The Sims Online: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox game |
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{{Game |
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|name = The Sims Online |
|name = The Sims Online |
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|image = [[ |
|image = [[File:TSO front.jpg|250px]] |
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|caption = |
|caption = |
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|developer = [[Maxis]] |
|developer = [[Maxis]] |
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|series = [[The Sims series|The Sims]] |
|series = [[The Sims series|The Sims]] |
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|platforms = [[wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]] |
|platforms = [[wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]] |
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|release = {{vgrelease|NA=December 17, 2002}} |
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|genre = [[Wikipedia:massively multiplayer online game|MMOG]] |
|genre = [[Wikipedia:massively multiplayer online game|MMOG]] |
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|modes = [[wikipedia:Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]] |
|modes = [[wikipedia:Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]] |
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|input = [[Wikipedia:Mouse (computing)|Mouse]], [[wikipedia:Keyboard (computing)|keyboard]] |
|input = [[Wikipedia:Mouse (computing)|Mouse]], [[wikipedia:Keyboard (computing)|keyboard]] |
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}} |
}} |
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[[File:The Sims Online Logo.png|left|75px]]'''''The Sims Online''''', or '''''TSO''''', was a massively multiplayer online game. It was based on ''[[The Sims]]'', and offered online play with other gamers via PC. It was published by [[Electronic Arts]] and released on December 17, 2002 for Windows. After the popularity of the game waned, the name was changed to ''EA Land''; the change failed, and ''EA Land'' was permanently shut down by EA on August 1, 2008.<ref>http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/29/ea-land-the-sims-online-joins-the-deadpool</ref> This shutdown is commonly referred to as the "EA Land Sunset". |
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In 2011, a new online based game known as ''[[The Sims Social]]'' was announced as a [[Wikipedia:Facebook|Facebook]] application and it is considered by some to be a new version of ''The Sims Online''. In 2013, ''The Sims Social'' was shut down by EA due to lack of popularity. |
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[[File:SimsonlineSimsDE005.jpg|thumb|The Sims online promo found in the back of the jewel case of the The Sims Deluxe Edition.]] |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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| ⚫ | There were [[Neighborhoods in The Sims Online|twelve cities]] for a [[Sim]] to choose. Players needed to train [[skills]] ([[mechanical]], [[cooking]], [[charisma]], [[body]], [[creativity (skill)|creativity]], and [[logic]]) to unlock new [[interactions]] and [[career]]s. A player increased skills usually by visiting Skill category properties, as skill could be increased at a faster rate when multiple Sims worked on the same skill concurrently. These Skill properties, or "Skill Houses" as they were commonly referred to in the game, usually specialized in only one or two skills, as was often mentioned in the property's name. |
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There were 12 cities for a [[Sim]] to choose: |
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*'''[[Mount Fuji]]''' -- Targeted at the Asian market. |
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*'''[[Calvin's Creek]]''' -- A small close-knit town. |
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*'''[[Interhogan]]''' |
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*'''[[East Jerome]]''' |
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*'''[[Fancy Fields]]''' |
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*'''[[Test Center]]''' -- Sims start with 3 times the start-up money of other cities, in return for never being able to leave. |
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*'''[[Blazing Falls]]''' -- One of the most populated cities. |
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*'''[[Alphaville]]''' -- One of the most populated cities. |
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*'''[[Dan's Grove]]''' -- A small close-knit town. |
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*'''[[Jolly Pines]]''' |
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*'''[[Dragon's Cove]]''' -- "Hardcore city": Harder objectives, energy is lost quicker, items cost twice as much. |
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*'''[[Betaville]]''' -- Created to test new functions; had the ability to create a family of adult Sims and to adjust their level of free will. |
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*'''Test Center 3''' -- Created as of the TSO-E Project; merged with Test Center on December 4. |
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| ⚫ | Players needed to train [[skills]] ([[mechanical]], [[cooking]], [[charisma]], [[body]], [[creativity (skill)|creativity]], and [[logic]]) to unlock new [[interactions]] and [[career]]s. A player increased skills usually by visiting Skill category properties, as skill could be increased at a faster rate when multiple Sims worked on the same skill concurrently. These Skill properties, or "Skill Houses" as they were commonly referred to in the game, usually specialized in only one or two skills, as was often mentioned in the property's name. |
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==Controversy== |
==Controversy== |
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There was some controversy in ''The Sims Online'' concerning some players who were setting up virtual brothels in the game, exchanging [[ |
There was some controversy in ''The Sims Online'' concerning some players who were setting up virtual brothels in the game, exchanging virtual [[WooHoo]] for [[Simoleons]]. |
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==EA Land== |
==EA Land== |
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After ''The Sims Online'' had been somewhat of a failure, EA changed the name from ''The Sims Online'' to ''EA Land''. |
After ''The Sims Online'' had been somewhat of a failure, EA changed the name from ''The Sims Online'' to ''EA Land''. They also implemented some other changes: |
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* All cities were merged into one megacity known as EA Land, with the exception of Test Center 3, which remained as a testing ground for new features. |
* All cities were merged into one megacity known as EA Land, with the exception of Test Center 3, which remained as a testing ground for new features. |
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==Revival== |
==Revival== |
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In October 2010, a small team of professional programmers revealed the [http://www.tsorestoration.com TSO Restoration Project](dead link). They stated that they will be bringing back TSO free of charge through a private server. |
In October 2010, a small team of professional programmers revealed the [http://www.tsorestoration.com TSO Restoration Project](dead link). They stated that they will be bringing back TSO free of charge through a private server.<ref>http://www.tsorestoration.com</ref> However the project was officially cancelled on September 21, 2011 due to a cease and desist letter from EA.<ref>[http://isims.us/2011/09/the-sims-online-restoration-threatened-to-the-ground/ The Sims Online Restoration Threatened to the Ground | iSims]</ref> The team has since forked into [http://freeso.org/ FreeSO], and [http://niotso.org Niotso], which are ongoing attempts to revive the game with new and completely separate engines from the original. |
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FreeSO has since incorporated most of the original game's features (like skills and jobs) while also introducing new content. Most notably, FreeSO introduced a true 3D mode that uses the game's existing objects to automatically generate textures and meshes. As of May 2019, the FreeSO project remains active and under ongoing development. |
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However the project was officially cancelled on September 21st, 2011 due to a cease and desist letter from EA.<ref>[http://isims.us/2011/09/the-sims-online-restoration-threatened-to-the-ground/ The Sims Online Restoration Threatened to the Ground | iSims]</ref> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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{{The Sims navigation}} |
{{The Sims navigation}} |
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{{Sims}} |
{{Sims|state5=uncollapsed}} |
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[[es:Los Sims Online]] |
[[es:Los Sims Online]] |
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[[fr:Les Sims Online]] |
[[fr:Les Sims Online]] |
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[[pt:The Sims Online]] |
[[pt:The Sims Online]] |
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[[ru:The Sims Online]] |
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[[Category:Games|Sims Online, The]] |
[[Category:Games|Sims Online, The]] |
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[[Category:Online games]] |
[[Category:Online games|Sims Online, The]] |
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[[Category:The Sims Online| ]] |
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[[Category:Shut down games]] |
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Latest revision as of 18:28, 1 October 2020
| The Sims Online | |
|---|---|
| |
| Box art for The Sims Online | |
| Development | |
| Developer(s) | Maxis |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Ratings | ESRB: T ACB: E |
| Series | The Sims |
| Release date(s) | NA December 17, 2002 |
| Technical information | |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Media | CD, digital download |
| Input methods | Mouse, keyboard |
| Game features | |
| Genres | MMOG |
The Sims Online, or TSO, was a massively multiplayer online game. It was based on The Sims, and offered online play with other gamers via PC. It was published by Electronic Arts and released on December 17, 2002 for Windows. After the popularity of the game waned, the name was changed to EA Land; the change failed, and EA Land was permanently shut down by EA on August 1, 2008.[1] This shutdown is commonly referred to as the "EA Land Sunset".
In 2011, a new online based game known as The Sims Social was announced as a Facebook application and it is considered by some to be a new version of The Sims Online. In 2013, The Sims Social was shut down by EA due to lack of popularity.
Overview[edit | edit source]
There were twelve cities for a Sim to choose. Players needed to train skills (mechanical, cooking, charisma, body, creativity, and logic) to unlock new interactions and careers. A player increased skills usually by visiting Skill category properties, as skill could be increased at a faster rate when multiple Sims worked on the same skill concurrently. These Skill properties, or "Skill Houses" as they were commonly referred to in the game, usually specialized in only one or two skills, as was often mentioned in the property's name.
Controversy[edit | edit source]
There was some controversy in The Sims Online concerning some players who were setting up virtual brothels in the game, exchanging virtual WooHoo for Simoleons.
EA Land[edit | edit source]
After The Sims Online had been somewhat of a failure, EA changed the name from The Sims Online to EA Land. They also implemented some other changes:
- All cities were merged into one megacity known as EA Land, with the exception of Test Center 3, which remained as a testing ground for new features.
- Existing users could buy land in EA Land.
- Users could create and upload custom content, and purchase custom content from other users, subject to approval from EA.
Many previous users from TSO didn't welcome the recent changes, because of the limits placed on free accounts and the requirement of paying $9.95 monthly to keep your account for over a year.[citation needed]
Further disappointment and lack of any new content to keep the users staying caused many users to quit. Eventually an official message was posted, ending EA Land permanently on August 1, 2008.
Revival[edit | edit source]
In October 2010, a small team of professional programmers revealed the TSO Restoration Project(dead link). They stated that they will be bringing back TSO free of charge through a private server.[2] However the project was officially cancelled on September 21, 2011 due to a cease and desist letter from EA.[3] The team has since forked into FreeSO, and Niotso, which are ongoing attempts to revive the game with new and completely separate engines from the original.
FreeSO has since incorporated most of the original game's features (like skills and jobs) while also introducing new content. Most notably, FreeSO introduced a true 3D mode that uses the game's existing objects to automatically generate textures and meshes. As of May 2019, the FreeSO project remains active and under ongoing development.
External links[edit | edit source]
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es:Los Sims Online
fr:Les Sims Online
pt:The Sims Online
ru:The Sims Online