The Sims 2 does not have a defined end objective. Gameplay is open-ended, allowing the player the freedom to engage the
The Sims 2 expansion packs provide additional game features and items. Generally, expansion packs add one central gameplay element, several peripheral elements, a new type of "expansion neighborhood" (neighborhoods linked to a base neighborhood; multiple expansion neighborhoods of the same type may be linked to a single base neighborhood), a new type of Sim (Vampires, zombies etc.) and approximately 125 new objects. There have been four expansion packs released, with a fifth one rumoured. Maxis has plans for seven expansion packs [1]. However, given that The Sims 3 is not scheduled for release until Spring 2009, an eighth may be released in Fall 2008. Maxis also revealed that odd numbered expansion packs will bring something entirely new to the series, while even numbered expansion packs will bring something from The Sims. For the main article on each expansion pack, see link provided with title.
The Sims 2: University – March 2, 2005 for PC and December 12, 2005 for Mac OS X. Adds major gameplay element of being able to send teen Sims to college (adding additional optional "Young Adult" stage) and university expansion neighborhood. University also adds lifetime wants (powerful wants that will put a Sim in a state of perpetual euphoria known as permanent platinum aspiration or simply "permaplat") and influence (the ability to direct others to perform certain tasks). Four careers restricted to graduates are added (Paranormal, Natural Scientist, Artist, Show Business). Zombies, deceased Sims brought back to life imperfectly, are added.
The Sims 2: Nightlife – released September 13, 2005 for PC and March 27, 2006 for Mac OS X. Nightlife adds an attraction-based dating system and a nightlife destination expansion neighborhood. Two new Aspirations (Pleasure and Grilled Cheese) are added, as is the ability to change Aspirations through an Aspiration Reward object. Use of drivable cars is included as well. Sims may now become Vampires.
The Sims 2: Open for Business – released March 2, 2006 for PC and September 4, 2006 for Mac OS X. Open for Business enables Sims to operate businesses. Also added are the shopping district expansion neighborhood, badges as another type of skill and a "perk" system for successful business owners. Robots are added, including the "Servo," a robot that can be activated as a controllable Sim. The Sims 2: Pets – Released in USA on October 17, Released in UK on October 20, 2006 for PC and November 6, 2006 for Mac OS X, Released in New Zealand and Australia on October 26. It will also be released for Playstation 2, Nintendo Gamecube, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Gameboy Advance and Playstation Portable (note that the gameplay varies from console to PC version). This focuses almost exclusively on adding pet capabilities to game. EA announced that this expansion pack will not have an associated neighborhood, but will instead include lots to place in existing neighborhoods. Among the pets announced for this expansion pack are dogs, cats, parrots, and "womrats." Sims may turn into werewolves.
The Sims 2: In Season (Working Title) - fifth expansion pack, expected to be released in spring 2007.
Stuff packs
Stuff packs are add-ons to the game that only add new objects. Stuff packs were originally called booster packs, as seen in the release of The Sims 2: Holiday Party Pack. Current releases are called stuff packs and include certain gameplay elements introduced in previous expansion packs (as opposed to Holiday Party Pack, which only added a package file containing object data). Stuff packs typically add around 60 new items (Holiday Party Pack added approximately 40).
The Sims 2: Holiday Party Pack – booster pack (now being called a stuff pack) released November 17, 2005. Holiday Party Pack includes a number of items related to various holidays, mostly Christmas. The pack was sold as The Sims 2: Christmas Party Pack in Europe. It was combined with the core game in The Sims 2: Holiday Edition and The Sims 2: Christmas Edition as a limited-edition release at the same time. The official The Sims 2 website offered free downloads of some of the items included in Holiday Party Pack.
The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff – released April 13, 2006 for PC. Includes mostly themed sets of objects and decorations, most notably medieval-themed children's objects and tropical objects and clothing. Known in the Sims community for having a few major bugs upon release, necessitating the release of an emergency patch by EA within a couple of weeks.
The Sims 2: Glamour Life Stuff – released August 31, 2006. Includes themed sets of luxury items and fashionable clothing.
The Sims 2: Happy Holiday Stuff - will be released in November 2006, and it will contain a collection of holiday items. This is a repackage of The Sims 2: Holiday Party Pack with twenty new additional items. Players who have already purchased both the core game and the Holiday Party Pack have the option of purchasing only the new additional items in the form of The Sims 2: Happy Holiday Mini Pack via EA's online downloading service, EA Downloader. The games will be sold as The Sims 2: Festive Holiday Stuff, The Sims 2: Festive Edition and The Sims 2: Festive Holiday Mini Pack in Europe.