The Sims

The Sims Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS Release date(s) February 4, 2000 Cheats

The Sims is a life simulator, a spin-off from the SimCity series, released in February 4, 2000 for US and February 28, 2000 for EU, which has in turn eclipsed SimCity in popularity since it's release in 2000. The game puts players in control of isometric neighborhoods and people, or "Sims". Originally released for the PC, the game has also been ported to the Mac, and versions have been released for several video game systems.

First released on February 4, 2000, the base game has sold more than 6.3 million copies. The franchise has sold over 58 million units. Since its initial release, seven expansion packs and a sequel, The Sims 2 (with own expansion packs), have been released.

Sims require direction, via mouse inputs, in order to have their needs met and live their lives efficiently. Sims have a degree of free will, but not enough to be considered completely independent. The residential lot which individual sims or families call home can be upgraded both in terms of the structure (Build Mode) and the furniture which occupies it (Buy Mode).

Overview

Strictly speaking there is no primary objective to The Sims: It is open-ended and players are free to decide for themselves what constitutes success or failure. The game does however have plenty of clear secondary objectives, such as career and relationship success, although there are no set rewards for this. The player will need to make his Sim successful in many ways. Players must fulfill their need to sleep, eat and many other just like real human beings. They will also need to find a job, be promoted, or even marrying other Sims so that one can have a successful family life.

The architecture and the artificial intelligence system are both praised by players. Players will need to build a well-designed house and put in different objects to fulfill the Sim's needs. Sims can only interact with the object in their house. A player can control the maximum of 8 Sims at a time, the Sim you are controlling can be identified by the plumbob over his head.

The plumbob

Origin

After suffering a fire, which burned away all his possessions, Will Wright was forced to find a new home and rebuild his life. At this moment, he thought of a game the simulates life. Linking his ideas with the SimCity series he has developed. In 1993, he proposed the idea to Maxis, but Maxis denied it, thinking that the computers at that time cannot handle such game. In 1995, he proposed it again to EA Games, this time, he was accepted. EA Games named it Project X. In 1997, the name changed into The Sims, and thus the game is formed. The Sims promotions were first seen when installing SimCity 3000 CD.

File:SimsPromo.JPG

The screenshot of the first promotion video

Compilations and Expansions

Expansion Packs

The Sims spawned 7 Expansion packs(EPs).

• Livin' Large (UK title: Livin' It Up)
• House Party
• Hot Date
• Vacation (UK title: On Holiday)
• Unleashed
• Superstar
• Makin' Magic

Compilations with the original The Sims game

The Sims has now been repackaged in numerous editions. These editions are not expansions in themselves, but rather a compilation of the basic game plus pre-existing expansion packs and additional game content. These editions include:

North American releases

Name	Windows release date	Features
The Sims Deluxe Edition	2002	Core game; The Sims: Livin' Large; The Sims Creator; The Sims Creator; exclusive contents.
The Sims Double Deluxe	2003	The Sims Deluxe Edition; The Sims: House Party; bonus content.
The Sims Mega Deluxe	May 25, 2004	The Sims Double Deluxe; The Sims: Hot Date.
The Sims Complete Collection	November, 2005	Core game; all seven expansion packs; The Sims Deluxe Edition exclusive content; The Sims Double Deluxe bonus content; The Sims Creator.

Releases in other regions

Name	Region	Windows release date	Features
The Sims Triple Deluxe	United Kingdom	2003	The Sims Double Deluxe; The Sims: Vacation.
The Complete Collection of The Sims	United Kingdom	2004	Core game; The Sims Deluxe Edition exclusive content; all seven expansion packs; The Sims Creator.
The Sims: Full House	Australia; New Zealand	n/a	Core game; all seven expansion packs; disc containing preview of The Sims 2.

Compilations of expansion packs

An expansion collection series was released in 2005:

• The Sims: Expansion Collection Volume One consists of The Sims: Unleashed and The Sims: House Party.
• The Sims: Expansion Collection Volume Two consists of The Sims: Hot Date and The Sims: Makin' Magic.
• The Sims: Expansion Collection Volume Three consists of The Sims: Vacation and The Sims: Superstar.

Another expansion collection series was also released in 2005:

• The Sims: Expansion Three-Pack Volume 1 consists of The Sims: Unleashed, The Sims: Superstar, and The Sims: House Party.
• The Sims: Expansion Three-Pack Volume 2 consists of The Sims: Hot Date, The Sims: Vacation, and The Sims: Makin' Magic.

Custom Content

The game was designed to allow players to customize their experience with additional skins and buy/build mode items available from the official Sims website [1] or third party fan-sites.

External links

• Official sites
  • The Sims official web site
  • The Sims 2 official web site