Everything Included In The Sims 4: Businesses & Hobbies

The Sims 4: Businesses & Hobbies is the latest expansion for the long-running life simulation. The pack introduces two new hobbies, a new world, a unique way to run a business and some new social features. Cross-pack functionality is high here, and the expansion looks to broaden how Sims interact with hobby activities.

As more content comes into the game and packs become more niche, it can be harder to decide what is worth picking up immediately, on sale, or not at all. This overview covers all the main features of The Sims 4: Businesses & Hobbies to help you decide if this pack is for you.

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Tattooing And Customisable Body Art

Tattoos have had a major overhaul with this pack. Firstly, Sims can now learn the tattooing skill. They can create tattoos on a sketchpad to unlock new designs and then apply these – along with all the other tattoo designs in the game – to other Sims using a tattoo table.

Create A Sim can also be accessed when using the tattoo table and here you can create and apply custom designs. There are stencils and stamps to use as well as a freehand system which works in the same way as pet coat customisation, so you can make anything you wish. Truly customisable body art is now here.

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Make And Sell Pottery

If tattooing isn’t your thing, you can also craft pottery. The game now has a pottery wheel and kiln and your Sims can create, glaxe and fire their very own pottery. The designs are a range of vases, sculptures and decorative items. There’s also a teaset which you can produce.

Pottery can be customised with one of several different styles of glaze, and if you break them don’t worry. You can fix any smashed pottery and make it look even more unique with Kintsugi.

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Mentoring And Teaching

Skills your Sim knows at a level of five or above can now be passed on through mentoring. A Sim who mentors another can pass on their wisdom, allowing the Sim they mentor to build skills much faster. Mentoring can be a paid or unpaid activity; the choice is yours.

Sims can also give lectures or teach classes on any subjects they have sufficient knowledge of. These can be done through paid classes run as part of a small business, or as free lectures given at a hobby meeting. Both mentoring and teaching are money-making activities which can also help boost Sims’ progress in skill building.

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Mastery Perks

If you repeat certain tasks a lot, you can learn a mastery perk for it. This new perk system is similar to lifestyles from Snowy Escape. Performing certain activities over and over can gain you a mastery that gives your Sims a mood boost aura, buff or similar. You can have up to three mastery perks per Sim.

This is one of those features which is a nice extra and offers small boosts which help in gameplay without being too over the top. You can expect them to turn out to be useful but not essential.

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New Aspirations And Personality Trait

There are two new aspirations with this pack. One guides you through the process of setting up and growing a small business, with goals that see you develop and grow your enterprise. The second looks at mentoring, asking you first to be a mentee of another Sim, then to switch to sharing your knowledge as a mentor.

The new personality trait is shady, and allows your Sim to revel more in their dodgy dealings and bad choices. A shady Sim will see few things as black and white, and instead have a more grey morality, especially in business.

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The Small Business System

Small Business Residential is a new lot type which allows you to build both a residential and business premises on one lot. You can keep them separate or just divide up of the same building. In the business space, you can run a small business. This requires a small set up fee, but then you are free to grow it.

You can choose which activities are on offer for your business, and set prices on the front door. This allows you to charge Sims to use facilities or participate in activities, rather than just selling items. You can also run paid classes and mentoring sessions.

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Hobby And Craft Clubs

The hobby club system allows existing hobby activities such as painting, writing, cross stitch, crafting and singing to all feel more like hobbies rather than just jobs. You can attend hobby meetings and meet Sims with the same interests as you.

Hobbyists can share resources and ideas as they come together in one place to share their passions with each other through socialisation and lectures.

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The World Of Nordhaven

Nordhaven is inspired by the Nordic Countries. Sweden and Denmark in particular appear to be strongly represented in this beautiful world with 12 lots of differing sizes. There are also buildings which house new businesses, and some which require refurbishment.

Clubs take place on the streets and there are some interesting characters around to meet. While there aren’t as many secrets as in some other worlds, this remains a full and beautiful location to live in.

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Nordic Inspired Furniture

The furniture here is chic, timeless and perfectly matches many other items in the game. You’ll find the swatches match many items from base game and other packs, and a lot of household staples are covered, including lounge items, a bedroom set, and office furniture.

Alongside these are business items, including storage and display units for any items you wish to sell. The collection is rounded out by the new hobby items.

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Retro Clothing Staples

The clothing here is quite retro in design but covers staples for a range of ages and genders. The clothing is a mix of business casual and more relaxed items. You’ll be able to dress for success in whatever business you desire.

The kids’ clothing is especially adorable, and while limited, it is very versatile. A few key jewelry pieces, some unique hairstyles and some tattoo designs round out create a sim.