InZOI’shugely successful launch has proven that there is absolutely a space for another life-sim game beyondThe Sims. For too long, it has remained unchallenged, and whileinZOIhas a long way to go to dethrone the life-sim titan, it is doing a very good job so far. Of course, diehardSimsfans have likely steered clear of it, especially since it, in its current state, still lacks some features that makeThe Simsso special.
However, that may all change withinZOI’sfirst DLC, which is releasing very soon. It is finally cementing itself as atrueSimscompetitor, not just because of the content within it, but because of one crucial aspect that EA has simply never matched and may never be able to.This DLC is groundbreaking for the genre, and should be seen as a huge warning to EA, especially if it doesn’t start listening to its fans.
inZOI’s First DLC Is Both Free & Huge
It Adds A New Map & More
InZOI’sfirst DLC, which is launching on Aug 11, 2025, is titledIsland Getaway.It adds a new map called Cahaya, as well as several new mechanics, such as fishing, mining, and farming. This new map is huge, featuring three unique islands, each with its own distinctive theme, giving players plenty of space to settle down in. Frankly, this is a very exciting DLC, one that would easily set back players upwards of $39.99 were it to release forThe Sims.
Except, rather crucially,inZOI’sfirst DLC is completely free. It isn’t free for just a limited time; it is free forever. It is slightly mind-blowing how such a big piece of DLC can be handed away for free, yet publisher KRAFTON is happily handing it out to those who own the base game. Of course,inZOI’sridiculous salespoint to the publisher doing extremely well off the back of it, so it perhaps shouldn’t be such a surprise that the DLC is free.
The Sims Series Is Heavy On Paid Expansions
It Restricts Major Content To Them
The Simshas had a problem with DLC for quite some time, withEA carving out crucial mechanics and repackaging them for $39.99 a pop. Of course, not every piece of DLC is as expensive, and some are truly worth the money. However, it has become extremely easy to beoverwhelmed bySimsDLC, especially withThe Sims 4, which requires players to spend well over $1000 to get the full experience.
That model has worked for a long time, largely becauseThe Simswas the only triple-A game of its kindwithin the life-sim genre. However, with the rise of indie games likeThe Sims, as well as, of course, the immense popularity ofinZOI, that may all be about to change.InZOI’sfree DLC shows it may bebetter value thanThe Sims, especially once it becomes even more fleshed out through future updates and DLC.
EA Could Learn A Lesson From inZOI
The Sims Could Benefit From A Few Free DLC
EA must learn frominZOI’sapproach to DLC. While it would be unreasonable for every piece ofThe SimsDLC to be completely free, especially as the baseSims 4game is free,it would be good for EA to throw players a bone now and then. Whether it’s a smaller piece of DLC given away for free, or some of the older major expansions made free from now on, EA would garner a lot of goodwill.
EA has already shownit is interested ininZOIby surveying fans on their thoughts on the new rival. It is possible that it could pivot its strategy to matchinZOI’s, especially if the latter’s player base keeps growing at the rate it is. Of course, it all remains to be seen, but one can hope that EA learns the right lesson frominZOI’smassive free DLC and changesThe Simsfor the better.
