Re: Do I need to repurchase Sims 4 and all other DLC packs on Steam?

@jpkarlsen Apparently this is not a rumor, or at least partially true. According to review on steam today, it is clear that the DLC does not need a repurchase, but the base game does.

[From review of Steam user "Zanturo"]

I love the Sims. I love The Sims 4. Here's why I don't recommend it.

-Still launches through Origin. Buying on Steam just adds another layer of DRM.
-If you previously purchased through Origin, you will need to redownload any DLC, even if you already had it installed.
-Your DLC carries over, the base game does not, which means you'll have to purchase the base game again.
-Your DLC doesn't 'unlock' through Steam's store, if you purchased it on Origin(because of course it doesn't).

This is probably the worst Steam integration I've ever seen. Don't buy it here if you already own it, just use "add non-Steam game to library". It's almost identical and $20 cheaper.

6 Replies

jpkarlsen
Hero (Retired)
5 years ago
@Dinassa
Yes, if you want to play it on Steam you need to buy the basegame there. However no one forces you to do that. I for instance has no interest in plying it on Steam as I can see no benefit to do that.
RavenLure
Rising Ace
5 years ago
Seems like many games are going to steam.. I have one that will be starting a whole new game on steam in addition to the game they have now out.. ( This is not sim related but steam related)
Not sure of what the advantages are..
crinrict
Hero+
5 years ago
@Dinassa I don't think the steam version was intended for people who already own it on Origin.

It's to reach a new audience for those that only use the Steam store to buy their games.

Other companies like Ubi do the same that you need their DRM.

I wouldn't advise to rebuy on steam if you already have it on Origin but I don't think that was the intention of the steam launch either.
sray9714
4 years ago
Problem: I purchased Sims 4 digital deluxe, played it in Origin and purchased the game and packs through EA..... now I want to purchase more packs, it takes me to Steam and I can not purchase an Expansion unless I re-purchase the game! So infuriating. They act like you are purchasing for a different machine.... no I play on a PC and I didn't ask to use Steam. If EA is moving to Steam - all of their games should move with it. I should not have to repurchase anything. I am ready to abandon the whole thing.... Sims 4 - Origin - EA - Steam! It's bad enough that you can't just purchase an upgrade when a new Sims comes out and keep your packs and kits and stuff as well as the families you created.... now you have to repurchase the game itself. And with Sims 5 coming out - just around the corner - why should I pay again for Sims 4?
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
4 years ago
@sray9714 Did you ever purchase any Sims 4 content from Steam, or get an EA Play subcription from Steam? You definitely don't need to buy any Sims 4 content through Steam; Origin still hosts and sells the game on its own. I'm curious exactly how you get to the point where you're redirected to Steam; if you see some kind of error message, please post a screenshot.

You can also try buying on origin.com rather than in-game or through the Origin app. Your content will show in your Origin game library regardless.
almoushilarious
4 years ago
I can see one possible benefit to moving it over onto steam, and that is the modding community... do you know how much easier it is to just click subscribe... and the mod installs itself flawlessly on a majority of steam games... for the sims 4 you have to download each file and depending on what is modified, you have to place certain files in certain locations and if its wrong, it can crash the game and cause total chaos on the files possibly corrupting them, if steam did what they do for other game modding where you just click subscribe, it could do all the compatibility testing more easily and you would not have to manually drag and drop the modded files, possibly saving hours of manual labor.