packs If we get Firefighters they can can have Dalmatian partners New Pet Items to fit new themes and areas Luxury Pet Store & Grooming Game Pack All new Items Beds, Houses, Doggie Pool New Clothing Collars, Bows & Bow Ties with new designs & Holiday/Seasonal Themes Going to the GroomersDog Walker Hire-able NPC The New Burglars can effect businesses Kits could include Specialty restaurants or you could make it a Game Pack & have it allSpecific Restaurant Lot Assignments for example Sushi Bar New RecipesUniformsAmbiance Music SpeakersDecor items & Build/BuyAppliance Necessary for the Restaurant (Examples)Sushi Counter (Snow Escape Improvement) Hibachi Stove (Think of how much better Snowy Escape would be with this little Item)Commercial OvenTandoori OvenBrick Pizza Oven Deep Fat Fryer New Kit Ideas could be items for new Retail Types Lot Assignment - Example Florist ShopEntrance Door with Decals Appropriate for the business type and Front WindowsSignage & Door Mat Display Shelving & Vitrines Refrigerated Case in this instance Shop Register2 to 3 Uniform Choices Ice Bar Kit Lot Assignment Cold on the inside Need to wear Outerwear to stay inside Everything made of Ice New Specialty drinks Special Outerwear Bartender & Bouncer Outfits When & IF they Introduce Hotels think of all the improvements that would come with that Hotel Restaurants & Bars Great Room Service with a better customizable menu to better reflect the zone its in Amenties for Pets Zone Appropriate Uniforms and DecorZone Appropriate Amenities Haunted Hotels If Pet Birds are introduced then certainly the Cats would be interestedPets will become Skittish like they did during the Full Moon in Sims 3 I think it might be great to get a Humidity Update to Seasons for certain climates. Jungle Adventures & Island Living - Should be Hot & HumidDesert Zones should be Hot & Dry I like the idea that for places like Amusement Parks/Water Parks stormy weather can cause a closure Having Cats & Dogs free might inspire EA to make Veterinarian a Medical Career and have branches not just a skill in an ownable clinic and let it work together PLUS have University Courses and Degree.

absolutely wild to see people unironically saying things like "inzoi will cover 80-90 Sims 4 packs worth of content for 40 dollars"like unbelievable, completely dizzying stuff to see

Forever Free Packs for Everyone | EA Forums

68 Replies

kellytoon19
Rising Newcomer
16 days ago
agree the base game already was $40 and it wasn't even finished yet they charged people money for it and now its free. If they were to give free packs to new people while others already spent money on them which each expansion pack is $40 cheap people whop have bought the game should get something in return. Lets reward the people who haven't played the sims 4 and not reward the ones that have spent money on the game.
Prov31Simmer
Seasoned Ace
16 days ago
@cebmain, it is only "expensive" if you have FOMO and need everything at launch. I personally have not bought all the dlc and the ones I have purchased were on extreme discount. I wait for sales amd only pay what I think the pack is worth. Many of my stuff packs only cost me $2.50 to $5, game packs cost me $10 to $15, and expansions were between $20 to $35. Half price packs do mean you wait for about a year or two, but then the major problems are usually patched out too. Btw, I bought the base game on sale about in 2016 for about $40, it wasn't offered for free until a few years after that. In 2014, the base game was over $100, especially if you wanted the deluxe version. Wait for sales and if you still think it is too expensive than the gaming hobby isn't worth your income.
citymajor
Rising Rookie
15 days ago
Even on deals they're still £17-18 on average, which is rather an ask.
cebmarin
Seasoned Ace
14 days ago
Right now there is discount for sims 4 on steam and it's $1,071.92 USD if you want to buy all packs. So it's too expensive even with the discount
Prov31Simmer
Seasoned Ace
14 days ago
cebmarin, again gaming as a hobby can get expensive. While I sympathize, it is just a fact of life. It is one reason I only purchase dlc that will fit my gameplay style and why I wait for sales. There are eps that I am waiting for the price to drop to at least half price if not more. The issue is many simmers get fomo and think they need all the packs.
charmednmissouri
Seasoned Ace
12 days ago
Should be free and are offered free are two different things. The Sims 4 proved they do not have a problem charging for the same content in a newer version, i.e. Seasons and every other pack that have already been released in Sims 2, and 3. Why would they give it to us for free in the next version when they never have before?
CAPICAPOO2016
Seasoned Novice
12 days ago
I love your thought on this. Thank you Hayley for bringing this way of looking at things, it's so valuable for life in general.
KasieMarie1993
Rising Newcomer
10 days ago
Factssss. I just reinstalled and seeing get to work is STILL $40... I purchased that pack when I was in college 10 years ago. Absolutely wild.

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