Small business system
Businesses & Hobbies introduces a framework for running small businesses in The Sims 4. Any residential lot can be converted into a Small Business Venue, or Sims can purchase a dedicated business lot. From there, they can name their business, design a custom logo, hire up to three employees, and set pricing through a Ticket Kiosk that supports one-time entry fees or hourly rates.
As a business grows, Sims earn Business Perks along one of three alignment paths: Dreamer for an ethical approach, Schemer for cutting corners, or Neutral for something in between. The types of businesses available span categories like art and music, food and drink, outdoor activities, and social services. Cross-pack compatibility extends these options further, opening up businesses like pet cafés with Cats & Dogs or karaoke bars with City Living.
New skills
The pack adds two skills: Tattooing and Pottery. The Tattooing skill lets Sims apply pre-made, custom, or dedication tattoos to other Sims. Tattoo Paint Mode allows freehand design, and tattoos can be layered on the same body part and shared through the Gallery. Pottery uses a Pottery Wheel and Kiln to produce functional items like tea sets, planters, and incense burners. Higher skill levels open up glaze styles such as blush, contemporary, industrial, and matte, along with Kintsugi, a Japanese technique for turning broken ceramics into decorative pieces.
Nordhaven and community features
The pack's world, Nordhaven, is split into two neighborhoods: Gammelvik and Iverstad. Hobby Meetups let Sims connect with others who share their interests, find mentors, or take on mentoring roles themselves. Sims can also host Classes and Lectures to earn income and help others gain Mastery Perks, which are rewards tied to reaching high skill levels.
Two new traits, Idealist and Shady, shape how Sims approach their businesses and community. Two new aspirations, Master Mentor and Esteemed Entrepreneur, give players long-term goals tied to the pack's themes. The expansion also includes 162 Create a Sim items and 212 build mode objects covering furniture, décor, and business-specific pieces.