Content pack

Expansion packs (EP) are a kind of add-ons for games. They make the original game all the more interesting as it provides many new things to the game and are often centered around a theme. They require the original game (also known as base game) to work. Sometimes, collections of the base game and one or more expansion(s) are released called collections or compilations. The Sims 2 also offered mini-expansions called stuff packs (SP), which offered only new objects. Gamers are advised to check what every edition includes before buying it.

Themes

Between The Sims 1, 2, and 3, there have been 15 expansion packs released total (not including Stuff Packs), with many following recurring themes:

• Pets: Pets are introduced in The Sims: Unleashed and reintroduced in The Sims 2: Pets. Pets were left out of The Sims 3 base game, so a third pet-related expansion is likely as they are very popular with many fans.
• Dating: Dating was added with The Sims: Hot Date and reintroduced with The Sims 2: Nightlife. Dating is included in The Sims 3, though it is simplified from The Sims and The Sims 2.
• Gardening: Gardening was added in The Sims: Unleashed and brought back in The Sims 2: Seasons. Planting seeds and other gardening activities are included in The Sims 3.
• Vacations: Vacationing was added with The Sims: Vacation, then again with The Sims 2: Bon Voyage, and a similar "travel and adventure-type" theme is planned with The Sims 3: World Adventures, the first expansion pack for The Sims 3 (this may change as the pack is still in development).
• Magic: Magic was the centerpiece of the final The Sims expansion pack; The Sims: Makin' Magic as well as the final planned The Sims 2 expansion, The Sims 2: Apartment Life. Magic was left out of The Sims 3 base game.

Non-Recurring Themes

Many themes that occur in one game (The Sims, The Sims 2, and The Sims 3) do not appear in the others. These themes may be reused in future expansions for The Sims 3. They include:

• Fame: The Sims: Superstar is the only expansion to offer fame to Sims so far. Sims in The Sims 3 can gain Celebrity status by completing a Charisma challenge.
• College Life: Central theme of The Sims 2: University but was left out of The Sims 3.
• Weather: Main theme of The Sims 2: Seasons but was left out of The Sims 3.
• Businesses: The idea of Sims managing their own businesses was central to The Sims 2: Open for Business but has not been featured in any major form in The Sims 3.
• Apartments: Created in The Sims 2: Apartment Life, but left out of The Sims 3.