What is The Sims?
The Sims is a best-selling video game series developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The first game in the series was released in 2000 for Microsoft Windows. Since then, the franchise has expanded to include several sequels and spin-off games that have been released on multiple platforms including PC, Mac, consoles, smartphones and tablets.
The Sims games belong to the life simulation genre where players control virtual people called "Sims". Much like in real life, Sims have various needs and wants that the player is responsible for fulfilling, such as finding them a job, ensuring they have enough food, sleep and fun activities. A major part of the gameplay revolves around building and decorating homes for the Sims.
One of the defining features of the series is the amount of customization and personalization it allows. Players can finely tune their Sims' appearances, personalities and behaviors. They are also encouraged to tell their own open-ended stories by putting their Sims in various situations and relationships. The games offer an enormous selection of expansion packs that add new items, locations and gameplay options for customizing the experience.
With its funny simulations of daily life, vibrant style and relatable characters, The Sims has gained widespread popularity over the years. As of 2022, The Sims series has sold over 200 million copies worldwide across all platforms, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.