Expansion packs (EP) are add-ons for The Sims games. They make the original game more interesting by providing new things to the game, and are often centered around a theme. They require the original game (also known as base game or core game) to work. Sometimes, collections or compilations of the base game and one or more expansion(s) are released. The Sims 2 and The Sims 3 also offered mini-expansions called stuff packs (SP), which offered only new objects and clothes, though they sometimes included gameplay changes as well.[1][2] Gamers are advised to check what an edition includes before buying it.
As of May 31st, 2011 (U.S) and 10th Jun 2011 (UK) There are four expansion packs that have been released for The Sims 3, and Pets is currently in production. They are (in order of release):
Each expansion pack for The Sims is centered around one or more themes. Popular[3] expansion packs included dating, pets, vacationing and exotic destinations, business and magic.
Trivia
The Sims is the only game in which an EP does not end with an 'S'.
Late Night is the only Sims 3 EP that does not end with an 's' as World Adventures, Ambitions, Generations and Pets all end with an 's'.
In The Sims 3, after an expansion pack is released there will come a stuff pack before EA is releasing another expansion pack. In The Sims 2, this was irregular.
The EPs are sometimes spelled with a colon, as for example, The Sims 3: Late Night instead of The Sims 3 Late Night . EPs are correctly File:TS3 Late Night Page New EA Site.pngThe Sims 3 Late Night page at EA.com. The title is spelled as The Sims 3 Late Night instead of The Sims 3: Late Night (Used on the wiki) which The Sims 3 Late Night is the correct name.spelled as The Sims 3 Late Night as EA spells the titles without a colon (:). See image for example.
