The Sims™ 4, life to date, has almost 36 million players

I always like reading the prepared remarks with these: https://s22.q4cdn.com/894350492/files/doc_financials/2021/Q4/Q4-FY21-Prepared-Remarks-Final.pdf

Sims related ones including SimCity:
"This model is how we’ve built FIFA, Apex Legends, Madden NFL and The Sims
into some of the most successful, global live service businesses in the industry, and we are
applying it as a blueprint across our franchises."

"Turning to Q4 specifically, the beat was driven by live services, primarily by Apex Legends and
FIFA Ultimate Team. Mobile also beat our expectations, driven by outperformance from Star
Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and SimCity BuildIt. "

"Throughout FY22, we will continue transforming mobile into a growth center for our business.
With the recent re-organization and hiring of new leadership and talent into our EA mobile
teams, we are in position to maximize our leading mobile live services – including Star Wars:
Galaxy of Heroes, The Sims and Real Racing – by growing player acquisition, deepening
engagement and player investment, and driving new opportunities in non-western markets."

"Scobre;c-17881182" wrote:
I always like reading the prepared remarks with these: https://s22.q4cdn.com/894350492/files/doc_financials/2021/Q4/Q4-FY21-Prepared-Remarks-Final.pdf

Sims related ones including SimCity:
"This model is how we’ve built FIFA, Apex Legends, Madden NFL and The Sims
into some of the most successful, global live service businesses in the industry, and we are
applying it as a blueprint across our franchises."

"Turning to Q4 specifically, the beat was driven by live services, primarily by Apex Legends and
FIFA Ultimate Team. Mobile also beat our expectations, driven by outperformance from Star
Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and SimCity BuildIt. "

"Throughout FY22, we will continue transforming mobile into a growth center for our business.
With the recent re-organization and hiring of new leadership and talent into our EA mobile
teams, we are in position to maximize our leading mobile live services – including Star Wars:
Galaxy of Heroes, The Sims and Real Racing – by growing player acquisition, deepening
engagement and player investment, and driving new opportunities in non-western markets."

Mobile games are very profitable... I wonder how many of those 36 million people that play the sims on mobile. I tried the sims mobile for a while but I got bored because everything was real time and took forever.

"logion;c-17881190" wrote:

"Scobre;c-17881182" wrote:
I always like reading the prepared remarks with these: https://s22.q4cdn.com/894350492/files/doc_financials/2021/Q4/Q4-FY21-Prepared-Remarks-Final.pdf

Sims related ones including SimCity:
"This model is how we’ve built FIFA, Apex Legends, Madden NFL and The Sims
into some of the most successful, global live service businesses in the industry, and we are
applying it as a blueprint across our franchises."

"Turning to Q4 specifically, the beat was driven by live services, primarily by Apex Legends and
FIFA Ultimate Team. Mobile also beat our expectations, driven by outperformance from Star
Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and SimCity BuildIt. "

"Throughout FY22, we will continue transforming mobile into a growth center for our business.
With the recent re-organization and hiring of new leadership and talent into our EA mobile
teams, we are in position to maximize our leading mobile live services – including Star Wars:
Galaxy of Heroes, The Sims and Real Racing – by growing player acquisition, deepening
engagement and player investment, and driving new opportunities in non-western markets."

Mobile games are very profitable... I wonder how many of those 36 million people that play the sims on mobile. I tried the sims mobile for a while but I got bored because everything was real time and took forever.

Yeah there is the Sims Freeplay is still being developed as well. I got bored of the mobile games too.

"logion;c-17881164" wrote:

"filipomel;c-17881136" wrote:
if these numbers are true, I can see why EA would want to continue developing content for the long term. Sims 4 is the most accessible Sims game ever, it's on 4 major consoles, runs relatively well on modest PC's and Macs, and is available on a few subscription services. Launching a new Sims game would sabotage the huge platform Sims 4 has. Why launch a new sims game to sell DLC content to a new and growing player base, when you can continue selling DLC to an already existing player base?

A successful sims5 could lead to them getting even more player numbers over time. These 36 million people are going to want to move to something else eventually (many of them are probably not very active considering that they are counting from 2014).

So I think it will depend on how much more player numbers they will get over time. And how many that will stay active and play the game.

A successful Sims 5 could lead to them getting even more players, if you could convince all 36 million players that investing more money in the new game is worth it. Even then is the pay off worth it for EA? Spend a huge budget on a new game to build the player base from the ground up to potentially be more successful than Sims 4? When the alternative is to simply not spend that huge budget and continue making money off an existing extremely successful platform. I think EA has no interest in releasing a Sims 5 anytime soon, 36 million players is a lot of money making potential, starting fresh with a new game doesn't guarantee success or money, especially when an established platform is already insanely profitable for them.

"filipomel;c-17881210" wrote:

"logion;c-17881164" wrote:

"filipomel;c-17881136" wrote:
if these numbers are true, I can see why EA would want to continue developing content for the long term. Sims 4 is the most accessible Sims game ever, it's on 4 major consoles, runs relatively well on modest PC's and Macs, and is available on a few subscription services. Launching a new Sims game would sabotage the huge platform Sims 4 has. Why launch a new sims game to sell DLC content to a new and growing player base, when you can continue selling DLC to an already existing player base?

A successful sims5 could lead to them getting even more player numbers over time. These 36 million people are going to want to move to something else eventually (many of them are probably not very active considering that they are counting from 2014).

So I think it will depend on how much more player numbers they will get over time. And how many that will stay active and play the game.

A successful Sims 5 could lead to them getting even more players, if you could convince all 36 million players that investing more money in the new game is worth it. Even then is the pay off worth it for EA? Spend a huge budget on a new game to build the player base from the ground up to potentially be more successful than Sims 4? When the alternative is to simply not spend that huge budget and continue making money off an existing extremely successful platform. I think EA has no interest in releasing a Sims 5 anytime soon, 36 million players is a lot of money making potential, starting fresh with a new game doesn't guarantee success or money, especially when an established platform is already insanely profitable for them.

I think you are right. I understand that they would prefer to continue because every time they release a new pack, there are 36 million potential customers.

The more packs they release though, the harder it will probably be to convince people to move on to the next game whenever it eventually releases. I was never around the forums when the sims4 released but I guess it was kinda the same back then.

"logion;c-17881213" wrote:

"filipomel;c-17881210" wrote:

"logion;c-17881164" wrote:

"filipomel;c-17881136" wrote:
if these numbers are true, I can see why EA would want to continue developing content for the long term. Sims 4 is the most accessible Sims game ever, it's on 4 major consoles, runs relatively well on modest PC's and Macs, and is available on a few subscription services. Launching a new Sims game would sabotage the huge platform Sims 4 has. Why launch a new sims game to sell DLC content to a new and growing player base, when you can continue selling DLC to an already existing player base?

A successful sims5 could lead to them getting even more player numbers over time. These 36 million people are going to want to move to something else eventually (many of them are probably not very active considering that they are counting from 2014).

So I think it will depend on how much more player numbers they will get over time. And how many that will stay active and play the game.

A successful Sims 5 could lead to them getting even more players, if you could convince all 36 million players that investing more money in the new game is worth it. Even then is the pay off worth it for EA? Spend a huge budget on a new game to build the player base from the ground up to potentially be more successful than Sims 4? When the alternative is to simply not spend that huge budget and continue making money off an existing extremely successful platform. I think EA has no interest in releasing a Sims 5 anytime soon, 36 million players is a lot of money making potential, starting fresh with a new game doesn't guarantee success or money, especially when an established platform is already insanely profitable for them.

I think you are right. I understand that they would prefer to continue because every time they release a new pack, there are 36 million potential customers.

The more packs they release though, the harder it will probably be to convince people to move on to the next game whenever it eventually releases. I was never around the forums when the sims4 released but I guess it was kinda the same when the sims4 released and they tried to get people to move on from the sims3.

Interesting point you make, by the end of the Sims 4's development, the catalogue of DLC will be insane, how do you convince players with an established collection to move on? They did it before with three sequels, but Sims 4 seems to be a bigger investment this time around, moving on would be a tough pill for me to swallow with my current collection.

"filipomel;c-17881217" wrote:

"logion;c-17881213" wrote:

"filipomel;c-17881210" wrote:

"logion;c-17881164" wrote:

"filipomel;c-17881136" wrote:
if these numbers are true, I can see why EA would want to continue developing content for the long term. Sims 4 is the most accessible Sims game ever, it's on 4 major consoles, runs relatively well on modest PC's and Macs, and is available on a few subscription services. Launching a new Sims game would sabotage the huge platform Sims 4 has. Why launch a new sims game to sell DLC content to a new and growing player base, when you can continue selling DLC to an already existing player base?

A successful sims5 could lead to them getting even more player numbers over time. These 36 million people are going to want to move to something else eventually (many of them are probably not very active considering that they are counting from 2014).

So I think it will depend on how much more player numbers they will get over time. And how many that will stay active and play the game.

A successful Sims 5 could lead to them getting even more players, if you could convince all 36 million players that investing more money in the new game is worth it. Even then is the pay off worth it for EA? Spend a huge budget on a new game to build the player base from the ground up to potentially be more successful than Sims 4? When the alternative is to simply not spend that huge budget and continue making money off an existing extremely successful platform. I think EA has no interest in releasing a Sims 5 anytime soon, 36 million players is a lot of money making potential, starting fresh with a new game doesn't guarantee success or money, especially when an established platform is already insanely profitable for them.

I think you are right. I understand that they would prefer to continue because every time they release a new pack, there are 36 million potential customers.

The more packs they release though, the harder it will probably be to convince people to move on to the next game whenever it eventually releases. I was never around the forums when the sims4 released but I guess it was kinda the same when the sims4 released and they tried to get people to move on from the sims3.

Interesting point you make, by the end of the Sims 4's development, the catalogue of DLC will be insane, how do you convince players with an established collection to move on? They did it before with three sequels, but Sims 4 seems to be a bigger investment this time around, moving on would be a tough pill for me to swallow with my current collection.

Yeah I don't know, maybe with features that people would want? If they could offer things like open world then I would be interested. I'm surprised that we are hearing rumors about multiplayer etc. which are features that will probably draw in new people but it doesn't sound like features that people that play the sims4 now would want.

So when this player base have grown to 50 million players, then they better have more features to offer than that so people that have bought 15 years of packs are willing to move on...

"filipomel;c-17881217" wrote:

"logion;c-17881213" wrote:

"filipomel;c-17881210" wrote:

"logion;c-17881164" wrote:

"filipomel;c-17881136" wrote:
if these numbers are true, I can see why EA would want to continue developing content for the long term. Sims 4 is the most accessible Sims game ever, it's on 4 major consoles, runs relatively well on modest PC's and Macs, and is available on a few subscription services. Launching a new Sims game would sabotage the huge platform Sims 4 has. Why launch a new sims game to sell DLC content to a new and growing player base, when you can continue selling DLC to an already existing player base?

A successful sims5 could lead to them getting even more player numbers over time. These 36 million people are going to want to move to something else eventually (many of them are probably not very active considering that they are counting from 2014).

So I think it will depend on how much more player numbers they will get over time. And how many that will stay active and play the game.

A successful Sims 5 could lead to them getting even more players, if you could convince all 36 million players that investing more money in the new game is worth it. Even then is the pay off worth it for EA? Spend a huge budget on a new game to build the player base from the ground up to potentially be more successful than Sims 4? When the alternative is to simply not spend that huge budget and continue making money off an existing extremely successful platform. I think EA has no interest in releasing a Sims 5 anytime soon, 36 million players is a lot of money making potential, starting fresh with a new game doesn't guarantee success or money, especially when an established platform is already insanely profitable for them.

I think you are right. I understand that they would prefer to continue because every time they release a new pack, there are 36 million potential customers.

The more packs they release though, the harder it will probably be to convince people to move on to the next game whenever it eventually releases. I was never around the forums when the sims4 released but I guess it was kinda the same when the sims4 released and they tried to get people to move on from the sims3.

Interesting point you make, by the end of the Sims 4's development, the catalogue of DLC will be insane, how do you convince players with an established collection to move on? They did it before with three sequels, but Sims 4 seems to be a bigger investment this time around, moving on would be a tough pill for me to swallow with my current collection.

I don't think they will especially if it goes the MMO route. The transition from Sims 4 to 5 is probably going to be the worst no matter what happens. Plus with Paralives and other life simulation games that have come out since the Sims 4 initial release, Sims 5 will enter a non-monopoly market for the first time of any Sim game. The MMORPG market is much more saturated with competition too, so Sims 5 is going to have a hard time even competition with sub and no sub games.

"SimmerGeorge;c-17881050" wrote:
Well it is successful but not as overly-successful considering the circumstances of
1. how often the game has been free or very very cheap and people might own it and not play.
2. Bundles it was given away with people bought and got the Sims 4 with it for free and have it now abandonded in their libraries.
3. In order to play the Sims 4 on your Steam account you have to rebuy the base game (so a lot of people own the game twice).

No doubt it's a successful game but it's important to see what may have contributed to these numbers. Also numbers don't equal quality or enjoyment but that's another story.

Of course some who got it free are not still playing it, but many others are, and have bought other packs for it. It was actually a good marketing strategy as they have so many expansion packs, game packs, stuff packs and kits that can be bought for the game, and more to come, and trial subscriptions are like teasers. A good lure makes fishing easier...

.

"logion;c-17881190" wrote:

"Scobre;c-17881182" wrote:
I always like reading the prepared remarks with these: https://s22.q4cdn.com/894350492/files/doc_financials/2021/Q4/Q4-FY21-Prepared-Remarks-Final.pdf

Sims related ones including SimCity:
"This model is how we’ve built FIFA, Apex Legends, Madden NFL and The Sims
into some of the most successful, global live service businesses in the industry, and we are
applying it as a blueprint across our franchises."

"Turning to Q4 specifically, the beat was driven by live services, primarily by Apex Legends and
FIFA Ultimate Team. Mobile also beat our expectations, driven by outperformance from Star
Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and SimCity BuildIt. "

"Throughout FY22, we will continue transforming mobile into a growth center for our business.
With the recent re-organization and hiring of new leadership and talent into our EA mobile
teams, we are in position to maximize our leading mobile live services – including Star Wars:
Galaxy of Heroes, The Sims and Real Racing – by growing player acquisition, deepening
engagement and player investment, and driving new opportunities in non-western markets."

Mobile games are very profitable... I wonder how many of those 36 million people that play the sims on mobile. I tried the sims mobile for a while but I got bored because everything was real time and took forever.

Sims FreePlay is the reason I went to sims 4. I left sims 3 early on, played sims FreePlay and decided I wanted a game that I could control more without micro transactions, my reason for getting sims 4 a few months after if came out.