Content pack

A content pack is an addition to a previously-released base game. In The Sims series, these packs add new objects and new interactions between Sims, and very often include new neighborhoods, life states, and other features. Content packs cannot be installed or played without first installing the appropriate "base game." Content packs usually follow a theme, with new features, objects, music, and styles tailored to that specific theme. Content packs are known by different names depending on the size of the pack.

Expansion pack
An expansion pack is the most significant content pack available. Expansion packs were introduced with The Sims: Livin' Large and have been a staple of the series, with several expansion packs released for The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. Expansion packs tend to focus on major new features, and many objects, clothes, styles, neighborhoods or worlds, and life states are geared towards the pack's major theme.

Game pack
A game pack is a digital-only add-on pack, introduced with The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat. Game packs are intended to be smaller than full expansion packs but larger than stuff packs.

Stuff pack
A stuff pack is a smaller add-on pack which typically includes only new objects and clothes for Sims, though some stuff packs do include gameplay changes. Stuff packs originated with The Sims 2, and were released for The Sims 3 as well. They are DLC-only beginning with The Sims 4.

Free pack
A free pack is just that—a free pack. These are usually smaller than a stuff pack. Only one free pack has been released so far, The Sims 4 Holiday Celebration Pack. They are not to be confused with The Sims 3's free store objects.

Compilation pack
A Compilation pack is a collection of one or more individual expansion and/or stuff packs. Bundles, starter packs, and deluxe editions are generally all forms of compilations. Compilation packs have been released only for the first 3 games, so far.

Compilations sometimes, but do not always, contain the base game and one or more expansion packs. This bundling can appeal to people who do not yet own the base game, but are interested in acquiring it and one or more expansions. Compilations are often released several years after the initial release of the games which make up the bundle. The compilation is usually priced closer to that of a full expansion pack, where each of the component expansions or stuff packs would have had its price reduced over time. However, compilations can be released concurrently with the release of one of the component games; this is often simply the new expansion pack paired up with the base game, and sold for a higher price than the expansion alone. Compilation packs typically install all the collected packs simultaneously, eliminating the need to install each pack individually.

Compilation packs by generation

 * Compilations of The Sims - An article detailing all compilation packs released for The Sims
 * Compilations of The Sims 2 - An article detailing all compilation packs released for The Sims 2
 * Compilations of The Sims 3 - An article detailing all compilation packs released for The Sims 3

The Sims
In The Sims, there are seven expansion packs. They are:
 * Livin' Large
 * House Party
 * Hot Date
 * Vacation
 * Unleashed
 * Superstar
 * Makin' Magic

The Sims 2
The producers released eight different expansion packs for The Sims 2. They are:
 * University
 * Nightlife
 * Open for Business
 * Pets
 * Seasons
 * Bon Voyage
 * FreeTime
 * Apartment Life

Additionally, ten different stuff packs were released. They are:


 * Holiday Party Pack
 * Family Fun Stuff
 * Glamour Life Stuff
 * Celebration Stuff
 * Happy Holiday Stuff (Expanded re-release of the Holiday Party Pack.)
 * H&amp;M Fashion Stuff
 * Teen Style Stuff
 * Kitchen &amp; Bath Interior Design Stuff
 * IKEA Home Stuff
 * Mansion and Garden Stuff

The Sims 3
Eleven expansion packs were released for The Sims 3. They are (in order of release):
 * World Adventures
 * Ambitions
 * Late Night
 * Generations
 * Pets
 * Showtime
 * Supernatural
 * Seasons
 * University Life
 * Island Paradise
 * Into the Future

There are also nine stuff packs that were released for The Sims 3. These stuff packs, in order of release, are:
 * High-End Loft Stuff
 * Fast Lane Stuff
 * Outdoor Living Stuff
 * Town Life Stuff
 * Master Suite Stuff
 * Katy Perry's Sweet Treats
 * Diesel Stuff
 * 70s, 80s, &amp; 90s Stuff
 * Movie Stuff

The Sims 4
So far, only one free pack has been released:
 * Holiday Celebration Pack

There is, so far, one game pack: There is currently one expansion pack:
 * Outdoor Retreat
 * Get to Work

Currently, there are two stuff packs:
 * The Sims 4: Luxury Party Stuff
 * The Sims 4: Perfect Patio Stuff

Themes
Each content pack for The Sims is centered around one or more themes. Popular expansion packs included dating, pets, seasons, vacationing and exotic destinations, business and magic.