AsThe Sims' twenty-fifth anniversary celebration comes to an end, players are waiting for EA and Maxis to return focus toThe Sims 4. Players have taken issue with much aboutThe Sims 4since its release in 2014, particularly due to the absence of mainstay gameplay features that appeared in the series’s previous titles. Of course, EA and Maxis have expandedThe Sims 4, by adding to the base game and through DLC, since its launch, but some areas still feel lackluster.
One core aspect ofThe Simsfranchise that was reduced in the launch version ofThe Sims 4is life stages. Upon release,Toddlers were missing fromThe Sims 4completely, and the gameplay that centered around babies was incredibly rudimentary compared to the franchise’s previous installments, despite the fact that babies aged up after 72 hours like in previous titles. Though Simmers made their voices heard about other missing gameplay features, they put particular emphasis on just how important life stages are toThe Sims. Toddlers were eventually added toThe Sims 4in 2017, and babies were given two life stages, Newborns and Infants, in 2023. Since these updates, Simmers have turned their focus toward giving Elders more love, but one other life stage also deserves attention from EA and Maxis.
The Sims 4 Needs to Overhaul Teens
The High School Years Expansion Pack may have been EA and Maxis’s attempt at giving the life stage more content, but Teens are still far behind the game’s other life stages. And for players who have not purchased thatThe Sims 4Expansion Pack, playing with Teens may feel especially boring. Many hobbies that suit teenagers are also exclusive to DLC, such as those that are associated with child and teen-friendly public spaces, like bowling alleys, roller and ice skating rinks, and arcades.
This is not to say that EA and Maxis haven’t attempted to expand gameplay for Teens inThe Sims 4base game. Upon its debut in 2014, part-time jobs were not part ofThe Sims 4. This feature would eventually be added to the game about six years ago. While some of the jobs that were added are in Expansion Packs, base game players can have their Teens hired for rabbit hole careers as babysitters, baristas, fast food employees, manual laborers, and retail employees with no issues. However, Teens that are enrolled in part-time jobs cannot also participate in after-school activities, which are DLC exclusive through the Seasons, Get Famous, andHigh School Years Expansion Packs.
Mods Could Inspire a Teenage Revamp in The Sims 4
For many players, Teens still feel lackluster, despite EA and Maxis’s efforts to improve the life stage. Mods for the life stage are extraordinarily popular, and they may provide insight into the ways in which teenagers could seefurther expansion inThe Sims 4. At the end of the day,The Sims 4must maintain its rating of Teen, making mods like Delinquent Teens, Runaway, or Teen Pregnancy unlikely to make the crossover to the base game. However, a mod that gives full-time jobs to Teens that drop out of high school would translate well intoThe Sims 4base game and add further immersion. Though this might make more sense as an expansion to the Growing Together or Parenthood Expansion Packs, placing more responsibility on Teens who are older siblings is yet another mod-inspired gameplay feature that could be successful.
Players can, of course, focus on developing skills for their Teens prior to aging up to adulthood to set them up for a successful Adult career. The life stage is also important for legacy challenges, especially when it comes to selecting heirs. Nevertheless, the Teen life stage deservesmore attention from EA and Maxis, and, with any luck, it will see further expansion inThe Sims 4.
