The Sims 4 is about to launch another expansion pack, but this one has left some fans scratching their heads. The upcoming “Sims 4: Business with No Hobbies” expansion might sound odd, but it promises a revamped experience for those who love running businesses from home. After a sneak peek at the gameplay trailer, let’s break down what this new pack actually offers and why it’s causing a bit of controversy.
New Crafting, Pottery, and Customization: A Business or Hobby?
In this new expansion, players can craft ceramics using a new pottery system that resembles the candle-making feature from Eco Lifestyle. Pottery crafting is more than just making a few items — it’s about creating new pieces with personal designs, such as planters and decorative vases. The exciting twist is the ability to upgrade these ceramics with an unbreakable option or even “repair” broken items with a shiny gold glue effect — a nice touch, though some players are already critiquing the lack of a more polished visual effect for this upgrade.
The pottery crafting system seems to be a big draw, but there’s a catch. Despite being titled a “hobby” expansion, the focus is really on small business management rather than on creating new, fun activities like other “hobby”-focused packs. It’s more of a “business” pack with hobby elements woven in, which feels a bit misleading.
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Cat Cafes and Multi-functional Venues: Small Businesses Galore
Another major feature shown off in the trailer is the ability to create a Cat Café. While this sounds fun, it seems to borrow a bit too much from previous packs. The café aspect seems tied to the Get Together expansion with the inclusion of a vendor stand, which sells cakes and coffee. The concern here is that some of the core features of this business expansion might feel familiar, and not in a good way.
The real twist, however, is the option to create multi-functional venues. Players can combine things like a tattoo studio, art gallery, and even a candy store all in one lot. This allows players to get creative with their business ideas. Want a tattoo parlor that doubles as a candy shop? It’s possible. While this feature is exciting, it does make you wonder if the pack is relying on previous expansions to make it feel “full.”
Small Business System: Is it More Than Just “Get to Work 2.0”?
At the heart of this expansion lies the small business management system. You can set up shop in your home with a “Small Business Residential” lot type or run a full-on commercial business with the “Small Business Venue.” This system resembles Get to Work’s retail features but introduces several new elements, like allowing your business to cater to a specific customer type, which could lead to more personalized interactions with your customers.
The customization options for business activities look promising. Players can set up activities such as “getting a tattoo,” or even more quirky ones like “being romantic.” There’s even a system for determining customer criteria, so you can set who visits based on certain traits, just like you do with clubs in Get Together. However, there’s some concern about the lack of enough townies in the game to actually populate these niche customer bases, especially for activities like “be romantic.”
As for employees, you can hire up to three, which will bring more depth to your business operations. There are also perks and ratings that determine how well your business is performing, though the system feels very reminiscent of Get to Work. It seems EA might be relying a bit too much on older mechanics instead of developing fresh ideas.
A New Take on Profits and Business Ethics
What’s also interesting is the way your business can be run. You’ll have the option to choose between running an ethical, community-oriented business or a more mischievous, profit-driven venture. One perk, called Fire Starter, allows you to set things on fire — either for fun or to claim an insurance payout. This mischievous path adds an element of risk to your business choices, though some feel it may be a bit too gimmicky for a game that’s supposed to be fun and lighthearted.
The ability to make money in multiple ways is definitely a focus, from selling items in a shop to running things like internet cafés or mentoring classes. There’s also a new Simo coin currency that you can “mine” via business computers, adding a bit of an entrepreneurial edge. While these systems bring depth, some players are concerned that it could veer too far into “exploitative” business practices, which may or may not fit the tone of The Sims series.
No Hobbies, No Problem?
Here’s where the pack’s title becomes an issue: Despite being named “The Sims 4: Business with No Hobbies,” there’s very little focus on actual hobbies. There are no new activities like knitting or fishing — features that could have easily added layers of gameplay for non-business Sims. The focus is squarely on entrepreneurship and the mechanics of running a business, which is a bit of a letdown for those hoping for new fun, non-business-related activities.
Fans are already calling the pack out for its misleading title, with many pointing out that it would have been more accurate to call it The Sims 4: Home Business Expansion. The “no hobbies” part feels like a missed opportunity, and the name may confuse new players into thinking that more hobby-based activities are included when they’re not.
Will This Pack Deliver?
The hype surrounding this pack is real, but so are the concerns. With familiar mechanics from previous expansions, a misleading title, and the lack of hobbies that fans were hoping for, this expansion could be a hit for those who love business management in The Sims, but it might leave hobbyists feeling a little shortchanged.
You can catch the full gameplay trailer here for all the details. Whether you love the idea of running your own small business or are just hoping for more casual, hobby-focused content, this new expansion has a lot to offer — but it’s not exactly what you might have expected.
