The Sims 4’s Royalty & Legacy adds Dynasty system, heirs and duels — arrives Feb. 12

A new trailer for The Sims 4 Expansion Pack Royalty & Legacy showcases a Dynasty system and other family-focused features; the pack arrives Feb. 12. Although much of the DLC centers on a new Nobility career, the trailer emphasizes legacy mechanics anyone can use — including heirs, secret children, Grand Balls, duels, and options to dig up dirt on rivals.

The Goths and the Landgraabs are shown with their own Dynasties in the pack. Players can create Dynasties much like Clubs from Get Together: assign members, design a crest, and declare a Dynasty’s ideals (broad values) and encouraged skills. One Sim serves as Dynasty head with power to change values, add or remove members, and declare an heir; leaders can be challenged and unhappy members can split off to form new Dynasties.

Dynasty success is tracked by Unity (how well members get along) and Prestige (earned when members act in line with a Dynasty’s values). Prestige yields points for perks such as Nepotism and Easier Alliances. Rivalries, alliances, and winning or losing duels all affect Prestige, and rivals can research family trees to find scandals.

Family trees now show more connections, including secret children that can spark Prestige-lowering scandals; discovered secrets can be kept for alliances or used for extortion. Disgraced members can be declared outcasts to limit their impact, and the Royalty & Legacy Expansion Pack arrives Feb.

the sims 4, royalty & legacy, dynasty system, nobility career, heirs and secret children, grand balls, sword duels, goths dynasty, landgraabs dynasty, expanded family trees, prestige and unity, nepotism perk, easier alliances perk, release date feb. 12