Post-launch content forms the nucleus of Maxis and EA’s money-making strategy inThe Sims, the premier life simulation franchise on the market. Since the series' debut back in 2000, each installment has been outfitted with a handful of expansion and stuff packs; from the initialThe Simswith seven EPs to The Sims 4’s impressive 15 – discounting the smaller content updates that regularly make the rounds featuring all sorts of furniture updates. It’s been nearly a decade since the base version ofThe Sims 4made its debut, and althoughProject Reneis still in the early stages of development, EA seems to be testing the waters for its next project by giving players free access to some DLC. The behavior is a trend that may continue even afterThe Sims' next launch since plans are afoot for both games to run simultaneously.
Historically, mainline releases ofThe Simshave occurred about every five years, so the topic ofProject Renehas been a hot one among fans of the Sim universe for a long time. As EA diverges from its regular release pattern with each passing day, curiosity builds about whatrevolutionary ideasProject Renewill bring. Official information from the developer has come in the form of the Behind the Sims series, and episode three in particular held the eyebrow-raising tidbit thatProject Renewill coexist alongsideThe Sims 4. To this effect, EA has made a few tweaks to its DLC policy in the past few months, and it might become a permanent theme.
Project Rene Calls for The Sims 4 to Explore New Ideas
There’s a stark difference betweenThe Sims 4’s base game before and after the addition of DLCs, more so perhaps than any other title inThe Simsfranchise history. To get the best experience of Willow Creek and other Sims worlds in the title, gamers try to stay up to date with Maxis' improvements – a business strategy that can easily yield north of $1,000 for the developer from each player.
EA Needs to Get Creative to Run The Sims 4 and Project Rene Side by Side
However, the long-running DLC model means thatProject Renehas already run into a roadblockbefore its release, since gamers are unlikely to dump their investments in favor of a shiny new title. In the face of such a problem, EA is on the hunt for a lasting solution beforeProject Renebecomes available to prevent a financial nightmare.
Project Renewill ply the free-to-play route at launch, presumably to enticeThe Sims 4fans to at least give the upcoming title more than a cursory glance. However, that doesn’t do much to secure a healthy player base forProject Renein the long term, especially if EA’s plans to run live service for both games simultaneously hold up.
Free DLCs Could Keep The Sims 4 Relevant After Project Rene’s Release
Even in an ideal scenario where players embraceProject Renewhen it launches, the developer still needs to maintain a balance between both titles with its simultaneous strategy. Already, the publisher is teasing plans geared towards solving this problem, withThe Sims 4unlocking free claims on its Backyard Stuff DLCfor both PC and console earlier in April. Despite the risks of abandoning its working formula, this route is worth exploring to keepThe Sims 4from being eclipsed byProject Rene’s teased improved technology.
DLCs are the core of what makesThe Sims 4tick, and the title arguably still isn’t the complete version of what it can be. With this in mind, it makes sense for Maxis to continue supporting the game even afterProject Rene’s launch. Since the newSimsgame should contain more intriguing features,The Sims 4runs the risk of losing a large part of its player base to the newer title, and EA’s pre-emptive step of making select DLCs free is one way to keep gamers coming back for more while exploring Project Rene’s offerings.
The Sims 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Unleash your imagination and create a unique world of Sims that’s an expression of you. Download for free, and customize every detail from Sims to homes and much more. Choose how Sims look, act, and dress, then decide how they’ll live out each day. Design and build incredible homes for every family, then decorate with your favorite furnishings and décor. Travel to different neighborhoods where you can meet other Sims and learn about their lives. Discover beautiful locations with distinctive environments and go on spontaneous adventures. Manage the ups and downs of Sims’ everyday lives, and see what happens when you play out scenarios from your own real life. Tell your stories your way while developing relationships, pursuing careers and life aspirations, and immersing yourself in this extraordinary game, where the possibilities are endless
