| The Sims | |
|---|---|
 The Sims series logo | |
| Genre(s) | Life simulation,social simulation |
| Developer(s) | Maxis |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Creator(s) | Will Wright |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows,Mac OS,PlayStation 2,GameCube,Xbox,Game Boy Advance,Nintendo DS,PlayStation Portable,Java ME,BlackBerry OS,Bada,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,Wii,Nintendo 3DS,macOS,PlayStation 4,Xbox One,Nintendo Switch,iOS,Android,Windows Phone |
| First release | The Sims February 4, 2000 (2000-02-04) |
| Latest release | The Sims 4: Businesses & Hobbies March 6, 2025 (2025-03-06) |
| Parent series | SimCity |
| Spin-offs | See below |
The Sims is a series oflife simulation video games developed byMaxis andpublished byElectronic Arts. The franchise has sold nearly 200 million copies worldwide, and is one of the best-selling video game series of all time. It is also part of the largerSim series, started bySimCity in 1989.
The games in theSims series are largelysandbox games, in that they lack any defined goals (except for some later expansion packs andconsole versions which introduced this gameplay style). The player creates virtual people called "Sims", places them in houses, and helps direct their moods and satisfy their desires. Players can either place their Sims in pre-constructed homes or build them themselves. Each successiveexpansion pack and game in the series augmented what the player could do with their Sims.
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Game designerWill Wright was inspired to create a "virtual doll house" after losing his home during theOakland firestorm of 1991 and subsequently rebuilding his life.[1][2] Replacing his home and his other possessions made him think about adapting that life experience into a game. When Wright initially took his ideas to the Maxisboard of directors, they were skeptical and gave little support or financing for the game. The directors atElectronic Arts, which bought Maxis in 1997, were more receptive—SimCity had been a great success for them, and they foresaw the possibility of building a strongSim franchise.[1]
Wright has stated thatThe Sims was meant as a satire of U.S.consumer culture.[3] Wright took ideas from the 1977 architecture andurban design bookA Pattern Language, American psychologistAbraham Maslow's 1943 paperA Theory of Human Motivation and hishierarchy of needs, andCharles Hampden-Turner'sMaps of the Mind to develop a model for the game'sartificial intelligence.[1]
| 2000 | The Sims |
|---|---|
| 2001 | |
| 2002 | |
| 2003 | The Sims Bustin' Out |
| 2004 | The Urbz: Sims in the City |
| The Sims 2 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2006 | The Sims 2: Pets |
| 2007 | MySims |
| The Sims 2: Castaway | |
| 2008 | The Sims 2: Apartment Pets |
| MySims Kingdom | |
| 2009 | The Sims 3 |
| MySims Party | |
| MySims Racing | |
| MySims Agents | |
| 2010 | MySims Puzzle Party |
| MySims SkyHeroes | |
| 2011 | The Sims FreePlay |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | The Sims 4 |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | The Sims Mobile |
The Sims was the first game in the series. Developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, it was released forMicrosoft Windows on February 4, 2000.[4] The game useddimetric projection and featured open-ended simulation of the daily activities of one or morevirtual people ("Sims") in a suburban area near SimCity. Seven expansion packs and two deluxe editions with exclusive content were released. It was repackaged in several different formats, and different versions of it were released on several different platforms. By March 22, 2002,The Sims had sold more than 6.3 million copies worldwide, surpassingMyst[5] as the best-selling PC game in history at the time. The original game, all seven expansion packs, and the two deluxe edition content packs constitute the first generation of the PC release. Maxis developed all PC releases. By February 2005, the game had shipped 16 million copies worldwide.[6]
The Sims receivedseven expansion packs:
The Sims was re-released for Windows 10 and 11 players on January 31, 2025 as part ofThe Sims franchise's twenty-fifth birthday celebration asThe Sims: Legacy Collection[7]. The Sims: Legacy Collection includes all original seven expansion packs.[8] The Sims is purchasable as part of The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle, includingThe Sims 2: Legacy Collection[9] or separately.
Electronic Arts releasedThe Sims 2 on September 14, 2004. The sequel, developed by Maxis, takes place in a full3D environment as opposed to thedimetric projection of the original game. Sims age through seven life stages, from infancy to old age and subsequent death. Another major feature is the aspiration system. Each Sim exhibits wants and fears according to their aspiration and personality. Consequently, the level of the aspiration meter determines the effectiveness of a Sim at completing tasks. The fulfillment of wants provides aspiration points, which can be used to purchase aspiration rewards. The game also features clear days of the week, with weekends when children can stay home from school and vacation days when adults can take time off work.
The Sims 2 is set some 25 years after the original game. For instance, the Goth family has aged significantly withBella Goth mysteriously vanishing at some point in the 25 years. Because the entire game has progressed from 2Dsprites to3D models, all content inThe Sims 2 had to be created from the ground up. Due to this,The Sims 2 was not made backward-compatible with any content from the first generation of the main series; however, some objects and features from the original series were remade for the sequel.
Eight expansion packs and nine "stuff packs" were released forThe Sims 2. Over 400 items were also released for the game viaThe Sims 2 Store.The Sims 2 receivedeight expansion packs:
The Sims 2 was re-released for Windows 10 and 11 players on January 31, 2025 as part ofThe Sims franchise's twenty-fifth birthday celebration asThe Sims 2: Legacy Collection.[7]The Sims 2: Legacy Collection includes all original eight expansion packs and nine stuff packs.[10]The Sims 2 is purchasable as part of The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle, including The Sims: Legacy Collection or separately.[9]
Electronic Arts releasedThe Sims 3 on June 2, 2009.[11] The sequel was announced by EA in November 2006. The game is set 25 years before the original game and features an open, seamless neighborhood, improved Sim creation tools, enhanced build and buy mode functions, and the introduction of wishes and goals. The game introduced a new form of directed gameplay through small, step-wise goals presented as opportunities for the player to pursue or refuse.The Sims 3 sold 1.4 million copies in the first week, making it the largest release in PC gaming history at the time.[12]
The Sims 3 is set 25 years beforeThe Sims. For example, the Goth family is much younger, andBella Goth, an adult in the first game, is a child and is named Bella Bachelor. Eleven expansion packs and nine "stuff packs" were released forThe Sims 3. In addition, many items are available online for additional fees atThe Sims 3 Store.The Sims 3 receivedeleven expansion packs:
Electronic Arts announcedThe Sims 4 on May 6, 2013.[13] The announcement stated that the game was in development by Maxis.The Sims 4 takes place in an alternative setting/timeline from the game's previous installments. Later in 2014, further details on features and gameplay were announced. The release date of September 2, 2014, was announced at E3 2014. As of March 2025, eighteen "expansion packs", twelve "game packs", twenty "stuff packs", thirty-eight "kits", and four "creator kits" have been released, and updates have added content that was previously absent, such as basements, ghosts, pools, modular stairs, toddlers, new careers, terrain tools, additional skin tones, bunk beds and infants.The Sims 4 was madefree-to-play on October 18, 2022.[14][15]
The Sims 4 has receivedeighteen expansion packs:
The Sims 4 has receivedtwelve game packs:
On October 18, 2022, Maxis announced that they are working on the next installment ofThe Sims, which is code-namedProject Rene. The game allows solo or collaborative play and cross-play. Room customization works differently compared toThe Sims 4, with more customization options being presented for furniture. In this project, the buy-and-build mode is multiplayer and players can customize the buildings at the same time.
As of July 2024,Project Rene is continuing development, with potential plans for "closed invites to small public playtests or early access options" for interested players.[16] That same year, Maxis stated thatProject Rene would co-exist alongsideThe Sims 4, with both continuing development in the future. This is a deviation from past installments inThe Sims franchise, where one installment typically replaces the previous. In addition, it was stated thatProject Rene will be free-to-play and not require "a subscription, core game purchase or energy mechanics".
Continuing its deviance from past installments inThe Sims,Project Rene will have additional in-game purchases. Maxis stated there is "a plan to change this up a bit. For example, basic weather may be added to the core game for free, for everybody... It's important that with 'Project Rene' we lower barriers to play and give all players the broadest shared systems because that feels like the strongest foundation for us to grow from." This diversion from the typical purchase-structure followsThe Sims 4, which was made free-to-play in October 2022.[16][17][18]
In September 2024, EA vice president Kate Gorman confirmed that Project Rene will not be a direct replacement or sequel toThe Sims 4 but a separate project withinThe Sims franchise, reiterating thatThe Sims 4 would continue to receive updates and new content in the years to come.[19][20]
The Sims Stories is a series of video games fromThe Sims series released in 2007–2008 based on a modified version ofThe Sims 2game engine. The modified engine is optimized for play on systems with weaker specifications, such aslaptops.[21] In addition to a Free Play mode with classic, open-ended gameplay, the games contain a structured, linear story mode where players are required to complete a series of goals to progress in the storyline. Three games were released in the series.[22]
The Sims Medieval is an action role-playing spin-off game released in 2011. It is set in medieval times, and although it is based onThe Sims 3 engine, it plays very differently.The Sims Medieval has one expansion pack,Pirates and Nobles.
In December 2002, Electronic Arts released the Maxis-developedThe Sims Online, later namedEA Land. It recreatesThe Sims as amassively multiplayer online game, where human players can interact with each other. The spin-off did not achieve the same level of success as the original. Reviews forThe Sims Online were lackluster; many likening its experience to an enormouschat room. On August 1, 2008,EA Land was shut down.
The Sims Carnival was a casual game brand ofThe Sims. It had two separate product lines; the first was an online community of crowd-sourced web games and the second was a line of packaged game titles sold via retail stores and digital downloads.
Launched in August 2011,The Sims Social was aFlash-based game developed byPlayfish forFacebook. EA announced the game was upgraded from Beta to Live status in a press release issued on August 23, 2011.[23] The game was shut down and removed from Facebook on June 14, 2013.
The Sims was the game's first console release and shares the same name as the PC game. It was released for thePlayStation 2,Xbox, and NintendoGameCube. The gameplay is similar to the PC version but follows a mission-based storyline in addition to the sandbox mode found in the original game. Objectives are added which allow the player to unlock new furniture and locations.
The Sims Bustin' Out is the second title inThe Sims console series.Bustin' Out was released in the fourth quarter of 2003 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube. Much like its predecessor, the game features two modes: Bust Out Mode, which is mission-based gameplay, and Freeplay Mode which is similar to the originalThe Sims PC game. The PlayStation 2 version featured the option to play online, though EA no longer supports it. Separate handheld versions were developed for theGame Boy Advance andN-Gage, which allow the player to directly control the Sim character for the first time.
The Urbz: Sims in the City is a game focused on Sims living in an urban setting within Sim City. The player must earn a reputation and complete tasks for characters. It was released for Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo GameCube. It featuresBlack Eyed Peas as NPCs. LikeThe Sims Bustin' Out, separate handheld versions were developed for theNintendo DS and the Game Boy Advance, which serve as a sequel to their predecessors.
The Sims 2,The Sims 2: Pets, andThe Sims 2: Castaway have been released for various platforms including theWii,PlayStation 2,PSP,Xbox, andNintendo DS systems.The Sims 2: Apartment Pets, considered a sequel toThe Sims 2: Pets by Electronic Arts, was only released for the Nintendo DS. In addition, EA has released severalThe Sims titles for theiPod Nano (3rd and 4th generation), theiPod Classic, and theiPod (5th generation). Some of these titles include:The Sims Bowling,[24]The Sims DJ,[25] andThe Sims Pool.[26]
MySims is a series ofconsole games created by EA for theWii andNintendo DS (with SkyHeroes being the exception). They featureChibi-like characters (a tiny bit smaller and similar to the Wii'sMii avatars). The first game in the series was released in September 2007.MySims SkyHeroes, the newest addition to theMySims line of games, was released in September 2010.
The Sims 3,The Sims 3: World Adventures, andThe Sims 3: Ambitions were released foriOS. In addition,The Sims 3 was also released forAndroid,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,Nintendo DS,Wii, andNintendo 3DS. The 3DS version of the game was a launch title for the console.The Sims 3: Pets was released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo 3DS.
Versions for thePlayStation 4 andXbox One consoles were released on November 17, 2017. Unlike previous console ports, the console version ofThe Sims 4 has feature parity with the PC/Mac version, and also shares the same "expansion packs", "game packs", "stuff packs", and "kits".
The Sims FreePlay is the first free-to-play version ofThe Sims, and was released worldwide on December 15, 2011 foriOS devices, and on February 15, 2012 forAndroid. The game made it toKindle Fire in October 2012, toBlackBerry 10 on July 31, 2013, andWindows Phone 8 in September 2013. Unlike otherSims games,The Sims FreePlay runs in real-time and takes real-time to complete actions. Players can progress through 55 levels and unlock new content, create up to 34 Sims, build town map buildings, and complete goals to earn Lifestyle Points, Simoleons, Social Points, and XP (Experience Points). All of these (except for Social Points) can be obtained by baking, planting, going to school (only for preteens and teens), or working. To get Social Points, players will have to go to neighboring houses or add their Facebook friends.
The Sims Mobile is the secondfree-to-play version ofThe Sims forAndroid andiOS,The Sims Mobile was announced on May 9, 2017, in a launch trailer with a soft launch forBrazil, and was released worldwide on March 6, 2018. It features multiplayer and story-mode elements in an attempt to offer a playing experience akin to the mainSims installments.
The success ofThe Sims has resulted inGuinness World Records awarding the series numerous world records, including, as of 2017, "Most Expansion Packs for a Videogame Series" and "Best Selling PC Game Series", with sales estimates ranging from 36 to 50 million units.[27] The series ranks 10th among the best-selling video game franchises of all times, with a sales figure of over 200 million combining all the entries in the series.[28] As of October 2019,[update] allThe Sims games combined generated lifetime sales of more than US$5 billion.[29]
Alive-action drama film based upon the franchise was announced in 2007.[30]The Sims film rights had been purchased by20th Century Fox in the same year.[31] It was to be written byBrian Lynch and produced byJohn Davis,[32][33] and the film remained indevelopment hell for a number of years. In 2019, following theacquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, the film along with numerous other video game-based movies in development at Fox were canceled.[34]
In March 2024, it was announced thatLuckyChap Entertainment andVertigo Entertainment are set to produce a Sims film withKate Herron as director and co-writer alongside Briony Redman.[35] This was further confirmed by EA in September 2024, who announced that the film will be produced in collaboration withAmazon MGM Studios.[36][37] EA vice president and general manager ofThe Sims Kate Gorman citedBarbie (2023) as an inspiration, stating that they want to "make an impact the size of something like aBarbie movie".Margot Robbie, who starred inBarbie, is a co-founder of LuckyChap Entertainment.[36][37]
EA, in partnership withTurner Sports andBuzzFeed, createdThe Sims Spark'd, a four-episodereality competition television show that premiered on theTBS network on July 17, 2020. The series, filmed from December 9 to 14, 2019, features 12 contestants, selected from those known to featureThe Sims in their online gaming channels, tasked with challenges withinThe Sims 4 to create characters and stories following the challenge's themes and limitations. Each competitors creation is judged by a panel consisting ofYouTube personalityKelsey Impicciche, singer and songwriterTayla Parx, and EA Maxis developer Dave Miotke, with the finalist winning aUS$100,000 prize. The show is hosted byAmerican Idol season 14 finalistRayvon Owen.[38]
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