We all know The Sims 4 has its fair share of DLC, but just when you think EA couldn’t monetize anything else… they do. From basic bodily functions to weather, it feels like if they could sell you air, they would. And thanks to a new breakdown by SatchOnSims, we now have a hilariously eye-opening look at just how far EA has gone with paywalls in The Sims 4.
Buckle up—this isn’t just about expansion packs. It’s about paying to cuddle, breathe, and dance in place.
Let’s get into it.
1. Cuddling in Bed… is Paywalled?
That cute, cozy “snuggle on top of the blankets” interaction from The Sims 2? In Sims 4, it costs extra. Cuddling only exists under the covers, in underwear, behind the Love Struck expansion. And no, it’s not family-friendly cuddle time—it’s suspiciously flirty, and suspiciously monetized.
2. Babies That Aren’t Objects? You’ll Need Growing Together
At launch, Sims 4 babies were literally objects tied to cribs. With Growing Together, we finally got “infants”—baby Sims that can move. But even something as simple as changing a diaper properly? That’s a premium feature. The changing table that matches base game items? Also locked behind the pack. You can’t make this up.
3. Body Hair – Pack Locked
Sure, we have a couple chest and leg hair options in the base game. But if you want more variety, like thicker chest hair or different leg hair patterns? That’s behind the High School Years pack. Because nothing says teen rebellion like… mature body hair?
4. Scars, Moles, Acne, and Freckles – All Fragmented Across Packs
- Freckles and moles? → Growing Together
- Acne? → Parenthood
- Face scars? → Get Famous
- Eyelashes? → Love Struck
Apparently, EA thinks facial features should be premium content.
5. Dining Out… is a Nightmare (and Costs Extra)
Want your Sims to eat at a restaurant? You’ll need Dine Out. Want them to drink coffee at a café? That’s Get Together. This system is so locked down, you can’t even add a restaurant to a tropical world like Sulani without it feeling empty. Even food stalls in public spaces require your Sim to pay 100 simoleons just to summon a vendor.
No wonder Simmers are skeptical we’ll ever get a Hotels pack. EA can’t even let us eat in peace.
6. You Want to Dance THERE? Buy the Party Essentials Kit
Dancing exists in the base game—but if you want to pick where your Sim dances? That requires a special invisible dance floor from the Party Essentials Kit. Want choreographed group dances? That’s in Get Together. Want cowboy-style western line dancing? Get Horse Ranch. EA’s got your rhythm—and your wallet—on lock.
7. Washing Clothes – A Premium Experience
Doing laundry in The Sims 4 is locked behind the Laundry Day Stuff Pack. Washing your Sim’s clothes—a basic human task—is a $10 luxury in this game. EA even mocked how mundane it is in their own trailer… while still charging for it.
8. Achievements… That Cost Real Money
Yes, The Sims 4 has base game achievements. But there’s also a “premium” system: Milestones. Things like your Sim losing a tooth or getting married are turned into “badges” you only get access to with Growing Together. They’re essentially paid achievements—and EA made a whole marketing campaign out of them.
9. The Right to Rent a Home
Renting was once limited to apartments in City Living. Want to rent an actual house, like a normal person? That’s For Rent territory—and it’s buggy as hell. The rent mechanic barely works. The landlord career? Essentially non-functional. It’s paywalled and broken.
10. Ice Cream Is Monetized in Two Different Packs
Yes, ice cream. One version exists in Cool Kitchen Stuff via an ice cream maker. Another shows up as a market stall in High school Years. Two different packs. Two different forms of the same basic dessert. All paywalled.
Oh, and if your Sim wants to die from heatstroke? You’ll need Seasons.
The Weather Is Paywalled – And Sometimes Doesn’t Even Work
Weather in modern video games is a standard feature—but not in The Sims 4. You need Seasons to experience rain, snow, or temperature-related deaths. And in some newer worlds, like Ravenwood from Life and Death, weather doesn’t even change despite owning the pack.
What’s the point of buying it if it barely functions?
The Bottom Line: EA Has Mastered the Art of Selling the Bare Minimum
What used to be standard gameplay in earlier Sims titles is now chopped up and sold as “features.” And it’s not just about new content—it’s the nickel-and-diming of basic, expected gameplay that has fans laughing (and crying) in frustration.
It’s hard to know where it ends. Cuddling, diaper changes, and even Eyelashes are premium. What’s next—charging us for the option to blink?
Want more brutally honest takes and Sims news EA probably doesn’t want you to hear? You’ll find it all at Sims4Life.
Source: SatchOnSims
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most ridiculous things EA has put behind a paywall in The Sims 4?
Some of the most absurd include cuddling in bed, changing a diaper properly, renting property, thick body hair, dancing in a specific spot, and even eating ice cream.
Is renting a house really paywalled?
Yes. Renting apartments is limited to City Living, while renting houses is only possible with the For Rent expansion pack.
Do you need a pack for your Sim to have scars or freckles?
Unfortunately, yes. Scars come from Get Famous, freckles and moles from Growing Together, and acne from Parenthood.
Why is weather locked behind a DLC?
Weather requires the Seasons expansion, continuing a monetization trend that started with The Sims 2. While once understandable due to tech limitations, it’s hard to justify in 2025.
Can you dance without buying a pack?
You can dance—but if you want choreographed group dances, themed moves, or to control where they dance, you’ll need additional packs like Get Together, Horse Ranch, or the Party Essentials Kit.
