The Sims 4 is slated to receive two new Expansion Packs over the course of 2023, but little has been revealed about what they'll contain or when they'll be released. Expansion Packs have become somewhat of a rarity for the franchise recently, with over a year passing between 2021's Cottage Living and 2022's High School Years. For there to be two in one year is incredibly exciting news for fans, and of course most players have their own ideas about what the releases should focus on.
Although every fan has their own idea of what the best Sims 4 Expansion Packs are, each one has arguably had more impact on the series than any other DLC due to their large size. Each one provided substantial amounts of new mechanics to The Sims 4, and all but Seasons has added a new World to the game as well. Considering how much change an Expansion Pack can bring to the title, it's no wonder many players have strong opinions about the contents of the next two - this is what the next two Expansion Packs should try to accomplish.
A Sims 4 Expansion Pack Should Expand All Life Stages
One of the new Sims 4 Expansion Packs should focus on adding depth to all the life stages in the game, particularly the two that have been largely ignored: children and elders. Just as everything in the Sims 4 High School Years DLC added much more for the game's teenagers, another pack would do well to repeat this in a broader scope. However, while a larger focus on children and elders are the areas the game could most improve upon, that's not to say a new Expansion Pack shouldn't add new things for all ages.
It would be a great idea for developers to draw inspiration from DLC for previous franchise entries like The Sims 3 Generations, which gave each life stage more distinction and special features. One of the most fun elements of the release was a larger focus on imagination for children - with the introduction of things like imaginary friends, playing pretend in different costumes, and treehouses. Activities for Sims 4 children have been neglected throughout most releases for the game, and there's so much potential for fun new child-specific actions, children's objects, and opportunities for storytelling.
In The Sims 4, there's very little that differentiates elders from adults besides gray hair and the ability to die from overexertion, which is a stark difference from previous games. A new Expansion Pack could bring back special activities they've had in older games, like the ability to throw a Golden Anniversary Party and brag about their grandchildren. A new DLC could also add the concept of inheritance to The Sims 4, which would introduce massive storytelling possibilities, or the concept of heirlooms to be passed down between generations. New retirement-centric activities would also be great for players, like a golf course type of public lot.
A Sims 4 Expansion Pack Should Give Sims More Personality
Another strong option for a new Expansion Pack would be to center it around things like additional roleplaying-centric Sims 4 traits, expanded hobbies, and more interesting careers that could contribute to giving Sims stronger individual personalities. Currently, many traits in The Sims 4 often affect very little, and the game could benefit from a longer list of traits that offer more impact. This could help differentiate Sims from one another more, and give more potential narrative depth.
Outside of traits, Sims could become more individualistic through expanded, stronger hobby options akin to those offered in DLC like The Sims 2 Freetime. Although clubs were loosely introduced in The Sims 4 Get Together, it's nothing compared to the in-depth hobby system in Freetime. While Likes and Dislikes in The Sims 4 have been slightly expanded over time, participating in liked activities just grants a positive moodlet - a system similar to the hobby enthusiasm mechanic in Freetime would make Sim interests more fun
Freetime also introduced the concept of secret lots that could be traveled to after Sims gained the max amount of enthusiasm for a hobby. This would be great incentive for Sims to get deeply into their interests in The Sims 4 and provide interesting new ways for them to socialize. As it stands now, the things Sims like carry very little weight in their day-to-day life, and although players can try to give backstory to their Sims through Likes and Dislikes in Create A Sim, the impact it has is often minimal.
Although there are a few unique careers in The Sims 4 like Paranormal Investigator, they can't hold a candle to the options presented in games like The Sims 3 Ambitions. A Sim's career is a large part of their routine, and players should be able to choose more interesting jobs that make their characters feel more unique. For example, creatively-minded Sims in The Sims 4 can currently only really excel in careers like Writer or Painter, when in The Sims 3 they could pursue a career like Tattoo Artist. More specific career options would allow players to tell more interesting narratives in-game and give Sims more personality.
Sims 4's Careers Could Be Improved With New DLC
Careers could even start to utilize the Sims 4 Neighborhood Stories feature that gives non-played families independent progression. For example, a family that recently had a baby could ask an Interior Designer Sim to build them a nursery, or a household that's had a recent death could need to utilize a Paranormal Investigator. Even with the existence of active careers where players can follow their Sims to work each day, so much more could be done in The Sims 4 to make careers better reflect the Sims who have them and the in-game world.
Of course, all of this is simply conjecture about what the new Sims 4 Expansion Packs could contain. The Behind The Sims Summit presentation did little to elaborate on what the next two Expansion Packs will be outside of showing concept art, leaving fans to guess for themselves. It wouldn't be abnormal for future DLC to take inspiration from previous releases - this has already happened many times, with things like different iterations of Seasons being released for several entries in the series. However, fans will have to wait until later in 2023 to find out more about the future of Expansion Packs for The Sims 4.
Source: The Sims/YouTube