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Instructor
Original Poster
#1 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 12:39 PM Last edited by Vss2eip : 7th Jun 2014 at 12:58 PM.
Default Expansion packs or DLC (i.e. The Store)?
According to that Sims 4 survey a few months ago (if you can call that a survey), it seems that DLC will play a large role in The Sims 4 series. With The Sims 3 we already saw to what extent was EA prepared to milk the series, to the point of popping out new "Premium" items every few weeks (some of them base game content, like the changing table). I can say that, without a doubt, Sims 4 will follow the same way, probably even more annoying.

On the other side we have an expansion pack/stuff pack system which some people may find this dated. I know there are people who like picking out what they like in The Store instead of buying a whole pack just for one set, and I understand that.

Which system do you prefer?

I honestly prefer expansion packs. They can offer fleshed-out gameplay that so far no Sims 3 DLC ever had. If there should be a Sims 4 Store, and there undoubtedly will be, I'd rather see only furniture sets and CAS items, without gameplay items. That's not because I feel it's ripping me off (it is), it's because we'll never get a fleshed-out experience in the future (Le Plumbob Cinema, anyone?). What if we get a shitty weather DLC and we get stuck with it forever? DLC with content like swimming pools, New Years parties and tree houses (?!) would only work if it were free, and we know that's not going to happen. I wouldn't be surprised if DLC entirely replaces EPs in The Sims 4. I only hope it's not going to be as underwhelming as Sims 3's.
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Field Researcher
#2 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 12:43 PM
Expansions can and are distributed as DLC, so I don't understand what you mean...
Instructor
Original Poster
#3 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 12:58 PM
Quote: Originally posted by JackieSmith
Expansions can and are distributed as DLC, so I don't understand what you mean...


By DLC, I meant more like The Store. I changed the title.
Top Secret Researcher
#4 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 1:00 PM
@ Jackie Smith He thinks of DLCs as minor content. I personaly don't like such kind of DLCs because they can be implemented in expansions. But if byable DLCs and Free ones get somehow balanced I would like to try them out (even buyable ones).
Mad Poster
#5 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 1:09 PM
I prefer EPs. I haven't had much experience with DLC, but I do remember buying premium content for Pet Society before EA shut it down and it was often overpriced, and when there was too much to fit in the store, it started getting released for a limited amount of time, splitting the community into have and have-nots. I hated the feeling of being rushed into buying stuff or it'd be gone forever. I wouldn't mind various pretty things being in the Store (I lie, I'd mind a bit, but I can get pretty things from other places) but game-changing stuff should be in an EP.
Lab Assistant
#6 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 1:10 PM
I sure hope we continue to get expansion packs. As you said there is no other way to get proper integrated functioning for objects and game aspects that may be added in the future (weather, attraction, celebratory status) without completely overhauling the engine to do so. Expansion packs do this.

Stuff packs on the other hand, yeah I guess I don't mind having them broken down into DLC sets and items. Although I'm old fogie enough to want physical in-my-hands discs when it comes to these things. I don't trust the internets enough to trust I can redownload these things if my computer crashes. Hell I had enough trouble as it was with Sims 2 with trying to log onto the official site and the Exchange. Everytime I had to make a new account because it always claimed that my username, password and email was invalid. (although it sure remembered that someone registered with my particular game, I had to use a different game disc each time I retried it, eventually I gave up as I was running out of EPs to do so). I'd hate to have forked actual money for a set and not be able to redownload because of something like this.
Forum Resident
#7 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 2:32 PM
Definitely expansion packs. No messing about and straight to the point. Don't care much for stuff packs, those can come in the form of store content but not expansions. I want them to give us what our money's worth. No withholding objects that should of been in an expansion being sold separately in a over priced store.

The store has been quite successful for them so I doubt they'll get rid of it, but they certainly exposed their level of greed and stinginess which I'm happy about. It taught me a lesson when it comes to wasting money on half arsed crap that may or may not even work
Forum Resident
#8 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 4:08 PM
Quote: Originally posted by shc
I sure hope we continue to get expansion packs. As you said there is no other way to get proper integrated functioning for objects and game aspects that may be added in the future (weather, attraction, celebratory status) without completely overhauling the engine to do so. Expansion packs do this.


Well, at least they try to do this. Attraction and celebrity status in TS3 were so badly implemented, it's difficult to say they had "proper" anything.

(That said, shc, I get your point and agree with you.)
Instructor
#9 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 4:30 PM
I'm not buying any equivalent to premium content from the store for TS4. Expansion packs already have little to no interaction with each other--so paying twice as much for less content that doesn't work together despite sharing a theme simply isn't attractive to me. If EA chooses to forgo EPs, then that's their loss.

I promise I'm not as grumpy as my avatar looks.
Alchemist
#10 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 4:33 PM
Quote: Originally posted by EmotedLlama
I'm not buying any equivalent to premium content from the store for TS4. Expansion packs already have little to no interaction with each other--so paying twice as much for less content that doesn't work together despite sharing a theme simply isn't attractive to me. If EA chooses to forgo EPs, then that's their loss.

Regular Content = Painfully lacking/broken/overpriced
Premium Content = Rubbing salt in the wound
Field Researcher
#11 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 5:45 PM
Quote: Originally posted by mixa97sr
@ Jackie Smith He thinks of DLCs as minor content. I personaly don't like such kind of DLCs because they can be implemented in expansions. But if byable DLCs and Free ones get somehow balanced I would like to try them out (even buyable ones).


Oh. Yeah I get it.

Yeah I'd prefer smaller expansions. $40 per expansion is ridiculous, not just for the crap that EA is selling but in general. Even TES III and IV's expansions weren't this overpriced, and those actually expanded the games a lot.

Currently, every expansion is mostly objects. If they'd cut down most of the objects and only keep the gameplay enhancements and the objects that are actually necessary for expanding gameplay, they could release expansions that might be worth $20 but expand the gameplay on the same level as existing ones and don't overload the game with so much crap.

As for the cut objects, the Store pretty much has that covered.
Mad Poster
#12 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 7:11 PM
The Sims 2, $29.99 per expansion pack
The Sims 3, $39.99 per expansion pack

I don't think we will so lucky for Sims 4 EPs to cost the same as Sims 3 EPs. It might go to $49.99. That's why I demand this series be worth me paying that kind of money. It's EA's turn to woo and WOW me.

Resident member of The Receptacle Refugees
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Forum Resident
#13 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 7:42 PM
I prefer hard-copy EPs. It's quick and easy, and less of a hassle to reinstall if you ever need to. Like others have said, I don't trust having everything being online, and trusting it will work perfectly fine if I ever have to reinstall it. I hardly like to even buy things online like on Amazon. You never know what may happen.

I really hope EA doesn't get so greedy this time around with The Store and only sells things that you would only find in Stuff Packs, not things that should be in Expansions or the base game. But so far they have a bad rep for that.
Theorist
#14 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 7:51 PM
From the survey it does seem.. I repeat.. seem.. like they're going to work on gameplay packs (which are more on par with what DLC traditionally should be, not one off items and hairstyles or sets). No one knows for sure, but that's the impression I got. It might not be a steady stream of crap every month, but a more cohesive package whenever they do release it.

TS3's store model was mostly based on cosmetic add ons, overpriced cosmetic add ons might I add, and nothing to supplement actual gameplay until late in the game when they put in premium content. (big mistake IMO, price wise and content wise) Here's hoping that whoever designs TS4's store model will actually have a conscience and be a little less.. money grabby, but I'm not holding my breath.


But, to add my two cents. I prefer EPs, but I'd be fine with both if it was done in a manner like above and not rushed out each month. With TS3's store it felt like EA was in one of those wind machines frantically grabbing for money whenever they released a new world or set. I know a lot of people worked hard on these items and sets, but they did seem a bit half-assed because of the time allotted to each.
The Great AntiJen
retired moderator
#15 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 9:02 PM
A condition for expansion packs is that they should expand the gameplay significantly and therefore should come as a standalone package. I never liked SPs anyway and, if all they contain is objects/skins etc., can't see the difference much between being DLC in the store or as standalone packs in themselves. I won't be buying either. The only SP I bought for TS2 was M&G and that was because it was a mini EP. I would prefer it if they didn't do that.

I no longer come over to MTS very often but if you would like to ask me a question then you can find me on tumblr or my own site tflc. TFLC has an archive of all my CC downloads.
I'm here on tumblr and my site, tflc
Test Subject
#16 Old 7th Jun 2014 at 9:53 PM
I prefer EPs because I think EPs have more potential to improve the gameplay.I don't think they did a great job with TS3 but EP features affect sims more. Store contents don't provide anything to build/develop the game on.They are just there kinda like decor and that's all.Sims are mostly indifferent to the store contents. e.g. when they have the "see a movie" wish you can't fulfill it using the store cinema thing. Or you can't build/run your own bistro with waiters and everything and can't make the chef use the woodfire oven or teppanyaki grill. Store is filled with things you pay but can't benefit as you should. Oh and, I like this one, you can't protect your garden from rain or snow using the greenhouse?! WTF!!?Then why should I get the damn thing? How come they think it is OK to sell it in store!? And how come they think it is OK to do it again and shamelessly sell a tent which lets snow and rain inside?? If this attitude continues I think EPs will be just the same with TS4.
Field Researcher
#17 Old 8th Jun 2014 at 12:13 AM
maybe i'm just being petty but i will not spend money on a download. unless it's like an indie game on steam or something on humblebundle but sims? no. they can afford to at least send me a disc of their crappy bugged out content.

also i've never seen anything on the store that i'd thought "hey i am totally willing to spend actual money on!". maybe my sims' money but not my money.
Field Researcher
#18 Old 8th Jun 2014 at 12:36 AM
Quote: Originally posted by tiffyandthewall
maybe i'm just being petty but i will not spend money on a download. unless it's like an indie game on steam or something on humblebundle but sims? no. they can afford to at least send me a disc of their crappy bugged out content.


Why would you want a disc? You're still stuck with Origin, disc or no disc.
Field Researcher
#19 Old 8th Jun 2014 at 5:15 PM
I prefer EPs, but would be willing to buy some sort of EP-like DLC if, and only if, it was good quality, well implemented and integrated, and there were no such things as EPs.
Forum Resident
#20 Old 8th Jun 2014 at 5:22 PM
Quote: Originally posted by JackieSmith
Why would you want a disc? You're still stuck with Origin, disc or no disc.


Personally, I prefer physical copies as I will always have it (unless I for some reason lose it) a digital download if I accidentally delete it isn't going to be stored in the system forever - only for as long as Origin is around or however long EA wants to support it. I'd rather be secure in the knowledge that I can play my old games whenever I want to, not when some program tells me that I can.
One Minute Ninja'd
#21 Old 8th Jun 2014 at 5:36 PM
Given that at the end of TS3, they managed to sell a "farm EP" as 5 disjointed premium sets, some with their individual "special" venue, for a total of ~$100 US, while an integrated EP of farm life, with a proper farm world, would have sold for ~$40, I'm pretty sure I know which model TS4 will follow.
Field Researcher
#22 Old 8th Jun 2014 at 5:59 PM
Quote: Originally posted by Mr_Valentine90
Personally, I prefer physical copies as I will always have it (unless I for some reason lose it) a digital download if I accidentally delete it isn't going to be stored in the system forever - only for as long as Origin is around or however long EA wants to support it. I'd rather be secure in the knowledge that I can play my old games whenever I want to, not when some program tells me that I can.


Makes sense for Origin in particular I guess.
Lab Assistant
#23 Old 8th Jun 2014 at 6:08 PM Last edited by bellatrixclovis : 8th Jun 2014 at 6:22 PM.
Quote: Originally posted by JackieSmith
Why would you want a disc? You're still stuck with Origin, disc or no disc.


Indeed, this is probably all what we'll get on the disk: Origin. This is what happened with SimCity 2013, the disk only had an Origin installer, needed to register the serial code, and then to grant access to EA servers to download the actual game. Even if TS4 is said to not require persistent online connection, Origin will be mandatory.

For me, this lowers the value of the product. It's an arbitrary additional layer of annoyances and potential bugginess. I have no need of it.

---------
To answer the OP: I'm all for EP and let the Store be a replacement and/or an extension of the Stuff packs. Stuff packs are completely superfluous for me today, they could just as easily become curated collections of Store content, but distributed afterwards (at a lower price?) and on disk for people who have no access to the Store.

All the PC items released on the Store were rather poorly executed. The worst is that once something is on the Store, it has some exclusive value and can't be included in an EP afterwards, when the opposite isn't true. The business model clearly gives the priority to that stupid Store. I guess that it's only going to get worst with TS4:
  • 3 to 4 EPs per year, sold for a higher price than what we got so far, yet providing less content 'cause let's face it, they have a hard time producing 2 good EPs a year, how could they do better with less time?
  • Each of them leading a trail of additional gameplay packs, sold at various price points on the Store and centered roughly around the EP theme. Or to put it more clearly, what should have been in an EP will be release/sold apart.

That's one of the reason I want to wait a year before I consider buying TS4. I want to know what they have... in store.
Test Subject
#24 Old 8th Jun 2014 at 7:52 PM
I do not purchase items online so if they go the way of downloaded content purchased online I'm out so expansion packs or nothing for me.
Mad Poster
#25 Old 8th Jun 2014 at 9:34 PM
I prefer expansions. The DLC is far too expensive compared to expansions, particularly considering how little you actually get for the money. I also prefer having a hard copy of my games and game content. The only upside with DLC like the store is that you can choose what to download. It's alright to keep the store as an extension to EPs, as long as they keep the best content to hard copies. I'm still pissed off they didn't make a farming EP, since they obviously had enough content for one, and that they didn't add surfing to IP, and a bunch of other things.
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