EA and Maxis have announced that starting on October 18, 2022, The Sims 4 base game will be free to play across all platforms (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC). This isn’t something we have seen before for any of The Sims games, but it is a choice that makes sense with the number of purchasable expansions the game has to offer. EA made it clear that these expansions will be a focus for the team in their press release, as seen in the quote below from their press release.
With The Sims 4 going free to play, our team is more dedicated than ever to developing new and meaningful The Sims 4 experiences for our players and we will continue to develop and release packs, kits and Sims Delivery Express drops into the foreseeable future.”
For players, like myself, who have already purchased the game, there will be compensation given. From September 14 through October 17, all players who have previously purchased The Sims 4 will get the Deluxe Luxe Kit. In this expansion, you will receive new furniture, decorations, and more so you can build your Sims their own modern oasis. The expansion is redeemable through the main menu of the game and is only available until October 17 so make sure to go and pick it up if you already own the game.
Additionally, EA Play and EA Play Pro members will also be getting some member-only bundles added to The Play List on October 18. EA Play Edition will have The Sims 4: Get To Work Expansion Pack, and the EA Play Pro Edition will have both the Get To Work Expansion as well as The Sims 4: Toddler Stuff Pack.
That is all we know for now about this upcoming change to The Sims but more information about what’s in the works will be announced during the Behind The Sims Summit which will be streamed live on The Sims YouTube and Twitch on October 18 at 1 PM EST. The question I have now is, if this will be something we should expect to see for future games in The Sims series. Will a free-to-play base game become normal to get more players playing the game while still being able to make revenue from the plethora of expansions that The Sims games are known for? As a casual player since The Sims 2, I am definitely interested in seeing how this decision plays out and impacts the future of the series.
