The Sims 5is definitely somewhere on the horizon, but how far or close is a question few of us can answer. That being said, theories and speculation can give us surprisingly accurate answers about what the next installment in the franchise is going to look like. Over the years, The Sims games have seen a number of different expansions, many with recurring themes and minor updates.
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Based on how well these expansions have done in the past, it’s safe to assume the most successful of them will make it in some form toThe Sims 5. Let’s take a look at the 10 expansions that are highly likely to be in the upcoming installment of the franchise, based on popularity.
10Hobbies & Clubs
For years now, Simmers have been asking for more fun and engaging activities to do, to better define who their Sims are. EA has answered these calls by giving us packs like FreeTime forThe Sims 2, which introduced tons of different hobbies and activities your Sim could enjoy.
Moreover, inThe Sims 4,we saw the emergence of clubs, which allows you to bring like-minded Sims together to enjoy an activity they feel passionate about. These expansions definitely increased the immersion of the game, which is why it’s likely they’ll continue to persist in the future.
9Magic & Supernatural
WhileThe Simshas been all about simulating real life, introducing the concept of supernatural has been pretty well received. We saw this first withMakin' Magicin the original game, which allows your Sims to learn the art of magic and participate in duels.
Just a few months back,The Sims 4 Realm Of Magicbrought back some of these spell casting mechanics, even if it was just a pack with somewhat lackluster content. However, species like vampires, aliens, ghosts, witches, and even fairies have always been liked by a big part of the community, which is why magic and supernatural is likely to stay.
8Vacations & Tropical Islands
Since the very first game, your Sims have had the ability to go on a vacation or travel to a tropical world. While these themes are not quite the same, the concept of different biomes and foreign worlds like the one seen in theJungle Adventuregame pack, as well asThe Sims 3’s World Adventureshas its own niche in the community.
While tropical worlds have been consistently returning, perhapsThe Sims 5will introduce more different types of worlds likeThe Sims 3, with even a snowy biome. Whatever the case might be, your Sims will, without a doubt, have a place to go on holiday, or even move into full time if beach life is their calling.
7Celebrities
One of the most exciting mechanics since the very first game has been the idea of creating impossibly rich and popular Sims to live out our fantasies. Since Superstar was published as an expansion forThe Sims, celebrities have been a staple in the game, with the exception ofThe Sims 2.
However, inThe Sims 3the celebrity system made a comeback and was met with tons of praise. WhileGet Famousdefinitely had its flaws, no one can deny this is a key feature of the game that opens up so many fun opportunities. There’s no doubt in our minds it will see its own version made forThe Sims 5.
6Businesses & Restaurants
In The Sims franchise, your Sim can become whatever you want them to. If working for other people seems like a bore, they can open their own business, whether it be a retail store or a restaurant.
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These mechanics were first introduced in The Sims 2, and have since been incredibly fun to play with and make for one of the most immersive gameplay features. Open For Business helped to pave the way for the rest of the series, and it’s pretty much guaranteed that even in the future, you’ll be able to open up your own shop and manage it to great detail.
5Dynamic Careers
We’ve always been curious about what exactly our Sims do when they go to work. While opening up all the careers would be too enormous of a job, some are quite fun to play through as seen inThe Sims 3 AmbitionsandThe Sims 4 Get To Work.
From a firefighter to a fashion designer, to a doctor or a police officer, you can join your Sims at work and truly influence how they perform. Because of how fun and immersive the system is, even if it’s fairly new, it’s very probable it will make its way intoThe Sims 5, possibly even with new careers.
4University
It’s no secret thatDiscoverUniversitywas one of the most anticipated expansions forThe Sims 4, which should spell out to EA just how much Simmers love sending their Sims to school.
First seen inThe Sims 2, it captured every Simmers heart to be able to send their young adults to one of three universities to party and study to their heart’s content. After another successful release forThe Sims 3, and finally forThe Sims 4just recently, it has become one of the most loved expansions in the series and a true cornerstone of the franchise.
3Cities & Apartments
When asked which expansions are must picks forThe Sims 4, many Simmers often citeCity Livingand for a very good reason. SinceThe Sims 2, the feel of living in an apartment building with other random Sims has been a pretty fun game mode.
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From dealing with annoying neighbors to discovering the vibrant life of the city, almost everyone can relate to the feeling of being a city dweller. Considering how earlyCity Livingwas released forThe Sims 4, it’s evident that EA considers it one of the most important packs in the game, and we definitely agree with that.
2Seasons
Only true Simmers will remember the sheer excitement we felt whenSeasonsforThe Sims 2was first announced. Until then, the world of our Sims had been confined to a static state of eternal summer, but now we could experience the elements real-time with dynamic weather.
From blizzards to hot summer days to the world turning orange and red in autumn,Seasonsis just one of the essential expansions to increase immersion and to add that final touch to make any Sims world come alive. To miss out on Seasons would be to miss out on a core part of the franchise, which is why it will definitely return.
1Pets
Not only are pets one of the most long-standing feature in the franchise, it also tends to top at either the most or second most popular pack with each game. SinceUnleashedwas released EA hasn’t missed a beat with introducing our favorite furry friends into the world of Sims.
While recent choices in game design are a bit controversial (we’re looking at you, Cats & Dogs andMy First Pet Stuff), there’s few people who wouldn’t want to see this pack return inThe Sims 5.
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