In a surprise move, EA announced that it's making The Sims 4, one of the most popular and well-loved video games in 2022, free-to-play.

If you haven't gotten on the bandwagon, now is the time to join. But if you've already bought the game, EA won't leave you out in the open. Here's what you can get for The Sims 4 if you're an existing player.

The Sims 4 Is Going Free-to-Play

A Sim Playing Sims Forever

In a post on The Sims 4 news page, EA announced it'll release the popular base game for free beginning October 18th, 2022. The company also announced that it'd share more of its plans for the game on the Behind The Sims Summit on The Sims YouTube channel and The Sims Twitch Channel on the same day, at 10 am PDT.

While this news is great for those who've been out for a sale before getting The Sims 4, it might leave a bad taste for those who've already invested money to buy the base game. However, EA knows this, so it's also giving out a small freebie to those who bought the game outright (or even got it for free when Origin gave it away in 2019).

How to Claim Your Freebie on The Sims 4 if You've Already Bought It

Claim The Sims 4 Desert Luxe Kit

EA is thanking its loyal The Sims 4 fans by giving away the Desert Luxe Kit to anyone who bought the game on or before October 17th. The kit includes several desert-themed pieces of furniture, like sofas, lounge sets, lamps, curtains, floor tiles, and more. It's the perfect kit if you want to build an indoor or outdoor lounge with an earth-toned color palette.

To claim your Desert Luxe Kit, you just need to log into the game on the gaming platform you're using, and you'll find it sitting on the main menu. Also, you should claim it now, as it's no longer available after October 17th.

However, despite getting a freebie, kits are only priced around $4.99, making it a far cry from the game's $19.99 regular price. But you'll get more freebies if you have an EA Play membership.

Extra Goodies for EA Play Members

EA Play Pro library screenshot

EA Play is a monthly subscription that gives you access to several EA titles. It's one of the best PC games subscription services you can find, letting you play popular games like several titles from the Need for Speed franchise, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, the latest Battlefield titles, and more. It's also included in Xbox's PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate.

If you're subscribed to any of these, you should also be excited about October 18th. Because aside from releasing the base The Sims 4 game for free, EA is also dropping the Get To Work Expansion Pack for EA Play members. And if you went for the higher tier EA Play Pro, you're also getting the Toddler Stuff Pack.

With the Get To Work video game DLC, you get access to more careers, like more skills, and even you can start your own business. You can also interact more with the kids in your family if you get the Toddler Stuff Pack.

The Get To Work Expansion is priced at $39.99, making it an excellent value for EA Play members. And, if you're an EA Play Pro user, you get an additional $9.99 in value with the Toddler Stuff Pack.

It's Time to Revisit Your The Sims 4 Community

The Sims 4 is an excellent game for building homes and making your Sims live the life you want. You can build an alternate reality with your Sims and even have them interact with other Sims in your community.

With the launch of its free-to-play model on October 18, now is the best time to return to your Sims. They're just waiting for you to build something new and unique you can share in the greater Sim community.