Summary
- The Sims 4's Create a Sim tool launched 10 years ago, sparking nostalgia and reflection in longtime fans of the series.
- Fans hope The Sims 5 will avoid The Sims 4's launch issues, such as missing features and expensive DLC bundles.
- Despite criticism, The Sims 4 remains popular with frequent DLC releases, keeping the game fresh for players.
The Sims 4 has just passed the tenth anniversary of an important moment in the game's history: the release of the Create a Sim (CAS) tool. This major moment has led some Sims 4 players to reflect on the series and how it's progressed since 2014.
The Sims broke onto the scene at the turn of the century, launching in 2000 for PC. Since then, the series has surged in popularity, triggering the release of not only three core sequels, but practically countless additional content for the games and a number of spin-off titles, as well. While some fans are ready to move on from The Sims 4 as it approaches its own tenth anniversary, this current moment is sure to stir nostalgia in long-term fans of the series.
Reddit user ClassyPhoenix324 started a conversation in the community about The Sims 4's CAS demo and its anniversary. Way back in 2014, many players were still enjoying The Sims 3, but The Sims 4 was rapidly approaching its release. In an effort to test the new system, The Sims Studio invited numerous active Sims 3 players to give the CAS a whirl. The demo launched on July 22, 2014, on EA's Origin service, with the core game launching less than two months later.
Fans in the comments are certainly nostalgic, especially since many were introduced to The Sims 4 as kids who have become adults in the decade that's since passed. Some fans pointed out how eager some of the community was to step up from The Sims 3 to The Sims 4, with some even launching mods for The Sims 4's CAS demo. While some are taking this opportunity to celebrate the game, it's also clear there's a lot of lingering disappointment from The Sims 4's release.
The Problems The Sims 5 Can't Repeat From The Sims 4
Many fans have pointed out that when The Sims 4 launched, it was in a bare bones state. Features that were included in The Sims 3 and even its predecessors were missing from The Sims 4 at launch. World story progression, certain careers, toddlers, and the open world of The Sims 3 were all gone, among numerous other expected features. While many of these things were added later on, many of them only came to the game through the addition of DLC, and acquiring all The Sims 4 DLC got expensive fast.
With so much time having passed between The Sims 4 and whatever follows it, fans are tentatively hopeful that the next game will be more feature-rich in its launch state. While the community has proven that they're content to buy good DLC for the game, souring the feelings of fans at launch isn't a winning strategy, and hopefully, history doesn't repeat itself.
The Sims 4
- Released
- September 2, 2014
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
