I know there's a couple threads already talking about a Generations EP, but I wanted to make a compiled list of everything we know so far about the pack, and why I think it will be released this year!
Important note: The purpose of this thread is not to discuss upcoming game packs, other potential packs or whether the next pack will be a game pack or an expansion, but to specifically discuss the possibility of Generations coming as an expansion this year! If you want to discuss game packs or the order packs will be released check out
this thread and
this thread Developer Hints:
Last August, SimGuruNinja tweeted about Generations, saying that Parenthood wasn't intended to be the "Generations of the Sims 4". He also said that the packs are totally different sizes, with Generations being an EP and Parenthood being a GP. This pretty much confirms that they think of Generations as an EP and if they were adding a Generations pack - it wouldn't be a game pack.
“Two totally different packs and totally different sizes (one is an EP; the other is a GP). Parenthood isn’t meant to be generations; it’s meant to make kids and the teens age more meaningful leading into adulthood. (Don’t mind me nerding out – it’s my favorite game pack).”
He also said to "Rule nothing out" in regards to the pack
“Rule nothing out! (it could be fun, right?)”
A few days ago in the livestream for Bunk Beds, the devs also specifically mentioned Generations and Cars by name, saying that they're "highly requested features" which are always at the top of their mind, and that they'll update when there's more to say.
"We’ve seen a lot of questions from you guys about specific pack themes and features such as Generations Packs and Cars and here’s what we want you to know. We love your ideas, first of all, and I personally really enjoy having those things in my game too. What we can say is that these suggested packs and highly, highly requested features are always at the top of our mind. Especially when we think about what we want to do next. As soon as these things become more real we’ll update you right here at Inside Maxis."
The fact that they said they'll update when things "become more real" confirms that they're in the works, and I'm guessing they wouldn't say something so concrete in very early development so that suggests they've been working on the pack for a while! Just after they also talked about "Foundational Technology" that takes time to add - possibly bunk beds, a feature that's taken them years to slowly add and is essential to family gameplay?
Recent Update:
In the recent update they added a ton of things relating to
families including marriage portraits, kids/teens pictures and bunk beds which is what Generations is all about. I checked the description of the updated paintings and found this in one of them:
Most crucially they added bunk beds - a feature which was originally added to the game with the Sims 3 Generations. Obviously there's a chance bunk beds could have nothing to do with a pack, or could be connected to a totally different pack but for this thread I want to focus on how it
could be linked to Generations specifically. Bunk Beds are an essential for family play, with their
primary use being kids rooms in family homes, they originally were added with Generations so I think it's very likely that they could be linked - similar to how last year Eco Lifestyle came a few months after Tiny Living, and how Parenthood came a few months after the toddlers update.
Game Changers Hints?
Recently numerous game changers have made videos talking about generations and what they want the pack to add. Game changers have been involved in a lot of other packs recently so it's possible they were involved in the ideas building process for the pack, and the videos they made on the pack were a way of building up excitement for the pack. (point inspired by KokoaMilk's post)
In terms of release I think the pack will definitely come this year - recently EPs have come in both June and November, so I'm guessing Generations will come in one of those months!
Comments
1. There's a decoration in Nifty Knitting pack and in the description it also mentions Generations, and the name descriptions references to Agnes Crumplebottom.
2. The palm tree of paranormal Stuff Pack also mentions generations in the description
3. There's the Granny Cozy Casserole Dish in Country Kitchen that again mentions Generations in the description.
4. The G7 Swivel Swank by Gruntel Inc. Vacuum cleaner hints at divorce
5. The Pancakes at Dawn Stove tells us the story of two families that have rivalries between them
6. Finally, there was a hint where they said in the Snowy Scape Gameplay trailer: -for Generations to come.
I feel like most people want generations rather than 15 packs with the content of generations
Hopefully in my opinion I hope generations have something for every life stage and also more family game play like have your family sit at a table and play card or board games. I want strollers back for baby and toddlers, kids and play ms. Mary mack and tag like in previous games, add preteen life stage and their crazy shenanigans, teens can sneak out like in Sims 2 with a chance of getting caught. Elders have canes and walkers, more wedding attire and venues and gameplay because that's severely lacking also more proposal options like surprise proposal in Sims 2 and destinations I would also like people to react with proposal If people are around and react to the wedding ceremony. I would like anniversary party and a retirement party also a family reunion. Have wills and we as players pick who gets what.
Based on what I'm seeing, most people want a pack that's labeled or marketed as "Sims 4 Generations" that's actually a pack focusing on improving babies, kids, and teens, with maybe a couple of things thrown in for parents and steriotypical grandparents.
Which is why I'd rather have a School Daze for Sims 4 Expansion pack and a Retirement Adventures for Sims 4 Game pack so that everything can at least have a chance of getting real focus. Improved Babies are a Base Game Patch and they get a Nursery Stuff Pack - not a kit, a Stuff Pack. Developed by SimGuruConor. And then we can have a Generations Bundle in the store.
-Imaginary Friend Lifestate (only lifestate that has content focused around kids and toddlers- all the others don't really kick in until teen)
- Better family tree (shows step parents, cousins, etc)
- More interactions between family members and more dynamic relationships
- More content for life stages: Events like Prom, summer camp, homeschooling, preschool, midlife crisis, bingo halls, scrapbooking, etc.
- More careers
- More traits
- More childhood aspirations
- More clubs and extra curriculars
- More family items: Tree houses, costume box, rocking horses, Canes & walkers, cars, etc.
Things we haven't had before but could be cool
- Active boarding schools
- Retirement communities with activities and what not (similar to how university and dorms work)
- God parents (if adult sims die, assigned God parent steps in to manage household instead of just loosing your whole game)
welcome to the forums here watch this @simsiefan
LGR - The Sims 3 Generations Review
https://youtu.be/3Awwne_NpJQ
do you have anything you would like to see @simsiefan
CAS
Game Play
I know not all of this may be possible but this is what I think of in terms of gameplay with a generation's type pack.
This. I want all of it. I doubt we'll get even half of it. I hope they change course with Generations.
I need more family group interactions and gameplay kids can do with lots of other kids together, building relationships doing stuff, having fun in a group.
They also need to let family members sleep over without it being a big thing. My sim went to her parents' house and asked to sleep over, which was fine. Her toddler went to bed and she got scolded for acting inappropriate. I hate how family gets treated like strangers if you're not in the same household and that you have to ask permission to sleep or shower, even if you have a high relationship with your family members. And this gets especially annoying when it comes to toddlers who can't ask those things.