The future of The Sims 4 will now focus only on Marketplace and Free Update releases.
The announcement of The Sims 4 Marketplace had a lot of players saying that “this is the end of The Sims 4”. And that’s the sole reason EA and Maxis are releasing Microtransactions into the wild as they announce that The Sims 4 will now focus only on Kits, Maker Releases and Free Sims 4 Updates.
Read what EA employees had to say about the future of The Sims 4 releases during the Marketplace Showcase:
Changes with Upcoming The Sims 4 Releases: Official Statement
Nothing about how you play today is changing. You’ll still be able to download Custom Content and install Mods outside the Marketplace. Just like you always have!
The Gallery will continue to be the home to incredible creations for Simmers around the world.
And we’ll still be delivering Kits and Free Content along the way.
As we stated above, the future of The Sims 4 releases will now include Free Content Updates (Game Improvements, Free Content and Live Events) and Marketplace Releases (Kits and Maker Sets). The Sims 4 Expansion Packs, Game Packs and Stuff Packs will still be available to purchase across all currently available storefronts and game launchers. However, this statement also implies that there are no future plans for new Expansion, Game and Stuff Pack releases.
The official reveal of The Sims 4 release changes also came with an important announcement that future Sims 4 Kit releases will be moving onto the Marketplace. The Sims Team also confirmed later in a dedicated Q&A that there will be no more Game Codes for future Kit releases. As they’ll be distributed exclusively through the Marketplace from the point of releasing on March 17th.
What’s happening to Kits?
When the Marketplace launches on PC and Mac on March 17, 2026, Kits will become exclusively available in the in-game Marketplace. Any Kits you already own will remain in your library and ready to play. For console players, this change will happen when the Marketplace arrives on your platform, and we’ll share updates ahead of time.
Moving Kits into the Marketplace ensures that we can continue releasing new content without hitting technical or storage limitations.
Why is The Sims Team doing this?
Author Article Update
Information listed below is based on the Sims insider rumor information posted last month. The latest entry from this Sims Insider has been posted and covered here just hours ago.
According to the insider, the shift of The Sims 4 Kits moving to the marketplace aren’t just for “technical or storage limitations” that EA officially provided as a reason above. The ATRL insider revealed last month that EA has been trying proactively to solve the problem of game piracy, especially after the announcement of the EA buyout.
EA Cracking Down on Piracy
EA are aware of a large influx of players playing pirated copies of the Sims 4 since the announcement of the Buyout, and will be taking this into consideration for future products. Shutting down the Sims Mobile frees up servers that EA can utilise with future products.
More Creator Involvement
Expect a huge push for Creator Content for The Sims franchise, beyond Creator Kits. This will be part of a new framework that EA have been setting up, to officially launch in March.
Official Mod Partnership
EA are considering having popular mods be incorporated into games as unofficial “Creator DLCS” so that Maxis and/or the creator are responsible for managing ongoing compatibility, to help manage ongoing issues of mod related bug reports
Maxis’ Restructured Framework
Following the release of Royalty & Legacy, The Sims franchise will be shuffled into a new major framework for the first time since 2000. The new framework will restructure the franchise to heavily involve EA into the day to day operations, and rather than Maxis coming up with ideas to meet the targets set by EA, sections of EA will now be more involved in the game from how content is created, distributed and monetised. Plans include subscription models(debunked for The Sims 4 for now), digital storefronts with paid and virtual reward currency, deeper engagement events, creative direction and more. This will include creative control on execution of ideas to minimise development costs, with EA being more involved in working with game designers.
What’s going to happen with The Sims 4 Expansions, Game and Stuff Packs?
As revealed first in a rumor article last month (which also predicted the release of The Sims 4 Marketplace correctly) – there will be no more new Expansion Pack, Game Pack and Stuff Pack releases.
Adventure Awaits was poised to be the final Expansion in development, before plans changed to trial a new framework. It was considering internally as a last hurrah before a pause on larger DLC. A survey was sent out of concepts, and Royalty proved popular while also allowing them to repurpose already built systems and features.
It’s no surprise that The Sims 4 Game Packs are being cut out of the future releases considering that the last one was released in 2022 (Werewolves). We had our last Sims 4 Stuff Pack come out two years ago (Crystal Creations), which seems to have been just a test for Maxis Europe team to tackle future gameplay development with Europe teams.
The biggest surprise that we’re not surprised about at all? No more The Sims 4 Expansion Packs! The last, 21st Expansion Pack for the game titled Royalty & Legacy came out just last month. Is Ondarion now the last world released to The Sims 4? Looking at the way The Sims Team worded things above, there’s not much hope about new World experiences coming our way…unless they get monetized through the Marketplace.
The Future of The Sims Franchise
Considering that the leaker correctly predicted the release of The Sims 4 Marketplace, that means that talks about The Sims Project X are becoming a lot more true now. According to the insider information, EA and Maxis are shifting studio development focus onto a next generation The Sims single player installment. Along with other planned The Sims Franchise spin-offs across platforms and Project Rene, which is now a mobile-exclusive experience.
As reported initially, The Sims Project X is planned to be a new single player experience with Open Neighborhoods, improved lighting, graphics, textures and animations, along with speculated DLC features now becoming Base Game. Such as Seasons, Pets, Milestones from Growing Together and others.
So the thing about Project X is that they’re actively figuring out what to do with it. Nothing is set in stone; they are still researching everything, gathering feedback, and constantly changing their minds.
Without sharing too much, the basic idea was to carry over some existing gameplay from EPs as “remastered” packs that you’d have to buy. However, more fundamental, general, and universal features from existing packs would be integrated into the new base game. Cosmetic assets would also carry over based on what you already own in The Sims 4.
The thing is, as I mentioned, everything is in flux. In the end, this months old plan could evolve or be ditched altogether. Right now, the main pressure is on making this new base game attractive enough to justify purchasing and moving over from TS4, and that includes the actual launch content. This will likely affect the balance of how much content is ported directly into the new base game versus how much is “re-sold” as DLC.
We’ll do a dedicated roundup on The Sims Project X information very soon. But until then, let’s take a moment of silence for The Sims 4 Expansions, Game and Stuff Packs. Which were the last decent DLC offer release before the Marketplace takeover…
What are your thoughts on EA sunsetting future development of The Sims 4 Packs? Join the conversation below and stay tuned on Sims Community for latest game news!
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Yes, you can still buy packs that are already out. Only the Kits are moving to the Marketplace on March 17th, where you will have to buy the new currency Moola to get
So basically this game will never get any new gameplay as KITS and the market thingy only are CAS/BB assets.
What’s the point of buying any of that if the game won’t get new gameplay anymore?
Like, why would anyone spend money on cosmetic things only knowing no new gameplay will ever come.
RIP to hotels, bands, cars, new careers, new worlds, …
I really wanted cars, I miss them I guess it’s Sims 2 & 3 for cars. Kits really. I find them a waste of money. I would rather have stuff and game packs. I personally haven’t purchased any new games since Enchanted by Nature.
Lasquisha Meeks
20 days ago
I really hope this company goes bankrupt. God take away their success and all stupid people buying their trash and give all of it to Paralives.
No, because they didn’t milk user generated content for profit. They brought another game and new features to the table.
milf hunter
20 days ago
the old adage keeps ringing true: the worst sims 4 news will always be the next one!
Simslishing
20 days ago
Wooow. So disappointed in the sims community. The simmers are so stupid. We could have the opportunity to have cars, bands or something way more interesting that would have change our way to play forever but y’all massively voted for that stupid new EP to live vicariously a royal life when y’all are peasants wow.
Did you read the post? The reason they chose Royalty and Legacy was because it was the easiest for them to make as a final pack – literally just repackaging a bunch of existing systems, and selling it as a new thing. They’re the lazy ones here. And the survey was years ago.
I’m sure they knew about the demand for cars and bands.
they are not lazy. they are cost-cutting. there is a difference. If the developers are not given the projects to do, then they can’t do it. It’s not laziness. Its that they are not given opportunity to work on anything new anymore….
” A survey was sent out of concepts, and Royalty proved popular while also allowing them to repurpose already built systems and features.”
Modern Monarchy won the vote in Jan or Feb 2025.
So let me get this straight… They would rather repurpose systems and features to cut costs than actually listen to what the people who play their game want to see? Imagine that..
Both? It was an option because it would be easy, then it won because players apparently wanted it. There were other themes like a cyberpunk-ish one, 80s and 90s, and road trips. But Modern Monarchy won.
Don’t shoot the messenger
Noah
20 days ago
I’ve already received a promotional email from the platform. As I mentioned, 2026 will be entirely dedicated to kits and will extend into Project X. They also plan to create Creator Packs, but without new gameplay , containing 18 to 50 items (cas, build) . This is stated on EA’s website. I’d rather not even imagine the price. Finally, kits from creators who have left EA Creators will be removed from sale, as will those from Comfy Gamer. It’s safe to say that this is the end for The Sims 4, and the rest will be all about decoration and accessories.
As for Project X, it’s the logical continuation of their aggressive monetization strategy.
You maybe. I like kits. In packs you get things you want and things you don’t want. So you could better select.
Please, talk just for yourself!
beanie
20 days ago
EA is so focused on short term profit that they’ve really dug themselves a hole with Project X…. like if I’m not able to transfer all of my DLC from the Sims 4, I’m not buying into Project X. And I think most players will feel the same. I don’t care how pretty it looks lol
I mean I hate EA and all their greedy, sh*tty ideas, but not being able to transfer your DLC from one game to its sequel is true for like every single game ever, isn’t it? However, it sucks the way many players felt they needed to buy so much DLC to make the game less bare-boned and bc the cozy life simulation game genre is really lacking partly bc it’s catered to a mainly female audience
It’s not a sequel, though. It’s supposed to be a remaster of sorts, with the same content but shuffled around and optimized. And it has also been alleged there are plans to transfer saves and already owned content.
Pirating EA Games Is A Victimless Crime
19 days ago
So, the most expensive video game of all time is becoming more expensive in order to ‘crack down on piracy’? Funny!
Mario
19 days ago
Stop with the speculation!!
Sim underthetable
19 days ago
I just want sims 5 for the whims
Jeremia Lecato
19 days ago
Everybody in The Sims community? I’d like a word with y’all!
Listen up! I wanna let y’all know that this is the worst parted decade between the mid-late 2010s and early-mid 2020s ever. All I’ve been asking for was a Caribbean world and a reggae station for The Sims 4. But no, EA’s final decision is to choose a world based on Hawaiian and Polynesian islands and a Hawaiian-influenced radio station for Island Living during National Caribbean-American Heritage Month of 2019. But y’all know what? EA is nothing but a… b-b-big bad FAKE!
The official kits will be 500 moola, or $4.99, but we don’t know how many items they will contain, if it’s the same as now. On the other hand, the creator kits will vary from one creator to another. I’ve seen some with 3 lipsticks for 200 moola, or $2.49, which is outrageously expensive. One with 3 dresses is 300 moola, which forces you to buy 500 moola at $4.99 . If you don’t have any moola in your account, you’ll be left with a balance of 200 moola, and so on…. The more items there are, the more expensive it will be.
Just like Sims 3, I have 816 points left over and nothing to buy.
Abby
19 days ago
Reporting on rumors, leaks, and speculation as if they’re fact is deeply irresponsible and the effect it has on the community is arguably even worse. This situation sucks enough without you and this site adding unverified fuel to the fire.
You would find this information online whether or not we reported on it. Just like you could’ve read our report on The Sims 4 Marketplace rumors last month.
the way you phrased the headlines make it seem like a fact, when that is not the case. you should have been clearer with how you phrased the headline and it would have been fine, but you’re treating leaks like official news.
Until EA makes an official statement on this, it is still a rumour. It’s very likely to be true unfortunately, but not yet officially confirmed! I think the title should mention that this is leaked information.
They do state over and over again that these are rumors, correct it when they are proven false, and mention it when the sabe whistleblower has been right before. Are you ok?
Dappi
19 days ago
Yet another life service slop. Goodbye, Sims 4, it has been fun.
The thing is, if this *is* an attempt to crack down on Piracy…it’s not going to work?
Not only is it a “the thieves are always that much smarter than the cops, there will always be ways around it” kind of thing, it’s a, they did this with TS3 (Both the TS3 Store *AND* the Exchange) and it did just about nothing to slow piracy of TS3. If anything, store content seemed to work better *after* the pirates got to it–anyone else remember the term “decrapified”?
Now, how much attention the glut of content sure to be released in this way is going to get…that’s another story. Will what’s released this way be worth the time and effort of pirating? (shrugs) who even knows.
Koko
19 days ago
I’m on PS5, will this affect console players?
soliferi
18 days ago
sooo can we opt out of free stuff we don’t want?
Disappointed
18 days ago
I just read the official article from ea and nowhere did it say they are discontinuing expansion packs and the makers get to choose what to price their packs not ea. this is why I hate these types of articles they say what they want people to hear.
You are right indeed, but at this point I think that denying that the leaker is right is just a cope. Everything they’re leaked out turned out true, so I’m afraid this is the case for the end of Expansion Packs as well.
nome aqui
18 days ago
Cool, they announced the game is dead <3
Katrin
18 days ago
Special current to spent in special store? It didn’t works good with Sims 3, why it should be better with Sims 4? There always were problems to get the stuff you want paid with real money or keep it when Origin / EA App had / have some problems.
And as I already said after an other article, EA / Maxis makes it easy for themself let hobby-simmers make their job.
Brianne
16 days ago
So I’m confused? Will I still be able to purchase expansion packs after the change? There’s several I don’t have that are in my want list…
Welcome to The Sims 4: Life and Death Ravenwood World Guide
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The Sims Team delivers a second hotfix update, fixing the errors caused by the first update.
As revealed last Friday, a new Sims 4 Update is getting release...
I have a questions: The packs that are already out will be still available to buy? If I want to buy one that I don’t have, can I still do it?
Yes, you can still buy packs that are already out. Only the Kits are moving to the Marketplace on March 17th, where you will have to buy the new currency Moola to get
And moola is expensive!
Love when companies are like “people are pirating our content! Let’s make it more expensive!”
Thank you!
So basically this game will never get any new gameplay as KITS and the market thingy only are CAS/BB assets.
What’s the point of buying any of that if the game won’t get new gameplay anymore?
Like, why would anyone spend money on cosmetic things only knowing no new gameplay will ever come.
RIP to hotels, bands, cars, new careers, new worlds, …
I really wanted cars, I miss them I guess it’s Sims 2 & 3 for cars. Kits really. I find them a waste of money. I would rather have stuff and game packs. I personally haven’t purchased any new games since Enchanted by Nature.
I really hope this company goes bankrupt. God take away their success and all stupid people buying their trash and give all of it to Paralives.
Amen.
The state of the sims is just a circus at this point. EA the ringleaders, simmers the clowns.
Disgusting ecclesiasticalism! Away! Now!
Is this what you call love for your neighbor?
The true face of hypocritical bigots is emerging.
Excuse me, but what do you mean?
Did you say that when they stopped making new expansions for the sims, sims 2, and sims 3 too? They have to stop EVENTUALLY.
No, because they didn’t milk user generated content for profit. They brought another game and new features to the table.
the old adage keeps ringing true: the worst sims 4 news will always be the next one!
Wooow. So disappointed in the sims community. The simmers are so stupid. We could have the opportunity to have cars, bands or something way more interesting that would have change our way to play forever but y’all massively voted for that stupid new EP to live vicariously a royal life when y’all are peasants wow.
Did you read the post? The reason they chose Royalty and Legacy was because it was the easiest for them to make as a final pack – literally just repackaging a bunch of existing systems, and selling it as a new thing. They’re the lazy ones here. And the survey was years ago.
I’m sure they knew about the demand for cars and bands.
they are not lazy. they are cost-cutting. there is a difference. If the developers are not given the projects to do, then they can’t do it. It’s not laziness. Its that they are not given opportunity to work on anything new anymore….
” A survey was sent out of concepts, and Royalty proved popular while also allowing them to repurpose already built systems and features.”
Modern Monarchy won the vote in Jan or Feb 2025.
So let me get this straight… They would rather repurpose systems and features to cut costs than actually listen to what the people who play their game want to see? Imagine that..
Both? It was an option because it would be easy, then it won because players apparently wanted it. There were other themes like a cyberpunk-ish one, 80s and 90s, and road trips. But Modern Monarchy won.
Don’t shoot the messenger
I’ve already received a promotional email from the platform. As I mentioned, 2026 will be entirely dedicated to kits and will extend into Project X. They also plan to create Creator Packs, but without new gameplay , containing 18 to 50 items (cas, build) . This is stated on EA’s website. I’d rather not even imagine the price. Finally, kits from creators who have left EA Creators will be removed from sale, as will those from Comfy Gamer. It’s safe to say that this is the end for The Sims 4, and the rest will be all about decoration and accessories.
As for Project X, it’s the logical continuation of their aggressive monetization strategy.
WE DON’T WANT ANYMORE KITS!!
No worries. Now we won’t have kits distributed in a normal way, and also no game packs, stuff packs and expansions. Problem solved 🙂
You maybe. I like kits. In packs you get things you want and things you don’t want. So you could better select.
Please, talk just for yourself!
EA is so focused on short term profit that they’ve really dug themselves a hole with Project X…. like if I’m not able to transfer all of my DLC from the Sims 4, I’m not buying into Project X. And I think most players will feel the same. I don’t care how pretty it looks lol
I mean I hate EA and all their greedy, sh*tty ideas, but not being able to transfer your DLC from one game to its sequel is true for like every single game ever, isn’t it? However, it sucks the way many players felt they needed to buy so much DLC to make the game less bare-boned and bc the cozy life simulation game genre is really lacking partly bc it’s catered to a mainly female audience
It’s not a sequel, though. It’s supposed to be a remaster of sorts, with the same content but shuffled around and optimized. And it has also been alleged there are plans to transfer saves and already owned content.
So, the most expensive video game of all time is becoming more expensive in order to ‘crack down on piracy’? Funny!
Stop with the speculation!!
I just want sims 5 for the whims
Everybody in The Sims community? I’d like a word with y’all!
Listen up! I wanna let y’all know that this is the worst parted decade between the mid-late 2010s and early-mid 2020s ever. All I’ve been asking for was a Caribbean world and a reggae station for The Sims 4. But no, EA’s final decision is to choose a world based on Hawaiian and Polynesian islands and a Hawaiian-influenced radio station for Island Living during National Caribbean-American Heritage Month of 2019. But y’all know what? EA is nothing but a… b-b-big bad FAKE!
At least you have a substitute and something similar. We Slavs have nothing…
How much will the kits on the marketplace cost?
The official kits will be 500 moola, or $4.99, but we don’t know how many items they will contain, if it’s the same as now. On the other hand, the creator kits will vary from one creator to another. I’ve seen some with 3 lipsticks for 200 moola, or $2.49, which is outrageously expensive. One with 3 dresses is 300 moola, which forces you to buy 500 moola at $4.99 . If you don’t have any moola in your account, you’ll be left with a balance of 200 moola, and so on…. The more items there are, the more expensive it will be.
Just like Sims 3, I have 816 points left over and nothing to buy.
Reporting on rumors, leaks, and speculation as if they’re fact is deeply irresponsible and the effect it has on the community is arguably even worse. This situation sucks enough without you and this site adding unverified fuel to the fire.
You would find this information online whether or not we reported on it. Just like you could’ve read our report on The Sims 4 Marketplace rumors last month.
the way you phrased the headlines make it seem like a fact, when that is not the case. you should have been clearer with how you phrased the headline and it would have been fine, but you’re treating leaks like official news.
Until EA makes an official statement on this, it is still a rumour. It’s very likely to be true unfortunately, but not yet officially confirmed! I think the title should mention that this is leaked information.
https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/the-sims-maker-program-and-marketplace From Ea’s own mouth
Erm this is actually reported on EA’s own app so no it’s no longer leaks or speculation it’s facts.
They do state over and over again that these are rumors, correct it when they are proven false, and mention it when the sabe whistleblower has been right before. Are you ok?
Yet another life service slop. Goodbye, Sims 4, it has been fun.
what i want to know is EA Wallet funds going to be traded for “moola” I have some funds in my EA Wallet!? I would like Any Information on this!
It won’t be automatically converted, as EA wallet funds can be used across the EA app, but you should be able to buy moola with EA wallet funds.
I’m the only one thinking this was a big nothingburger of an article? I feel like this didn’t say really say anything.
https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/the-sims-maker-program-and-marketplace
The thing is, if this *is* an attempt to crack down on Piracy…it’s not going to work?
Not only is it a “the thieves are always that much smarter than the cops, there will always be ways around it” kind of thing, it’s a, they did this with TS3 (Both the TS3 Store *AND* the Exchange) and it did just about nothing to slow piracy of TS3. If anything, store content seemed to work better *after* the pirates got to it–anyone else remember the term “decrapified”?
Now, how much attention the glut of content sure to be released in this way is going to get…that’s another story. Will what’s released this way be worth the time and effort of pirating? (shrugs) who even knows.
I’m on PS5, will this affect console players?
sooo can we opt out of free stuff we don’t want?
I just read the official article from ea and nowhere did it say they are discontinuing expansion packs and the makers get to choose what to price their packs not ea. this is why I hate these types of articles they say what they want people to hear.
You are right indeed, but at this point I think that denying that the leaker is right is just a cope. Everything they’re leaked out turned out true, so I’m afraid this is the case for the end of Expansion Packs as well.
Cool, they announced the game is dead <3
Special current to spent in special store? It didn’t works good with Sims 3, why it should be better with Sims 4? There always were problems to get the stuff you want paid with real money or keep it when Origin / EA App had / have some problems.
And as I already said after an other article, EA / Maxis makes it easy for themself let hobby-simmers make their job.
So I’m confused? Will I still be able to purchase expansion packs after the change? There’s several I don’t have that are in my want list…
Oooo having plans of buying them once they are 98% owned by a country known for human rights violations? Sweet! That will be possible, yes.