'The Sims 4' To Get Star Wars-Themed Expansion Pack In September

In what can be described as a partnership that’s been a long time coming, a Star Wars-themed expansion pack called “Journey to Batuu” is headed for “The Sims 4.”

First revealed in the virtual-only presentation that is Gamescom Opening Night Live, “The Sims 4: Star Wars: Journey to Batuu” feels very much like something from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Droids, stormtroopers, a cantina, the Millennium Falcon, and even Kylo Ren and Rey are prominent in the trailer.

A purple astromech droid is another character in the trailer and if you blink, you might miss Weequay pirate Hondo Ohnaka engaging the lead character in drinks before she is asked to get a ship off-world. The Verge notes that there’s even a couple of lightsaber duels that break out.

This expansion pack and the choice of Batuu as the prime destination planet were apparently inspired by Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge theme park.

The press release describes it the following way:

In “The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu,” players will leave their homes to travel to the planet of Batuu where they’ll have to make a choice on which faction to work with, as the actions their Sims take will lead to control of the Black Spire Outpost. Sims can choose to support Rey and Vi Moradi as part of the Resistance, pledge loyalty to the First Order under Kylo Ren or shift their focus to gaining credits with Hondo Ohnaka and the scoundrels. As Sims embark on exciting missions, they’ll increase their reputation, unlock new artifacts and one-of-kind clothing, customize their own droids, and create a coveted lightsaber. After players leave Batuu and return home, they can even bring back some of these items, like their lightsaber, to enjoy with other Sims they’ve already created.

“With ‘The Sims,’ we’ve always strived to create content that takes players’ imaginations beyond their limits to tell fun and unique stories in the game, and with ‘The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu,’ they’ll be able to take their Sims on an adventure to the edge of the galaxy,” said Lyndsay Pearson, executive producer of “The Sims.”

“We’re such big ‘Star Wars’ fans and set out to create an authentic and immersive Star Wars experience for players that also embodies the self-expression and deep storytelling possibilities with ‘The Sims,’” she added.

Over time, each new expansion pack for “The Sims” has evolved, giving players a lot of things to experiment, build, and design with. There was even a tribute to heavy metal knitting in a recent pack. There have been Star Wars cosmetics and other tie-ins in the past, but a full-scale expansion of this level hasn’t happened until now.

Since Sims developer Maxis just happens to be owned by Star Wars video game licensee EA, everything finally fell into place. “The Sims 4: Star Wars: Journey to Batuu” is due out Sept. 8.