I have seen and participated in a few recommendation threads as of late and it has gotten me thinking: is DLC necessary in the Sims series? I am thinking more grounded in the here and now with existing titles, but I would not mind a little speculation as to if it will be necessary for future titles.I realize, obviously, they are all optional purchases and usually any debate would end there (optional = not necessary). However, thinking through it all, I personally do not disable or really even skip that many packs. I have all of 1, all but the regional holiday pack of 2, all packs of 3 and a little store content, and all of 4. If anything, the one major constant for my playstyle through the years from 1 to now is that fact that I am constantly using all kinds of the available DLC pretty well all the time once I have them. Although I definitely understand what I like and dislike about each base game, it is hard for me to actually imagine playing with no packs for any of the titles. With both 3 and 4 I took fairly long hiatuses from them when they first released, only messing around to understand the mechanics and waiting for a point down the DLC line to transfer to the newest entry. (Not necessarily my thought process at the time for 3, but that is what happened.) I suppose it is possible to an extent, but I would not really want to. Plus, being completely honest, I have really been enjoying 4 lately, but if I had to be relegated to the base game for some hypothetical reason (worse yet, launch base game) then I genuinely think I would never play it again.So what does everyone else think? I understand that for others this is the same kind of situation with mods, and they may very well shape the answers for many of you. I have never been big into modding the Sims. Some other games I will not touch unmodded, but I never really needed it in the older Sims titles and I consider it a hassle for 4 since Origin does not have the built in mod support of say Steam or the Paradox launcher. I digress, though.Is DLC necessary for you Sims game? I think it is necessary for mine at this point.

No, not if the core is done correctly. I didn't need any packs for The Sims, The Sims 2 but sorely needed DLC for TS3's base because of a lack of open community lots besides a library etc. In TS4 is was clear there was going to have to be hundreds of packs to make the core seem it was even on the same level as The Sims.

For me, I DO need DLC, because I'm primarily an occult player. And feel free to correct me if I'm wrong (since TS4 is my first Sims game) didn't witches/spellcasters, vampires, faeries, werewolves, etc... all come in DLC in the past too? Like they've never been in the base game have they? And what about pets? My spellcasters need their familiars.

Honestly there is absolutely no way I'd still be playing any of the iterations if it was base game only. No matter how good. Now if Sims 5 was released as a stand alone game it would have to include many of the features we've come to expect with DLC. Seasons, occults, generational gameplay, vacations, retail systems. Of course the price of such a game would be prohibitive for many.

"MeowchaFrappe;c-17940971" wrote:For me, I DO need DLC, because I'm primarily an occult player. And feel free to correct me if I'm wrong (since TS4 is my first Sims game) didn't witches/spellcasters, vampires, faeries, werewolves, etc... all come in DLC in the past too? Like they've never been in the base game have they? And what about pets? My spellcasters need their familiars. Yep. Supernaturals, pets, and weather have been DLC absolutely every time they were in the series.I'm a big occult player myself, but I usually mark the transfer around Pets because I tend to miss them especially (and supernaturals can be broken up like 4 or 2).

"Calico45;d-992202" wrote:I have seen and participated in a few recommendation threads as of late and it has gotten me thinking: is DLC necessary in the Sims series? I am thinking more grounded in the here and now with existing titles, but I would not mind a little speculation as to if it will be necessary for future titles.I realize, obviously, they are all optional purchases and usually any debate would end there (optional = not necessary). However, thinking through it all, I personally do not disable or really even skip that many packs. I have all of 1, all but the regional holiday pack of 2, all packs of 3 and a little store content, and all of 4. If anything, the one major constant for my playstyle through the years from 1 to now is that fact that I am constantly using all kinds of the available DLC pretty well all the time once I have them. Although I definitely understand what I like and dislike about each base game, it is hard for me to actually imagine playing with no packs for any of the titles. With both 3 and 4 I took fairly long hiatuses from them when they first released, only messing around to understand the mechanics and waiting for a point down the DLC line to transfer to the newest entry. (Not necessarily my thought process at the time for 3, but that is what happened.) I suppose it is possible to an extent, but I would not really want to. Plus, being completely honest, I have really been enjoying 4 lately, but if I had to be relegated to the base game for some hypothetical reason (worse yet, launch base game) then I genuinely think I would never play it again.So what does everyone else think? I understand that for others this is the same kind of situation with mods, and they may very well shape the answers for many of you. I have never been big into modding the Sims. Some other games I will not touch unmodded, but I never really needed it in the older Sims titles and I consider it a hassle for 4 since Origin does not have the built in mod support of say Steam or the Paradox launcher. I digress, though.Is DLC necessary for you Sims game? I think it is necessary for mine at this point.I have played The Sims 4 for a whole year without any DLC. I have so much fun creating my stories and families that I feel like I am always full of ideas. Even in The Sims 3. Up to this point I haven't even unlocked the grilled cheese aspiration, do a complete a-z legacy, and fill a house only with ghost. There is so much you can do. I only decided to buy the DLC when I saw them on Origin and I was like, I am enjying the game and adding more wouldn't hurt. Now me and my partner (we both use the same account to play the sims) plays the game and I must say it feels to me that I only touched like20% of the game so far. Overalll I am satisfied....Except batuu never bought that and never will XD

Is Sims DLC Necessary? | EA Forums

Cinebar
4 years ago
No, not if the core is done correctly. I didn't need any packs for The Sims, The Sims 2 but sorely needed DLC for TS3's base because of a lack of open community lots besides a library etc. In TS4 is was clear there was going to have to be hundreds of packs to make the core seem it was even on the same level as The Sims.
MeowchaFrappe
4 years ago
For me, I DO need DLC, because I'm primarily an occult player. And feel free to correct me if I'm wrong (since TS4 is my first Sims game) didn't witches/spellcasters, vampires, faeries, werewolves, etc... all come in DLC in the past too? Like they've never been in the base game have they? And what about pets? My spellcasters need their familiars.
simgirl1010
Hero
4 years ago
Honestly there is absolutely no way I'd still be playing any of the iterations if it was base game only. No matter how good.

Now if Sims 5 was released as a stand alone game it would have to include many of the features we've come to expect with DLC. Seasons, occults, generational gameplay, vacations, retail systems. Of course the price of such a game would be prohibitive for many.
Bluebell23456
4 years ago
"MeowchaFrappe;c-17940971" wrote:
For me, I DO need DLC, because I'm primarily an occult player. And feel free to correct me if I'm wrong (since TS4 is my first Sims game) didn't witches/spellcasters, vampires, faeries, werewolves, etc... all come in DLC in the past too? Like they've never been in the base game have they? And what about pets? My spellcasters need their familiars.

Yep. Supernaturals, pets, and weather have been DLC absolutely every time they were in the series.

I'm a big occult player myself, but I usually mark the transfer around Pets because I tend to miss them especially (and supernaturals can be broken up like 4 or 2).
TS1299
4 years ago
"Calico45;d-992202" wrote:
I have seen and participated in a few recommendation threads as of late and it has gotten me thinking: is DLC necessary in the Sims series? I am thinking more grounded in the here and now with existing titles, but I would not mind a little speculation as to if it will be necessary for future titles.

I realize, obviously, they are all optional purchases and usually any debate would end there (optional = not necessary). However, thinking through it all, I personally do not disable or really even skip that many packs. I have all of 1, all but the regional holiday pack of 2, all packs of 3 and a little store content, and all of 4. If anything, the one major constant for my playstyle through the years from 1 to now is that fact that I am constantly using all kinds of the available DLC pretty well all the time once I have them. Although I definitely understand what I like and dislike about each base game, it is hard for me to actually imagine playing with no packs for any of the titles. With both 3 and 4 I took fairly long hiatuses from them when they first released, only messing around to understand the mechanics and waiting for a point down the DLC line to transfer to the newest entry. (Not necessarily my thought process at the time for 3, but that is what happened.) I suppose it is possible to an extent, but I would not really want to. Plus, being completely honest, I have really been enjoying 4 lately, but if I had to be relegated to the base game for some hypothetical reason (worse yet, launch base game) then I genuinely think I would never play it again.

So what does everyone else think? I understand that for others this is the same kind of situation with mods, and they may very well shape the answers for many of you. I have never been big into modding the Sims. Some other games I will not touch unmodded, but I never really needed it in the older Sims titles and I consider it a hassle for 4 since Origin does not have the built in mod support of say Steam or the Paradox launcher. I digress, though.

Is DLC necessary for you Sims game? I think it is necessary for mine at this point.

I have played The Sims 4 for a whole year without any DLC. I have so much fun creating my stories and families that I feel like I am always full of ideas. Even in The Sims 3. Up to this point I haven't even unlocked the grilled cheese aspiration, do a complete a-z legacy, and fill a house only with ghost. There is so much you can do. I only decided to buy the DLC when I saw them on Origin and I was like, I am enjying the game and adding more wouldn't hurt. Now me and my partner (we both use the same account to play the sims) plays the game and I must say it feels to me that I only touched like20% of the game so far. Overalll I am satisfied....Except batuu never bought that and never will XD
SEREFRAS
Seasoned Veteran
4 years ago
Yes because I only play vanilla. I need my Vamps, Spellcasters & Aliens for my altered sims.
I also need my Windenburg, Henford, Brindleton Bay, Glimmerbrook & Forgotten Hollow for my Historic worlds.
My Sulani Island is very important for my Prehistoric World.
My Strangerville & Batuu is important for my SiFi Worlds.

So, basically my important packs are:
Get Together
Cats & Dogs
Island Living
Cottage Living
Vampires
Strangerville
Realm of Magic
Journey to Batuu

I so love playing varieties of Timelines, Cultures, Fantasies & Themes.
SimuLord
4 years ago
For me, some DLC is essential, but most of it isn't.

Doesn't stop me from buying it though...one look at not just Sims 4, but my Steam library, shows I love modular, easily-expanded core game experiences.
Bluebell23456
4 years ago
"TS1299;c-17941475" wrote:
"Calico45;d-992202" wrote:
I have seen and participated in a few recommendation threads as of late and it has gotten me thinking: is DLC necessary in the Sims series? I am thinking more grounded in the here and now with existing titles, but I would not mind a little speculation as to if it will be necessary for future titles.

I realize, obviously, they are all optional purchases and usually any debate would end there (optional = not necessary). However, thinking through it all, I personally do not disable or really even skip that many packs. I have all of 1, all but the regional holiday pack of 2, all packs of 3 and a little store content, and all of 4. If anything, the one major constant for my playstyle through the years from 1 to now is that fact that I am constantly using all kinds of the available DLC pretty well all the time once I have them. Although I definitely understand what I like and dislike about each base game, it is hard for me to actually imagine playing with no packs for any of the titles. With both 3 and 4 I took fairly long hiatuses from them when they first released, only messing around to understand the mechanics and waiting for a point down the DLC line to transfer to the newest entry. (Not necessarily my thought process at the time for 3, but that is what happened.) I suppose it is possible to an extent, but I would not really want to. Plus, being completely honest, I have really been enjoying 4 lately, but if I had to be relegated to the base game for some hypothetical reason (worse yet, launch base game) then I genuinely think I would never play it again.

So what does everyone else think? I understand that for others this is the same kind of situation with mods, and they may very well shape the answers for many of you. I have never been big into modding the Sims. Some other games I will not touch unmodded, but I never really needed it in the older Sims titles and I consider it a hassle for 4 since Origin does not have the built in mod support of say Steam or the Paradox launcher. I digress, though.

Is DLC necessary for you Sims game? I think it is necessary for mine at this point.

I have played The Sims 4 for a whole year without any DLC. I have so much fun creating my stories and families that I feel like I am always full of ideas. Even in The Sims 3. Up to this point I haven't even unlocked the grilled cheese aspiration, do a complete a-z legacy, and fill a house only with ghost. There is so much you can do. I only decided to buy the DLC when I saw them on Origin and I was like, I am enjying the game and adding more wouldn't hurt. Now me and my partner (we both use the same account to play the sims) plays the game and I must say it feels to me that I only touched like20% of the game so far. Overalll I am satisfied....Except batuu never bought that and never will XD

That is interesting to hear. I have had 4 since launch and can confidently say I have experienced all its base game has had to offer in some form or fashion (that has been released, mind you), including the limited time events and "secret lots." I suppose a lot of it has to do with how I was there when the updates were dropped, DLC too actually.

I am not a big organized challenge player, so it doesn't surprise me at all that there are people that get more mileage than me, but it is interesting to think about. I'd be curious how you would feel at a point like mine, seven years and all packs in and insert-hypothetical-reason-here had to go back to BG only. As stated, I do not think I could ever play again, even with the improvements through the years.

I suppose that could sound a little rude since you mentioned 3, but I consider those BGs pretty different and I am not sure what all you did with 3. Please know rudeness was not my intention, regardless.
ButterWafflesAR
New Rookie
4 years ago
It's really necessary to have DLC to enjoy the sims. All I had for years for the sims 2 was the double deluxe and I still had loads of fun. That was before I was old enough to get a job and bought the rest of the packs off ebay. I had just that one disc alone and it was enough to make me happy for four years....correction it was five years, I did the math wrong in my head.
But if you're anything like me you have to have various of hair styles, clothing, the supernatural, home decor, especially farm animals. You got to have it all. ^^;;
GlacierSnowGhost
Seasoned Hotshot
4 years ago
I actually did have fun with just the sims 4 base game for several months before I bought my first sims 4 DLC. So I think it's totally playable that way. But, in general, for me a lot of the fun of the sims is having tons and tons of options for stories, settings, activities, and characters. I own most of the packs from Sims 4, and I use content from all of them in various types of contexts.

Sims 3, I got the base game bundled with the supernatural pack. So I never played it as base game alone. It was the supernatural pack that made me interested in the sims games in the first place.