
The Sims™ 4
Maxis · Electronic Arts
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more.
Year 7
Jun 18, 2026 - Sep 19, 2026
The Mean Girls and Clueless Capsule Kits launched on August 27, 2026, bringing a wave of Y2K and '90s styles to The Sims 4. Alongside these kits, players received a new afro-textured hairstyle and size-inclusive styles for Create a Sim, enhancing character customization options.
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New Content: The update introduced several new features and assets:
- New Afro-Textured Hairstyle released on August 25.
- Size-Inclusive Styles added to Create a Sim on August 25.
- The Sims 4 Music Den Kit launched on July 21, featuring retro-futuristic design elements.
- Eight new culturally inspired accessories released on July 21.
- Addition of 8 New CAS Starter Sims inspired by diverse cultures on July 21.
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Quality of Life Improvements: Key enhancements improved gameplay experience:
- Introduction of an Autosave feature on July 21, automatically saving player progress.
- Configurable Save Reminders added on July 21, allowing players to set their own save intervals.
- Updates to the phone call system and Live Mode notifications improved user experience on June 30.
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Performance Enhancements: Significant updates enhanced game performance:
- Memory Boost implemented on July 21, improving memory management for smoother gameplay.
- An image cache for the Marketplace was introduced on August 25, improving loading times.
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User Interface Updates: Visual and functional updates improved the interface:
- Consistent visual feedback for Autosave introduced on August 6.
- New toggle for Nordhaven Hobby Meetups notifications added on July 21.
Year 6
Jun 18, 2025 - Jun 18, 2026
The Sims™ 4 saw the launch of the Masquerade Ball Bundle on May 14, 2026, which included both Kits and three exclusive bonus items. Additionally, the Adventure Awaits Expansion Pack released on October 2, 2025, introducing Custom Venues and a variety of activities for players to enjoy.
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New Content: The introduction of the Sims Maker Program on March 17, 2026, allowed creators to publish their custom content in the new in-game Marketplace, which also launched the same day. The Enchanted by Nature Expansion Pack, released on July 10, 2025, brought new skills and gameplay elements, while the Fairy Sims feature introduced on the same day allowed for unique character creation with customizable wings.
- Expanded Family Trees launched on February 3, 2026, offering more detailed tracking of family dynamics.
- New skills like Papercraft, Entomology, Diving, and Archery were introduced on October 2, 2025, providing more activities for Sims of all ages.
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Gameplay Enhancements: An enhanced autonomy update released on May 12, 2026, improved Sims' natural behavior, making gameplay feel more immersive.
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Seasonal Events: The Lady Bridgerton’s Masquerade Ball Login Event started on May 12, 2026, offering players over 22 limited-time rewards. The Forever Friends Event also featured various rewards and activities from September 23 to November 4, 2025.
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Balance Changes: A tuning update on September 18, 2025, adjusted the Life & Death's Soul's Journey, adding Satisfaction Point rewards for this system.
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Quality of Life Improvements: Updates included an improved infant and toddler gameplay experience and a new cross-language search feature introduced on June 5, 2026, enhancing the player experience in the game.
Year 5
Jun 18, 2024 - Jun 18, 2025
The Sims™ 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack launched on July 25, 2024, introducing a wealth of new romantic features such as date planning, intimate interactions, and the Cupid’s Corner app. Following this, the Life and Death Expansion Pack was announced for release on October 31, 2024, promising even more content centered around the themes of mortality and afterlife.
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New Content: The game added several new features and items, including:
- Burglars introduced on February 25, 2025, who sneak into homes at night.
- 25th Birthday Celebration Update that brought over 70 new items, including hairstyles and clothing on February 4, 2025.
- Creator Kits were launched on November 14, 2024, designed by community creators to amplify authentic voices.
- New Intimate Interactions, including cuddling and seductive dancing, were added with the Lovestruck Expansion Pack.
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New Systems: The Date Planning System allowed players to choose locations and activities for dates, enhancing romantic gameplay. The Cupid's Corner App enabled Sims to find matches based on romantic interests.
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Seasonal Events: Notable events included the Blast from the Past Event, which ran from February 4 to March 4, 2025, featuring rewards like the Retro Deco Phone Set and a new aspiration. The Cozy Celebrations Event occurred in December 2024, offering various festive rewards.
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Performance Improvements: Technical enhancements were implemented, including ongoing improvements to core game experiences and fixing frame rate stuttering issues.
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UI/UX Enhancements: The conversation panel received usability improvements for better interactions, facilitating smoother gameplay.
Year 4
Jun 18, 2023 - Jun 18, 2024
The Sims™ 4 saw the launch of the For Rent Expansion Pack on December 7, 2023, which introduced multi-family lots and new gameplay features. Notably, the Horse Ranch Expansion Pack followed on July 20, 2023, bringing customizable horses and new ranch life mechanics. This period also featured the release of the Crystal Creations Stuff Pack on February 29, 2024, adding a Gemology skill and crafting mechanics for players.
- New Worlds: Chestnut Ridge launched on July 27, 2023, offering a Wild West-inspired rural setting where players can build their ranches.
- New Features: The introduction of a Vitiligo skin detail feature on February 15, 2024, allowed for greater customization of Sims, with 61 variants available.
- Seasonal Event: The Happy at Home Login Event launched on May 30, 2024, enabling players to claim rewards by logging in during the event period.
- New Kits: The Cozy Bistro and Riviera Retreat Kits launched on May 30, 2024, providing new decor options and create-a-sim items for players.
- Gameplay Improvements: A traits reorganization in the UI on July 20, 2023, improved navigation for players, making it easier to find emotional, hobby, lifestyle, and social traits.
Year 3
Jun 18, 2022 - Jun 18, 2023
The Sims 4 Growing Together Expansion Pack launched on March 16, 2023, introducing significant new family dynamics and relationship options, enhancing the gameplay experience. Additionally, The Sims 4 went free to play on October 18, 2022, allowing a broader audience to enjoy the game.
- New Features: The game added a Wants & Fears System on July 27, 2022, allowing Sims to express their desires and fears, and a Sexual Orientation Feature, enabling players to define their Sims' orientations.
- Curved walls were also introduced, enhancing building options for players.
- Expansion Packs: The High School Years Expansion Pack was released on July 28, 2022, allowing players to navigate teenage life, including attending prom and joining clubs. The Growing Together Expansion Pack followed in April 2023, focusing on family interactions and relationships.
- New Kits: Several kits launched, including the Bathroom Clutter Kit and Simtimates Collection Kit on January 19, 2023, enhancing customization options for players. The Book Nook Kit and Grunge Revival Kit were released on June 1, 2023, offering cozy and stylish décor options.
- Seasonal Events: The Sims Celebration Sale ran from October 18 to November 1, 2022, featuring discounts on select packs.
- Balance Changes: A notable adjustment on March 24, 2023, ended the chance of tooth loss when a child transitioned to a teen, correcting gameplay mechanics.
Year 2
Jun 18, 2021 - Jun 18, 2022
The Sims™ 4 Werewolves Game Pack launched on June 16, 2022, introducing a new gameplay experience where players can transform into werewolves, join packs, and explore the new location of Moonwood Mill. This period also saw the release of the My Wedding Stories Game Pack on February 23, 2022, allowing players to craft elaborate wedding events, alongside the Cottage Living Expansion Pack that debuted on July 1, 2021, which brought rural life to the forefront with features like foraging and animal interactions.
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Major Content Drops:
- Werewolves Game Pack released on June 16, 2022.
- My Wedding Stories Game Pack launched on February 23, 2022.
- Cottage Living Expansion Pack released on July 1, 2021.
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New Features:
- Introduced the Zen Guru and Self-Care Specialist careers on September 7, 2021, allowing players to guide Sims to mindfulness.
- Added Cooking Garden to Table Meals feature on July 22, 2021, enabling Sims to cook with foraged ingredients.
- New scenario Heal Hearts launched on November 3, 2021, where players help Sims learn to love again.
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New Kits and Items:
- Released Little Campers Kit and Moonlight Chic Kit on May 26, 2022, providing new camping and fashion options.
- The Modern Menswear Kit debuted on December 2, 2021, featuring contemporary styles designed by Stefan Cooke.
- Fashion Street Kit and Incheon Arrivals Kit launched on October 5, 2021, showcasing vibrant and minimalist fashion trends.
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Gameplay Enhancements:
- Players could now raise cows and chickens, collecting milk and eggs as part of the Cottage Living experience.
- New animal interactions were introduced, allowing Sims to engage with various animals in the forest.
Year 1
Jun 18, 2020 - Jun 18, 2021
Cottage Living Expansion launched on June 10, 2021, introducing new gameplay elements that allow players to build relationships with animals and interact with local villagers. This period also saw the release of the Dream Home Decorator Pack on June 1, 2021, enabling players to decorate unique spaces with modular furniture. Additionally, the Mt. Komorebi Expansion Pack launched on November 13, 2020, featuring activities like skiing and snowboarding.
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New Content: Multiple new features expanded gameplay significantly.
- Star Wars™ Journey to Batuu Game Pack released on August 27, 2020, allowing players to create their own Star Wars stories.
- New Skin Tones and Makeup Palettes were added on December 9, 2020, enhancing character customization.
- Plopsy Marketplace launched on July 29, 2020, enabling Sims to buy and sell handcrafted items.
- Bunk Beds were introduced on March 23, 2021, providing new living arrangements.
- New Emotional States like Scared and Terrified were added on January 21, 2021.
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New Systems: Innovative gameplay mechanics were introduced.
- Crafting Features allowed Sims to knit clothing and home décor items starting July 29, 2020.
- Haunted House Lots became available on January 12, 2021, featuring spooky events.
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Seasonal Events: The Sims™ Spark’d Episode 1 premiered on July 23, 2020, offering creativity challenges for players.
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Balance Changes: An update on January 21, 2021, reclassified several buffs related to fear, improving gameplay dynamics.