I think making the game free is smart move.

The game will not be free to play. That is just a marketing tactic. Everything you will ever want will be behind a paywall unless all you will ever want to play is the Base. In order to make this game half the game all of the past games were you are going to have to shell out $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I predict this is going to be the most expensive Sims game ever. Because they already know what is a draw in terms of game play and build/buy. I also think the multiplayer is going to be more a bother than fun. I already play other MMOs and the worst thing about the game are the other players. Combine that with EA's continued lack of accountability when they muck up a game (Looking at you Sims Mobile, they are fixing to have some legal issues methinks) and this is going to be monstrous. Then we will likely get the introduction of a facet of gaming we typically don't experience in the Sims, lag.