Latest news with #TheSims4
Express Tribune
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
EA delays The Sims 5 to protect decade's worth of DLC content from The Sims 4
Electronic Arts (EA) is holding off on releasing The Sims 5, citing concerns over the massive amount of downloadable content (DLC) players have invested in The Sims 4 since its 2014 launch. In a recent interview with Variety, EA president Laura Miele revealed that the company doesn't want fans to lose the progress and content they've accumulated over the past decade. 'What I wouldn't want to have happen is you to have to start from day zero… and give up all of the content you've purchased,' Miele explained. Since its release, The Sims 4 has introduced over 85 expansion packs, game packs, and kits — many sold as premium DLC. EA acknowledges that asking players to abandon these purchases isn't 'player friendly.' Miele also emphasized that The Sims 4 is now 'technologically strong' enough to continue evolving without needing a sequel. Instead of a clean-slate Sims 5, EA is shifting focus to spin-offs like Project Rene, a multiplayer project in development, and cross-media ventures such as The Sims movie, being produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Margot Robbie's LuckyChap. The film presents new opportunities to merge linear storytelling and interactive gameplay, potentially introducing its characters and themes into The Sims 4 through future DLC. With the franchise celebrating its 25th anniversary, EA is opting for innovation through expansion rather than replacement — signaling a new era of transmedia storytelling for The Sims and other top EA titles.
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Sims 4 Promotes Enchanting Expansion With FKA twigs' Perfect Stranger Music Video
The Enchanted by Nature Expansion Pack for The Sims 4 has unleashed an FKA twigs Perfect Stranger music video in Simlish to mark the occasion. The newest expansion pack for The Sims 4, takes players through an enchanted world known as Innisgreen, a setting so enchanting that the expansion pack is called Enchanted by Nature. With it having been weeks since the expansion launched, fans have given the new content a 'Mixed' reception on Steam. Nearly all fan reviewers noted how enchanting the setting is, but some have also noted how flawed the execution was on launch, making the newly introduced traits appear to be a micromanagement nightmare. To steady the turbulence, EA has launched a new FKA twigs music video, Perfect Strangers, to promote the expansion. The music video can be seen below, and it features well-known artist FKA twigs in full Sim getup from The Sims 4, singing in full Simlish. On top of the music video, a The Sims 4 creator has also rolled out the FKA twigs Sim for fans to move into their neighbourhoods. In the music video, FKA twigs plays a matchmaker to Perfect Strangers, uniting five couples in the enchanted Innisgreen world, and now fans can live next to her in Innisgreen! EA has included a link to a prominent The Sims 4 creator's version of FKA twigs as a way to include her in your neighbourhood. Crafted by community member Maxis, fans have commented on the new artist-based Sim, pleased with how close the real thing looks when compared to the artist in the music video. The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature expansion pack is out now, and fans can check in on all the action by heading to the official site. The latest bug where Sims have been getting noticeably pregnant without warning or intervention has been fixed, along with the latest patch notes can be found here. Solve the daily Crossword
Time Business News
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Business News
The Witching Hour: A New Anthology from Alvin Soprano
Machinima filmmaker Alvin Soprano has announced her latest project, The Witching Hour , an ambitious monthly anthology series set to premiere this August. Told through her signature machinima style—cinematic storytelling created entirely within The Sims 4 game engines—the series will release one episode per month, each exploring a different character's final moments before death. The concept centers on a chilling phenomenon: deaths that occur precisely at 3:33 a.m.—what folklore often calls 'the witching hour.' Each standalone episode will follow a main character facing death, culminating in their encounter with death itself, portrayed as a sentient presence capable of dialogue, reflection, and at times, confrontation. ' It's not about how they die, ' Soprano said in a statement. ' It's about what happens in the moments leading up to it—and what's said when there's nothing left to lose. ' While Alvin Soprano has been known for her stand alone machinima films—such as Fantasmus (2020) and Tales from StrangerVille (2020)— The Witching Hour marks her first foray into episodic storytelling. Each installment will be 10–15 minutes in length and released monthly on her official platforms. Stylistically, the series blends psychological horror, surrealism, and grounded emotional drama. While each episode stands alone, the series explores common themes: regret, memories, unfinished business, and the universal anxiety around death. According to Soprano's production notes, the show is not about gore or jump scares. It's about emotional tension and existential weight. ' The horror here isn't the fear of death, ' she explained. ' It's the awareness of time, and how little we really have. ' The Witching Hour originally existed as a standalone machinima film—a 46-minute narrative made in The Sims 4 and released in June 2020. The project was an early exploration of many of the themes she's now expanding into the anthology. Despite its critical praise among fans, the film was later deleted from her YouTube channel in 2021, during what became known among her followers as the 'purge', when Soprano removed nearly all of her online content and disappeared from public view. But the story never left her. ' The potential kept playing in the back of my head, ' she explained. ' I always knew it had more to say—more lives to follow. It needed more time. ' With this reboot as a serialized anthology, she's revisiting the world of The Witching Hour not as a remake, but as a reimagining, expanding on the original's emotional weight and transforming it into a larger meditation on mortality. Produced entirely in-game with custom visual design, The Witching Hour also serves as a showcase for what machinima can achieve in 2025. Soprano's commitment to handcrafted direction—writing, editing, voice acting, and production all handled personally with her team of collaborators such as Jakob Chambers and Matthew Gordon, will bring a unique intimacy to each episode. While machinima was once seen as a niche medium, artists like Alvin Soprano are elevating it into a serious, narrative-driven art form. The anthology format allows her to explore multiple characters, settings, and tones, with each episode built from scratch. Unlike streaming releases that drop full seasons at once, Soprano's monthly rollout is designed to encourage slower, more thoughtful viewing—akin to classic broadcast television or radio plays. From a business perspective, The Witching Hour reflects a growing trend in serialized, independent content with low production costs and high emotional return. Soprano's audience has grown steadily across platforms despite her minimal presence on social media, driven by organic fan engagement and critical recognition of her creative output. Her strategic decision to release one episode per month also speaks to a new kind of digital pacing—one that resists binge culture in favor of sustained impact. In an era of accelerated content cycles, Soprano's approach is intentionally slow, intimate, and emotionally layered. ' It's a conversation with death, ' she says. ' And death doesn't rush. ' The Witching Hour is expected to debut in August 2025, with the first episode available via Alvin Soprano's official YouTube channel: Soprano Productions. Additional details, including cast announcements and episode previews, will be released in the weeks ahead. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Buzz Feed
18-07-2025
- Buzz Feed
31 Travel Products For Anyone With An Upcoming Trip
A set of Tide sink packs if you have a goal to pack fewer clothes and re-wear more of the items you're bringing. These will make it so simple to do so. No washing machine required! A suitcase cover because you didn't spend your hard-earned spot bonus on swanky new luggage just to be too scared that baggage handlers might nick it that you never actually put it to use. Plus, thanks to the fact that it's clear, your fellow travelers will still be able to 👀 you have expensive taste. A pack of EarPlanes — earplugs designed to help ease the pain that comes with the sudden pressure change during takeoff. These are also great if you're driving to a destination at high altitude or if you're simply just trying to drown out the sound of a crying baby so you can sleep. A portable digital luggage scale because the year is 2025, and it's time we put an end to that gut-wrenching moment the airline counter tells you your suitcase is a few pounds over the weight limit. Being forced to transfer your things from your suitcase into your carry-on in the middle of the terminal for everyone to see is dreadful. A TSA-friendly toiletries kit featuring a pack of four travel bottles, three little jars, two toothbrush caps, a set of labels, and a clear pouch to store them all away in. Keeping all of your liquids contained in this kit should help make getting through security a bit smoother. And if you already have miniature toiletries, then just get this set of three TSA-approved clear cases perfect for holding your travel-sized beauty/hygiene essentials. You can use one case for your shower products/shampoo, another for your skincare items, and another for your cosmetics! A set of packing cubes to not only make packing feel less overwhelming (because all your stuff will have a place!!!) but also make unpacking a breeze because you'll actually know where your stuff is! Think about how nice it's gonna be to open your suitcase and see some order rather than an overflowing mess! Or a portable hanging travel shelf that will allow you to organize your clothes before packing them away — now all you have to do when you get to your hotel is take it out of your suitcase, hang it in the closet, and you're all set! And a shoe bag capable of holding up to three pairs of footwear. Think of how much less clunky it'll be to place this compact cube in your luggage than have to make space for three separate pairs of shoes. Don't even get me started on sand or dirt from the bottom of your shoes getting over all of your other belongings!!! A genius airplane window tray (if you're a window seat kind of traveler) that you can use to hold your drinks, headphones, etc. if you hate keeping the seat back tray down or want to use it for something else like setting up your laptop and playing The Sims 4. A universal travel adapter you're gonna be grateful for if your travels involve hopping to various countries that all use different outlets. Now, you won't need to buy and pack different adapters for each country you plan on visiting. Phew! A phone mount so you can watch your favorite downloaded shows/movies on your flight — because sometimes the airline doesn't offer your comfort characters on their entertainment menu or no television at all. A super smart reusable bottle bag to help protect wine, perfume, olive oil, and more in your checked bag. Whether you're bringing back a souvenir for a loved one or going on a cruise where you can bring on a bottle of your favorite vino, this will def come in handy! A pair of compression socks for potentially bringing sweet relief to feet that tend to swell during air travel. A portable door lock that'll provide some extra security and peace of mind in hotel rooms, hostels, and Airbnbs. A seat-back organizer if the thought of putting your personal belongings like glasses, drinking bottles, and tech items into the provided seat-back pouch makes you squirm. A belt bag for a small but mighty solution to carrying around your essentials on your vacay excursions. You won't have to lug around heavy tote bags (or put any strain on your shoulders, for that matter) thanks to its compact size, but it's just big enough to keep your wallet, phone, room key, sunnies, medications, and a snack right in front of ya for easy access. An RFID-blocking wallet designed to hold all of your important travel documents because every time you're at the airport, you swear you'll have your license, passport, and boarding pass easily ready to show and every time you're at the airport you end up fumbling all of those things and holding up the line. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so you can connect your wireless earbuds to the airplane entertainment system. Watching your favorite shows/movies with clear sound is a heck of a lot better than the static that comes with the junk headphones the airline tries to sell you. A pet backpack with wheels to make getting through the airport with your tiny BFF a more seamless experience. Not to mention, thanks to the compact size, it'll fit comfortably underneath the seat in front of you once you get on the plane, and the mesh window will allow you and the little fluffer to keep an eye on one another. A pair of jogger-fit leggings because spending hours in a plane, car, train, etc., calls for a comfy outfit, and there's no better way to begin your travel ensemble than with these soft and breathable pants. BRB, ordering one in every color. A travel shawl that can be used as a light blanket to cozy up with on your flight, a scarf in chillier climates, and can even come in handy if you'll be visiting tourist sites with a covered shoulders dress code in place (like European cathedrals). An ultra-supportive neck pillow to make the whole "falling asleep while sitting upright" thing possible (and comfy). Is there any better way to pass the time on a plane, train, or roadtrip than with a nice long nap? I don't think so. A foldable jewelry organizer that'll take up less space in your bag than a clunky jewelry box AND also serves as a better method than just tossing your jewelry into your bag and having to untangle it once you reach your destination. A carry-on case designed to comfortably fit under your seat. Sure, you might be lucky enough to have plenty of room in the overhead bin, but there's just something really humbling about having to fight your way out of your row and into the aisle just for everyone behind you to watch you have a wrestling match with your carry-on. We're leaving those days behind thanks to this genius invention. A compact pill organizer complete with six compartments for keeping your medications separate and preventing you from having to pack multiple pill containers. An inflatable footrest for making your next flight the comfiest one yet. So comfy, you might actually somewhat *enjoy* flying. PS — if you're traveling with kiddos, this can help turn their airplane seat into a bed. A pack of foldable hangers because the five hangers (if that?!) the hotel provides just isn't enough. You shouldn't have to risk getting your favorite blouse all wrinkled up because all the hangers are already being used to hold the dresses you brought. An anti-blister balm to apply before putting on your shoes so you can prevent those painful annoyances from even trying to happen. Whether you're walking miles at a cruise excursion or dashing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction, your feet will be happy you prepped them ahead of time. A little white-noise machine because you don't wanna be the person asking the hotel front desk for a room change, but you also reallllly don't wanna be in the hotel room next to the elevator AND the ice machine. A waterproof, satin-lined Hairbrella that'll ensure your hair stays dry on your trip and your hands stay free to hold more important things (like a yummy snack or a fun souvenir).
Business Insider
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
I left my advertising job to create furniture in The Sims 4. I didn't think I could make a living modding — until I did.
Fanny Deroubaix left her job as a freelance art director to pursue modding The Sims 4 full-time. Learning to modify video games was challenging at first, but she enjoys the creative freedom. This article is part of " Trends to Bet Your Career On," a series about trending professional opportunities. This as-told-to essay is based on an interview with Fanny Deroubaix, a 38-year-old self-employed video game modder known online as Syboulette and based in France. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider verified the source's income with documentation. I didn't even know my job was a possibility before I changed careers. Becoming a full-time modder who makes custom content, such as furniture and decor assets, for The Sims 4 was a happy mistake. I used to be a freelance art director in commercial advertising. Because all my commercial shoots were canceled during the pandemic, I played a lot of video games. One day, I decided to build a bakery in The Sims 4, which I had not played in a long time. I wanted a kitchen set in a different color than was available, so I thought if I searched for tutorials, I could recolor it myself. I spent maybe a week recoloring the items, and I was so proud of myself that I posted them on The Sims Resources, a website unaffiliated with The Sims 4 that lets artists share custom content for free. Since I posted it, the set has been downloaded more than 33,000 times. Now, I do this full-time. I expanded from recoloring to creating original items Because I had fun recoloring the set, I learned more about 3D modeling and texturing, and I began creating original items. After a couple of months, I opened a Patreon just to help me pay for the modding software, which costs about €80 a month. My subscriptions grew, and after six months, I was earning enough money to stop freelancing. Even though it was less money at first, I was completely free. I didn't have any clients, deadlines, or anyone to tell me what to do. I kept a few freelance jobs during the transition, but after a year or so, I was earning more than I did in my advertising job, so I thought, I'm never going back. I now make more than I did in advertising. My work schedule I've been doing this for four years now. Every month on my Patreon, I post a set, which includes 20 to 30 items inspired by a theme or room. All of my subscribers get early access to my sets. I start by making a mood board and looking on Pinterest and Google for anything that inspires me. Once I've gathered references, I'll pick a number of items to create. I try to spread my work throughout the month. I can create one item in five to eight hours, so I usually make one per day. Then, I test every item in the game and take screenshots to show my subscribers. How I make money as a modder Not all games endorse monetized mods. The Sims 4 modders are not allowed to officially sell their creations, but The Sims allows modders to release content for free with monetized early access. This means people who subscribe to my Patreon get my items three weeks in advance, and then my custom content becomes free for everyone. When I started, I only had Patreon and The Sims Resource, which pays featured artists. After a year, I created my own website with ads, which also created some income. Patreon is still my biggest source of income. Occasionally, I'll have an opportunity from an outside company, like the collaboration I did last year with The Sims for my official Creator Kit. The Sims also collaborated with CurseForge to create an official platform for custom content, and I earn income from that website as well. The challenges and rewards of modding The learning curve to modding was very steep in the beginning. I taught myself using online courses for design software like Blender and Adobe Substance 3D. Over time, I tried to modify more difficult items, but it required a lot of patience. I also became a more public figure as a Sims 4 modder by sharing on social media and streaming on Twitch. Some players have negative opinions about my job, and some pirate my creations, but this comes with any creative career. Still, it's the perfect job because I don't rely on anyone. Even though I have a suggestion channel on my Discord so fans can suggest ideas, I can do whatever I want. It's full creative liberty. I've always wanted to do something more creative than what I was doing in advertising. It's so nice to have people playing with your creations and sending you screenshots, like "Look what I made with your set." My advice to aspiring modders Just making a beautiful thing is not enough. Communication is very important. Be on every social media and try to reach content creators on YouTube and Twitch, because they'll show your work to the players. You should make what you like, not what you think people will want. Everyone's trying to create stylish interiors, but sometimes we don't want what we see everywhere on Pinterest. Also, start small. Some new creators are very gifted but start with a €5 donation subscription. That assumes people trust you, but trust needs to be earned. When I started my Patreon, my subscription was €1, and I gradually raised the price to €5. If you've never modded before, don't create one of the most difficult items first, either. Maybe start with a table.
