Timeline of events in The Sims series

There are several family lineages and storylines that span multiple games in The Sims series. These lines can be used to create a rough timeline of events in the series.

Generally speaking, the events of The Sims 3 occur the earliest in the in-universe chronology of the series, followed by the events of The Sims and then The Sims 2. For example, Bob Newbie and Betty Simovitch appear as teenagers in The Sims 3, are married in The Sims, and have had a child and have died by The Sims 2. However, there are several instances (especially with The Sims 3) where events do not seem to agree with the in-universe chronology. There are several player theories which attempt to resolve these discrepancies, as well as some canonical alternatives, such as time travel in The Sims 3: Into the Future. The Sims 4 does not follow the in-universe chronology of the series, but does have some returning families, making it seem like an alternative universe.

Every one of The Sims game takes place in SimNation. In the series, SimNation is shown to be set around the 1990s, 2000s, or possibly even further on. An official interview with Bella Goth shows that she was abducted in the summer of 2004, meaning that The Sims 2 is probably set in or after 2004, placing The Sims 3 in 1954 and The Sims in 1979. However, if we were to keep consistent with technology and place The Sims 3 in 2009, then The Sims would be in 2034 and The Sims 2 in 2059. It shows modern, real-life technology such as TVs, cars, and computers - but also some futuristic, advanced technology such as Servo and the Teleportation Pad. The locations of The Sims games could be anywhere in the world, or even in a completely different universe altogether.

Original timeline
When trying to construct a timeline such as this, order of events often has to be inferred, or outright guessed-at, so the list for any period may not be in exact chronological order. Regardless, below is an incomplete timeline of the entire The Sims Series.

Long before The Sims 3

 * These events took place long before The Sims 3


 * Existence of dinosaurs in Appaloosa Plains.
 * Nectar was created by Jean Necteaux, an alleged ancestor of Anastasia Necteaux, over 6,000 years ago.
 * Reign of King Raymundo Rodiekhkare over Al Simhara.
 * Reign of Queen Hatshepsut over Al Simhara.
 * Reign of King Nayr and Queen Nosylla over Al Simhara.
 * Reign of Horus Menhoset IX, the son Horus Hipsomet the 4th and grandson of Horus Palimpsest the Plinth, for over 3,000 ago.
 * Construction of pyramids, the Sphinx and temples in Al Simhara.
 * Construction of the Forgotten Burial Mound and the Simhenge.
 * Making of the The Terracotta Army.
 * Reign of Dong Huo over Shang Simla.
 * Sims reach the lands of The Sims Medieval, possibly today's SimNation.
 * Existence of the Kingdom and other territories.
 * Construction of the The Temple of Heaven.
 * Admiral Landgraab was born in an unknown land, possibly Champs Les Sims.
 * Admiral Landgraab took credit for creating Nectar with Anastasia Necteaux.
 * Admiral Landgraab sent his men to kill Anastasia Necteaux and failed.
 * Admiral Landgraab and his men wandered into a tomb and were never seen again.
 * Judith Peynter lived in the late 17th century. She was seen as dangerous because she was a woman exercising a creative ability thought to be exclusively male.
 * Mad Mary McArthur, a pirate queen, lived in the early 1700s. Her pirate booty was buried on Vacation Island.
 * Monks found Starlight Shores 300 years before the start of The Sims 3.
 * Construction of the Sims University.
 * Ebenezer Alto founds Bridgeport at the turn of the century.
 * Construction of the mines in Bridgeport, Twinbrook, Riverview, Appaloosa Plains and Sunset Valley.

Before The Sims 3

 * These events took place before The Sims 3


 * Malcolm Landgraab I, of the Bluewater Village Landgraabs, is born, lives, and dies.
 * Birth of Marshall Curious
 * Birth of Cherish Curious to unknown parents
 * Birth of Rich Whelohff
 * Birth of Rosy Whelohff to unknown parents
 * Marriage of Marshall and Cherish Curious
 * Marriage of Rich and Rosy Whelohff
 * Birth of Bunny Curious
 * Birth of Zo Whelohff
 * Birth of Notzo Curious
 * Birth of Kermit Landgraab
 * Birth of Kitty Landgraab to unknown parents
 * Marriage of Kermit and Kitty Landgraab
 * Marriage of Notzo Curious and Zo Whelohff
 * Birth of Chester Landgraab
 * Birth of Queenie Landgraab to unknown parents
 * Birth of Victor Goth in an unknown land, possibly the Old Country
 * Birth of Gretle Goth in an unknown land, possibly the Old Country
 * Birth of Simon Crumplebottom
 * Birth of Prudence Crumplebottom
 * Birth of Milton Bachelor
 * Birth of Enriqueta Bachelor
 * Birth of Flat Broke
 * Birth of Flo Broke
 * Marriage of Chester and Queenie Landgraab
 * Birth of Nancy Landgraab
 * Birth of Geoffrey Landgraab to unknown parents
 * Birth of Malcolm Landgraab II
 * Birth of Marion Landgraab to unknown parents
 * Birth of Blair Buckingham
 * Birth of Virginia Buckingham to unknown parents
 * Death of Queenie Landgraab
 * Birth of Robert Newbie
 * Birth of Mags Newbie
 * Birth of Vadim Simovitch
 * Birth of Fatima Simovitch
 * Birth of Nick Alto
 * Birth of Vita Alto to unknown parents
 * Birth of Les Pleasant
 * Birth of Kynda Pleasant
 * Birth of Marshall Danders
 * Birth of Melinda Danders
 * Birth of Irma Oldie
 * Birth of Myron Oldie
 * Birth of Bruno Ruggbyrne
 * Birth of Mamie Ruggbyrne
 * Marriage of Victor and Gretle Goth
 * Marriage of Simon and Prudence Crumplebottom
 * Marriage of Milton and Enriqueta Bachelor
 * Marriage of Robert and Mags Newbie
 * Marriage of Vadim and Fatima Simovitch
 * Marriage of Les and Kynda Pleasant
 * Marriage of Bruno and Mamie Ruggbyrne
 * Marriage of Simon and Prudence Crumplebottom
 * Marriage of Marshall and Melinda Danders
 * Marriage of Nick and Vita Alto


 * Birth of Frida Goth
 * Birth of Gunther Goth, possibly in the Old Country
 * Birth of Cornelia Crumplebottom
 * Birth of Herb Oldie
 * Birth of Coral Ruggbyrne
 * Possible abandonment of her family by Mamie Ruggbyrne.
 * Birth of Simis Bachelor
 * Birth of Jocasta Bachelor to unknown parents
 * Birth of Erik Darling
 * Birth of Agnes Crumplebottom
 * Birth of Buck Broke
 * Birth of Mary Lu Broke
 * Marriage of Flat and Flo Broke
 * Marriage of Peponi and Lerato Muenda
 * Birth of Olive Muenda
 * Birth of Willow Muenda
 * Birth of Ginia Kat
 * Birth of Mama Hick
 * Marriage of Buck and Mary Lu Broke
 * Birth of Ruby Broke
 * Birth of Jeff Pleasant
 * Birth of Diane Danders
 * Birth of Brad Burb
 * Birth of Tiffany Marsh
 * Birth of Bob Newbie
 * Birth of Betty Simovitch
 * Birth or possible adoption of Holly Alto
 * Birth of Trigger Broke
 * Death of Lerato Muenda
 * Death of Peponi Muenda
 * Marriage of Gunther and Cornelia Goth
 * Marriage of Herb and Coral Oldie
 * Marriage of Simis and Jocasta Bachelor
 * Death of Victor Goth
 * Death of Gretle Goth
 * Death of Simon Crumplebottom
 * Death of Prudence Crumplebottom
 * Death of Milton Bachelor
 * Death of Enriqueta Bachelor
 * Birth of Michael Bachelor
 * Birth of Skip Broke
 * Birth of Susie Broke
 * Birth of Mortimer Goth, possibly in the Old Country
 * Birth of Bella Bachelor
 * Marriage of Agnes Crumplebottom and Erik Darling
 * Death of Erik Darling
 * The Goths moved from the "Old Country" to Sim City, where Gunther founded Sunset Valley
 * Birth of Malcolm Landgraab III
 * Birth of Margaret Buckingham
 * Birth of Malcolm Landgraab to Nancy and Geoffrey
 * Death of Chester Landgraab
 * Probable birth of Elden Hick
 * Don Lothario arrives in Riverview, via time travel
 * Prototype Simoid robots called "SimBots" begin to appear

After The Sims 3/before The Sims

 * These events took place in the period between The Sims 3 and The Sims. Some may have taken place "off screen" during the time frame of The Sims 3.
 * The Alto family leaves the area, never to return. Where they went and their reasons for leaving are unknown.
 * The Landgraab family appears to leave the area for a time, though Landgraab business interests remain.
 * Michael Bachelor goes to college
 * Marriage of Jeff Pleasant and Diane Danders
 * Marriage of Brad Burb and Tiffany Marsh
 * Marriage of Bob Newbie and Betty Simovitch
 * Marriage of Mortimer Goth and Bella Bachelor
 * Mortimer Goth creates Elixir of Life
 * Possible death of Simis and Jocasta Bachelor
 * The Broke family apparently leaves the area. Only Skip is definitely known to have returned.
 * Possible death of Flat and Flo Broke
 * Birth of Daniel Pleasant
 * Birth of John Burb
 * Birth of Cassandra Goth
 * Adoption of Mary-Sue Oldie by Herb and Coral Oldie
 * Probable access of Herb and Coral Oldie to Elixir of Life
 * Birth of Jennifer Pleasant
 * Michael Bachelor graduates from college
 * Possible death or disappearance of Cherish, Marshall and Bunny Curious
 * Possible death or disappearance of Rich and Rosy Whelohff
 * Possible marriage of Notzo Curious and Zo Whelohff
 * Possibly, the Curious family leaves Twinbrook and arrives in Strangetown
 * Birth of Glarn Curious to Notzo and Zo Curious
 * Birth of Glabe Curious to unknown parents
 * Glarn Curious marries Glabe Curious
 * Abduction of Glarn Curious
 * Birth of Lola and Chloe Curious
 * Glarn Curious leaves Glabe with the twins, and then dates Kitty Hogleg
 * Death of Glabe Curious
 * Marriage of Glarn Curious and Kitty Hogleg
 * Possible death of Notzo and Zo Curious
 * Possibly, the Nigmos family arrives in Strangetown
 * Possible birth or adoption of Jenny Curious.
 * Possible birth of Pascal Curious
 * Possible birth of Vidcund Curious
 * Possible birth of Lazlo Curious
 * Shiny Things, Inc. introduces Servos to the mass market

The Sims 3 console

 * Some console versions seem to be set between The Sims 3 and The Sims for PC. However, it's not always certain how events in these versions fit into the main continuity.
 * The death of Malcolm's parents
 * Cassandra's disappearance
 * Malcolm and Mom's marriage
 * Birth of Dudley and Mimi Landgraab
 * Divorce of Malcolm and Mom
 * Malcolm's eviction
 * Cassandra's return
 * Malcolm Landgraab, of Sunset Valley, arrives in Moonlight Bay
 * Marriage of Malcolm Landgraab and Hannelore Landgraab
 * Birth of Adrien Landgraab.

After The Sims/before The Sims 2

 * These events took place in the period between The Sims and The Sims 2. Some may have taken place "off screen" during the time frame of The Sims.
 * Invention of the various aspiration rewards.
 * Possible death or disappearance of Buck, Susie, Trigger, and Ruby Broke
 * Possible birth of Malcolm Landgraab IV
 * Death of Malcolm Landgraab III and Margaret Landgraab
 * Marriage of Skip Broke and Brandi Newbie
 * Death of Bob Newbie
 * Birth of Dustin Broke
 * Death of Betty Newbie
 * Marriage of Daniel Pleasant and Mary-Sue Oldie
 * Birth of the Pleasant twins, Angela and Lilith
 * Marriage of Darren Dreamer and Darleen Matlapin
 * Birth of Dirk Dreamer
 * Death of Darleen Dreamer
 * Death of Agnes Crumplebottom
 * Death of Gunther Goth
 * Birth of Alexander Goth
 * Marriage of John Burb and Jennifer Pleasant
 * Birth of Lucy Burb
 * Death of Skip Broke
 * Birth of Beau Broke
 * Marriage of Michael Bachelor and Dina Caliente
 * Death of Cornelia Goth
 * Mortimer Goth reaches the top of the Science career.
 * Death of Michael Bachelor
 * Angela dates Dustin
 * Lilith dates Dirk
 * Nina and Dina Caliente arrives in Pleasantview on the eve of Bella Goth's abduction.
 * Bella Goth gets abducted
 * Mortimer retires
 * Engagement of Don and Cassandra
 * Mortimer dates Dina.
 * Vidcund Curious and Circe Salamis date and then went steady
 * General Buzz Grunt dates Lyla Vandermorgan
 * Circe Salamis breaks up with Vidcund Curious
 * Circe Salamis dates Loki Beaker
 * Pollination Technician 9 leaves alien civilization and then dates Jenny Curious
 * Marriage of Pollination Technician 9 and Jenny Curious
 * Marriage of Buzz Grunt and Lyla Vandermorgan
 * Marriage of Loki Beaker and Circe Salamis
 * Possible birth of Nervous Subject
 * Nervous Subject is taken away by the Social Worker
 * Possible birth of Johnny Smith
 * Possible birth of Ophelia Nigmos
 * Possible birth of Tank Grunt
 * Possible birth of Ripp Grunt
 * Possible birth of Buck Grunt
 * Possible birth of Jill Smith
 * Lazlo dates Crystal Vu
 * Death of Glarn Curious
 * Abduction of Pascal Curious
 * Impregnation of Pascal Curious by Pollination
 * Lyla divorces Buzz Grunt and leaves
 * Lyla dies
 * Marriage of Olive Thanasia and Ichabod Specter
 * Death of Creon and Willow Nigmos
 * Ophelia Nigmos moves in with her aunt Olive
 * Invention of Roverbots and Hoverbots
 * Servos are re-introduced, as fully self-aware Artificial Intelligences

The Sims 2 console
These events took place after The Sims 2 for PC.
 * The end of Pollination
 * Birth of Tycho Curious
 * Death of Nervous Subject
 * Beakers kidnap Gimi Branko, the garbage man to replace Nervous Subject
 * Death of Olive Specter
 * Don, Dina and Nina move to Strangetown
 * Ophelia Nigmos changes her last name to Specter
 * Ophelia Nigmos move into an old meetinghouse
 * The Smith family, Grunt family and Curious family are moved to Division 47

The Sims 2 Game Boy Advance

 * Bella Goth returns to her family sometime prior to Alexander Goth's birthday.

After The Sims 2
These events are confirmed to occur after The Sims 2. Although the future of The Sims is left up to the player's imagination, some things are very likely to happen, as The Sims 2 has already "set the stage" for them. Please note that these events are not confirmed by EA and are purely speculation! Here is a list of events which could possibly happen when The Sims 2 for PC lets the player take control:
 * Alexander Goth moves to Beacon Bay
 * Alexander Goth marries Cecilia Goth
 * Holly Alto appears in Beacon Bay
 * Wulf Goth and Trish Goth are born (Parents unknown)
 * Wulf Goth marries Trish Goth
 * Wulf and Trish Goth go to Vista Beach
 * Don Lothario sent to Riverview in the past
 * Dina Caliente and Nina Caliente move in with Luisa Libros in Barnacle Bay
 * Bella Goth appears in Littlehaven
 * Bella Goth dies at Lunar Lakes
 * Death of Mortimer Goth
 * Death of Patrizio Monty
 * Death of Consort Capp
 * Don Lothario leaves Cassandra Goth at the altar, or marries her for money
 * Possible marriage of Cassandra Goth and Darren Dreamer, after divorcing Don or him leaving her at the altar
 * Possible alien abduction and pollination of Vidcund Curious
 * Birth of Brandi Broke's third son, possibly named "Skip" after his deceased father
 * Death of Herb Oldie
 * Death of Coral Oldie
 * Mary-Sue Pleasant or one of her daughters catches Daniel Pleasant cheating on Mary-Sue with Kaylynn, the family's maid
 * Mary-Sue and Daniel Pleasant get divorced, Daniel then marries Kaylynn Langerak.
 * Lilith Pleasant breaks up with Dirk Dreamer and marries Dustin Broke (many players expect this to happen, as Lilith seemingly has less in common her own boyfriend than with her sister's)
 * Angela Pleasant breaks up with Dustin Broke and marries Dirk Dreamer, at the same time as the event above
 * Possible marriage of Ophelia Nigmos and Johnny Smith
 * Jill Smith grows up and dates Buck Grunt
 * Possible marriage of Kent Capp and Bianca Monty.
 * Possible marriage of Romeo Monty and Juliette Capp.
 * Possible marriage of Puck Summerdream and Hermia Capp.
 * Monty/Capp family feud ends due to lack of interest among the younger generations.

Long after The Sims 2

 * These events took place long after The Sims 2
 * Founding of Oasis Landing
 * Invention of Plumbots
 * Birth of Emit Relevart
 * Emit Relevart moves in to Oasis Landing

Alternate timeline
In The Sims 4 and The Sims FreePlay there is an alternate timeline, meaning that things of the original timeline worked out differently. This alternate timeline possibly was created through the use of time travel with the time machine in The Sims 3: Ambitions and the time portal in The Sims 3: Into the Future.

The events of The Sims 4 are possibly set between the ones of The Sims and The Sims 2 of the original timeline.

Long before The Sims 4

 * These events took place long before The Sims 4
 * Existence of Tyrannosaurus rex' in Mesozoic (70 Million years ago).
 * Existence of the Omisca in Selvadorada.
 * Existence of the Ottoman Sampire.
 * The construction of the Ancient Ruins and The Bluffs, and the presence of their civilizations.
 * Count Vladislaus Straud I founded Forgotten Hollow 200 years ago.
 * The Von Haunt Estate burns down in a fire, killing Lord Bernard Escargot Shallot IV and Lady Mimsy Alcorn Shallot in 1898.
 * The Married Couple, were after a local myth former a prince and his forbidden love, which have been enchanted and so be together forever.
 * Giant sloths invade Princess Cordelia's kingdom, forcing the princess and the kingdom's residents to evacuate.
 * Madre Cosecha helped the people of Selvadorada during a great famine. During that time, the Giant Omisca Cricket also became extinct.
 * The construction of the mine which leads to the Forgotten Grotto.
 * A mysterious shipwreck crashed on to Deadgrass Isle's shore, bringing cats and dogs to Brindleton Bay.

Differences from the original timeline

 * The Landgraab family moved to Oasis Springs and didn't stay in Sunset Valley until Malcolm moved to Moonlight Bay as a young adult.
 * In The Sims Freeplay, 34 Sims come together and make the town of Simtown.
 * The mother of Nina and Dina Caliente is Katrina Caliente and not Nighat Caliente, giving the Caliente twins a slightly different appearance because of their different genetical origin.
 * Young adult Nina and Dina Caliente are living in Oasis Springs and not in Barnacle Bay.
 * Holly Alto, Dustin Broke and Dirk Dreamer all reside in Del Sol Valley, instead of living in the neighborhoods from the games they originally appeared in. All of them also have major genetical differences from their original counterparts and are young adults, rather than teenagers.
 * Bella Goth was not abducted by aliens.