A lengthy new gameplay video released today showing off The Sims 4 has revealed Electronic Arts has plans for something called The Sims 4 Premium, a service that includes early access to new content.

When entering the gallery (an in-game area where you can download content created by other Sims players), an advertisement for The Sims 4 Premium is briefly seen on-screen (via Eurogamer). Below the Premium name, the following text is displayed: "Become a Premium member to get early access to 3 new packs, with exclusive items. Your Sims can throw a spooky costume party, camp in the great outdoors, and toast to the new year in style."

Given the name, the comparison that immediately comes to mind is the Battlefield Premium service. In that case, a one-time $50 fee gets you early access to all of the downloadable content released for the current Battlefield game, as well as exclusive in-game items and cosmetic options. For gamers who would buy all of the DLC individually, the $50 price presents a discount.

Beyond what's mentioned in the description above, we don't yet know precisely what The Sims 4 Premium will offer, as EA has yet to formally announce it. We've contacted the company for more information and will report back with anything we learn.

The gameplay video released today, which clocks in at 20 minutes in length, is the video Sims developer Maxis promised recently when it tried to explain the absence of toddlers and pools in the "base game." When it was revealed that both of those things had been omitted (after being included in past games), fans became concerned with the prospect of The Sims 4 being flooded with DLC and expansion packs. Maxis explained that those things had to be cut in order to provide it with the time and resources needed to implement new technology that makes The Sims 4 "a completely new game."

The existence of a Premium service will no doubt upset some fans of the series. However, without knowing pricing details or what it includes, it's possible it could actually be a preferable option to the way expansions have been handled in past games.

The Sims 4 is scheduled for release on September 2. Is there anything Premium could offer that would get you interested in buying it? Let us know in the comments.