The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack Introduces Significant Changes to NPCs

The upcoming "The Sims 4: Lovestruck" expansion will grant non-playable characters (NPCs) the ability to proactively attempt to advance their relationships, which is expected to make in-game relationships feel more realistic, and the expansion is scheduled for release on July 25.

The upcoming "The Sims 4: Lovestruck" expansion will grant non-playable characters (NPCs) the ability to proactively attempt to advance their relationships with player-controlled Sims. This change is expected to make in-game romance feel more realistic, as Sims will no longer solely rely on the player's actions to cultivate relationships.

EA announced the Lovestruck expansion in late June, attaching a July 25 release date to the add-on. The company has now shared many new details about the latest The Sims 4 expansion as part of its recent digital preview event, providing players with a deeper look at the new relationship mechanics and other features included in this upcoming content update.

The Sims 4: Lovestruck Expansion Empowers NPCs with Romantic Agency

The upcoming "The Sims 4: Lovestruck" expansion will bring a significant change to the game's romantic mechanics. Specifically, non-playable characters (NPCs) will now be able to make attempts at progressing their relationships with their partners, a feature that has so far only been available to the player. While the ultimate decision on whether to advance a relationship will still be up to the player, this change is expected to make in-game romance feel more realistic.

The demand for this feature has long been voiced by a vocal section of the game's fandom, as numerous popular The Sims 4 romance mods, such as Autonomous Proposals & Breakups and NPC Relationship Autonomy Fix, have already been offering something similar for years. However, the usage of these mods is likely to drop following the release of Lovestruck, as the new relationship mechanics will be exclusive to the $39.99 expansion, which not everyone may purchase.

Alongside the Lovestruck expansion, EA is also preparing a free The Sims 4 update that's scheduled to debut a week ahead of the expansion, on July 18. This patch will introduce some major changes to the base game, including the much-requested support for polyamorous relationships, as well as new venue interactions like flexing at the gym, and curved pool designs, among other novelties.

To incentivize pre-orders, EA is currently offering a number of digital bonuses for The Sims 4: Lovestruck, including a Basic Breakup Double Bed and Cry Me a River Eyeliner. These extras will also remain available post-release, up until September 5. Aside from giving NPCs more romantic agency, Lovestruck will also refine dating through the addition of a turn-on and turn-off system governing Sims' attraction to one another, and it will put an end to the annoying issue of other NPCs interrupting dates in public places by initiating conversations.