The Sims 5: Unleashing the Equestrian Dream with the Ultimate Horse Ranch Expansion Pack

The controversial launch of The Sims 4 was marred by the absence of important features that have always been a part of the franchise, such as pools, toddlers, basements, terrain tools, and family trees. In fact, fans discovered that there were a total of 89 features missing from previous games. This fueled concerns that all these features would eventually be offered as paid DLC for The Sims 4.

Given that The Sims 4 is a life simulation game, pets play a crucial role in providing an authentic experience. Currently, The Sims 4 includes cats, dogs, and small animals. However, the game initially faced criticism for lacking horses, an exclusion that contributed to the controversy surrounding its release. In contrast, The Sims 3: Pets offered cats, dogs, small animals, and horses. While The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs introduced cats and dogs, small animals were later added in an expansion called The Sims 4: My First Pet Stuff. Horses are also set to be included in the upcoming expansion called The Sims 4: Horse Ranch.

The Sims 4's Tendency to Split Content is Wildly Unpopular

The decision to split content across packs in The Sims 4 caused frustration among players. In The Sims 3, all the content was included in one pack, whereas in The Sims 4, players had to purchase three different packs to access the same content. Many argue that Horses should have been included from the beginning or at least alongside the other animals.

With The Sims 5 on the horizon, it is crucial for EA to avoid repeating the same controversy as its predecessor. The company needs to demonstrate that it has taken player concerns into account. Previous discussions have suggested that The Sims 4 should have initially included all of The Sims 3's content, and the absence of a Horse Ranch serves as a reminder of this. As The Sims 5 approaches, it is time to fulfill these expectations.

Including all Sims 4 content at launch would help resolve the persistent issues faced by The Sims 4 throughout its lifespan. Additionally, it would allow The Sims 5 to explore new possibilities and embrace creativity. This includes incorporating features from popular expansion packs such as Growing Together's compatibility and milestone system, Season's weather and holidays, City Living's apartments and festivals, and the inclusion of animals through pet expansion packs.

How The Sims 5 Can Avoid Stagnation

The Sims 5 risks stagnation if EA chooses to maintain the current content and release cycle. This approach has already drawn criticism from some players, who argue that the series is falling behind. Instead of offering innovative features, the game simply catches up to long-anticipated content such as ambient weather and horses, which should have been included from the beginning. Fans eagerly awaited horses in The Sims 4 upon its release in 2014, and it is disappointing that they are only being introduced almost a decade later in 2023.

Including all the features from previous versions should not take more than ten years. However, many fans would rather wait longer for the release of The Sims 5, as long as it comes with a more comprehensive set of features, rather than receiving it earlier but with missing content. The development of The Sims 5 is currently underway.