I feel like it is only a matter of time before The Sims series gets dethroned by new competitors.
Thing is, I think that for a competitor to truly succeed, is not only to offer more content in both the base game and expansions, but to also be it's own thing, do something The Sims has NEVER done and might never do.
For example, a dynamic job market could be a thing. Like promotions only happening when there's an opening. Like there is only ever one mayor, but there could be elections now and then.
A business could also have different openings, and the advancement system would not be so rigid. Most jobs could still be rabbit holes since well, most would be too boring to play out, but it could all make more sense.
Like each business could require a certain amount of positions, could be slots shown when hovering over the building, what positions are open and who is filling the positions.
Administrative jobs could be available at many places, like also at the police station or hospital.
Another possible thing is going for a 16+ age rating, pretty much what Sims 1 had.
That way they would do things the Sims won't do, at least not any more. There could be alcohol, bachelor parties with pie dancers, burglars, children taken away by protective services, etc.
Could also add in some new things like smoking, some indirect ways of murder (like poisoning a drink or setting some trap.)
Generally just a game that does not need to consider children playing it, that can provide the edge that in the sims has been lessened with each new instalment and is now completely gone.
Different setting can also work, like what if they go with a full victorian/western setting? That way all expansions would be pretty different too. Like could have one focused on horror, another on the gold rush, yet another on trips on ocean liners, another on murder mysteries with a detective profession, etc.
Or focusing a lot on the actual people, making them way more unique and interesting than they have ever been in the sims.
Like with a system more advanced than traits and that also has overlapping things.
Like for example if someone is both a snob and a hothead, they might express that by throwing a drink in someone's face or a single slap in the face after looking very offended. But if they are a slob and a hothead, they might burp in someone's face who they are upset with.
Maybe having hobbies too, all having a flaw. A big dream.
Maybe age advancement being gradual too, people having an actual age. With more interactions unlocking as they age up slowly, and others disappearing. Could depend on traits too.
Like a genius could be able to play chess at an earlier age than others, a childish person can keep playing with toys regardless of age and serious people could stop playing video games by the time they are adult, feeling too mature for it.
Either way they need to have a selling point that sets them apart aside from just more content.
