The ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????? 7Sims4publisher Electronic Arts has announced the highly addictive life simulator is now free for absolutely everyone to play from Oct. 18. This will probably straight up murder thousands of people's social lives, but what a heavenly way to die.

Released in 2014, The Sims 4has maintained a dedicated fanbase in the years since by feeding them constant updates and expansion packs. Now that player base is set to receive a significant population boost, with The Sims 4 being released for free across all platforms.

That's on PC via the EA App, Steam, and Origin; Mac via Origin; PlayStation 4; PlayStation 5; Xbox One; and Xbox Series X/S.

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This change doesn't mean EA is ending its support for the game. On the contrary, the publisher stated it will continue to release new content for The Sims 4 indefinitely.

"With The Sims 4going free to play, our team is more dedicated than ever to developing new and meaningful The Sims 4experiences for our players and we will continue to develop and release packs, kits and Sims Delivery Express drops into the foreseeable future," said EA.

Of course, this decision — as well as the choice to go free-to-play — was likely informed by the proven revenue possibilities of extra The Sims 4content. At the time of the announcement in September, buying all 59 of The Sims 4's downloadable content packs on Steam would set you back $984.43. 

Hooking people on a game before persuading them to buy extra content is likely easier than getting them to just drop cash on a base game they're not even sure they'll like. (They probably will though. I mean, it's The Sims 4.)

In light of The Sims 4 being made free, players who previously purchased the base game in years past were offered a small gift to help compensate them.

From Sept. 14 to Oct. 17, anyone who already owned The Sims 4could redeem the new in-game content pack Desert Luxe Kitfor free. This kit adds 28 neutral-toned furniture items to The Sims 4, emphasising natural materials such as stone and wood. All you needed to do to grab the Desert Luxe Kitwas boot up The Sims 4 before Oct. 17 and claim it from the main menu.

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While a nice gesture, it's a good thing the Desert Luxe Kitwas being handed out for free. This ennui-inducing furniture pack is far from the most exciting content EA could have distributed to reward loyal, long-time Sims players. Still, the sad beige furniture for sad beige adults is marginally better than nothing.

EA also stated that users who sign up to its EA Play subscription service will get access to the $39.99 Get To Work Expansion Pack, while EA Play Pro subscribers will get both this and the $9.99 Toddler Stuff Pack. 

Whether you're new to The Sims franchise or just haven't played in a while, it's a good idea to start practicing your self-control now. Regardless of whether you have any add-ons or not, there's a very good chance that you'll eventually find yourself looking up from constructing your dream home only to realise it's 3 a.m. and work starts in six hours.

UPDATE: Oct. 19, 2022, 2:17 p.m. AEDT This article has been updated to note that The Sims 4 has now been made available for free.