The Sims franchise celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary with a nostalgia-filled lineup of events and new content for games like Sims FreePlay, MySims, and, of course, The Sims 4. These celebrations not only included a new Expansion Pack for The Sims 4, but DLC and events that focused specifically on the game’s predecessors. These references in The Sims 4, combined with the rerelease of both The Sims and The Sims 2, show that The Sims team would be willing to make more nostalgia-based content.
Investigating the DLC and events the Sims team have released this year for The Sims 4, along with other additions to the game over the years, can highlight which directions EA and Maxis would be willing to venture when making nostalgia-themed DLC. The “Blast from the Plast” event rewarded players who completed quests over the course of four weeks with items themed to the early 2000s, when The Sims debuted, and items from past titles in the franchise. Three Kits, announced early in the festivities, also heavily hinge on player nostalgia. The Secret Sanctuary and Casanova Cave Kits are themed to iconic Townies Bella Goth and Don Lothario respectively. In comparison, Cozy Gamer Kit uses its items to reference The Sims franchise rather than taking direct inspiration. The Sims 4’s next venture into nostalgia could take inspiration from all of these approaches.

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It’s Time for a Sims 4 Townie Expansion Pack
First, The Sims could clearly take this concept and bring it to a bigger stage. These references have been left to events and Kits so far. Instead, The Sims 4 could slowly work these references up in Packs. The Sims 4 has been neglecting Stuff and Game Packs over the last few years, instead focusing on Expansion Packs. Additionally, instead of simply referencing Townies, this hypothetical pack could focus on adding Townies from previous games.
There are plenty of iconic Townies that should see resurrection in The Sims 4. Plenty of famous Townie families have already made their way into the hit simulation game, but Townies like Goopy GilsCarbo, the ever-clashing Capps and the Montys, and the Brokes, have yet to have their time in the sun. An Expansion Pack dedicated to adding new Townies could also expand the concepts of the Secret Sanctuary and Casanova Cave Kits by adding items inspired by the Townies introduced to The Sims 4 in the hypothetical Pack.
A Townie Expansion Pack Could Face Backlash
Simmers could have issues with this hypothetical Pack for several reasons. These Townies weren’t paywalled in their original games, so they arguably shouldn’t be paywalled now. Additionally, EA and Maxis have added older Townies to The Sims 4 through previous DLC before. For example, Agnes Crumplebottom made her way into The Sims 4 through the Cottage Living Expansion Pack and Bonehilda, though technically not a Townie, returned to the franchise in the Paranormal Stuff Pack. Players did not purchase these packs simply because these Townies made their way into the game; they were accompanied by new gameplay features and items.
While an entire Townie Expansion Pack sounds like a fun addition, The Sims team’s current approach could have been the right one all along. The Capps and the Montys could have been perfect families to reintroduce to the franchise during the High School Years or the Lovestruck Expansion Packs, as the families are based on the Capulets and Montagues of Romeo & Juliet. The Brokes could have had a perfect introduction through the For Rent Expansion. Goopy GilsCarbo has more flexibility, but he should certainly be in consideration as The Sims team develops more expansions. Ultimately, it’s more likely that The Sims team will continue with its current approach when adding fan-favorite Townies. But it’s fun to dream how a Townie Expansion Pack could debut in The Sims 4.
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