Since it's release in 2014, The Sims 4 has seen all manner of content updates. From the large, game-changing Sims 4 Expansion Packs to the smaller, decoration-focused Sims 4 Stuff Packs, EA has been serious about continuing to support the game. Each year has seen several updates, and 2021 should maintain the pattern.

Starting small, The Sims 4 could see a couple more Stuff Packs in 2021. The Sims 4 usually gets a few Stuff Packs per year. Last year, there were two released - but the high-water mark was when The Sims 4 received four packs in 2015. The Paranormal Stuff Sims 4 Pack released in January this year, leaving plenty of time to develop and launch more Stuff later in 2021.

Related: How Much Sims 4 Costs In 2021 With All Expansion, Game, & Stuff Packs

Game Packs add or modify The Sims 4's systems more than a Stuff Pack, but aren't impactful enough to be full Expansion Packs. Dine Out added the ability to run a restaurant, while StrangerVille added a mystery-themed world, for example. Historically, there has been at least one Game Pack every year. The last was Star Wars: Journey to Batuu from September of 2020. Because of this, an announcement of a new Game Pack for The Sims 4 is sure to be right around the corner.

The Sims 4: What Updates Will 2021 Bring?

A player summons Bonehilda in The Sims 4: Paranormal Stuff

Expansion Packs represent the largest additions to The Sims 4 and bring with them all sorts of game-changing content. Seasons, as an example, added a new career, a weather mechanic, and a yearly-calendar system featuring spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Generally, the additions made by The Sims 4 Expansion Packs will affect the entire game, and not be restricted to a singular location in the way that Game Packs are. 2020 saw the release of two Expansion Packs; Snowy Escape, and Eco Lifestyle. This fits the trend of two-per-year that began in 2018. The pandemic may have affected the development cycle, but it would be safe to assume that there will be at least one Expansion Pack released in 2021.

This leaves the big question - will 2021 be the year that The Sims 5 is officially announced? At this point, The Sims 4 is much older than any of it's predecessors were when a sequel was released. Players should not expect to hear about The Sims 5 in 2021, though. The continued support of The Sims 4, as well as it's recent successful Steam release, hint that the game is not slowing down anytime soon.

2021 may not be the year of The Sims 5, but it will still be a year full of The Sims 4 updates. Even beyond these Pack releases, there will almost certainly be free patches - six of those dropped in 2020 alone. The Sims 4 is still going strong, some seven years after it's release.

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