| The Sims 4 | |
|---|---|
 Cover art since 2019 | |
| Developer(s) | Maxis[a] |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Director(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Designer(s) |
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| Artist(s) |
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| Writer(s) | Danielle von Mayrhauser[2] |
| Composer(s) | Ilan Eshkeri |
| Series | The Sims |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | WindowsmacOS
|
| Genre(s) | Social simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The Sims 4 is a social simulation game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released on September 2, 2014 for Windows, and is the fourth main installment in The Sims series, following The Sims 3 (2009). As with previous games in the series, The Sims 4 allows players to create and customize characters called "Sims", build and furnish their homes, and simulate their daily life across various in-game regions. This installment introduced a newly developed custom game engine, with enhanced character creation and house-building tools, along with a more complex in-game simulation.
Development plans for The Sims 4 initially included a stronger focus on online functionalities, but these plans were dropped following the negative launch reception of Maxis' online-only SimCity in 2013. In the months leading up to the game's release, Maxis revealed that several features from previous Sims titles, such as swimming pools and toddler Sims, would be omitted, citing development time constraints and technical challenges; this decision led to backlash from players. Upon release, The Sims 4 received mixed reviews, with critics praising the game's visual design, improved artificial intelligence for Sims, and streamlined building tools, but criticizing the absence of content compared found in prior Sims titles, frequent loading screens, and glitches.
The Sims 4 topped the Ukie all-format video game chart in 2014, and as of 2024, has received over 85 million players worldwide. A macOS version was released in February 2015, followed by PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions in November 2017. In 2022, the game shifted to a free-to-play model, supported by paid downloadable content (DLC) packs that have been released regularly since launch. As of 2024, these DLC packs include seventeen expansion packs and twelve game packs, adding new features, objects, and worlds.
Free content updates have also been released, re-introducing swimming pools and toddler Sims, as well as adding more character customization options, building tools, diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, and gameplay scenarios. As of 2024, a new multiplayer-focused The Sims title, under the working title "Project Rene", is in development.
- ^ "EA Announces The Sims 4 is Coming to Consoles on November 17th". Business Wire. July 26, 2017. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Maxis (September 2, 2014). The Sims 4. Electronic Arts.
Credits
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