Since the release of Seasons in 2018, we’ve seen a Sims 4 expansion pack released in June and November. This two-year pattern of announcing expansions in the summer at EA Play and in the winter, around the holiday season, has led to fans speculating that it will continue in the future, especially as it has been so well received.
Due to this, as well as some job advertisements, the hype is starting to build around the theme of next expansion as Simmers enjoy one of their favorite pastimes, speculating about new content. Currently, the big topics many were expecting have been covered and the franchise is in an “all bets are off” situation. This means that we could see anything, although one of the strongest rumors is a farming-based pack.
Here we take a look at the reasons why we really need a farming pack as well as some arguments against our Sims taking to the fields.
Updated July 6th, 2020 By Helen Ashcroft: Since this article was written we’ve seen another expansion pack released, and it wasn’t farming. The Eco Lifestyle expansion has brought a whole host of new features to the game including green energy, eco footprints, bug houses, sustainable furniture, and much more.
While initially, the pack looked like it lacked content its depth has surprised many. However, that doesn’t mean we’ve given up on farming as an idea. If anything we want it even more now. Here are some more reasons why farming should come next, as well as a couple of other alternatives we’d prefer.
15 Should Be: Farming Games Are Popular
Farming games are often hailed as being a relaxing, easy to play, and calming experience. Gamers spend hours tending crops and raising animals in titles such as Stardew Valley, My Time At Portia, Story Of Seasons, Harvest Moon, and many more. We’d love to see this brought to The Sims.
Being able to chill out and tend to your farm for a few hours is a common love of gamers and expanding this task into our Sims game would be amazing. It would also help fill the horse-shaped hole we have in our hearts by bringing us more animals to love.
14 Shouldn’t Be: Gardening Is Enough
With the release of Seasons, gardening skills were vastly expanded. There is now a wide range of vegetables, herbs, and fruits to harvest, and gardeners can even pursue a career in the area.
On top of this, we have the ability to grow, harvest, and arrange flowers. For some players, it feels like farming would just be more of the same and they are seeking something different instead.
13 Should Be: We Need More Crops
Eco Lifestyle brought us a few more gardening tweaks including bug houses and vertical gardens. We also have community gardens, allowing sims to tend plants on community lots.
We’ve seen the future of gardening and we want more. A farming themed expansion would allow gardening to be expanded even more. Imagine new crops, new recipes, and working hosepipes, all alongside new ways to tend those crops.
12 Shouldn’t Be: Farming Works Better As A Stand Alone
Some of the very best farming games don’t try to focus on too many things at once. While adding this relaxing feature to the game is tempting us there are also many reasons to keep it separate.
An expansion would likely struggle to get engaging farming mechanics into the game, due to the limitations of DLC. If they did, it would be at the expense of other gameplay, creating a very niche pack.
11 Should Be: It Allows For An Expansion Of Off The Grid Gameplay
The off the grid trait would be ideally matched with farming life. Being able to tend your own crops and raise your own livestock on a much larger scale than gardening allows would enable Sims to live a truly self-sufficient lifestyle.
The pack would also be a great way to expand the off the grid gameplay and items, which are lacking right now. Being able to draw water from the ground, simple plumbing, candle based lighting, and a general rustic feel would enhance the trait’s gameplay perfectly.
10 Shouldn’t Be: Its Theme Is Too Niche
In many ways, the theme is far too niche. With some of the larger and more flexible ideas for the pack, such as green energy, already in the game we’re closer to a farming pack than we’ve ever been without having one.
While animals and fields sound great they don’t have much functionality outside of those wanting to live truly self sufficiently or run a farming empire. The features that would carry over to other types of gameplay the most are now already generally covered.
9 Should Be: It Would Fit Even Better Now We Have Eco Lifestyle
At first glance, it seems like Eco Lifestyle may have covered some of the farming basics. After all, it has green energy, hydroponic planters, and community gardens. However, these features could make farming an even better fit.
Sustainable living is a huge focus and has been well received. What could be better at boosting this than farming features? More animals, greenhouses, better fences, fields, and even tractors. All would perfectly compliment the game as it stands right now.
8 Shouldn’t Be: We Need Generations First
While farming may add some unique elements The Sims 4 has been criticized for lacking the in-depth gameplay we’ve seen in previous games. This is especially true of family gameplay which lacks depth in certain areas.
Given the huge success of Parenthood and how much the pack brings to the game, we feel that prioritizing a Generations style expansion to add more family functionality should be a priority.
7 Should Be: It Could Be Used To Introduce Vehicles
Everyone knows a huge part of farming is the machinery. As such the pack could be used to finally introduce vehicles to the game. We have garages but they are still very much empty.
We’d love to see tractors and trailers but also cars and other vehicles. Even if you can only drive them off the lot before you hit the loading screen. Those dummy cars all over Evergreen Harbor and the addition of a gas station have us desperate for transport!
6 Should Be: Farm Builds Would Be Functional
If you search the gallery many talented simmers have already built some beautiful farms. While gardening can be utilized to bring some aspects of them to life, they are missing vital components that a farming pack could bring.
We would love to see what builders do with more rustic furniture and proper barn doors. A farming vibe would no doubt give way to some amazing tumbledown builds as well as all manner of other amazing creations.
5 Shouldn’t Be: Younger Age Groups Will Likely Be Ignored
Recently the packs that have been released have contained very little for toddlers and children. Both life stages are quite limited in terms of clothing, items, and even gameplay when compared to the young adult and adult life stages.
A farming pack doesn’t leave much room for the younger generations to get the love they deserve. Something focusing on families would allow children and toddlers to get some love. As a bonus, the free patch that usually accompanies an expansion could finally free the babies!
4 Should Be: We’ve Never Seen It Before
Farming has never been in The Sims before. There are mods but no official expansion packs have covered this theme. At this point new is exciting and we’d like to see something we’ve never seen before.
While some aspects of farming have existed, such as owning horses in Sims 3, we’ve never seen them combined and can’t wait to do so. Gardening is already much more in-depth than we expected and we are excited about the prospect of it becoming even better.
3 Shouldn’t Be: There Are Other Unique Ideas
As much as farming is new, it does have similarities to other things in-game. We’d like to see the team move further out of the box, or maybe even throw the box away. Theme parks, other worlds, and supernaturals are all areas that could easily be explored in new and unique ways.
The ideas for expansions are truly endless and we can think of many that we feel would be much more exciting. Our fear is that farming could feel like trying to add something extra that actually belongs in its own game.
2 Should Be: It Feels Like A Natural Fit
A farming theme is a great match for the franchise. We’ve already mentioned that it ties in with off the grid gameplay but it also works with so much more. The game needs more rustic charm, which would align perfectly with packs such as Outdoor Retreat.
Tiny Living homes could be used in conjunction with it and it would also mix well with Cats & Dogs. Brindleton Bay is crying out for some rustic farms and they are sure to fit in perfectly.
1 Shouldn’t Be: There Are Other, Better, Natural Fits
Farming is far from the only theme that would fit well in the current game. Supernaturals are in desperate need of some expansion and love and tapping into this could make the lackluster aliens and mermaids truly great.
We would also love more vacation style content, including the ability to run a hotel. This could fit perfectly with Island Living and expand on the current vacation worlds. We would also love to see futuristic content, that could revive Sixam.
NEXT: The Sims 4: 10 Of The Most Unique House Builds To Download For Your Game
