

I don't think there's a perfect revenue model. Or, of course: Buy once, hype lots of awesome DLC!.

Buy once, never get DLC, never get patches.Microtransactions (Each hair or couch costs $1-5 in the online store!).Monthly access fees/subscriptions (more common with online games).So, if you look at other possible revenue models for other games, there are: If we want patches and bugfixes and new features, developers need to get paid. The Sims 4 revenue stream is built on DLC. That's essentially how Sims players already view the current Sims 4 base game and its fundamental DLCs like Seasons and Pets though-tomato, tomahto.I'm not saying this as an excuse or as an accusation. It could also imply that EA plans to offer a free pared-down version of the base game but sell the complete version. Though that change was made after nine years, it's not a big leap to imagine The Sims 5 starting out free to download and relying on EA's consistent schedule of DLC for revenue. The Sims 4 base game has been free since last year. Neither of those details are too surprising. EA is expecting some "ugc" (user-generated content) to be paid for, meaning they are likely planning to let modders and CC creators sell creations to others and take a cut of profit.

