2014 video game downloadable content pack list
Twelve downloadable content "game packs" have been released for the 2014 life simulation video game "The Sims 4", the fourth major title in "The Sims" series. All game packs are developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, for the Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4 and Xbox platforms. Game packs are intended to be smaller than full expansion packs. The first game pack, "Outdoor Retreat", was released on January 13, 2015. The most recent game pack, "Werewolves", was released on June 16, 2022.
"Outdoor Retreat".
The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat is the first game pack for "The Sims 4", released on January 13, 2015. "Outdoor Retreat" focuses on outdoor camping, similar to a vacation in Three Lakes in ', and that in the forest lots on Vacation Island featured in '. It includes a new destination, many new objects, new outfits and new interactions.
Gameplay.
"Outdoor Retreat" introduces a new world, Granite Falls, which is only accessible while on vacation. The world consists of two neighborhoods which feature a national park, and five lots for rent (four houses and a campground) in the other. Sims can only visit this world by vacationing there. A vacation can last for up to seven Sim days, but can be extended. These days count against Sim's vacation days if they are employed, so job performance will lower if employed Sims vacation too long with no vacation days available, but only on days when they have work. Sims can now "Stargaze" and "Cloudgaze", which can make them "inspired". Sims can also take part in group activities with other Sims such as telling a group story, or stargazing/cloudgazing in a group. A new trait, aspiration and skill are introduced in "Outdoor Retreat". Sims with the Squeamish trait will become uncomfortable at the sight of insects, vomiting, violence, death and anything dirty. A new nature aspiration, called Outdoor Enthusiast, is added. Sims can learn the herbalism skill, and with it they can identify plants, insects and even make remedies, such as an insect repellent. Sims can now host a new party: Weenie Roast.
New food can be cooked through the use of a fire pit. These include marshmallows, hot dogs and even bugs. Over 60 Build/Buy mode items are introduced in "Outdoor Retreat". Some items are designed to be used when camping (such as portable beds, tents and foodstuffs), and can be purchased from the ranger's station in the national park or in build mode; other items can be purchased through build mode.
"Spa Day".
The Sims 4: Spa Day is the second game pack for "The Sims 4", released on July 14, 2015. It adds spas to the game, where Sims can go to receive massages, along with mud baths, do yoga, get manicures and more. Players can also build their own spas. This theme draws from spa retreats that were first featured in "", then subsequently in the Sunlit Tides DLC content through "The Sims 3 Store".
Gameplay.
"Spa Day" introduces a new Wellness skill, which can help Sims relieve stress and gain new abilities. Sims can build the skill by practicing yoga or meditation, higher skill levels enable the Sim to do more poses in yoga and unlocks more interactions with all Spa activities. Wellness is also great to develop in the brand new Spa lot assignment, which is the main feature of this game pack. Sims can visit the Spa for a revitalizing massage, or work on the new skill with some yoga. Taking relaxing mud baths, saunas, and massages are available at this lot and at home. Developing the Wellness skill also unlocks new food and drink recipes.
Sims can now take hand and foot massages with the new massage chair wherever they like. Massages can leave Sims with either a positive or negative moodlet. Along with the massages are mud baths and body soaks, a new way for Sims to relive their stress. They can be taken in every kind of bathtub in any type of lot. Saunas also return from previous titles in "Spa Day". Saunas can be placed any type of lot and are another great way for Sims to relive their stress and relax. Along with these saunas, there is a new death by sauna.
Yoga returns from previous titles as a skill for Sims to develop. Yoga mats are new objects that can be purchased in buy mode and can be used everywhere. In the spa lots, there are yoga classes that Sims can take part in. Aquariums return from previous titles as well. Sims can catch or buy fish and put them into the aquarium for other Sims to view. With aquariums, new fish has been added to the fish collection. There is a brand new Radio Station called “New Age”. Over 100 buy and build mode items are introduced in "Spa Day", for building the perfect spa, along with new clothes, with the style being spa and sports related.
Pack refresh.
On September 2, 2021, Maxis revealed a pack refresh for "Spa Day", released as a free patch on September 7, 2021. This is the first content pack for "The Sims 4" to receive a significant content update post-release. The new content includes a new trait, aspirations, manicures, pedicures and allowing toddler and child Sims to participate in yoga and meditation. Sims can also conduct wellness classes for other Sims.
"Dine Out".
The Sims 4: Dine Out is the third game pack for "The Sims 4", released on June 7, 2016. It includes a new venue type; a Restaurant, many new objects, new outfits, new interactions, new foods to make and a new active career; Restaurant Owner. Similar to the Business as Usual Venue from "The Sims 3", and "", Sims can go dining out and be a restaurant owner. However, it focuses more on being a restaurant owner, similar to being a restaurant owner in "Open for Business".
Gameplay.
"Dine Out" introduces the new restaurant venue, which is the main focus of the pack. Restaurants act similarly as they did in "Open for Business". Players can see inside the building, and Sims that have entered can be seen and directed. Sims can go to the host station to order a table, and the host will then direct them to a nearby table that has at least one chair. Groups of Sims, such as ones on a date, on an outing with friends or on a club gathering, can be placed together at the same table. Sims can then call the waiter and order up to one meal and one drink at a time. Sims can eat more meals if they wish, which will add to their bill. The food menu shows 4 categories, drinks, appetizers, main course, and dessert. Restaurants can serve any type of food or drinks, along with different presets for the Sims to choose from.
Sims can also own, build and manage restaurants. Sims can buy a restaurant from the Owned Businesses Panel. After building the restaurant with the required objects and hiring employees, Sims can open the restaurant and start managing it the way they want. Customer satisfaction is a very important thing for the restaurant owners, as satisfied customer will give out points, that can be used to buy different kind of perks to help out the restaurant. Employees can be promoted and be leveled up, to raise the satisfaction of the customers.
Experimental food is a new food type in "Dine Out". Sims can learn these recipes by eating them and then cooking them with the chef station with the right cooking skill. Sims can also take pictures of these foods, which are related to the brand new collection regarding this food. A new radio station called "Jazz" is introduced. Over 100 Build/Buy mode items are introduced in "Dine Out". Some of these include chef stations, host and waiter stations, and dining booths, along with new clothing for Sims to dress in the perfect fashion when going to the restaurants.
"Vampires".
The Sims 4: Vampires is the fourth game pack for "The Sims 4", released on January 24, 2017. It includes a new life state, Vampires, many Gothic-themed objects, new outfits, new interactions, new aspirations, new foods to make and new skills: Pipe Organ skill and Vampire Lore Skill. The pack also features a new neighborhood called "Forgotten Hollow" which, fitting with the vampiric theme, has longer nighttimes than other neighborhoods. The pack uses vampiric elements from ', ' and "".
Gameplay.
"Vampires" introduces the vampire life state with a whole bunch of new supernatural powers and abilities. Vampires can alter their appearance between their regular and dark forms, and can use supernatural abilities including super speed, turning into a bat, having super strength, being able to turn into mist, etc. Vampires can be made straight from Create-a-Sim and have their own special options, such as an alternative "dark" form, editing their eyes to be unnatural eye colors, pale skin tones, different fang types, and veins. Sims can also ask vampires to be turned. If they comply, the vampire will bite the Sim and then offer them their blood which the Sim will drink. Sims will not immediately transform, but will get the "Strangely Hungry" moodlet which causes their hunger need to drain.
Vampires will have their own panel to gain and upgrade new abilities that make them more powerful. They can choose certain powers as they gain more experience and become stronger. There are a total of twenty-five powers, divided evenly (five per each Vampire Rank), with several powers having their own tiers. Also some powers conflict with certain weaknesses, preventing you from picking them. Vampires also have different needs to normal Sims. Vampires do not need to cater to a bladder meter and their energy need is elongated and replaced with "Vampiric Energy" as well as the hunger need being replaced with a "Thirst" need for plasma. The needs panel also showcases the experience to achieve the next vampire rank and the power points.
Just like aliens from "", vampires have a Sim form and an alternative form in which they can switch between to keep their vampiric presence from being revealed. They will switch into their "Dark Form" to turn into their true vampiric nature and access some of their supernatural powers, such as feeding and turning other Sims. The Dark Form can be fully customized separately from their normal form. There are two brand new skills called pipe organ and vampire lore. Pipe organ is the equivalent of the piano skill for the new pipe organ object, and vampire lore helps vampires become stronger. There are also three new aspirations: Vampire Family, Master Vampire, and Good Vampire. The pack includes 151 Build/Buy mode items and new clothing and hair styles for Sims aged children to elder, as well as three new lot traits.
"Parenthood".
The Sims 4: Parenthood is the fifth game pack for "The Sims 4", released on May 30, 2017. It develops the bond between parents and their children with the newly introduced Parenting skill. It takes elements from "".
Gameplay.
"Parenthood" introduces character values for toddler, child and teen Sims, and gives parents more control over their offspring. They can be either disciplined or encouraged, both affecting their journey to adulthood. There are five different character values: Manners, Responsibility, Empathy, Conflict Resolution and Emotional Control. Character values appear in the Simology panel for Sims aged toddler to teen. Parents can encourage or discipline their children to help develop these character values. A toddler, child, or teen can affect their own character values by performing certain interactions, such as making a mess or setting the table. If Sims have a high or low enough level in any of the character values, they will receive special traits when they become young adults.
One of the other big changers to children's character values is the new parenting skill. This skill can only be learned by Sims who are young adults or older, and helps them by having more options on raising their children. Parents with this skill can punish their children in many ways ranging from time outs to grounding, where parents can restrict certain activities. However, children can ignore these punishments, negatively affecting their character values. Children will also come to ask their parent or caregiver different questions in the form of chance cards. The higher the parenting skill is with the caregiver, more options