New Official Sims 4 Expansion Pack Survey
There is a new EP survey with 9 potential new Expansion Pack themes. SimsCommunity posted about it. https://simscommunity.info/2024/09/19/sims-4-expansion-packs-survey/
Forum Discussion
Yeah, I've seen it.
My main thing is that the expansion pack idea has to be totally unique. That's why I've commented against some ideas shared on this forums. What I don't want mostly is existing packs losing their value. The main thing is that the old packs must still retain their value so that the people who don't own them would buy them and the people who own them to not get angry. And anger is a dangerous thing now that The Sims is getting some competition. The Sims has to finally step up their game to not become a dead franchise.
But rambling aside, here are my opinions on the each idea offered.
- Idea 1 is The Sims 3 Island Paradise somewhat. Interesting idea, but the big problem here is that it includes a lot of details that were wanted in Island Living. Waterfront properties already exist in Sulani too. This idea will draw in some complaints if Sulani isn't improved too. Plus the world choice is extremely important as another island world will compete with Sulani and make the pack less unique.
- Idea 2 is interesting, but what do they mean by different worlds? Every pack introduces 1 world max, so are they including multiple or what? Also, what would be the new elder activities?
- Idea 3 sounds... interesting but niche... Yeah, that's a great idea. One point of expansion packs is that they don't force down features to players that don't want them.
- Idea 4 sounds like Jungle Adventure but with more nature science aspects. I'm... needing more convincing here.
- Idea 5... Hmm... One thing I liked about The Sims 3 Into the Future is that you could change the future to be Dystopian or Utopian. I'm more for clean, futuristic style, but I think it would be interesting to affect it to have it be cyberpunk or something. It's in the preference in my opinion.
- Idea 6... I... Hmm... What do they mean by "revered law enforcers"? We have the Detective career in Get to Work. They have to make sure that Get to Work still holds value after this, because this poor pack has already lost some by getting photography skill brought to the base game. It needs some new value with a pack refresh!
- Idea 7, I don't like the first line, but the "Create your own sleepaway camp" part does get me on board. Ok, that is interesting, but what exactly would it offer is my question.
- Idea 8... So many features offered, but it would just be an activity pack. These are not bad, but they are niche. I need some more convincing there.
- Idea 9 is a really unique idea. But what would be the alliances or rivalries? Would it be with other worlds or how would it work? Would there be only one world with all that monarchy thing or more? And what if players want presidency in some worlds instead? This needs careful thinking.
Also, why not make some game packs too? These are smaller and cheaper and lately been neglected.
But yeah, it is interesting to see what comes out in the future.
I disagree. I've bought nearly every expansion at full price. It doesn't make me angry when packs come out with similar features. Often when packs come out it inspires me to think of other similar things that could come out. I don't mind paying for these things. The opposite really, I want to see the sims continue to expand on ideas.
Old packs will still hold value to me as they were valuable to me when I purchased them. I've gotten value from them. The Sims game in general has enriched my life which has value.
Getting angry about a video game sort of defeats the purpose of playing video games. If the game brings someone to anger, perhaps they should play a different game.
Ok, I understand. Yet I value the gameplay the most. That's why I am not interested in Kit packs at all. In terms of gameplay, Perfect Patio stuff (base game) and Luxury Party stuff (My Wedding Stories & High School Years) have lost all value in terms of gameplay, but in terms of build mode objects and CAS items, it still has value.
Value is subjective, I agree.
Yet what I worry about the most is the shallow nature of expansion packs. Yeah, it could be nostalgia speaking though...
On anger, yeah, some people are passionate about the series. While it can be annoying, I'm sure, sometimes it can help things improve, give feedback. Most of the time it's there to let the developers know that they want to see the game improved. There are reasons why it's irrational, I agree. Yet "if you're angry, go play a different game" advice is just... telling someone to give up protesting. Nothing's going to improve, better give up and move on. While sometimes it can be sound advice, there are players that haven't played other games besides The Sims who have no other game to go to (yet). And then there's also a topic of autistic special interests preventing from trying out other games.
So yeah, people have grown up with The Sims and they'd just hate to see the series potentially doing fatal decisions.
But yeah, for now, I can play The Sims 3 or The Sims 2 for example.
