2022 is shaping up to be a great year for The Sims 4 and their newest announcement of the High School Years Expansion pack has players even more excited. In addition to unexpected new items and locales, it’s bringing back highly requested features from past games, like prom, graduation, and photo booths.
Teen Sims will soon be able to go to school, prom, and even after-school activities, rather than disappearing into a rabbit hole that players couldn’t interact with. Get ready to take control and live the high school experience later this month when these 10 new features, and many more, will be released to players.
New World
An interactive new world is being introduced along with this expansion pack, home of Copperdale High and Pumbite Pier, both of which offer brand new experiences and even more canonical lore that makes the town feel more alive. The pier features a Coney Island-like experience, with a Ferris wheel, food stalls, and a haunted house, the perfect after-school spot for Sims.
While not much is known about Copperdale High yet, it’s clear from the trailer that it will have a lot of playability and functionality, including classrooms, teachers, and lockers. The Sims developers seem to be listening, as after the University expansion disappointed many fans, a playable school has been a top request that players will finally get to enjoy later this month.
It wouldn’t be the American high school experience without football and cheerleading, two after-school activities being released with the pack. Though the full scope of their interactivity isn’t clear yet, the trailer shows new actions, clothing and socialization that bring these sports-y lifestyles to life for players who can soon recreate Sims cliches that have been seen in past games.
It isn’t all about the jocks, as in addition to football and cheer, after-school clubs like chess, computer, and science are also being added to the game, which will require teamwork and competitive spirit. This pack is introducing many ways players can rep the Copperdale Womp Womps and play all different sorts of Sims, a variety the game has lacked.
Base Game
While this expansion pack will cost players $40 USD, there’s a separate base game update being released with it that is completely free for all players and that will introduce self-discovery, more choices, and opportunities for Sims to define themselves. Also, body hair, with natural growth over time will be added, with the ability to groom and shave hair to a Sim’s liking. Thanks, puberty!
The Sims 4 will become more realistic than ever for all players with the release of this pack, a great sign for the game that has been continuously expanded and updated since its release in 2014. This update will also include more options for pronouns and appearance, inclusivity the game has since been lacking as players create Sims that often reflect their own lives.
Prom
A rite of passage of the American high school experience, prom is an event most high schoolers look forward to from the moment they enroll, so naturally, this expansion pack is bringing it to the game. Promposals are heavily featured in the trailer, as well as a brief glimpse of the many different themes and color schemes proms can be, and new fashion options.
Sending teen Sims off to school day in and day out with nothing fun to look forward to has made the experience of playing them lackluster for many players, something the addition of prom will quell. With a reason to forge new friendships and romances for teens as well as making a reputation to possibly win prom royalty, this new feature of the pack brings more fun into playing teens, including the ability to invite friends over for snacks, music, and more while getting ready for the big night.
Mischief
Not all players will want model students and one of the best parts of the game is seeing just how far players can bend the rules, as Simmers are always looking for ways to revitalize the game. New pranks and punishments await mischievous Sims, opening up the opportunities for play even further.
It wouldn’t be the full high school experience without being able to create a Sim who defies authority, whether it be through sneaking out through the new window types or putting stink bombs in enemies’ lockers. These mischievous interactions bring more life to the game, though players will have to be aware of detention, depending on how wild their high school Sim gets, they may be at risk of not graduating.
A few pre-existing expansion packs added to the phone’s functionality in The Sims 4, but this High School Years pack is making it more modern than ever, with status “reactions” included. The trailer shows teens plunking away at their phones and an on-screen message queue reminiscent of Twitter.
Though the full functionality of this new feature has not been revealed yet, this feature will bring relationships and social functions to the forefront for teen Sims feeling their way into the world. As complaints about the lack of dimension to relationships in the game have been a common complaint, it seems this new feature will help flesh out the lives of teens as they prepare for young adulthood.
Graduation
It wouldn’t be a high school pack without Graduation, something long-time players of the franchise have missed, as even The Sims 3 offered a small ceremony for teens. Sims will have the ability to prepare by inviting guests, choosing their outfits and even bringing along gifts for teachers and friends.
Because there have been so few activities for teen Sims to participate in prior, this is another great addition to players of the game who enjoy legacy building. Players’ choices throughout high school gameplay will matter, to the point that Sims with bad grades won’t be invited, upping the ante and adding challenge to a period of Sims’ lives that has been lacking for years, as graduating with good grades may lead to the fastest way for a Sim to get rich in the game.
Fashion
One of the coolest features of the pack stems from a Sims 4 collaboration with fashion platform Depop, where individuality and enterprise meet IRL and soon, in-game. Along with trendy fashion pieces, a side job of curating and selling outfits in the new “Simfluencer” career becomes available.
This collaboration is an exciting one for The Sims, modernizing the game in ways that will continue making it a fresh experience for new and seasoned players. The thrift store combined boba shop being introduced with the pack, ThrifTea, is the perfect place for Sims to take pictures of the outfits they create before uploading them to the new in-game Trendi app, making for a fun and fashionable avenue for teen Sims to explore and potentially one of the best worlds in The Sims 4.
Music
The catchy pop anthem that plays over the High School Expansion Pack trailer is just the start of new music features that will be released with the pack. The Sims 4 has partnered with the talented singer-songwriter mxmtoon to create new music for the pack, as discussed in Sims news in June 2022.
In addition to the new tunes, Sims will have the ability to plan out dance routines with their friends to perform at prom, as well as pick the music they want to hear while in attendance. Get ready for more chart-topping hits translated into Simlish in preparation for this expansion release.
Bedrooms
This expansion pack comes with many new bedroom décor items, from neon signs and posters to new bedspreads and streamer tech. The trailer for the expansion does a great job of showcasing the colorful and fun new additions and the new gameplay options for teens who just want to chill out in their rooms.
The ability to sit cross-legged on the bed and initiate a pillow fight with other Sims is included in the expansion, making for a more realistic and relaxed environment for players who want to take a break after a day of navigating Copperdale High. Whether Sims want to stay in and study or sneak out the new window options, bedrooms are getting an update that continues to liven the game.