Maxis, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts, is an American developer of video games. They are most famous for creating the SimCity and The Sims series, both of which simulate aspects of life. Since 2014, Maxis has been adding Star Wars-related content to The Sims 4. This has included free updates with wearable costumes and a decorative statue, as well as a downloadable content pack, Journey to Batuu, which was released in 2020 and introduced hundreds of Star Wars items, locations, and storylines.
In 1987, Will Wright and Jeff Braun came together to create Maxis. The company was initially formed to publish their first video game, SimCity, but it quickly expanded to develop more games. On July 28, 1997, Electronic Arts officially acquired Maxis, turning it into a subsidiary studio. Following this acquisition, Maxis became well-known for its The Sims franchise. Since 2004, Maxis has maintained a studio within Electronic Arts' offices located in Redwood Shores, California. By 2015, this location became the company's main headquarters.
On May 6, 2013, Electronic Arts and Disney made a joint announcement, stating that Electronic Arts would have the exclusive rights to develop Star Wars video games for the foreseeable future. After The Sims 4 was released on September 2, 2014, Maxis started incorporating Star Wars themed content into the game through a series of complimentary updates.
In October 2014, Maxis included costumes of Princess Leia Organa, Darth Vader, and Yoda, along with a Rebellion flight suit, as part of a Halloween-themed update for The Sims 4. In 2015, to commemorate May 4th, Maxis released extra costumes of Boba Fett, Darth Maul, and Aayla Secura. In June 2016, an update to the content added more gender neutral and LGBTQ+-inclusive versions of the Star Wars costumes that had been previously released. To celebrate the launch of The Mandalorian series on Disney+ in 2019, a statue of Grogu was added to the game.
On August 27, 2020, Maxis and Electronic Arts announced their collaboration with Lucasfilm to develop Star Wars: Journey to Batuu, a downloadable content pack for The Sims 4. The game was then launched on September 8 of that same year.
Journey to Batuu includes a replica of Black Spire Outpost from the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge theme park areas and allows players to explore the world of Batuu, use lightsabers, create droids, and engage with notable characters from the sequel trilogy, such as Rey and Kylo Ren. Players also have the option to take on special assignments for the Resistance, the First Order, or pirates like Hondo Ohnaka.
- The Sims 4
- Adventure to the Edge of the Galaxy in The Sims™ 4 Star Wars™: Journey to Batuu Game Pack on Electronic Arts' official website (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Get Ready to Journey to Batuu in The Sims 4 on StarWars.com (backup link)
- The Sims™ 4 Star Wars™: Journey to Batuu | Official Reveal Trailer on the official Star Wars Kids YouTube channel (content now obsolete; backup link)
- The Sims™ 4 Star Wars™: Journey to Batuu | Official Gameplay Trailer on the official Star Wars Kids YouTube channel (content now obsolete; backup link)
- The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu