- The Sims franchise, a game known for creativity and self-expression, turns 25 this year. It has allowed players to build dream homes, design digital avatars, and live out endless possibilities since its release in 2000.
- The Sims 4 has become the most widely played game in the franchise’s history, with over 70 million players worldwide as of 2023.
- Creators are celebrating the milestone by re-releasing The Sims 1 and The Sims 2 for longtime fans and new players alike.
For 25 years, The Sims has been a go-to game for creativity and self-expression. The life simulation franchise lets players build dream homes, design digital selves and live out endless possibilities.
But people aren’t just playing the game anymore. In many ways, The Sims predicted how people express themselves in today’s digital world.
On Feb. 4, 2000, The Sims introduced a simple idea — what if you could create and control an entire life? The game’s success led to four main versions, with dozens of expansion packs and re-releases keeping the franchise fresh.
Its original release, The Sims 1, included a recommended reading list in the manual featuring literature and fictional titles meant to enhance players’ understanding of the game’s themes.
The evolution of The Sims
Despite its humor, The Sims became a blueprint for something bigger.
- The Sims 2 (2004) introduced complex emotions and family dynamics.
- The Sims 3 (2009) gave players a seamless open-world experience.
- The Sims 4 (2014) offered more customization than ever, allowing players to experience everything from college life to eco-friendly neighborhoods.
The franchise kept evolving, but players wanted even more control.
Mods — short for modifications — transformed The Sims beyond what developers originally designed.
Creators introduced highly detailed custom fashion, improved emotional responses, and even supernatural storylines. Some mods changed how Sims interact, adding realism with acne, social anxiety and personality tweaks. Others introduced entirely new fantasy worlds.
“When I was in high school, I thought I’d like to go into architecture,” one player said. “So when The Sims came along, it just seemed like the best outlet for me to show my creativity.”
The Sims’ real-world impact
According to a press release from EA, The Sims 4 is the most widely played game in franchise history, with more than 70 million players worldwide.
The franchise’s influence extends beyond gaming. The Sims has shaped how people interact online. Social media, virtual influencers and AI-driven self-expression reflect many ideas first explored in The Sims.
Players once designed characters with unique personas and controlled social lives in the game. Today, the same concept plays out in real life with AI-generated influencers and virtual identities.
Celebrating 25 years of The Sims
As The Sims enters its 25th year, EA is celebrating the game’s legacy. The company has re-released The Sims 1 and The Sims 2, allowing longtime fans and new players to experience the games that started it all.