AN UPCOMING release from one of gaming’s most popular ever series is going to be free to play.
This suggests that going forward all games from the series will also be free for people to download.
The Sims 5 will have more customisation than ever before.
The Sims 4 was the first game in The Sims series to go free-to-play, though this was done many years after its initial release.
While The Sims doesn’t have many microtransactions like other free-to-play games, it does have expansions.
These are like DLC packs that include new items and features to expand the way you play.
The Sims Expansion Packs will continue to cost money, but the base game will be free.
It seems this free-to-play model will become the norm for The Sims series going forward.
A job advert for The Sims 5, currently known as Project Rene, suggests it will be live service.
The description for head of marketplace and monetisation reads: “Own Project Rene’s in-game marketplace of content and [user-generated content (free and paid).
“Manage a data-informed player-centric player purchase journey – maximizing value to players, optimizing player spend patterns, and minimizing player churn.
“Own pricing of all content in this free-to-enter game, ensuring we have an optimal pricing and content architecture.
“Provide guidance to content teams on in-game content needs to meet player demand.”
Later in the ad, it says Maxis hopes to provide: “a nimble live service culture of test-learn-iterate across platforms (PC, Mobile, Consoles).”
However, while it seems The Sims 5 will be free-to-play, recruiting a head of monetisation means the series is likely taking a new direction.
The job post could mean that there will be more microtransactions in the upcoming game, encouraging players to spend more money.
Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.
