The next expansion pack for The Sims 4's total cost to soar over $1,000 USD, its gameplay options are ever expanding. But apparently, it's still missing a few features that Maxis plans to add soon.

According to a report by Sims Community, based on claims posted to X (formerly Twitter) by leaker @anadius, The Sims 4's next expansion pack is centered on "Businesses & Hobbies." Anadius claims to have come across this information by looking through files in the EA App, which apparently revealed the nature of the next Sims 4 expansion. Their datamining also allegedly revealed the impending release of something called "Set Up Shop," which may be exclusive bonus content only available to early purchasers.

The Next Sims 4 Expansion Could Let Sims Work From Home

What Businesses & Hobbies Could Include

However, Anadius made it clear that there's no further information available on this alleged next Sims 4 expansion for the time being. It's just these two fairly generic names, and even those might not be final; Businesses & Hobbies is incredibly drab for a Sims 4 DLC title, so it could very well be a placeholder for a snappier name EA plans to reveal in the future. But of course, that lack of information has provided the community with the perfect opportunity for speculation.

Some players expect that this new expansion pack could allow Sims to set up businesses from home, a long-awaited feature that some players, like @PoppyAndAshFarm, believed would be part of the previous expansion For Rent. This would set it apart from Get to Work, which does allow Sims to become entrepreneurs, but forces them to purchase specific vacant lots zoned for commercial use. That's certainly ed by the Set Up Shop title.

In addition, the inclusion of hobbies in the name seems pertinent, and very different from anything in previous DLC. While Sims have plenty of options for spending their free time, asg them definitive hobbies is difficult. All you can really do is set them up with the right equipment and force them to use it whenever possible. Businesses and Hobbies might automate that process, giving Sims added levels of proficiency at their favorite pastimes. It might even let them have side hustles, starting, say, an e-commerce storefront to sell their crafts, or taking commissions for home-baked cakes from other local Sims.

Businesses & Hobbies Is Perfect For The Sims' 25th Anniversary

Sims 2 Nostalgia Now

The allegedly expansion pack has already been compared to previous DLC for games like The Sims 2, including Open for Business (which let Sims become self-employed) and FreeTime (which let Sims take up and develop various hobbies). Many have suggested it might go along with The Sims' ongoing 25th anniversary celebration, which is already bringing back nostalgic content related to the first two Sims games. Either way, if the rumors are true, this could represent a massive, game-changing expansion for The Sims 4.

Sources: Sims Community, @anadius/X, @PoppyAndAshFarm/X