It's indeed an unexpected surprise that EA has chosen to omit any prospect of The Sims 5 being in the works, and to instead announce that The Sims 4 will continue to be the main game for The Sims franchise for the foreseeable. While many players argue that The Sims 4 has possibly the most underwhelming base game in the history of the franchise, the game has seen the development of a multi-million player database over the course of the last decade. In fact, EA reports that players have spent over 1.2 billion hours playing The Sims 4 over the last ten years.

Despite the base game for The Sims 4 ultimately lacking in enveloping gameplay, it seems the game's expansion and content packs may have been the reason why so many people have continued to play the game nonetheless. For many, the add-on content for The Sims 4 that leans more into supernatural themes has scratched an itch for more exciting gameplay with an otherworldly escape. The likes of Vampires, Realm of Magic and Paranormal in particular have added to that experience, and the arrival of Life & Death should do the same.

Expansion Packs & Add-Ons Have Led To The Sims' Massive Playerbase

Vampires, Realm Of Magic, & Paranormal Have All Helped

Vampires was released in 2017 and with it came an entire array of exciting new features. Appealing to Twilight fans and more, this pack touched upon a note that no The Sims expansion pack had ever done in previous years of the franchise. Not only did the pack deliver a generous amount of interesting new outfits, hairstyles and face and body features in Create-A-Sim, but it also provided some of the finest Build Mode items that The Sims franchise has seen to date. From gothic furniture items to the brand new Pipe Organ skill, Vampires provided brand-new possibilities for gameplay.

Additionally, Live Mode in The Sims 4 became very interesting with the Vampires Expansion Pack as a Sim could quench their thirst via the blood of fellow Sims while on a night out in the local bar. However, they would need to ensure their safety by sunrise and return home before frying to a crisp. For many players who enjoy the lore behind The Sims franchise, the Vampire Lore skill was a very welcome new skill where a Sim could learn all about vampires and their history in the Expansion Pack's add-on world, the dark and mysterious Forgotten Hollow.

In 2019, EA released Realm of Magic which was highly anticipated by many players of The Sims 4. Scratching an itch for Harry Potter fans, Realm of Magic provided the perfect witchy escape. The addition of Spellcasters was a very welcome feature to the game, as players could experience a Sim working their way from Apprentice to Virtuoso as they developed their magic skills. The sparkling, magical world of Glimmerbrook and its portal into an enchanting, floating town reminiscent of Diagon Alley added a whole new level of gameplay to The Sims 4 experience.

Although only a Stuff Pack, Paranormal was able to provide many new avenues of gameplay that a player could explore.

Of course, Paranormal added some interesting new features to The Sims 4 when it came along in 2021. From thrilling seances to the arrival of Guidry the ghost, players were enthralled by the variety of vintage and spooky features that came along with Paranormal's content. Paranormal allowed players to explore narratives beyond The Sims 4's ordinary Live Mode as Sims could take up an exciting career as a Paranormal Investigator or summon the legendary Bonehilda.

Life & Death Will Only Add To The Sims 4's Supernatural Content

Releasing On Halloween In 2024

Enter 2024, when EA announces the release of Life & Death, the highly anticipated expansion pack set to release on Halloween. It is such an exciting content add-on that players argue its features should have been in The Sims 4 base game. Players will be able to experience controlling ghosts, exploring three new neighborhoods as well as a brand-new realm, taking up a career as an Undertaker or a Reaper, and so much more. Life & Death could make for the most exciting expansion pack in the history of The Sims franchise, if executed well.

The announcement of Life & Death comes very shortly after EA's announcement about the continuation of The Sims 4. While many players expressed disappointment about this decision, it does seem that Life & Death has grabbed everyone's attention, and in a very good way.

There is reason to believe that Life & Death - and its rich variety of features - will completely spice up The Sims 4 once again.

It seems like The Sims 4's multi-million playerbase is drawn to supernatural expansion packs that significantly enhance The Sims 4. There is reason to believe that Life & Death - and its rich variety of features - will completely spice up The Sims 4 once again, much like its predecessors on the supernatural side of the franchise.

Source: The Sims/YouTube