The Revelation of The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies Pack
The first expansion pack for The Sims 4 in 2025, aptly named "Businesses & Hobbies," has finally been unveiled, and it’s generating a lot of buzz among the community. If you’re a die-hard fan of the game and can hardly wait to dive into this new content, you’re probably wondering when exactly you’ll be able to start playing. Expansion packs are the largest and most content-rich downloadable extensions for The Sims 4, offering a wealth of new features and immersive gameplay. To ensure you’re ready to hit the ground running, we’ve got the exact time and date of the Businesses & Hobbies launch right here.
The Anticipated Release Time and Date
While the exact launch time for The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies hasn’t been officially announced by Electronic Arts (EA), based on the release patterns of previous expansion packs such as "Life & Death" and "For Rent," we can reasonably expect this new pack to go live on July 25 at 12pm Central Time (CT). Historically, most expansion packs for The Sims 4 have adhered to this release schedule, so it’s a safe bet that this one will follow suit. To help you keep track, we’ve set up a countdown to this exact release time. You can return to this page to check how much longer you have to wait before the pack is available for download. Here are the precise release times in some major time zones:
- Pacific Time (PT): 10am on July 25
- Central Time (CT): 12pm on July 25
- Eastern Time (ET): 1pm on July 25
- British Summer Time (BST): 7pm on July 25
- Central European Summer Time (CEST): 8pm on July 25
- Japan Standard Time (JST): 3am on July 26
- Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): 4am on July 26
A World of New Possibilities
The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies expansion pack introduces a groundbreaking small business system, allowing you to create and manage any type of business you can imagine. This feature is incredibly versatile and cross-pack compatible, meaning you can leverage the content from other packs to build a diverse range of businesses. For instance, with the "Cats and Dogs" pack, you can set up a pet café, while the "Laundry Day" stuff pack enables you to craft a laundromat. If you’re a fan of the "Get Famous" expansion, you can even teach acting classes. The "Spa Day" game pack opens the door to running your own spa. The possibilities are endless, and with a bit of creativity, you can bring almost any business idea to life.
Running and Profiting from Your Own Business
One of the most exciting aspects of the new small business system is that you can actually run and make Simoleons (the in-game currency) from your creation. Unlike previous packs where you might build a lot and pretend it functions as a business, this expansion allows you to specify the activities and services your business will offer. You can choose to focus on a single type of activity or mix and match multiple services to create a multifunctional lot. Additionally, the pack introduces a ticket kiosk item, which lets you decide how Sims are charged for using your business. Whether you opt for a one-time fee when they first arrive or an hourly rate, the choice is yours, adding a layer of realism and flexibility to your in-game business endeavors.
Multi-functional Lots: A Game Changer
Perhaps the most revolutionary feature of The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies is the introduction of multi-functional lots. This means you can live on the same lot where you run your business, a concept that is sure to spark a lot of creative and practical gameplay ideas. The system works similarly to the "For Rent" pack, where you can divide the lot into designated spaces for residential and business use. You can specify which areas are for living and which are for business operations. There’s even an option to assign rooms that are exclusively accessible to employees, ensuring that your business runs smoothly and efficiently. Whether you’re running a bustling tattoo parlor or a serene pottery studio, the ability to live and work in the same space adds a new dimension to the game.
Exploring Nordhaven: The New World
The world of Nordhaven, exclusive to this expansion pack, is a large and intriguing area inspired by Scandinavian culture. It features two distinct neighborhoods, Gammelvik and Iverstad, each offering 12 lots where you can build, live, or travel. The architecture and environment of Nordhaven are reminiscent of the picturesque landscapes and cozy houses found in Scandinavia, providing a fresh and visually appealing setting for your Sims to explore. This new world is not just a backdrop but a place where you can start your business journey, interact with new and interesting Sims, and immerse yourself in a different aesthetic and atmosphere.
New Skills: Tattooing and Pottery
Two standout features of the Businesses & Hobbies pack are the new skills it introduces: tattooing and pottery. The tattooing skill allows you to run your own tattoo parlor and create intricate and unique designs on your Sims. The tattoo system is getting a significant upgrade with the inclusion of the paint mode feature from the "Cats and Dogs" pack, giving you the freedom to draw and customize tattoos with a high degree of detail. The gallery is also being updated to support these custom designs, so you can share your creations with the community or download other players’ work to expand your collection.
The pottery skill, on the other hand, lets you craft both decorative and functional items. You can create and paint tea sets, planters, incense burners, and various pots of different sizes. This skill offers a creative outlet for Sims who enjoy arts and crafts, and the items you create can add a personal touch to your home or business. Whether you’re looking to beautify your living space or add some functional flair, the pottery skill provides a wide range of options to explore.
Stay Busy While You Wait
While the countdown to the release of The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies is ticking down, there’s plenty you can do to keep yourself engaged. One exciting way to pass the time is by participating in the limited-time "Blast from the Past" event. This special event offers exclusive rewards and challenges that are well worth completing. Key quests include finding the special Time Capsule, refreshing your memory in The Sims archives, locating Emit Relevart, and pondering the mysteries of time travel. These tasks not only provide a fun distraction but also keep you connected to the game’s rich history and community. Make the most of the wait by diving into these quests and preparing for the exciting new content that’s just around the corner.
