Differences Between Game Packs and Expansion Packs

@Brinn, I just saw it, that's awesome! I'll definitely pre-order it!

I really like how focused game packs are, while expansions also have a major theme they're much more broad in general.

Feel so confused now lmao

I don't think such definitions work. EDIT: just realized this thread is from 2015! Anyway, I believe here's where GPs and EPs stand atm.

One could say game packs are always focused on just ONE particular idea. For example, Dine Out is only about restaurants and Spa Day about spa related activities.

EPs are much broader. For example, Get Together's main feature is the club system. But then, there are randoms things like walk-in-closets, cafes and pool venues thrown into the mix, which at first glance dont seem to directly relate with the main feature. City Living is another broad EP; it touches upon different aspects of metropolitan life, eg- festivals, and city based careers with other randoms additions like karaoke and bubbleblowing. Same goes for the bakery and photography skills in Get to Work. So far I believe Cats and Dogs has been the most focused EP; every new feature in it is related to pets: Create a Pet, becoming a vet and running a vet clinic, pet training skill, etc.

So as I see it, GPs are always focused whereas EPs can either be focused or they can compromise depth for breadth (City Living....and the business aspect of GTW IMO suffered because of this trade off that the devs had to make because of budget and deadline issues).

Expansion Packs add a new city to your map. A new place to live. Game packs will add new locations you can travel to for fun. To me, that’s the most clear and noticeable difference I’ve found. Obviously stuff packs just add items and clothes

"Bambii33000;c-17099624" wrote:
Expansion Packs add a new city to your map. A new place to live. Game packs will add new locations you can travel to for fun. To me, that’s the most clear and noticeable difference I’ve found. Obviously stuff packs just add items and clothes

You can live in Forgotten Hollow (Vampires) and Strangerville (Strangerville). Realm of Magic will more than likely have it's own livable world as well.
With the exception of Cats & Dogs (which was waaaaaay too big for a game pack), expansion packs have a broader theme and game packs zero in on a particular theme.

"MadameLee;c-17099690" wrote:

"Anmirla;c-17099683" wrote:

"Bambii33000;c-17099624" wrote:
Expansion Packs add a new city to your map. A new place to live. Game packs will add new locations you can travel to for fun. To me, that’s the most clear and noticeable difference I’ve found. Obviously stuff packs just add items and clothes

You can live in Forgotten Hollow (Vampires) and Strangerville (Strangerville). Realm of Magic will more than likely have it's own livable world as well.
With the exception of Cats & Dogs (which was waaaaaay too big for a game pack), expansion packs have a broader theme and game packs zero in on a particular theme.

besides Season didn't add a new world-so not ALL Eps add cities-I can only name only 3 EPs which included a 'new world'- Get Together, City Living, and Cats&Dogs. Season and Get to Work didn't.

Another good point.

"MadameLee;c-17099690" wrote:

"Anmirla;c-17099683" wrote:

"Bambii33000;c-17099624" wrote:
Expansion Packs add a new city to your map. A new place to live. Game packs will add new locations you can travel to for fun. To me, that’s the most clear and noticeable difference I’ve found. Obviously stuff packs just add items and clothes

You can live in Forgotten Hollow (Vampires) and Strangerville (Strangerville). Realm of Magic will more than likely have it's own livable world as well.
With the exception of Cats & Dogs (which was waaaaaay too big for a game pack), expansion packs have a broader theme and game packs zero in on a particular theme.

besides Season didn't add a new world-so not ALL Eps add cities-I can only name only 3 EPs which included a 'new world'- Get Together, City Living, and Cats&Dogs. Season and Get to Work didn't.

Get to Work added a new world to the game. But most neighborhoods are hidden.

"Sigzy05;c-17099698" wrote:

"MadameLee;c-17099690" wrote:

"Anmirla;c-17099683" wrote:

"Bambii33000;c-17099624" wrote:
Expansion Packs add a new city to your map. A new place to live. Game packs will add new locations you can travel to for fun. To me, that’s the most clear and noticeable difference I’ve found. Obviously stuff packs just add items and clothes

You can live in Forgotten Hollow (Vampires) and Strangerville (Strangerville). Realm of Magic will more than likely have it's own livable world as well.
With the exception of Cats & Dogs (which was waaaaaay too big for a game pack), expansion packs have a broader theme and game packs zero in on a particular theme.

besides Season didn't add a new world-so not ALL Eps add cities-I can only name only 3 EPs which included a 'new world'- Get Together, City Living, and Cats&Dogs. Season and Get to Work didn't.

Get to Work added a new world to the game.

Get to work doesn't really count I was talking about liveable worlds-because unless you are part of one of the PROFESSIONS (Doctor or Detective) your OTHER Sims can't travel there (outside of your SIMS being PREGNANT for the hospital)-the other packs I mentioned-the liveable "WORLD" is accessible in the loading(?) mode.

"Zerbu;d-811516" wrote:
I know a lot of people are confused about the difference between Game Packs and Expansion Packs, beside the obvious fact that Game Packs are smaller. I've come to think of it this way:

Expansion Packs add whole new modes of gameplay which you can potentially devote an entire long-term gameplay session to. Game Packs, on the other hand, are more about enhancing existing modes of gameplay.

Some of you might argue that Outdoor Retreat traveling is a new mode of gameplay, though technically that's a base game feature, as it's included in the patch, and OR is just the first to implement it.

For example, let's say they created an Open for Business expansion. Running a business would be a whole new way to the game, different from the usual experience of just living everyday Sim life. The content added by Outdoor Retreat doesn't exactly have the same effect, though it does improve the gameplay experience you're already having.

Not really.

Vampires, Dine Out, Parenthood all added new systems to the game.

Outdoor Retreat also added the ability to take vacations to vacation worlds, apart from your work vacation days, and rentable lots.