In the early days of the franchise, modding was a hobby. With the rise of crowdfunding platforms like Patreon, modding became a revenue stream. While "tips" and "early access" (where patrons pay for early release before public availability) are generally accepted, a contentious practice emerged: .
The community wants a "fair-use" environment where creators are supported, but where "content is free, not sold, licensed, or rented for a fee". What Can You Do? If you see a creator permanently paywalling their content: Do not pay for the content. Report the creator to EA through their official channels. Support creators who follow the EA policy of free access. Patreon Must Be Destroyed Sims 4
However, EA also made something absolutely clear: The company encouraged players to report any creator violating these terms, including those keeping content permanently paywalled or promoting mods in ways that implied official endorsement from EA. In the early days of the franchise, modding was a hobby
This article explores the long and bitter war over paywalled mods—a war symbolized by the defiant phrase "Patreon Must Be Destroyed"—from its origins in the early 2000s to the present day, covering the key players, the darkest scandals, and what you can do to help protect the community. The community wants a "fair-use" environment where creators