I‘m sure you‘ve heard the big news that EA recently announced The Sims 4 base game will become permanently free to play starting on October 18, 2022. This is a huge shift after 8 years as a paid game!
So will The Sims 4 really be free forever, and what does this mean for the future of the iconic franchise? As a fellow Sims fan, let me walk you through all the details.
The Short Answer
Yes, The Sims 4 base game is now completely free forever! You can download it for free on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S. This is not a limited time promotion.
However, this only applies to the base game. You‘ll still need to pay for any expansion packs, game packs, stuff packs and kits if you want all the extra content added over the years. But the core Sims 4 experience is yours to keep permanently at no cost.
Why Did EA Decide to Make it Free?
The Sims games have always sold a ton of copies with each new release. So why would EA suddenly make The Sims 4 free after selling over 35 million copies? There are a few strategic reasons:
Attract new players who were hesitant to pay $40 for a game that‘s been out 8 years already. The free base game removes that "barrier to entry".
Increased free players means more potential customers for the paid DLC expansions. This is where EA makes their real money from The Sims now.
A larger player base keeps the game feeling more "alive" and culturally relevant. This helps attract streaming and user-generated content.
It extends the lifespan of The Sims 4 beyond when most games would have declined. EA buys more time before having to release a Sims 5.
So in summary, it opens up a much bigger audience of potential Sims 4 players, while still giving EA ways to monetize through paid additional content.
A Major Shift, but Not Unprecedented
While surprising, big name franchises going permanently free or "free-to-play" has been a trend lately.
For example, Fortnite Save the World mode went free-to-play in 2020 after 3 years. Rocket League went free in 2020 after 5 years. Apex Legends was designed free-to-play from launch.
So The Sims 4 joining this model after 8 years makes sense. And it doesn‘t really devalue the IP – if anything, it keeps it relevant for the next generation of gamers.
What Players Get for Free
Let‘s be totally clear about what exactly you get for free with the base version of The Sims 4:
Create a Sim with a wide selection of customization
Build Mode lets you design and decorate houses
Live Mode to control Sims and progress through careers
Base game worlds like Willow Creek and Oasis Springs
Pre-made households like the Goth, Landgraab and Pancakes families
So you can still have fun enjoying the core Sims experience without paying anything. But to unlock deeper gameplay and content, you‘ll need the expansion packs.
What About Expansion Packs?
The Sims 4 has released a ton of extra content over the past 8 years:
11 Expansion Packs adding major features like Seasons, Pets, University and Cottage Living
12 Game Packs with themes like Vampires, Parenthood and Dine Out
20 Stuff Packs full of clothes, furniture and build items
4 Kits with more focused cosmetic items
This extra content has always been the biggest revenue stream for EA long after launch. So it makes sense they are keeping these packs paid rather than making everything free.
Expect EA to continue releasing fresh expansion and game packs for years to come. The Sims 4 going free just gives them access to more potential paying customers.
A Reward for Loyal Fans
One concern some existing Sims 4 players understandably have is suddenly the base game they paid full price for is now free. Does this mean they wasted their money?
Thankfully, EA is showing appreciation to loyal players by gifting the Desert Luxe Kit for free. While not a huge gift, it‘s at least a nice bonus thank you item.
And truthfully, veteran players benefit the most from a revitalized community full of new players and interest in the game they love. Their support over the years helped make The Sims 4 going free possible.
This Could Reinvigorate The Sims 4
The Sims has one of the most passionate player communities in all of gaming. But 8 years is a long time for any game to stay popular. So this shift to free could breathe new life into The Sims 4 for years to come.
Just picture an influx of new players trying the game every day, more streamers and YouTubers creating content, bigger audiences for community builders to share creations with.
EA may even feel incentivized to keep releasing new content longer than they otherwise would have, since the game‘s lifespan has essentially been extended.
Is The Sims 4 Worth Playing in 2022?
For gamers who previously took a wait-and-see approach, is The Sims 4 in 2022 worth investing your time in once you can download it for free?
In my opinion, absolutely yes! The core Sims gameplay loop of creating unique characters and choreographing their lives is endlessly fun and relaxing.
Some key reasons why The Sims 4 stands the test of time:
Incredible freedom of expression – The character and build customization tools are incredible for bringing your wildest ideas to life.
Engrossing long-term progression – Slowly building up your Sims‘ skills, careers, relationships and families is deeply rewarding.
Vibrant modding community – Custom content expands possibilities for customization even further.
Multiplayer potential – Joining online communities lets you meet fellow fans and share your creations.
So while dated visually, The Sims 4 gameplay still delivers that addictive simulation magic the franchise is known for 8 years later.
Technical Details on How to Get It Free
Let‘s quickly summarize how to get The Sims 4 base game for free, starting October 18:
Available on Windows PC (EA app or Origin), Mac (Origin), PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S
Requires signing up for a free EA account
Downloads through EA app, Origin, PlayStation/Xbox stores
Base game is nearly a 60GB download, so clear some disk space!
Internet connection required for one-time activation and account verification
And that‘s it! No credit card required, just a few clicks and you‘ll have The Sims 4 to play free forever.
What Does This Mean for The Sims 5?
While The Sims 4 going free is big news right now, what about the future of the franchise? Fans have been eagerly awaiting an eventual Sims 5 release.
The honest truth is The Sims 5 is likely still years away. EA almost certainly timed this transition to free-to-play to prolong The Sims 4‘s lifespan for as long as possible first.
But once ready, The Sims 5 will probably take all the lessons learned from The Sims 4 and apply them to make the next generation feel like a major leap forward. Just don‘t expect it anytime too soon.
The Future is Bright for The Sims Franchise
At the end of the day, The Sims going free-to-play is a smart business move by EA to open up these amazing games to the widest possible audience.
And as a loyal Sims community member myself, I‘m excited to watch the player base explode with new creative gamers who will take the franchise to new heights.
So whether you‘re a veteran fan or a newcomer jumping in for the first time, enjoy the vibrant future ahead for The Sims! I‘ll see you in the game 😊
