Letter to the Developers

To Whom It May Concern,

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing as an avid fan and passionate player of The Sims 4 to share an ambitious concept that I believe could be a transformative addition to the franchise. While I know you receive countless suggestions, I ask you to consider The Sims 4: Through the Ages—an expansion pack that introduces time-based mechanics, offering players unparalleled storytelling, creativity, and gameplay possibilities.

The Sims 4: Through the Ages

Overview:

At its core, Through the Ages is an expansion pack that allows players to assign time periods and tech levels to neighborhoods and lots. This mechanic unlocks endless customization, from creating historical worlds to futuristic utopias, blending aesthetics and gameplay like never before. Players can craft Stone Age villages, Victorian towns, 1950s suburbs, or cyberpunk cities—and everything in between.

Key Features:

• Time Periods: Players assign neighborhoods a time period (e.g., Stone Age, Retro, Disco, Futuristic) through a selection menu.

• Tech Levels: A separate tech level mechanic allows for unique combinations, such as a Victorian aesthetic with advanced technology for steampunk storytelling.

• Neighborhood Traits and Challenges: Introduced with this pack, these mechanics let players define neighborhood-wide atmospheres (e.g., “Magical Presence,” “Crime Wave,” “Doomsday Prep”) or gameplay challenges (e.g., limited resources, natural disasters).

• CAS Additions: Each era features themed hairstyles, clothing, and accessories, such as Victorian ballgowns, 1950s poodle skirts, and futuristic bodysuits. A new filter would be added — Time Period. So players can easily identify clothes and accessories that fit with that era. In neighborhoods with a specific era— all NPCs would dress in that style by default. 

• Build/Buy Items: Decor and functional items for every era, from Stone Age fire pits to sleek, holographic furniture.

Why It Works:

1. Replayability: Every time period offers fresh gameplay opportunities, from survival challenges in the Stone Age to building futuristic societies.

2. Integration: Compatible with all existing DLC, allowing players to blend Seasons, Get to Work, and other packs with the new mechanics.

3. Community Engagement: Through the Ages creates a foundation for future DLC, including themed game packs, kits, and expansions.

Future DLC Opportunities

One of the most exciting aspects of Through the Ages is its potential to inspire future packs. By introducing neighborhood traits, challenges, and time mechanics, the expansion creates a framework for years of engaging DLC. Below are just a few ideas for expansions, game packs, and kits that could follow:

1. Expansion Pack: The Sims 4: Golden Shores

• Symbol: A sun or beach chair (turquoise with white).

• Celebrate life in a Miami-inspired neighborhood perfect for elders and families. Build resorts, plan milestone anniversary parties, and retire in style with mobility aids, elder-specific hobbies, and resort management mechanics.

2. Game Pack: The Sims 4: Going Wild

• Symbol: A paw print or lion head (blue with white).

• Introduces zoos, aquariums, and wild animals. Manage enclosures, stock aquariums with fish, and work as a zoologist or marine biologist. Features animal phobias, functional ticket booths, and escape mechanics for zoos.

3. Game Pack: The Sims 4: Enchanted Realms

• Symbol: A fairy wing or wand (blue with white).

• Expand magical gameplay with fairies, astrology, and magical neighborhoods. Schools become enchanted in magical areas, with unique courses for kids and teens.

4. Game Pack: The Sims 4: Crime & Justice

• Symbol: A gavel or burglar mask (blue with white).

• Builds on the detective career, adding a playable burglar career, crime wave neighborhood challenges, and classic NPC burglars with hilarious animations.

5. Kit: The Sims 4: Roaring 20s

• Symbol: A champagne glass or flapper headband (purple/maroon with white).

• Introduces 1920s-themed CAS and Build/Buy items, from fringe dresses to speakeasy decor.

6. Creator Packs:

Through the Ages opens the door for custom content creators to design niche themed packs. For example:

• Medieval Marketplace (Pink with white): Rustic decor and CAS for a medieval-inspired town.

• Future Noir (Pink with white): Blending sci-fi and film noir aesthetics.

Why Invest in Through the Ages

1. Player Engagement: Time periods appeal to every type of Simmer—storytellers, builders, and realism players—offering gameplay as broad or specific as players want.

2. DLC Revenue: The mechanics introduced with Through the Ages are foundational, ensuring a steady stream of related DLC for years.

3. Creative Freedom: This expansion would make The Sims 4 more versatile than ever, allowing players to craft worlds as imaginative as they are.

4. Community Hype: Players have been asking for more immersive storytelling tools, including animals, fairies, and generational storytelling depth. This pack lays the groundwork for all of it.

Closing Thoughts

I hope this concept excites you as much as it excites me. Through the Ages has the potential to revolutionize gameplay by introducing timeless mechanics that appeal to both veteran players and newcomers. By blending eras, aesthetics, and challenges, it would ensure The Sims 4 continues to captivate audiences for years to come.

Thank you for considering this idea. Whether or not it aligns with your current plans, I hope it sparks inspiration for the future of this incredible franchise.

Warm regards,

Dedicated Simmer

I have attached some AI images below— of course they are AI so not exactly what would be created but the general vibe and concept! 

Additional Notes:

For the possible future packs— you can use that “neighborhood traits/challenge” mechanic by saying, for instance, that an entire town is a Retirement Community. Or that the entire town has no or low signal— leading to dropped calls or garbled messages. In neighborhoods with a zoo — those neighborhoods could be prone to animal escapes. You could also set an entire town to be a wild animal preserve— leading to chance encounters with animals of all sorts. You could then try to befriend and domesticate it or turn it over to the zoo or conservation park.

You might say — well this sounds like the neighborhood initiatives that already kinda exist with Eco-Living…. Okay sure, but hear me out — 

If I went into Newcrest and set all lots to simple living and off grid — and even voted in some sort of initiative that “hated” on tech — that doesn’t get rid of it. Sims would STILL have access to their phones. But if I was able to set an entire town to low or no signal — that’s one option— but still gives Sims access to phones. BUT if a neighborhood trait was STONE AGE technology— the phone symbol would simply be greyed out and inaccessible. Sims would not receive any communications of any kind. In, say, the Bubblegum era (90s-Early 00s), sims would have access to their phones but might only be able to call people or text. No smart phones = no apps. 

Landlines only in the Disco and Retro eras.

Mail only in the Regal era. 

In a “Magical Presence” neighborhood— there would be free practice of magic— all shops and schools and other businesses would have magical presence. There would be magical flora and fauna present. This allows simmers to create “Hogsmeade” like towns. But on the flip side — a “No Magic” town would have zero magic and zero occult present. And if a magical or occult sim travels to the area — they might have a negative moodlet because of having to hide their true form or the general unwelcomness of magic.

Think of the possibilities!! An apocalyptic town? Eerily empty— not many or any sims that gather in public lots. No communication. No public services. A general sense of unease. NPCs might have stories of how the world “ended.”

Edit: Removed real name. Do not post personal details in public messages. -CM