The wondering came over the weekend regarding the possibility that TS4 is the off line element that will run concurrently with online TS5. The reasoning being:Statements from EA land that TS4 will be around 'for a long, long time'The increasing probability, from such info as we have, that TS5 will be multi-player onlineRecent updates/patches seem to be attempting to address some of our long standing issues & complaintsTS4 serving as the offline element = ZERO development cost/effort regarding putting an offline component into TS5The single player crowd is pacified and the online multi crowd get what they want with no compromiseShould the online venture explode in EA's face, again, there will be no need for a mad scramble to come up with something viable (as with TS4 originally) as the bacon saver will already be in place.Just a thought/wondering, not even up to speculation level, but worth putting out for consideration.

It's quite possible, I've wondered that myself.If it is, that will make me extremely sad! Just because there's so many build limitations in TS4: No CAW (or even the ability to just remove objects from the world and delete the fake houses and back drops or add our own, such as adding playground equipment to lots, etc) No ability to build our own apartments No swimming in every world Worlds small with too few housesThose are my personal main reasons for wanting a TS5 to come and not wanting to personally continue with TS4(I have more, like no colorwheel or CASt and the ability to ALL objects in both BB and CAS but those things I can just deal with since I have for the last 7 years).

No ability to add new vacant lots in worlds where we want, no water tool, the few terrain tools we do have don't work as well as the TS2 ones - at least for me, limited number of roofs - including proper mansard that provides usable space with windows, so many more. With you on this!

I had the same thought when they announced S4 will be around for a much longer time...With the introduction of kits its even more likely to stick around The packs themselves offer much less content than Sims 3 expansions. one S3 expansion is basically 3+++ sims 4 packs and plenty of stuff is still missing. If theyre gonna do them all its gonna take them so many years. (content release is really slow imo, but maybe im wrong and its because they announce an announcement 10 times in a row before revealing anything and its taking months to the first point)I'm very sure S5 will not be the game most simmers imagine or will lack these specific core singleplayer contents. Sims 5 probably will be some kind of Life is Strange'esque singleplayer with a basic sandbox-mode(like Sims Story Life or whatever its called) and main focus on the MMO/Online Gaming content. Gameplay may even be shaped through the content creators themselves via some kind of CC/Mods Launcher with a subfee and a shop for exklusive CaS/BuildBuy. so you basically create your own game to your likings.. I think EA recognized the influence of CC creators content being core beloved gameplay for many many players. they can even cut so much more budget than they already didsadly, this is the future of online gaming now, this is truly min*gamequality*/max*money* profit. EA being such greedy company and watching all other companies do it they wanna do it with the Sims now. Its one of the biggest games out there so there is no reason not to do it for them. it will happen..

I honestly don’t think the game can handle a 15 year lifespan. With more bugs with each patch and the spaghetti code nature of TS4, I think the game is starting to show its age a bit which seems like it is why there is a big focus on bug fixing now. TS3 had the similar issues of bugs at the end of its run, so I can definitely see TS5 coming in the next 2-4 years. In terms of whether or not TS4 will be the offline component, I don’t think EA would want to dedicate resources for any sort of active development or large undertaking of bug fixing and optimization for the Sims 4 as they would want TS5 to be successful as the online component would probably have the greatest profit potential in terms of subscription and the like.

"wormofthebook;c-17892915" wrote:I honestly don’t think the game can handle a 15 year lifespan. With more bugs with each patch and the spaghetti code nature of TS4, I think the game is starting to show its age a bit which seems like it is why there is a big focus on bug fixing now. TS3 had the similar issues of bugs at the end of its run, so I can definitely see TS5 coming in the next 2-4 years. In terms of whether or not TS4 will be the offline component, I don’t think EA would want to dedicate resources for any sort of active development or large undertaking of bug fixing and optimization for the Sims 4 as they would want TS5 to be successful as the online component would probably have the greatest profit potential in terms of subscription and the like.I can see your point. They would want TS5 to be the focus and having another Sims game active might be seen as distracting.Hopefully for the first time though two games could run, as they would be serving different functions. I like the idea of TS4 serving as the offline game. It would be simpler.The risk is people might play TS4 staying offline more. Perhaps TS5 would have enticing features to counterbalance.I agree with you that TS5 will roll out within 2-4 years. I’d rather they take their time as TS4 launched with a lot of missing stuff.

Could TS4 be the single player offline component for TS5?

Chicklet45368
Rising Traveler
4 years ago
It's quite possible, I've wondered that myself.

If it is, that will make me extremely sad! Just because there's so many build limitations in TS4:

No CAW (or even the ability to just remove objects from the world and delete the fake houses and back drops or add our own, such as adding playground equipment to lots, etc)
No ability to build our own apartments
No swimming in every world
Worlds small with too few houses

Those are my personal main reasons for wanting a TS5 to come and not wanting to personally continue with TS4

(I have more, like no colorwheel or CASt and the ability to ALL objects in both BB and CAS but those things I can just deal with since I have for the last 7 years).
OldeSimsFan
Rising Rookie
4 years ago
No ability to add new vacant lots in worlds where we want, no water tool, the few terrain tools we do have don't work as well as the TS2 ones - at least for me, limited number of roofs - including proper mansard that provides usable space with windows, so many more. With you on this!
xinAimee
4 years ago
I had the same thought when they announced S4 will be around for a much longer time...
With the introduction of kits its even more likely to stick around

The packs themselves offer much less content than Sims 3 expansions. one S3 expansion is basically 3+++ sims 4 packs and plenty of stuff is still missing. If theyre gonna do them all its gonna take them so many years. (content release is really slow imo, but maybe im wrong and its because they announce an announcement 10 times in a row before revealing anything and its taking months to the first point)

I'm very sure S5 will not be the game most simmers imagine or will lack these specific core singleplayer contents. Sims 5 probably will be some kind of Life is Strange'esque singleplayer with a basic sandbox-mode(like Sims Story Life or whatever its called) and main focus on the MMO/Online Gaming content. Gameplay may even be shaped through the content creators themselves via some kind of CC/Mods Launcher with a subfee and a shop for exklusive CaS/BuildBuy. so you basically create your own game to your likings.. I think EA recognized the influence of CC creators content being core beloved gameplay for many many players. they can even cut so much more budget than they already did

sadly, this is the future of online gaming now, this is truly min*gamequality*/max*money* profit. EA being such greedy company and watching all other companies do it they wanna do it with the Sims now. Its one of the biggest games out there so there is no reason not to do it for them. it will happen..
wormofthebook
4 years ago
I honestly don’t think the game can handle a 15 year lifespan. With more bugs with each patch and the spaghetti code nature of TS4, I think the game is starting to show its age a bit which seems like it is why there is a big focus on bug fixing now. TS3 had the similar issues of bugs at the end of its run, so I can definitely see TS5 coming in the next 2-4 years. In terms of whether or not TS4 will be the offline component, I don’t think EA would want to dedicate resources for any sort of active development or large undertaking of bug fixing and optimization for the Sims 4 as they would want TS5 to be successful as the online component would probably have the greatest profit potential in terms of subscription and the like.
ncisGibbs_BOSS
4 years ago
"wormofthebook;c-17892915" wrote:
I honestly don’t think the game can handle a 15 year lifespan. With more bugs with each patch and the spaghetti code nature of TS4, I think the game is starting to show its age a bit which seems like it is why there is a big focus on bug fixing now. TS3 had the similar issues of bugs at the end of its run, so I can definitely see TS5 coming in the next 2-4 years. In terms of whether or not TS4 will be the offline component, I don’t think EA would want to dedicate resources for any sort of active development or large undertaking of bug fixing and optimization for the Sims 4 as they would want TS5 to be successful as the online component would probably have the greatest profit potential in terms of subscription and the like.

I can see your point. They would want TS5 to be the focus and having another Sims game active might be seen as distracting.

Hopefully for the first time though two games could run, as they would be serving different functions. I like the idea of TS4 serving as the offline game. It would be simpler.

The risk is people might play TS4 staying offline more. Perhaps TS5 would have enticing features to counterbalance.

I agree with you that TS5 will roll out within 2-4 years. I’d rather they take their time as TS4 launched with a lot of missing stuff.
simgirl1010
Hero
4 years ago
That would be great! I love that I have several more years of content to look forward to. ?
AstroX1424
Seasoned Newcomer
4 years ago
"ClarionOfJoy;c-17893084" wrote:
That would be awful. I hate the fact that the worst iteration, TS4, is being dragged out this long....

Same.
renato007rigin
4 years ago
That would be terrible but I feel like I will stay with the old games + Paralives at this point
Cinebar
4 years ago
Let's hope not. Just think what all we would miss out on with newer ways to do things in games, and technology if we stick with no proper terrain tools, no swimmable worlds overall, no new innovation if we have to stick with TS4 for fifteen years. Can you imagine that? Some may not care about new innovation but it would be like staying with TS1 for twenty years. Less is never more.
Cinebar
4 years ago
"ncisGibbs02;c-17917749" wrote:
"Cinebar;c-17917473" wrote:
Let's hope not. Just think what all we would miss out on with newer ways to do things in games, and technology if we stick with no proper terrain tools, no swimmable worlds overall, no new innovation if we have to stick with TS4 for fifteen years. Can you imagine that? Some may not care about new innovation but it would be like staying with TS1 for twenty years. Less is never more.

I agree that keeping the same game for long periods can lead to stagnation. On the other hand, I don’t want to keep buying the same packs again and again. Like Sims 7 Seasons etc ?.

I’d like a better balance between releases and some way of transferring stuff you made or bought from one game to the other. I know in 4 you got lamps for Sims 3 packs purchased but I would’ve preferred some additional skill building items.

For Sims 4 I haven’t bought Seasons or University and instead gone for packs that are different. There was only going to be so long before I gave into Cats & Dogs though. ??.

We don't move on to the next iteration because of DLC, we move on because of the core, regardless of the DLC that may or may not become available. But I can understand why people don't understand that since TS4 was so lackluster of a base.