The Curious Case of the Missing Equines: Why No Horses in Sims 4 Cottage Living (And What Happened Next!)
The absence of horses in The Sims 4: Cottage Living expansion was a widely discussed and often lamented omission. The direct answer to the question, “Why are there no horses in Sims 4 Cottage Living?” boils down to resource allocation and development priorities. Electronic Arts (EA) and Maxis, the developers of The Sims 4, made a conscious decision to prioritize other aspects of the expansion, specifically focusing on the core farming mechanics, livestock like chickens, cows, and llamas, and creating a charming, rural atmosphere.
In short, creating realistic and engaging horses with a depth of gameplay that players would expect from a Sims 4 expansion demanded significant development time and resources. As Sims 4 producer Antonio Romeo explained on Twitter, crafting horses with the “quality and depth of gameplay they deserve is a substantial undertaking.” This suggested that the idea of horses wasn’t scrapped entirely, but rather, it was an ambition that required more time and consideration than could be accommodated within the scope of Cottage Living.
Further complicating the matter, The Sims 4 initially deviated from the open-world format of its predecessor, The Sims 3. While this decision was made to improve the game’s performance and accessibility on a wider range of computers, it also impacted the perceived necessity for certain features, such as cars and horses. The reasoning was that without a sprawling open world to traverse, the practical utility of horses within the game diminished. Players would be less likely to need them for transportation.
Finally, market research and player feedback likely influenced the development team’s priorities. While many players expressed interest in horses, dogs and cats consistently ranked higher in popularity as desired pets. This may have led to a strategic decision to concentrate development efforts on features with broader appeal, aiming to maximize the expansion’s success. That allowed them to focus on the core experience of rural life, as well as other animals that many found adorable.
However, the story doesn’t end there. EA and Maxis clearly heard the player feedback loud and clear. They ultimately invested in the development of horses, leading to the release of The Sims 4: Horse Ranch expansion pack in July 2023, proving that sometimes, patience (and persistent requests) pays off!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Horses in The Sims 4
Here are some frequently asked questions about horses and farm animals in The Sims 4, addressing topics beyond the initial absence of horses in Cottage Living.
Horse Ranch and Where to Find Horses in Sims 4
1. Where are the horses in Sims 4?
Horses are available in The Sims 4: Horse Ranch expansion pack. You can find them at the Equestrian Center in the world of Chestnut Ridge, specifically in the New Appaloosa neighborhood. Alternatively, you can purchase or rescue horses by interacting with a Horse Bed on your residential lot.
2. When did The Sims 4 get horses?
Horses were added to The Sims 4 with the release of The Sims 4: Horse Ranch expansion pack on July 20, 2023.
Cottage Living Animals
3. How do you get cows and horses in Sims 4?
In Cottage Living, you obtain cows by purchasing an Animal Shed in build mode. Horses are not in Cottage Living; you need the Horse Ranch expansion.
4. Does Sims 4 Cottage Living come with animals?
Yes, The Sims 4: Cottage Living includes farm animals like chickens, cows, and llamas. Players can acquire these animals by purchasing an Animal Shed or Chicken Coop in build mode.
5. Can you have a pet rabbit in Sims 4 Cottage Living?
Yes! In Cottage Living, you can befriend wild rabbits and, after gaining sufficient friendship, place a Wild Rabbit Home on your property, effectively making them pets.
6. Can cows get pregnant in Sims 4 Cottage Living?
Unfortunately, cows and llamas cannot breed in The Sims 4: Cottage Living. They function more like objects than fully interactive pets in that regard.
Horse Ranch Gameplay
7. What can you do with horses in The Sims 4 Horse Ranch?
In The Sims 4: Horse Ranch, you can raise, train, and bond with horses. Sims can learn the riding skill, compete in equestrian events, and even breed horses to create foals with unique traits. There are also aspects of ranching, such as making nectar.
8. How do you deal with wild animals in The Sims 4?
In Cottage Living, you can befriend foxes and other animals. In general, you can protect your garden from foxes by installing a fox alarm, getting a pet dog or llama, or befriending the foxes and asking them not to steal.
9. Can I hire someone to take care of my animals in Sims 4?
Yes, with the Horse Ranch expansion, you can hire a Ranch Hand to help care for your animals, tend to your garden, and repair broken objects around your property.
Occult and Unique Creatures
10. Are there unicorns in Sims 4?
Yes, unicorns are present in The Sims 4, though their implementation may differ from previous iterations.
11. Can mermaids have babies in Sims 4?
Yes, mermaids can have babies in The Sims 4. A baby born to a mermaid (or two mermaid parents) has a chance of inheriting the mermaid trait and developing their powers as a teenager.
12. How do you get a rainbow cow in Sims 4?
You can change your cow’s coat color by feeding it special Animal Treats. To get a Rainbow Cow, you need to feed your cow the specific treat that unlocks that coat color. You must purchase the treat, feed it to the cow, and then your sim can make the treat at home.
Other Sims 4 Gameplay Elements
13. Can you go to the carnival in Sims 4?
The Carnaval Streetwear Kit introduces a new scenario called “Celebrate Carnaval,” which involves completing activities related to the festival. While not a physical carnival location, it offers a festive gameplay experience.
14. Can your Sim be asked to prom?
Yes, in The Sims 4: High School Years, your Sims can be asked to prom, either through a special “Promposal” or by simply asking another Sim to go with them.
15. Can you be LGBTQ in Sims 4?
The Sims 4 allows for diverse relationships and identities. While the game doesn’t explicitly label Sims with specific LGBTQIA+ identities, it provides options for same-sex relationships, gender customization, and pronoun choices, allowing players to create characters that reflect their own or others’ experiences. Also, the Games Learning Society is at the forefront of studying how these kind of game elements can impact social learning and awareness. You can explore more about the important work of the GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the reasons behind the initial absence of horses in The Sims 4: Cottage Living and addresses numerous related questions about animals and gameplay elements in The Sims 4. The inclusion of horses in the later Horse Ranch expansion demonstrates the developers’ commitment to listening to player feedback and delivering highly requested features.