Everything We Know about The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies

After first posting a teaser of a Sim getting tattoo’d, EA has officially confirmed the upcoming Expansion Pack to be The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies. Yes, that’s really the title they went for. Anyhoo… According to the official announcement, the pack will introduce a fresh approach to careers and creativity – allowing you to build, manage, and customize your very own establishments. Turn hobbies into a thriving business idea with cross-pack gameplay and opportunities! The pack is set to launch on the 6th of March.

First Look at the Key Features

Revamp how your Sims approach their careers and creative pursuits. From running your own shop to mastering new skills, this expansion introduces fresh ways for Sims to work, create, and connect. Here’s a first look at the key features confirmed by EA.

Visit the Hustle and Bustle of Nordhaven

Come to the history-rich town of Nordhaven, the ideal place to pursue your creative dreams. This new world is inspired by Scandinavian architecture, giving the townsquare a cozy, yet vibrant look. Hobbies are best when shared, so explore the bustlin’ townsquare to meet like-minded Sims!

Gammelvik embraces a historic, cozy charm, while Iverstad serves as a lively commercial hub
The new world comes with 12 lots spread across the two neighborhoods
Both neighborhoods will host daily Meetups about various hobbies
The new world is the perfect place for Esteemed Entrepreneurs, the new aspiration

Start a Small Business from Home

You can launch your business from the new Small Business Venue lot type or turn your home in a Small Business Residential lot. This multi-purpose lot let’s you designate rooms as public, employee-only or residential. This way, you can create spaces like a studio for client meetings or a family-run retail shop.

You may hire up to three Sims you know – including family members – to work in your establishment
Manage Employees will allow you to assign tasks & pay rate to each employee
Choose Business Activities to configure the type of business you own, with presets such as a bar or library
Pick your demographic by adding Target Customer Criteria, based on traits, age, financial status and more
Small Businesses are owned by individual Sims, but can be passed onto others

Engage with your Business like Never Before

Running a business can unlock Business Perks that improve operations, customer interactions, and profit margins, offering long-term progression for entrepreneurs. While there are similarities with the Retail system of The Sims 4 Get to Work, there are some differences between the two.

In-game events will affect your Business Alignment, going from Dreamer, Schemer or Neutral reputations
Unlock Business Perks that compliment the alignment you want to play, giving you new interactions or passive effects
Two new personality traits – Idealist and Shady – might make your business practices (un)trustworthy to other Sims
Sims can pay a entry fee or a time-based fee for businesses via the Ticket Kiosk

Start a Tattoo Parlour – Complete Tattoo Overhaul

Tattoos will get a major upgrade with this Expansion Pack. Not only will it be a learnable skill, but the tattoo overhaul will provide a wide range of customization options for your Sims. With these advanced tattooing features, your Sims can now express their ink in ways never seen before – ideal for both personal style and running a tattoo business.

Add new tattoos in the Tattoo Paint Mode using layers, stamps and stencils or draw you own custom designs
Unlock even more stamps and stencils as you level up your Tattoo’ing Skill
As a tattoo artist, your first few tattoos might turn out bad, you can later offer touch-ups to your clients
Sims can get their tattoos done – and removed! – at a parlor, instead of adding them instantly from CAS
Dedicate your ink to another Sim, but be careful, they might not like it!

Share your Knowledge with other Sims

Your Sims can now roll up their sleeves and get creative with a brand-new Pottery Skill, perfect for crafting unique ceramic masterpieces. For those who love to share their knowledge, teaching Classes will allow Sims to become instructors, passing on their skills in various fields.

Higher level Pottery will unlock the art of Kintsugi for repairing broken pottery
Rewards for Classes – as both attendees and instructors – are determined by how well you do during a goaled event
You’ll need to provide the equipment for the skills you’re teaching, such the Pottery Wheel & Kiln
Lectures are given for free and can help earn Mastery Perks, which unlocks abilities to enhance their skills

Watch the Official The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies Trailers

A Suspicious Teaser

The Sims team posted a fun teaser on their social media. The 5 second video shows us a first glimpse of a new NPC rummaging through the bin. As you can see the ‘person’ in question is looking rather suspicious, with some fun details sticking out of their long trenchcoat. The character can also be seen in one of the screenshots above. Here they are interacting with another Sim, probably trying to make a shady deal.

Get the ‘Set Up Shop’ Bonus Content

If you purchase the Expansion Pack before the 18th of April (2025), you will receive three extra items for your game. You can either place a pre-order for the pack, or purchase it after release, as long as the purchase is done before that date. You will receive the Practice Makes Perfect Priscilla Statue, Beautiful Flaws Lamp and the Sweetest Treat Display Case.

So what are you most excited about in this expansion? My personal favorite would be the tattoo overhaul. Let us know in the comments below!