Forum Announcement, Click Here to Read More From EA_Cade.
Should you spend money on TS4's DLC or FreePlay's VIP?
WinMacSims3
Posts: 1,610 Member
Edit: TS4 as of September 2016 has 14 DLC purchases. Keep in mind that this thread was started in March 20, 2016 so prices and the number of TS4's DLC purchases will be different if you're reading this a couple months/years in the future.
This is a question I wanted to ask you. There are currently three games with DLC which are The Sims 3, The Sims 4, and The Sims FreePlay.
As of September 15, 2016, The Sims 4 has 14 DLC purchases (3 EPs, 8 SPs, and 3 GPs) as well as a Holiday pack. DLCs can be $10 to $40 depending if it's a Stuff Pack, Game Pack, or Expansion Pack. The Sims 3 has 11 EPs, 9 SPs (although one, Katy Perry's Sweet Treats, is delisted), 11 Worlds, and tons of DLC in the The Sims 3 Store.
The Sims FreePlay has VIP which is earned by spending real money, it has 15 VIP levels requiring 12,000 points to max out VIP. VIP gives you perks such as Rainbow Cake Slices and Time Extension Tokens. The highest VIP points that can be earned through a single purchase is 500 costing $100 to get the most expensive Simoleon pack (varies by level), 3,500 LP or 2,000 SP. You would have to purchase the $100 currency pack 24 times to get VIP 15 meaning that FreePlay can cost $2400 to get VIP 15 compared to TS3 and TS4 which cost $340 and $300-$310 respectively to get all EPs/SPs/GPs in addition to the base game.
However, I still question if VIP is a waste of money especially since The Sims 3 and The Sims 4 have DLC that is probably worth spending money on. TS3 mostly has DLC from the Store (mainly the Premium Content and 10 Worlds that cost money) while The Sims 4 tends to release new DLC (particularly the Stuff Packs) costing $10-$40 adding up with the $40-$50 price of the base game.
Is it worth spending money on FreePlay to get VIP points or would you rather spend money to get DLC for The Sims 3 and/or The Sims 4 (or other games)?
This is a question I wanted to ask you. There are currently three games with DLC which are The Sims 3, The Sims 4, and The Sims FreePlay.
As of September 15, 2016, The Sims 4 has 14 DLC purchases (3 EPs, 8 SPs, and 3 GPs) as well as a Holiday pack. DLCs can be $10 to $40 depending if it's a Stuff Pack, Game Pack, or Expansion Pack. The Sims 3 has 11 EPs, 9 SPs (although one, Katy Perry's Sweet Treats, is delisted), 11 Worlds, and tons of DLC in the The Sims 3 Store.
The Sims FreePlay has VIP which is earned by spending real money, it has 15 VIP levels requiring 12,000 points to max out VIP. VIP gives you perks such as Rainbow Cake Slices and Time Extension Tokens. The highest VIP points that can be earned through a single purchase is 500 costing $100 to get the most expensive Simoleon pack (varies by level), 3,500 LP or 2,000 SP. You would have to purchase the $100 currency pack 24 times to get VIP 15 meaning that FreePlay can cost $2400 to get VIP 15 compared to TS3 and TS4 which cost $340 and $300-$310 respectively to get all EPs/SPs/GPs in addition to the base game.
However, I still question if VIP is a waste of money especially since The Sims 3 and The Sims 4 have DLC that is probably worth spending money on. TS3 mostly has DLC from the Store (mainly the Premium Content and 10 Worlds that cost money) while The Sims 4 tends to release new DLC (particularly the Stuff Packs) costing $10-$40 adding up with the $40-$50 price of the base game.
Is it worth spending money on FreePlay to get VIP points or would you rather spend money to get DLC for The Sims 3 and/or The Sims 4 (or other games)?
Origin ID: GothicSimmer, YouTube: GothicSimmer
Post edited by WinMacSims3 on
0
Comments
It's been a long time since I put any actual money toward TS3, I'd say it was when I got ITF for $7.99. So with a pocket full of simpoints and nothing left for me to buy, that takes TS3 out of the equation.
TS4, while having some great features, just isn't going to go in a direction I like so I quit funding that after the purchase of the base game. I will not be spending money on that game so that one is out of the running for me. More stuff isn't going to make it a game for me, just a game not for me with more stuff.
That leaves FreePlay. I don't play FP as a traditional sims game, if I did, I would find a lot of disappointment. It's a little app thing meant to occupy a few minutes here or there waiting for something else, like the spin cycle to finish to put clothes in the dryer or for dinner to finish up to feed the family, or a few minutes before bed because there isn't a movie I have enough time to sit through. It's just a fun little side game. In the start, I did spend some real cash on it but I haven't in a while now and don't plan on it any time soon. It might be slow going, but I am in no rush so I guess it is what it is.
But given the options of TS3, TS4 or FP, my money would go toward FP these days.
I bought a LOT of DLC for TS3, I was well and truly hooked. Looking back now, I regret many of the purchases - a lot of them sit on my computer unused - but until you buy something and try it for yourself you just don't know if you will feel that it was a 'good buy' or whether you will like it enough to use it.
For TS4, I haven't bought some of the packs they've released as I've thought they were not good value for money or were not to my taste. But I've generally been happy with the packs I have bought and I think it's probably a better way to purchase items than the store was. Sometimes my stuff from the store feels overwhelming when I try and sort through it and am deciding what I want in my game and what I don't want, and then there is always the risk that a previous save will need something I no longer have installed.
I was asking if The Sims 3 or The Sims 4 is better spending money on seeing as they have one-time purchases whereas FreePlay's purchases (the currency packs, Toddler, Pre-Teen, and Teen pack) usually aren't one time purchases. Plus FreePlay has VIP which requires spending real money and that's something to consider if you own The Sims 3 and/or The Sims 4 since both have DLCs.
I would rather spend money on The Sims 3's Store items, any DLC for The Sims 4 or any game with one-time purchases.
Does anyone play Freeplay on the regular? I'm genuinely curious to see their opinions.
Personally, I'd rather have DLC (optional) rather than paying a subscription (not optional) to play a game I enjoyed.
Having said that. FP isn't for me. I don't own a single free game that has additionally priced content because it's just not something I'm into. I prefer to pay for my games upright. I admit I did try FP though. I played it for about 15 minutes and grew too bored too quickly and removed it from my device.
On the other hand, I don't mind buying an Expansion or Stuff Pack if I feel it will add value to my gaming enjoyment. I even bought some store content for S3 when I was trying it out. Since those were my choices and it wasn't a requirement to purchase them, I can't really say I have any hard feelings toward that type of system.
To be clear though: I do not condone DLC if/when it becomes an excuse to strip a game down in order to sell it back to the customer piecemeal.
I only accept this method when it is presented as a way to offer 'additional' content meant to enhance or further open up what should be a fully fleshed out idea to begin with.
In other words:
This is the difference to me. Having my game held at ransom, or simply offering me extras is what helps me decide whether DLC is worth it or not.
In the end, I am neither for nor against it. It's here to stay, but companies really should pay mind to their chosen method of ransom vs enhancement if they want me to invest.
Here are my thoughts on FreePlay:
FreePlay is a good and interesting Sims game that plays differently from the main game, it is different as it runs in real time (like Sims 2 DS). It has some features from the Mac/PC games, quests, and has a level system with the highest level being 55.
My biggest gripe with FreePlay is how the game can trick you into spending real money. If you don't have enough Simoleons, Lifestyle Points, or Social Points to purchase an item, build, or to pay for action, the game asks you to purchase a currency pack. First time players and especially children can easily fall for this trap, it doesn't help that most devices have in-app purchases enabled by default. In The Sims 4 and other games, if you don't have enough Simoleons, the game won't let you purchase the object. The same happens with the Aspiration Rewards in TS2, Lifetime Rewards in TS3, and the Reward Traits and Club Perks in TS4, you can't purchase it if you don't have enough of the game's respective points. Also the daily rewards suggest a purchase advertising the VIP system.
Another issue is the time limits. Many quests/events and some hobbies have a time limit that rewards you a prize if you complete it under the time limit but if you don't complete the quest under the time limit, you won't get the prize and you only have one chance. The link in this paragraph fully explains the problems. The items aren't needed but I don't think there's another chance to obtain it.
I would go to the S3 forum, scroll down and click on Sims3 store, click on Gift Gathering and/or General Discussion and join Lotto's, join in on the Gifting Directory.....lots of good people there that will help you get items for Sims3, help you understand how to cascade items and get the best deals and that saves you money. You can watch ads also. So you don't have to spend a dime of your money on Sims3.
I guess that leaves Sims4. If you like the game, throw your money there.
It doesn't matter what anyone suggests, you will end up doing what you really want to anyway. Use your money on whatever makes "you" happy
I just don't see a great deal of longevity or real depth in these online FreeToPlay mobile games and I struggle to really see the point of spending money on them because regardless of how much you spend you're always going to hit another paywall. If it were me? I wouldn't sink my money into what is a literal bottomless pit. TS1, TS2 and TS3 don't have new content released for them anymore so the money you're spending there is a finite amount, TS4 will end at some point and then that will also not need to have any more money spent on it.
On top of that, you'd be getting fantastic, in-depth games that you could play for countless years long after the games themselves have been replaced by sequels / the franchise has been put out to pasture but I can't say the same for a mobile game. I still have games on my shelf from the 90s and in some cases the developers for those games have long ceased to exist, but I can still play those games. Once a mobile game has been shut down it's gone forever so you'll spend all that money and have absolutely nothing to show for it.
Mobile games are fun little time-wasters and all but they are very fickle and if you're thinking of investing big money I would say don't (especially if it's just going to get you imaginary "points" and a couple of items - sounds like a huge waste to me) and suggest you use that money to buy yourself a new computer / console and buy some games that'll be with you for ages.
TSFP is an avatar game similiar to all other genres of games including RPGs
the original idea of TheSims contained character, character of sims was one of the main features & a driving motor of this franchise
i personally am bored to death by characterless puppets, that's why i've never spent a cent on TSFP
TSFP - characterless avatar game
TS4 - all sims are the same cause emotional moods rule
TS3 - at least a ton of mildly interesting traits included
TS2 - a character system
if all of those games would be developed further equally i would buy new stuff for TS2
TSFP is designed to make the players spend money or wait forever
i didn't play TSFP long enough to know but i know that there are games where at some point you are not able to advance if you don't spend real money
i prefer to play games which don't push me to buy, i spend even quite a lot of money with such games, mobile games too
i prefer games which i can easily play with lots of fun without ever purchasing anything in real money, i spend money on exactly those games
they get my money because i like the games, because i want to support the producing company & not because they ask me to buy
so if they limit my gaming fun io to make me spend money they only make sure that i delete that game, i did already with several
if you enjoy TSFP & if you are willing to spend money with it, then set yourself a money limit per month & stick to it
don't let the game tell you how much you have to spend but enjoy what you get for your money
Repose en paix mamie tu va me manquer :
1923-2016 mamie
However, Freeplay does have a bit of stuff that ts4 doesn't have (at the moment), like toddlers.
I wonder if this is because the devs of that free play game had money from all of those transactions, so they would have enough money to create toddlers?
Anyway, I would rather buy one-time dlc.
(The only thing that really tempts me for Freeplay is the toddler stuff. I love toddlers that much.)
(She/her)
I would agree. People would never think to spend real money on currency packs to earn VIP perks. Especially since you have the Windows and Mac games (mainly TS3 and TS4) I think it's better to spend money on either game than on FreePlay due to the former with TS3 Store and the latter for the DLC that's coming out especially if it's a Game Pack or Expansion Pack.
If it wasn't for TS3 and TS4, it would be worth spending money to get VIP. It also doesn't help that FreePlay's VIP 15 is 7 times more expensive than buying TS3 Starter Pack plus every EP/SP, or 14 times more expensive than buying (as of April 1, 2016) TS4 plus every DLC.
I also agree with @bunny-🐸🐸🐸🐸 about one-time DLC. Every DLC from TS3 and TS4 are one time DLC whereas FreePlay doesn't have much.
The Sims FreePlay has been alive for 4 years so I'm not sure if the game would be discontinued, even the game survived the controversial Life Dreams Update in March 2014. TS3 would be a concern because if EA decides to shutdown TS3's website and Store, what would happen to the DLC and items exclusive to the site? TS2 had items (including the CD/DVD patches) exclusive to the website lost forever since EA closed The Sims 2's website.
For instance, one virtual pet site that I enjoyed frequenting (NeuroGalaxy, for anyone who may also be mourning the loss) shut down a while back. It was a shame, because it was the only virtual pet site that I'd ever been on which fully integrated the pets, combat system, maps, and human avatars into a cohesive whole and its combat system was by far the best I'd ever seen in the genre. I never spent a dime on the game, but others had over the years buying monthly perks and cash shop items. For me, the loss of the gameplay and friendly atmosphere of the site's community alone was a heartbreaker...but just imagine all of the people who had spent tens or hundreds of dollars over the years on cash shop purchases to enhance their experience and support the site? They must feel it even more than I did...and I was hurt to my soul.
So, I'd rather spend my money on TS4 DLC than a free-to-play game which may shut down at any time. In fact, by a stroke of luck, I was finally able to get my first game pack this weekend (Outdoor Retreat)! To me, it's just a better long-term entertainment investment...especially if you enjoy the game.
The Sims 3 and The Sims 4 have one-time purchases which is a better advantage. In addition, purchased games on Origin will remain on the account even if the game isn't on Origin anymore. However, FreePlay only has few one-time meaning most VIP points would come from temporary purchases. Who would ever think of spending currency packs to get VIP?
@WinMacSims3 it's in Origin's terms of service that if they decide that an older game is no longer viable to offer downloads they can give you 30 days and then you will no longer be able to download and use your content.
The model has changed from owning games to 'leasing' the right to play them for an undetermined amount of time-namely when the company decides it is no longer financially viable to host downloads of those games on their servers for their customers to download.
So essentially now we no longer really *own* any of what we buy. In the past having discs protected you from situations such as this. However even if you have the TS4 disc they made it so you have to utilise Origin to be able to play. So presumably when TS4 is pulled you won't be able to access it disc or not.
https://twitter.com/sparkfairy1
I think it's still quite safe for a very long time. Probably as long as Origin goes on really, having in mind that they pulled The Sims 2 off sales, but they didn't pull the availability off origin. And that game is already 12 years old. Furthermore they gave away games from the 90s and late 80s on their "on the house" deals and those have not been pulled. I imagine the pulling would mostly happen if Origin itself flops and they decide to shut down the service. It's the same with steam, except that they promise you a few months to back up your games if everything goes wrong.
I think it's slightly different-TS2 was added as a gift without taking into account what you owned before. So any TS2 store content isn't bundled into it so if you had that but no back ups then those DLC purchases would be 'lost'.
So some people gained something from UC because they hadn't bought any or all TS2 games. Whereas others who bought it all plus the store DLC lost out.
The fact is we don't know. We can speculate endlessly about how long but it doesn't change the new model being that we no longer 'own' the content we buy in a traditional sense. It's something that I've been following in this industry for a while-and I've seen developers in interviews calling for a better deal to protect the customer further than the whims of the company offering the content. It would be nice to think that their feedback would be heard but unless a lot of customers question and challenge policies like this then the new status quo will stick.
https://twitter.com/sparkfairy1