Final answer:
The Sims 4 can generally only be obtained legally through purchase or during rare promotional periods when it may be offered for free. Illicit methods of acquiring the game without payment are illegal and risky. To support the developers and avoid legal issues, purchasing the game or seeking legitimate promotions is recommended.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is whether it is possible to obtain The Sims 4 game without payment or outside of a free trial. The official method to get The Sims 4 is by purchasing it through authorized vendors like Origin, Steam, or through physical copies in stores. Occasionally, there might be promotions where the base game is offered for free for a limited time, but these are rare and must be taken advantage of during the promotional period. Otherwise, getting the game without paying would likely involve illicit methods, such as downloading from unauthorized sources, which is illegal and could expose the user to risks like viruses, malware, or legal consequences. It is important to support the developers by purchasing the game legally or benefiting from official promotions or free trials if available.