The Sims (series): Difference between revisions

==Mainline games==

[[File:TheSims4thGenLogo.png|thumb|250px|The current ''The Sims'' series logo (from ''[[The Sims 4]]'').]]

''[[The Sims]]'' is the first game in the franchise, released in 2000 as a spin-off of the SimCity series. The game was met with critical acclaim and received numerous awards, and has sold more than 6 million units to date.<ref>[http://callcenterinfo.tmcnet.com/news/2005/feb/1114806.htm "The Sims Franchise Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary and Continues to Break Records"<!-- Bot Generated Title -->]. Retrieved on 2 October 2014.</ref> It ranks among the [[Wikipedia:List of best-selling PC video games|best-selling PC video games in history]]. The success of the initial release led to the creation of a total of seven themed expansion packs for the game; ''[[The Sims: Livin' Large|Livin' Large]]'', ''[[The Sims: House Party|House Party]]'', ''[[The Sims: Hot Date|Hot Date]]'', ''[[The Sims: Vacation|Vacation]]'', ''[[The Sims: Unleashed|Unleashed]]'', ''[[The Sims: Superstar|Superstar]]'', and ''[[The Sims: Makin' Magic|Makin' Magic]]''.

Due to the success of the game on PC, a [[The Sims (console)|console version]] of the game was produced. Unlike the PC game, the console version is rendered in full 3D and additionally features multiplayer gameplay. The console version of ''The Sims'' was followed by ''[[The Sims Bustin' Out (console)|The Sims Bustin' Out]]'' and ''[[The Urbz: Sims in the City]]'' both for the Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Handheld editions of ''[[The Sims Bustin' Out (handheld)|Bustin' Out]]'' and ''[[The Urbz: Sims in the City (handheld)|The Urbz]]'' were released for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS.

''[[The Sims 2]]'' was released in 2004 as the follow up to the successful first game, introducing fully 3D environments, age progression for [[Sim]]s, and [[genetics]], among numerous additions. The sequel was also met with great success, spawning eight gameplay expansion packs; ''[[The Sims 2: University|University]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Nightlife|Nightlife]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Open for Business|Open for Business]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Pets|Pets]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Seasons|Seasons]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Bon Voyage|Bon Voyage]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: FreeTime|FreeTime]]'', and ''[[The Sims 2: Apartment Life|Apartment Life]]''. For the first time, additional [[content pack]]s were introduced in the form of "Stuff packs", which add new objects, lots, hairstyles and clothing; ''[[The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff|Family Fun Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Glamour Life Stuff|Glamour Life Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Happy Holiday Stuff|Happy Holiday Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Celebration! Stuff|Celebration! Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: H&M Fashion Stuff|H&M Fashion Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Teen Style Stuff|Teen Style Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff|Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: IKEA Home Stuff|IKEA Home Stuff]]'', and ''[[The Sims 2: Mansion & Garden Stuff|Mansion & Garden Stuff]]''. Towards the end of support for ''The Sims 2'', an [[The Sims 2: Store Edition|online store]] was launched selling exclusive content and individual items from expansion packs, in the form of microtransactions.

A console version of ''[[The Sims 2 (console)|The Sims 2]]'' was produced, which allows players to directly control their Sims for the first time. The game was followed by ''[[The Sims 2: Pets (console)|The Sims 2: Pets]]'', ''[[The Sims 2: Castaway]]'', and ''[[The Sims 2: Apartment Pets]]'' exclusively for the Nintendo DS.

''[[The Sims 3]]'' launched in 2009, introducing sweeping changes to the series. The formerly segregated lots are unified into open worlds that Sims can fully explore, the point-based personality system is replaced with a series of self-descriptive [[Trait (The Sims 3)|traits]] that influence a Sim's behaviour, and the appearance of objects can be customised using an in-game texture compositor, known as "[[Create a Style]]" (CAST). For the first in the series, new features were introduced in subsequent patches, including a basement tool, tattoos, diving boards, traits, improvements to [[Create a Sim]], objects and other gameplay enhancements.

As with previous games, a console version of ''[[The Sims 3 (console)|The Sims 3]]'' was released for PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360, as well as a portable version for Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and mobiles. Unlike previous console editions, this version of ''The Sims 3'' is a port of the PC game. The game was followed by ''[[The Sims 3: Pets (console)|The Sims 3: Pets]]'' for Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Mobile versions of ''[[The Sims 3: World Adventures (smartphone)|World Adventures]]'', ''[[The Sims 3: Ambitions (smartphone)|Ambitions]]'', ''[[The Sims 3: Supernatural (smartphone)|Supernatural]]'' were also produced, featuring different gameplay to the PC games.

''[[The Sims 4]]'' was released in 2014 as the fourth iteration in the series with major overhauls to [[Create-A-Sim]] (CAS), [[Live Mode]] and [[Build Mode]]. CAS has a new interface whereby players can simply click and drag different parts of a Sim to modify their features, instead of using numerical sliders. Build mode now functions as a room-based system, whereby individual rooms are recognised and can be easily moved or manipulated. Build Mode also sees the addition of multiple new tools, and increases flexibility in object placement. In Live Mode, Sims experience [[emotion]]s which will affect their behaviour, the Sims around them, and extreme emotions can even be fatal to a Sim experiencing them. ''The Sims 4'' also introduces an in-game content sharing system known as the [[Gallery]]. Players can instantly upload their creations to the Gallery, or seamlessly download the creations of others to add to their game.

As of November 2017, four expansion packs have been released for ''The Sims 4''; ''[[The Sims 4: Get to Work|Get to Work]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Get Together|Get Together]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: City Living|City Living]]'', and ''[[Cats & Dogs]]''. For the first time, smaller-scale "Game packs" are introduced, which add new content and gameplay centered around a specific theme; ''[[The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat|Outdoor Retreat]]'' allows Sims to go camping in the wilderness, ''[[The Sims 4: Spa Day|Spa Day]]'' features day spas where Sims can partake in a variety of relaxing treatments and activities, ''[[The Sims 4: Dine Out|Dine Out]]'' reintroduces the ability to dine at and own restaurants, ''[[The Sims 4: Vampires|Vampires]]'' marks the return of the vampire lifestate, ''[[The Sims 4: Parenthood|Parenthood]]'' allows Sims to shape their children's lives into adulthood, and ''[[The Sims 4: Jungle Adventure|Jungle Adventure]]'' allows Sims to explore a jungle. Unlike most packs from previous games, the stuff packs for ''The Sims 4'' introduce minor gameplay elements in addition to new content; ''[[The Sims 4: Luxury Party Stuff|Luxury Party Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Perfect Patio Stuff|Perfect Patio Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Cool Kitchen Stuff|Cool Kitchen Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Spooky Stuff|Spooky Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Movie Hangout Stuff|Movie Hangout Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Romantic Garden Stuff|Romantic Garden Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Kids Room Stuff|Kids Room Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Backyard Stuff|Backyard Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Vintage Glamour Stuff|Vintage Glamour Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Bowling Night Stuff|Bowling Night Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Fitness Stuff|Fitness Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Toddler Stuff|Toddler Stuff]]'', ''[[The Sims 4: Laundry Day Stuff|Laundry Day Stuff]]'', and ''[[The Sims 4: My First Pet Stuff|My First Pet Stuff]]''.

==Spin-off games==