The Sims 4’s monetization system has faced an uphill battle throughout the course of the game’s history, and that’s because fans were not happy with the multiple DLC packs released over some form of free updates. However, the free content bundles that the game has recently rolled out may be a good indication of howThe Sims 5could handle microtransactions when it releases.
EA releasedThe Sims 4’s Daring Lifestyle Bundlefor free last month on the Epic Games Store. The bundle gaveThe Sims 4players access to three different DLC items in the form of two game packs and one kit. While players didn’t get any of the full-blown expansion packs for free, they still were given some new items and locations to spice up their games.The Sims 5can and should learn from this, though.
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The Sims 5 Should Have Free DLC
The Simsis known for its abundant amounts of DLC available to add a variety of fun, wild, and cool new items, clothing, locations, and ideas into its games in order to make gameplay more interesting.The Sims 4DLCranges from expansion packs, game packs, stuff packs, and kits. While there is so much additional content to bring into the game, a lot of it is pricey. Expansion packs, the biggest form of DLC that adds in the most new content, are $40 each. After that, game packs are $20, stuff packs are $10, and kits are $5. With there being sixty-six total DLC available to download, including thirteen expansion packs, twelve game packs, eighteen stuff packs, and twenty-three kits, players have to pay over $1000 to take advantage of everything the game has to offer.
The Sims 4has been out since 2014, and The Daring Lifestyle Bundle gave players who don’t want to spend so much money on adding a few new things to their game the chance to do that for free for the first time ever. If EA plans on makingThe Sims 5last as long asThe Sims 4, the publisher could periodically release free bundles for the game to keep the large number of players that remain completely free-to-play to stay interested and keep having fun with the game. It’s very easy to get bored with the same clothes, furniture, andthings to do inThe Sims, and consistently putting out new things for all players to enjoy could be beneficial for keeping the player base happy and having fun with the game.
The bundles don’t have to include all forms of DLC.EAcould very well only include game packs, stuff packs, or kits into the free bundles and keep the bigger expansion packs locked behind a paywall. This would giveThe Simsplayers a wider variety of accessories while still giving them a reason to pay more money for extra content. In general, more content to be consumed within the game will allow for more replayability and more interest in the game for the majority of its player base.
The Sims 5 Could Reconcile EA’s Relationship With the Community
As it stands, a majority ofThe Simscommunityis unhappy with the prices ofThe Sims 4’s DLC. IfThe Sims 5occasionally gives out free DLC bundles, it could be just what EA needs to earn the much-needed respect and trust from the community. Additionally, it could breathe new life into the community. Players having a reason to keep playing and talking about the game online keepsThe Sims 5in the conversation and in the front of gamers’ minds.
Releasing regular free DLC bundles could also bring more attention to the Origin launcher as well. Currently, the only place where any bundles forThe Sims 4were given for free was on theEpic Games Store, but if these bundles become a regular occurrence, maybe EA could just start releasing them through Origin, keeping players in their own ecosystem.
