The Sims 4 is going free-to-play

Electronic Arts and Maxis have surprised us with a very important announcement regarding The Sims. The latest installment in the incredibly popular life simulation series will be available for free to all players on several platforms, including PC via Origin and Steam, as well as PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Even though this change only applies to the base version of the game, it's quite a significant improvement as it will allow many players to try The Sims 4 for free starting October 18. 

If you are a fan of the franchise, you already know that it's possible to expand The Sims 4 with a ludicrous amount of DLC. These come in several different types depending on the kind of content included. You can choose from Expansion Packs like Island Living and Eco Lifestyle that take your Sims on new adventures, Game Packs like Dream Home Decorator and Journey to Batuu that let you play in new ways, Stuff Packs like Tiny Living or Nifty Knitting that add more fun objects and fashion items, and Kits like Country Kitchen and Courtyard Oasis that add mini collections of items. These include new assets, gameplay mechanics, cosmetic items, and locations, usually based on a specific theme, and they allow you to adapt the game experience to your preferences.

If you own The Sims 4 already, Maxis wants to reward you for your support. You can claim the new Desert Luxe Kit from September 14 through October 17. It features furniture and building assets to create a luxurious and relaxing oasis on your patio with a Southwestern desert style.

If you are wondering, The Sims 4 going free-to-play does not mean that Maxis is launching a new installment anytime soon. In fact, the company has stated that it will continue to develop and release DLC packs for The Sims 4 in the future.