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The Sims 4 is a game that arguably failed to live up to expectations out of the gate when it was released last year. The game was knocked for not having certain content that Sims fans had grown accustomed to at launch, such as swimming pools and the toddler life stage. Developer Maxis promised at the time that the game was a work in progress and would be rounded out through DLC in the future, but the poor launch did little to squash the rumors that The Sims 4 might be the final game in the series.

Maxis did make good on its promise over the last few months with a couple of free updates, including the release of those much-discussed swimming pools. Now with this week's release of the Outdoor Retreat "game pack" expansion, it would appear that Electronic Arts feels the game is ready to be brought to a wider audience. And, as if on cue, EA announced that The Sims 4 is now coming to the Mac next month.

The Mac Edition was announced through the game's official Twitter account, and as of right now, no specific release date has been reported other than February. Those PC gamers who have already picked up a copy of The Sims 4, however, will be able to pick up a Mac copy for free when it does launch.

Still, this should be welcome news to some, as The Sims franchise has always sold well on Mac. Apple has never been known for its gaming library when it comes to its computers, but The Sims has always been one of the "big name" titles that Mac gamers could count on. It's not unusual for Mac releases to lag behind the PC version, but EA did initially promise Mac owners that the title would be out in 2014, so many were disappointed when it slipped. It probably made sense though, given that EA had its hands full trying to do damage control for its game at launch.

The Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat

While PC gamers can get the Mac version for free, the same can't be said for the Outdoor Retreat Game Pack, which is available now on PC for $19.99. Released this week, the expansion will allow your Sims to go camping, vacation at Granite Falls and much more. Here's the list of features, direct from EA:

  • Wander into an All-New Destination – Your Sims can now make an escape from their everyday lives into the pine-filled air of Granite Falls. Let’s just hope that your Sims aren’t squeamish about insects.

  • Set Up The Perfect Camp – No camping trip is complete without the proper supplies. Be sure to purchase your Sims a tent and outfit them in new hiking gear.

  • Enjoy Unique Outdoor Activities – Lay back for a night of stargazing and let your Sims’ imagination run wild! Join a game of horseshoes to unwind and see what adventure awaits within the bramble patch.

  • Gather around the Campfire – Treat your Sims to some roasted marshmallows and tell fireside stories of adventure, wonder and fright for the whole gang.

  • Create Exotic Potions as an Herbalist – Build your Sim’s herbalism skill to create a variety of useful potions, from insect repellent to a concoction that can help soothe a tense Sim. This new skill will be useful to help Sims identify which wild plants are edible or poisonous.

A more in-depth look at Outdoor Retreat is available on the official Sims blog. Although the game may still leave much to be desired for longtime Sims fans, it's nice to see things starting to get fleshed out. Keep in mind, The Sims 3 received a whopping 11 expansion packs over its lifetime, so this is hopefully just the start for the latest title in the series.

The Sims 4 is available now for PC and will release on Mac in February.

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Source: VG24/7