Sims 4’s New Business & Hobby Expansion: Leaked Details and Exciting Features

A huge update has dropped for The Sims 4, and the Sims Community is buzzing with excitement. The new patch and expansion bring a mix of new features and hidden details, including business systems, hobbies, and a bunch of cross-pack compatibility. With a leaked early build of the expansion showing glimpses of what’s to come, there’s a lot to unpack for players eager to explore these exciting new additions.

Leaked Details from Anadius: What You Need to Know

Before diving into the upcoming expansion, let’s first talk about the leaks. Anadius, a known figure in the Sims community, took to Twitter to clarify the situation. While a bunch of files for the new expansion pack leaked a month before its official release, it was the latest patch update that made these features fully playable. According to Anadius, the expansion is based on a build from August 2024, which means it’s still in the final stages of development. Fans can expect some unfinished elements, but there’s still a lot to be excited about.

New Business Presets & Hobbies: Cross-Pack Compatibility

One of the most exciting features revealed is the new set of business presets. These options allow players to run a wide variety of businesses, with new possibilities opening up depending on which packs you own. The following are just a few examples of the new business types you can manage:

• Art Center
• Bowling Alley
• Cafe
• Cat Cafe
• Community Garden
• Karaoke Bar
• Maker Space
• Bath House
• Recreation Center
• University Comms (University Center)

With the right packs, you can even create a University Comms Center, allowing your Sims to operate their own university-style business. While some fans were hoping for laundromats (as hinted in an earlier blog post), the inclusion of a Cat Cafe and new venues like the Spa (if you own Spa Day) will surely make up for it. The new expansion aims to make the business system even more robust than what was previously available in Get to Work, adding a variety of new business types that cater to a range of hobbies and interests.

Milestones and New Features for Small Businesses

This expansion also adds new milestones, such as:

• Registering a small business
• Selling a small business
• Earning your first bit of money from your business
• Receiving your first tattoo
• Giving your first tattoo

These milestones are not only tied to the new expansion pack but also integrate well with older packs like Growing Together. These improvements offer a sense of continuity in the game, ensuring that older features still receive support while adding new layers of gameplay.

Lunar Britney, another key figure in the Sims community, shared some early screenshots of the small business UI, showing that employees can now be assigned specific roles. It seems like Get to Work fans will be thrilled with these new additions that improve the business management system.

Swimmable Areas, Daycares, and Custom Tattoos

The expansion doesn’t just stop at businesses; there are also some cool new gameplay elements coming. According to Lunar Britney, the world of Nordh Haven will include swimmable areas, which could set a new standard for future worlds. If you’re hoping to see more swimmable locations in existing worlds, this expansion is a step in the right direction.

Additionally, you’ll be able to run daycares in this expansion, offering both child and pet daycare options. It’s great to see the game expanding in such unique ways, and the flexibility to cater to infants, toddlers, and even pets is a much-needed addition. You can now supervise and care for pets in a business environment, making this expansion an exciting addition for animal lovers.

But perhaps one of the coolest features is the tattoo system. With the new Tattooing Skill, you can give your Sims custom tattoos. The skill unlocks new stencils and stamps, allowing for greater customization. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll even be able to upload your tattoos to the gallery and share them with others. This will surely spark a wave of creativity in the Sims community as players start to create and share unique designs.

Learn more about the leaked gameplay from Pixelade on YouTube.

Family Recipes: A Long-Awaited Feature

A new system allowing Sims to create their own family recipes is also part of the expansion. This feature lets you craft unique meals by selecting a base recipe, a secret ingredient, and a special touch. The secret ingredient could be something simple like an avocado, while the special touch could be anything from a moodlet booster to a fertility or comfort food effect. This adds another layer of depth to Sims’ family lives, and it’s exciting to see an idea that fans have wanted for so long finally come to life.

In the new Family Recipe System, you’ll be able to:

• Create a family recipe by selecting a base, secret ingredient, and special touch.
• Teach a family recipe to other Sims, potentially making it a legacy feature in your game.
• Use moodlet boosters like Heartbreak Healer or Dreamchaser Mystery Fuel, adding strategic elements to cooking.

Exciting Updates on the World of Nordh Haven

The new world of Nordh Haven also got some attention. Lunar Britney posted the full map art for the world, showing its two main neighborhoods and available lots. From the looks of it, the world appears to be one of the first major features designed for the expansion, with a focus on creative hobbies. There’s still a lot of room for players to personalize their businesses and homes within this world, and with no loading screens between houses and businesses, the experience should feel seamless.

Small Business Dilemmas and Gameplay Enhancements

One interesting gameplay element coming with the expansion is the new small business dilemmas. Players can now experience a new set of challenges with their businesses that will make running them feel more dynamic. These dilemmas can affect how your business operates and can even trigger random events, adding a layer of unpredictability to your gameplay.

If you want to disable these dilemmas, there’s an option in the settings, giving you full control over your business experience. This kind of flexibility makes the gameplay feel more personal and tailored to each player’s preferences.

Explore New Features and Get Creative

If you’ve ever wanted to create and run a small business, develop your tattooing skills, or even bake family recipes, this expansion seems like it will have something for everyone. The possibilities are endless, with even more surprises expected before the official release.

For a closer look at the leaks and more behind-the-scenes details, check out Lunar Britney’s tweets and screenshots, and prepare to jump into The Sims 4’s latest expansion!

Frequently Asked Questions about Sims 4 expansion