My First Dive into The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits
EA has just released The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits Expansion Pack, inviting players to explore Gibbi Point — a breathtaking new world filled with waterfalls, geysers, hidden legends, and fresh gameplay systems that transform vacations into true adventures.
I pre-ordered the new Adventure Awaits Expansion Pack, and since it officially dropped on October 2, I’ve been so excited to finally explore it. I saw the promised pre-order reward items (Toasty Tower Lamp, Toasty Tea Kettle, Toasty Tootsies Socks), but it had much more engaging goodies I wondered to explore...
The pack brings us to the brand-new world of Gibbi Point, a lush, nature-rich destination divided into three neighborhoods — Wanderwood Wilds, Crystal Valley, and Jellyfish Junction as described by EA. Each is packed with waterfalls, geysers, glowing lagoons, kayaking routes, and hidden legends waiting to be uncovered.
I jumped in with the Chavez-Ralston family, who live near one of the waterfalls according to Sims Wiki. Exploring with them felt like stepping into a living postcard: swimming, kayaking, and wandering around geysers while uncovering little stories the world holds. I couldn’t help but wonder if “Gibbi Point” has anything to do with “Gibbli / Ghibli” – maybe an anime homage? I dug around but found nothing solid linking them. On the Sims Wiki entry for Gibbi Point, it’s instead tied to landscapes like New Zealand and national parks, not anime lore.
So while “Gibbi” and “Ghibli” share a cozy phonetic echo, it looks like just a sweet coincidence. But I kind of love the mental image: it gives the world a little extra Ghibli-styled warmth and whimsy.
Is Gibbi Point in New Zealand?!
I looked around the area — the nature, vegetation, palms, sea nearby, and mountains all reminded me of New Zealand. Then I googled some waterfalls and geysers in New Zealand, and stumbled upon astonishing resemblance.
And here’s something interesting: Radio New Zealand confirmed that Gibbi Point was inspired by New Zealand. Looking closely, the geysers, waterfalls, and even the plant life — like cabbage trees and nīkau palms — all have that wild New Zealand feel. I’ve never been there in person, but comparing it with photos, the resemblance is undeniable.
We’ve actually seen this approach before: Tomarang in the For Rent pack was designed as a Southeast Asian–inspired city; Selvadorada in Jungle Adventure reflects a Latin American / Mesoamerican jungle world; and Sulani in Island Living was created with clear Polynesian / Pacific Islander influences.
Each of these packs adds fresh landscapes, cultural traditions, and aesthetics, while also serving a bigger purpose: celebrating diversity and welcoming new global audiences. By giving players worlds that feel rooted in real cultures, EA not only expands creative storytelling but also makes The Sims resonate with communities around the world who rarely see their own heritage reflected in games.
The old Sims family: caught in mystery again...
One of the biggest surprises for me was spotting Skip Broke wandering around Gibbi Point. Longtime fans will remember the Broke family’s tragic storyline going all the way back to The Sims 2. According to that game’s lore, Skip Broke (husband of Brandi and father of Dustin) died in a mysterious accident. EA Sims had to create the whole world of New Zealand so we could reveal the Brook (Sims 2) or the Broke (Sims 4) family mysteries...
But now, Adventure Awaits throws us a curveball. Seeing Skip alive here has sparked a wave of speculation among fans. Is this a parallel timeline? Did Skip fake his death? Could Gibbi Point be where he disappeared to all along? SimsCommunity points out this twist opens up endless theories — and honestly, it breaks my heart all over again thinking about how hard life has been for the Broke family across generations.
Seeing Skip out there, I simply wondered if it was such a telling name, thinking: "Man, you literally skipped your family life and growth of your kids! It is so hilarious finding you on the other side of the Sims planet, literally chilling with a plate of fish tacos..." :)
What I also thought, is that I should definitely develop a short plotline to get back to this Family Soon Soon in my Stories ...
The Challenge System
What excites me even more is how the new Getaway system works. These getaways aren’t just vacations — they can be set up like structured challenges, complete with rules, roles, and even elimination mechanics as explained by EA. The least active or least achieving Sim in a group can be dropped, creating endless possibilities for creative, player-driven competition.
Personally, I’m about to start a Romance Elimination Quest with the Caliente family and Don Lothario. With these iconic Sims and the new mechanics, I can’t wait to see the drama unfold. Let’s see who wins — I’ll report back in my next post.