Editing The Sims (video game)

{{Short description|2000 video game}}
{{About|the video game|the series|The Sims{{!}}''The Sims''}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = The Sims
| image = The Sims Coverart.png
| caption = Microsoft Windows cover art
| developer = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Maxis]]}}|Westlake Interactive<small> (Mac)</small><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sims For Mac |url=https://www.gamespot.com/app.php/articles/the-sims-for-mac/1100-2565580/ |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915142001/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertagids&topUrl=www.gamespot.com&gdpr=0&gdpr_consent= |url-status=live }}</ref>|[[Edge of Reality]] <small>(consoles)</small>}}
| publisher = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Electronic Arts]]{{efn|Published for consoles under the [[EA Games]] label}}}}|[[Aspyr Media]]<small> (Mac)</small>|[[TransGaming]]<small> (Linux)</small>}}
| director = 
| producer = Kana Ryan
| designer = [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]]
| programmer = Jeffrey Charvat<br/>Jim Mackraz
| artist = Charles London
| writer = Sean Baity
| composer = [[Jerry Martin (composer)|Jerry Martin]]<br/>[[Marc Russo]]
| series = ''[[The Sims]]''
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]], [[macOS|Mac OS X]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Linux]], [[GameCube]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]{{efn|The Xbox version of this game is not compatible with [[Xbox 360]].}}
| released = '''Microsoft Windows'''<br/>{{vgrelease|NA|February 4, 2000<ref>{{Cite press release |title=EA'S Groundbreaking Franchise The Sims Turns Ten |date=February 4, 2010 |publisher=Electronic Arts |location=Redwood City |url=https://www.ea.com/news/groundbreaking-franchise-the-sims-turns-ten |last1=Ltucker |access-date=January 31, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510005852/http://www.ea.com/news/groundbreaking-franchise-the-sims-turns-ten |archive-date=May 10, 2013}}</ref>|EU|February 11, 2000<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 11, 2000 |title=Game Guide |magazine=Computer Trade Weekly |location=United Kingdom |issue=776 |page=45}}</ref>}}'''Mac OS'''<br/>{{vgrelease|NA|July 18, 2000<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-06-20 |title=Aspyr: Inside Aspyr |url=http://www.aspyr.com/inside.php?p_query=events |access-date=2023-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030620202408/http://www.aspyr.com/inside.php?p_query=events |archive-date=June 20, 2003 }}</ref>}}'''PlayStation 2'''<br/>{{vgrelease|NA|January 14, 2003<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sims PS2 goes gold |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sims-ps2-goes-gold/1100-2907419/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>|EU|January 31, 2003<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-01-31 |title=What's New? |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47329 |access-date=2023-03-27 |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327233552/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47329 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}'''Linux'''{{vgrelease|NA|March 12, 2003<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 12, 2003 |title=''The Sims'' on Linux - On Its Own - Available Today |url=http://www.transgaming.com/news.php?newsid=60 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030404050456/http://www.transgaming.com/news.php?newsid=60 |archive-date=April 4, 2003 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=[[TransGaming]]}}</ref>}}'''GameCube''', '''Xbox'''<br/>{{vgrelease|NA|March 25, 2003<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sims Ships - XboxAddict News |url=https://xboxaddict.com/news/3172/The-Sims-Ships.html |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=xboxaddict.com |language=en |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327233556/https://xboxaddict.com/news/3172/The-Sims-Ships.html |url-status=live }}</ref>|EU|April 4, 2003<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-04-04 |title=What's New? |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47681 |access-date=2023-03-27 |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327233554/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47681 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Social simulation game|Social simulation]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
[[Multi-player video game| Multi-player]]
}}

'''''The Sims''''' is a [[social simulation video game]] developed by [[Maxis]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]] in 2000. The game allows players to create and control virtual people, called "Sims", and manage their daily lives in a suburban setting. The game features an open-ended gameplay, where players can choose their own goals and objectives, and customize their Sims' appearance, personality, skills, relationships, and environment. A series of expansion packs were also released that add new content and features to the game, such as new careers, items, locations, and scenarios.

The game's development was led by [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]], and the game was a follow-up to Wright's earlier ''[[SimCity]]'' series. Wright was inspired to create the game by [[Christopher Alexander]]'s 1977 book ''[[A Pattern Language]]'', and [[Scott McCloud]]'s 1993 book ''[[Understanding Comics]]'' later played a role in the game's design. [[Expansion packs for The Sims|Seven expansion packs]] were released from 2000 to 2003, each of which added new items, characters, skins, and features.

Upon release, ''The Sims'' garnered widespread critical acclaim and was described by Wright as being successful in attracting casual male and female gamers. The game is regarded as one of the most influential and [[List of video games considered the best|greatest games of all time]]. It won several awards and placed 31st on ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''{{'}}s The 50 Best Video Games of All Time list. The game has also been commercially successful, being one of the [[best-selling PC games]] of all time with 11.5&nbsp;million copies sold. Several sequels in [[The Sims|''The Sims'' series]] have been released —''[[The Sims 2]]'' in 2004, ''[[The Sims 3]]'' in 2009, and ''[[The Sims 4]]'' in 2014.

==Gameplay==
The structure of the game is an [[artificial life]] program that is [[Agent-based model|agent-based]]. The presentation of the game's [[artificial intelligence]] is advanced, and the Sims will respond to outside conditions independently, although often the player's intervention is necessary to keep the Sims on the right track. ''The Sims'' technically has unlimited [[replay value]], in that there is no way to truly win the game, and the player can play indefinitely. It has been described as more like a toy than a game.<ref name="Boland2010-p24">{{Cite book |last=Boland |first=Eric |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5fkLAgAAQBAJ |title=The Sims: The Complete Guide |publisher=WTYW7 Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-557-84739-6 |location=Vancouver |page=24 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919004525/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5fkLAgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:0557847397&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAzovE5rbOAhXrAsAKHXAWD6EQ6AEIHjAA |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Sims are influenced by the player to interact with objects or other Sims. Sims may receive guests at their home lot, invited or not, from other playable lots, or from unhoused [[non-player character]] (NPC) Sims. If enabled in the game's options, Sims have a certain amount of [[free will]], allowing them to autonomously interact with their world; however, the player can override most of these autonomous actions by canceling them in the action queue at the top of the screen. Unlike the simulated environments in games such as ''SimCity'', ''[[SimEarth]]'', or ''[[SimLife]]'', Sims are not fully autonomous.<ref name="Boland2010-p23">{{Cite book |last=Boland |first=Eric |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5fkLAgAAQBAJ |title=The Sims: The Complete Guide |publisher=WTYW7 Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-557-84739-6 |location=Vancouver |page=23 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919004525/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5fkLAgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:0557847397&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAzovE5rbOAhXrAsAKHXAWD6EQ6AEIHjAA |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> They are unable to take certain actions without specific commands, such as paying bills, finding a job, exercising, and conceiving children. Sims communicate in a fictional language called [[Simlish]], which is mostly composed of [[blowing raspberries]] and saying nonsense.<ref name="Boland2010" />

[[File:SimsSS.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A lazy and sloppy Sim]]
The player can make decisions about time spent in skill development, such as exercise, reading, creativity, and logic by adding activities to Sims' daily agenda. Daily needs such as hygiene and eating can and must also be scheduled. Although Sims can autonomously perform these actions, they may not prioritize them effectively and can suffer consequences for neglecting their own needs. In addition, Sims must maintain balanced budgets and usually supplement an income by obtaining a job. Sims may earn promotions by fulfilling skills and maintaining friendships with others for each level, which lead to new job titles, increased wages, and different work hours. Alternatively, Sims may create and sell various artwork and items at home.<ref name="Boland2010-p24" />

[[File:Sims NH.JPG|thumb|200px|right|The original neighborhood in ''The Sims'' consists of a single screen displaying all playable lots.]]
While there is no eventual objective to the game, states of failure do exist in ''The Sims''. One is that Sims may die, either by starvation, drowning, fire, or electrocution (or from natural causes/age in certain versions). When a Sim dies, a tombstone or an urn will appear (in later expansion packs, the [[Grim Reaper]] will appear first),<ref name="Boland2010-p23" /> and the ghost of the deceased Sim may haunt the building where it died. In addition, Sims can leave the game for good and never return. If two adult Sims with a bad relationship [[Brawling (legal definition)|brawl]] often, it may result in one of them moving out. Children will be sent away to military school if they fail their classes. Lastly, not fulfilling a baby Sim's needs will result in a [[social care]] worker permanently taking the baby away from the household.<ref name="Boland2010" />

===Building tools===
When the "Live" mode occurs in the game, the player may enter "Build" mode or "Buy" mode to pause time and renovate the house or lot. When the game begins, each family starts off with 20,000 ''[[simoleon]]s'' (regardless of its number of members). These funds can be used to purchase a small house or vacant lot on the neighborhood screen.<ref name="Boland2010-p23" /> After purchasing a lot, a user may construct or remodel a house in Build mode or purchase or move furniture in Buy mode. All architectural and customizable features and furnishings in Build and Buy modes follow a square-tile system in which items must be placed on a tile. Walls and fences extend along the edge of a tile and can follow the edge of the tile or cross it diagonally, but furniture items cannot be placed on either side of a crossed tile. The base game contains over 150 items, including furniture and architectural elements.<ref name="Boland2010-p23" />

In addition, the game includes an architecture system. The game was originally designed solely as an architecture simulator, with the Sims there only to evaluate the houses, but during development, it was decided that the Sims were more interesting than originally anticipated, and their once-limited role in the game was developed further.<ref name="GDD">{{Cite news |last=Thompson |first=Bob |date=April 14, 2002 |title=Guys and Digital Dolls |page=W08 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/2002/04/14/guys-and-digital-dolls/9437243f-b5a4-4827-929d-9208ece7dd70/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122234217/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/2002/04/14/guys-and-digital-dolls/9437243f-b5a4-4827-929d-9208ece7dd70/ |archive-date=January 22, 2016}}</ref> Players have a broad choice of objects that their respective Sims may purchase. Objects fall into one of eight broad categories: seating, surfaces, decorations, electronics, appliances, plumbing, lighting, and miscellaneous.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chong |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/simshotdateexpan00chon/page/60 |title=The Sims: Hot Date: Prima's Official Strategy Guide |publisher=Prima Games |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-7615-3729-8 |page=60 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

==Development==

The original inspiration for ''The Sims'' was [[Christopher Alexander]]'s 1977 book on architecture and [[urban design]], ''[[A Pattern Language]]''. Game designer Will Wright was inspired by the book's focus on functionality in architecture, as Alexander based his design principles on structural usability rather than aesthetic values. Wright wanted to create a simulation game about enabling human behavior and interaction through design. [[Scott McCloud]]'s 1993 book ''[[Understanding Comics]]'' became a big influence on the design of ''The Sims'' later on, as it advocates a certain type of "collaboration" between designer and consumer and outlines the value of [[abstraction]] for getting readers or players involved with a story.<ref name="RouseIII">{{Cite book |last=Rouse |first=Richard |title=Game Design Theory & Practice |publisher=Wordware Publishing, Inc. |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-55622-912-1 |edition=2nd |pages=425–427 |author-link=Richard Rouse III}}</ref>

Will Wright started working on ''The Sims'' after releasing ''[[SimAnt]]'' in 1991.<ref name="RouseIII" /> It was during that same year that he lost his home during the [[Oakland firestorm of 1991]], and he incorporated his experience of rebuilding his life into the game;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Tracy |date=October 17, 2011 |title=Inspired to make The Sims after losing a home |url=http://www.berkeleyside.com/2011/10/17/will-wright-inspired-to-make-the-sims-after-iosing-a-home/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701040945/https://www.berkeleyside.org/2011/10/17/will-wright-inspired-to-make-the-sims-after-iosing-a-home |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=August 15, 2021 |publisher=Berkeleyside}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Amy |date=December 21, 2004 |title='The Sims,' born from fire |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2811638/-the-sims---born-from-fire.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112031729/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2811638/-the-sims---born-from-fire.html |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=August 15, 2021 |website=Computerworld}}</ref> however, the game's concept was very poorly received by a [[focus group]], so Wright had difficulty getting the project off the ground. He managed to convince his company to let him work on the project (codenamed "Project  X" at the time) in the background while developing ''[[SimCity 2000]]'' and ''[[SimCopter]]''. He was lent one programmer for the project, Jamie Doornbos, who went on to become the lead programmer for ''The Sims''. During the first few years of the project, Wright and Doornbos were primarily developing an open-ended system of character behavior. As the project continued, Wright found that the social aspect of the game turned out to be highly engaging, and the team started to focus more on the characters of the game, such as by letting Sims visit one another's houses and by implementing long-term relationships.<ref name="RouseIII" />

Wright has mentioned playing ''[[Little Computer People]]'' and receiving valuable feedback on ''The Sims'' from several people involved with the game including its designer, Rich Gold.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/chat/transcripts/2000/1/wright/index.html |title=Will Wright: A chat about the [sic] "The Sims" and "SimCity" | publisher=[[CNN]] |date=January 20, 2000| accessdate=January 30, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403105129/http://edition.cnn.com/chat/transcripts/2000/1/wright/index.html |archivedate=April 3, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> A demo of the game was presented at the 1999 [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]]. During a displaying in front of the press, two female characters at an in-game wedding fell in love and kissed each other. After the event, the relationship mechanics were further modified so the character's [[sexual orientation]] was set depending on the player's actions.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Parkin |first=Simon |date=June 18, 2014 |title=The Kiss That Changed Video Games |url=https://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-kiss-that-changed-video-games |url-status=live |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801094431/https://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-kiss-that-changed-video-games |archive-date=August 1, 2018}}</ref> ''The Sims'' uses a combination of [[3D computer graphics|3D]] and [[2D computer graphics|2D]] graphics techniques. The Sims themselves are rendered in 3D, whereas the house and all its objects are pre-rendered and displayed [[Dimetric projection|diametrically]].<ref name="Boland2010">{{Cite book |last=Boland |first=Eric |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5fkLAgAAQBAJ |title=The Sims: The Complete Guide |publisher=WTYW7 Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-557-84739-6 |location=Vancouver |page=25 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919004525/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5fkLAgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:0557847397&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAzovE5rbOAhXrAsAKHXAWD6EQ6AEIHjAA |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> For the game's Japanese release, the game was renamed to '''''SimPeople''''' (シムピープル) to match the naming conventions of the other ''[[List of Sim video games|Sim]]'' games from Maxis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasavin |first=Greg |date=April 26, 2000 |title=SimPeople Take Japan! |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/simpeople-take-japan/1100-2541656/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918020809/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/simpeople-take-japan/1100-2541656/ |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |access-date=June 5, 2017 |website=Gamestop}}</ref>

===Music===
The game music was composed by [[Jerry Martin (composer)|Jerry Martin]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sims |url=http://www.jerrymartinmusic.com/the_sims_g1.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713102158/http://www.jerrymartinmusic.com/the_sims_g1.php |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=March 11, 2011 |website=Jerry Martin Music}}</ref> [[Marc Russo]], Kirk R. Casey,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Credits |url=http://www.taymusic.net/credits.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724093134/http://www.taymusic.net/credits.php |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=March 11, 2011 |website=TayMusic.net}}</ref> and Dix Bruce, with additional participation from jazz pianist John R. Burr for the songs used in the game's Build Mode.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Alex Robert |date=2018-03-09 |title=The Untold Story of 'The Sims,' Your First Favorite Jazz Record |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-untold-story-of-the-sims-your-first-favorite-jazz-record/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Vice |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915142047/https://api.intentiq.com/profiles_engine/ProfilesEngineServlet?at=39&mi=10&dpi=793790479&pt=17&dpn=1&jsver=5.09&iiqidtype=2&iiqpcid=1230eb3b-a95b-40c4-9849-2de91c49e67a&iiqpciddate=1726410047885&iiqcallcount=0&iiqfailcount=0&iiqnodata=false&iiqlocalstorageenabled=true&tsrnd=47_1726410047886&fbp=3488735574&cttl=43200000&rrtt=0&dud=0&abtg=A&iiqppcc=0&ref=www.vice.com |url-status=live }}</ref> The game disc contains 37 tracks, of which 15 were published in 2007 as an official soundtrack album.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sims: The Original Game Soundtrack |url=https://musicbrainz.org/release/17d20cc7-4267-4e48-9257-ea9fcfcf3d9e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629091017/http://musicbrainz.org/release/17d20cc7-4267-4e48-9257-ea9fcfcf3d9e |archive-date=June 29, 2013 |access-date=March 11, 2011 |website=[[Musicbrainz]]}}</ref> Most of the tracks contain no vocals, but some of them feature Simlish lyrics.

In recent years, critics have praised and noted the game's use of new age and jazz music.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LpVUi9TQ8U | title=How the Sims Made New-Age Jazz Piano the Soundtrack of Our Lives | website=[[YouTube]] | date=September 22, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-untold-story-of-the-sims-your-first-favorite-jazz-record/ | title=The Untold Story of 'The Sims,' Your First Favorite Jazz Record | date=March 9, 2018 }}</ref>

===Modding scene===
''The Sims'' is credited with opening up modding to a new demographic, making it easy enough for "casual modders" to modify the game.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Laukkanen |first=Tero |url=https://tampub.uta.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/65431/951-44-6448-6.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |title=Modding scenes – Introduction to user-created content in computer gaming  |publisher=University of Tampere |year=2005 |isbn=978-951-44-6448-5 |page=4 |format=PDF |issn=1458-9974 |access-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128211333/https://tampub.uta.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/65431/951-44-6448-6.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |archive-date=November 28, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>  ''The Sims'' was designed in a way that it would be easy to add user-created content (also known as custom content or "CC") to the game,<ref name="tampub.uta.fi">{{Cite book |last=Laukkanen |first=Tero |url=https://tampub.uta.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/65431/951-44-6448-6.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |title=Modding scenes – Introduction to user-created content in computer gaming |publisher=University of Tampere |year=2005 |isbn=978-951-44-6448-5 |page=68 |format=PDF |issn=1458-9974 |access-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128211333/https://tampub.uta.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/65431/951-44-6448-6.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |archive-date=November 28, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> with Will Wright stating in an interview that he wanted to put the player in the design role.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pearce |first=Celia |year=2002 |title=Sims, BattleBots, Cellular Automata, God and Go. |url=http://gamestudies.org/0102/pearce/ |url-status=live |journal=Game Studies |volume=2 |issue=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421094445/http://www.gamestudies.org/0102/pearce/ |archive-date=April 21, 2018 |access-date=November 28, 2018}}</ref> Websites for downloading CCs and mods include The Sims Resource and [[Mod The Sims]]. Maxis released [[Mod (video gaming)|modding]] tools for ''The Sims'' before the game itself, resulting in a suite of fan-created mods being available at launch.<ref name="tampub.uta.fi" />

==Expansion packs==
''The Sims'' had a total of seven [[expansion pack]]s released in its lifecycle. Each expansion generally adds new items, neighborhoods, characters, skins, and features.

{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
! style="width: 15%;height:50px;" | Name
! style="width: 15%;" | Release date
! Description
|-
| '''''[[The Sims: Livin' Large|Livin' Large]]''''' (known as '''''Livin' It Up''''' in Europe)
| {{vgrelease|NA|August 31, 2000}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2015 |title=The Sims: Livin' Large for PC Reviews - Metacritic |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-livin-large/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118195059/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/the-sims-livin-large |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
| Adds new unconventional characters, careers, items, and features for the home.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Andrew |date=May 17, 2006 |title=The Sims: Livin' Large Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-livin-large-review/1900-2621784/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203091228/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-livin-large-review/1900-2621784/ |archive-date=December 3, 2014 |access-date=January 29, 2016 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> 
|-
| '''''[[The Sims: House Party|House Party]]'''''
| {{vgrelease|NA|April 2, 2001}} {{vgrelease|NA|October 4, 2002 (reissue)}}
| Gives players the ability and facilities to hold parties and gatherings in their Sims' homes. [[Drew Carey]] makes a cameo appearance in the game if the player's Sims hold a good enough party.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sims House Party, The Easter Egg - Drew Carey at Your Party |url=http://www.eeggs.com/items/26869.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009061944/http://www.eeggs.com/items/26869.html |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=July 15, 2016 |website=The Easter Egg Archive}}</ref> 
|-
| '''''[[The Sims: Hot Date|Hot Date]]'''''
| {{vgrelease|NA|November 12, 2001}}
| Adds new items, characters, and the ability for Sims to leave their homes and travel to new destinations. Adds new destination, "Downtown", composed of ten new lots. Introduces a revamped relationship system involving short- and long-term relationships. Adds ability to carry inventory and give gifts to other Sims.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Andrew |date=November 19, 2001 |title=The Sims: Hot Date for PC Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-hot-date-review/1900-2825792/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025447/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-hot-date-review/1900-2825792/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=July 7, 2016 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
|-
| '''''[[The Sims: Vacation|Vacation]]''''' (known as '''''On Holiday''''' in the UK, Ireland, China, Portugal, and Scandinavia)
| {{vgrelease|NA|March 28, 2002}}
| Introduces a new destination called "Vacation Island" where Sims can take vacations with family members or with other Sims and marks the first time Sims can stay on lots away from home. Adds the ability to save the game while a Sim is on Vacation Island. Allows Sims to purchase or find souvenirs, stay at a hotel, or rent a tent/igloo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bates |first=Jason |date=April 8, 2002 |title=The Sims: Vacation |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/04/08/the-sims-vacation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626192845/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/04/08/the-sims-vacation |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |access-date=June 26, 2019 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
|-
| '''''[[The Sims: Unleashed|Unleashed]]'''''
| {{vgrelease|NA|November 7, 2002}}
| Introduces pets into the game. Allows dogs and cats to be treated as Sims rather than objects. Introduces gardening and expands original ten-lot neighborhood to over forty lots, with the added ability to rezone these lots for residential or community use. Allows community lots to be modified to shops, cafes, and other commercial establishments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Andrew |date=September 30, 2002 |title=The Sims: Unleashed Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-unleashed-review/1900-2881955/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801094536/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-unleashed-review/1900-2881955/ |archive-date=August 1, 2018 |access-date=June 26, 2019 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
|-
| '''''[[The Sims: Superstar|Superstar]]'''''
| {{vgrelease|NA|May 13, 2003}}
| Allows Sims to become entertainment figures and includes representations of several famous personalities. Celebrities can make cameo appearances but cannot be controlled by the player. Adds new work and leisure items, and a new destination called "Studio Town", which functions as a workplace for celebrity Sims. Allows non-celebrity Sims to visit Studio Town for leisure.<ref name="The Sims Superstar">{{Cite web |last=Butts |first=Steve |date=June 6, 2003 |title=The Sims Superstar Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/06/the-sims-superstar-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023200130/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/06/the-sims-superstar-review |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=IGN }}</ref>
|-
| '''''[[The Sims: Makin' Magic|Makin' Magic]]'''''
| {{vgrelease|NA|October 29, 2003}}
| Introduces magic to the game and allows Sims to cast spells, forge charms, and buy alchemical ingredients. Introduces the Magic Town lots, which house vendors of magical ingredients and items and a number of magic-related mini-games. Introduces baking and nectar-making. Adds additional residential lots in Magic Town.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butts |first=Steve |date=October 30, 2003 |title=The Sims: Makin' Magic Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/October/30/the-sims-makin-magic-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528065617/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/30/the-sims-makin-magic-review |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
|}

=== Core game editions ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! style="width: 25%;height:50px;" | Name
! style="width: 25%;" | Release date
! Includes
|-
| '''''The Sims'''''
|| '''Windows:'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|February 4, 2000}} {{vgrelease|EU|February 11, 2000}} '''Mac OS X:'''<br />July 18, 2000<br />'''Linux'''<br />March 12, 2003
|| The first release of the core game on a single CD.
|-
| '''''The Sims: Collector's Edition'''''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sims-Collectors-Livin-Up-PC/dp/B00005AKU5 | title=Amazon.co.uk | website=Amazon UK }}</ref>
|| '''Windows:'''<br /> {{vgrelease|EU|March 23, 2001}}
|| The core game and ''The Sims: Livin' it Up''
|-
| '''''The Sims: Party Pack'''''
|| '''Windows:'''<br /> {{vgrelease|EU|2001}}
|| The core game and ''The Sims: House Party''
|-
| '''''The Sims Deluxe Edition'''''
|| '''Windows:'''<br /> {{vgrelease|NA|October 4, 2002|EU|2002}}
|| Contains an updated version of the core game, ''The Sims: Livin' Large'', ''The Sims Creator'' and exclusive items and clothing on a two-disc installation. It can also be installed as an expansion for existing game owners.
|-
| '''''The Sims Double Deluxe'''''
|| '''Windows:'''<br /> {{vgrelease|NA|October 10, 2003|EU|2003}}
|| ''The Sims: Deluxe Edition'', ''The Sims: House Party'', and a disc containing African and Asian-themed items and previously-downloadable items from the game's website.
|-
| '''''The Sims Mega Deluxe'''''
|| '''Windows:'''<br /> {{vgrelease|NA|May 25, 2004}} '''Mac OS X'''<br /> {{vgrelease|NA|May 25, 2004|EU|2004}}
|| ''The Sims Double Deluxe'' and ''The Sims: Hot Date''. Known as '''The Sims Party Pack''' in Europe, and only released on Mac OS X.
|-
| '''''The Sims Triple Deluxe'''''
|| '''Windows:'''<br /> {{vgrelease|EU|June 18, 2004}}
|| ''The Sims Double Deluxe'' and ''The Sims: On Holiday''.
|-
| '''''The Complete Collection of The Sims'''''
|| '''Windows:'''<br /> {{vgrelease|EU|2005|AU|2005}}
|| ''The Sims Triple Deluxe'', ''The Sims: Hot Date'', ''The Sims: Unleashed'', ''The Sims: Superstar'' and ''The Sims: Makin' Magic'' within a twelve-disc boxset. Australian/Asian release is called '''The Sims: Full House''' and includes an extra disc containing footage from ''[[The Sims 2]]''
|-
| '''''The Sims: Complete Collection'''''
|| '''Windows:'''<br /> {{vgrelease|NA|November 1, 2005|EU|2005}}
|| The core game, all seven expansions, ''The Sims Creator'' and bonus content from ''Deluxe Edition'' and ''Double Deluxe'' on a four-disc installation.
|-
| '''''The Sims: Legacy Collection'''''
|| '''Windows:'''<br /> January 31, 2025
|| Re-release of ''Complete Collection'', containing the core game, all seven expansions and bonus content from ''Deluxe Edition'' and ''Double Deluxe''.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=The Sims and The Sims 2 are back, baby! |date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] |url=https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/news/the-birthday-bundle |access-date=January 31, 2025 }}</ref> Also includes ''[[The Sims 4]]: Throwback Fit Kit''.
|}

===Expansion-only compilations===
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! style="width: 23%;" | Collection Name || style="width: 13%;" | Windows<br/>release date || Volumes
|-
| '''''The Sims Expansion Collection''''' || March 15, 2005 || Volume One – ''The Sims: House Party'' and ''The Sims: Unleashed''<br/>Volume Two – ''The Sims: Hot Date'' and ''The Sims: Makin' Magic''<br/>Volume Three – ''The Sims: Vacation'' and ''The Sims: Superstar''
|-
| '''''The Sims Expansion Three-Pack''''' || November 1, 2005 || Volume One – ''The Sims: House Party'', ''The Sims: Unleashed'', and ''The Sims: Superstar''<br/>Volume Two – ''The Sims: Hot Date'', ''The Sims: Vacation'', and ''The Sims: Makin' Magic''
|}

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
{{Video game reviews
|MC = (PC) 92%<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |title=The Sims |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |website=Metacritic |access-date=24 July 2023 |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117120824/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live }}</ref>
|GR = (PC) 90%<ref name=gr-pc>{{Cite web |title=The Sims (PC) |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/193984-the-sims/index.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627080439/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/193984-the-sims/index.html |archive-date=June 27, 2015 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |website=[[GameRankings]]}}</ref><br />(PS2) 81%<ref name=gr-ps2>{{Cite web |title=The Sims (PlayStation 2) |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/561482-the-sims/index.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104052/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/561482-the-sims/index.html |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |website=GameRankings}}</ref><br/>(Xbox) 82%<ref name=gr-xbox>{{Cite web |title=The Sims (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/589543-the-sims/index.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626113742/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/589543-the-sims/index.html |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |website=GameRankings}}</ref><br/>(GCN) 86%<ref name=gr-cube>{{Cite web |title=The Sims (GameCube) |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/589451-the-sims/index.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626114636/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/589451-the-sims/index.html |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |website=GameRankings}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|5|5}} (Windows)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shif |first=Gill |title=The Sims - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20918&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114115411/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20918&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=June 6, 2013 |website=[[AllGame]]}}</ref><br />{{Rating|5|5}} (Macintosh)<ref>{{cite web|last= Savignano |first=Lisa Karen |title=The Sims (Macintosh)– Review |publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=March 20, 2024|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26604&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114234715/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26604&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 }}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Samuel |first=Jason |date=April 23, 2014 |title=The Sims |url=http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/4614.shtml |url-status=dead |magazine=[[GamePro]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209085154/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/4614.shtml |archive-date=February 9, 2005 |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>
| GSpot = 9.1/10<ref name="gamespot" />
| IGN = 9.5/10<ref name="ign">{{cite web |title=The Sims |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/05/the-sims-6 |website=IGN |access-date=24 July 2023 |language=en |date=5 February 2000 |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915141952/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/05/the-sims-6 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| NGen = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="NG">{{Cite magazine |last=Lundrigan |first=Jeff |date=April 2000 |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=92–93}}</ref>
| rev1       = ''[[ActionTrip]]''
| rev1Score  = 9.0/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jojic |first=Uros |date=June 1, 2000 |title=The Sims Review |url=http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/the-sims.phtml |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626151837/http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/the-sims.phtml |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=December 1, 2015 |website=ActionTrip |publisher=[[CraveOnline]]}}</ref>
|award1Pub = [[D.I.C.E. Awards|Interactive Achievement Awards]]
|award1 = [[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]]<ref name="IAA_GOTY" /><br />[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design|Outstanding Achievement in Game Design]]<br />[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement|Outstanding Achievement in Game Play Engineering]]<ref name="IAA_Craft" />
|award2Pub = ''[[GameSpot]]''
|award2 = Game of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2001 |title=Best and Worst of 2000 – Game of the Year 2000 |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2000/p5_02.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010607085022/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2000/p5_02.html |archive-date=June 7, 2001 |access-date=August 30, 2015 |website=GameSpot |publisher=[[ZDNet]]}}</ref>
|award3Pub = [[Game Developers Choice Awards]]
|award3 = Game of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 24, 2001 |title=1st Annual Game Developers Choice Awards |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_1st.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813043409/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_1st.html |archive-date=August 13, 2015 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |website=[[Game Developers Choice Awards]]}}</ref>
|award4Pub = ''[[IGN]]''
|award4 = Best Simulation<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 26, 2001 |title=Best of 2000 Awards – Simulation of 2000 |work=IGN PC |publisher=[[IGN|IGN Entertainment, Inc]] |url=http://pc.ign.com/news/30572.html |url-status=dead |access-date=August 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010606004813/http://pc.ign.com/news/30572.html |archive-date=June 6, 2001}}</ref>
}}

''The Sims'' received "universal acclaim" according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]], which assigned the game a score of 92%.<ref name="metacritic" /> The game received praise for its open-ended gameplay allowing players to choose their own goals and objectives, as well as its sound design, "crisp" graphics, and humor. Reviewers positively compared ''The Sims'' to Maxis' 1999 title ''[[SimCity 3000]]''. GameSpot assigned a review of 9.1/10, describing it as "highly detailed".<ref name="gamespot">{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2000 |title=The Sims Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-review/1900-2533406/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915141953/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-review/1900-2533406/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' gave the game a score of 9.4/10, and praised its easy-to-use user interface.<ref name="ign" /> Jeff Lundrigan reviewed the PC version of the game for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', rating it four stars out of five and saying: "Do not miss. Run do not walk. And set aside lots of time."<ref name="NG" />

Will Wright, the game's designer, said the game has been a success in many ways—attracting casual gamers and female gamers (the latter making up almost 60% of players).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huguenin |first=Patrick |date=April 16, 2008 |title=Women really click with The Sims |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2008/04/16/2008-04-16_women_really_click_with_the_sims.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922042019/http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2008/04/16/2008-04-16_women_really_click_with_the_sims.html |archive-date=September 22, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2010 |website=Daily News |quote=But unlike other popular video and computer games, almost 60% of the people playing The Sims are female |location=New York}}</ref> In 2012, the game was one of 14 video games selected by the [[Museum of Modern Art]] as the basis for an intended collection of 40 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Antonelli |first=Paola |date=November 29, 2012 |title=Video Games: 14 in the Collection, for Starters |url=http://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2012/11/29/video-games-14-in-the-collection-for-starters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130082752/http://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2012/11/29/video-games-14-in-the-collection-for-starters/ |archive-date=November 30, 2012 |access-date=November 30, 2012 |website=MoMA}}</ref> The [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], and [[GameCube]] ports received scores ranging from 81.05% to 85.80% on [[GameRankings]].<ref name="gr-ps2" /><ref name="gr-xbox" /><ref name="gr-cube" />

===Awards===
''The Sims'' has won numerous awards, including ''GameSpot''{{'}}s "Game of the Year Award" for 2000. During the [[3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]] (since 2013 known as the [[D.I.C.E. Awards]]), ''The Sims'' won "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design|Outstanding Achievement in Game Design]]", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement|Outstanding Achievement in Game Play Engineering]]" (along with nominations for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Family Game of the Year|Computer Family Entertainment Title of the Year]]" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction|Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction]]").<ref name="IAA_GOTY">{{cite web |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards - Game of the Year |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_titleofyear.html |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011211428/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_titleofyear.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000}}</ref><ref name="IAA_Craft">{{cite web |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards - Craft Award |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_craft.html |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011155820/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_craft.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000}}</ref><ref name="IAA_PC">{{cite web |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards - Personal Computer |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |website=Interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011204415/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' ranked it the 80th best game ever made in its 100th issue in 2001.<ref name="gi">{{Cite magazine |last=Cork |first=Jeff |date=November 16, 2009 |title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games Of All Time (Circa Issue 100) |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |url-status=live |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408113757/http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |archive-date=April 8, 2010 |access-date=December 2, 2013}}</ref> In 2005, ''The Sims'' was inducted into ''GameSpot''{{'}}s list of the greatest games of all time.<ref name="Gamespot">{{Cite news |title=The Greatest Games of All Time: ''The Sims'' |work=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6140577/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701114625/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6140577/index.html |archive-date=July 1, 2007}}</ref> In 2016, [[The Strong National Museum of Play]] inducted ''The Sims'' to its [[World Video Game Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sims |url=https://www.museumofplay.org/games/the-sims/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506142440/https://www.museumofplay.org/games/the-sims/ |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |access-date=May 6, 2022 |website=[[The Strong National Museum of Play]] |publisher=[[The Strong]]}}</ref> In August 2016, ''The Sims'' placed 31st on ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''{{'}}s "50 Best Video Games of All Time" list.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 23, 2016 |title=The 50 Best Video Games of All Time |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=https://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826010703/http://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/ |archive-date=August 26, 2016}}</ref> In 2019, it was ranked 17th on ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s "50 Best Video Games of the 21st Century" list.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2019 |title=The 50 best video games of the 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/sep/19/50-best-video-games-of-the-21st-century |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922192039/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/sep/19/50-best-video-games-of-the-21st-century |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |access-date=September 23, 2019 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

===Sales===
''The Sims'' was released on February 4, 2000,<ref>{{moby game|id=/sims|name=''The Sims''}}</ref> and became a best-seller shortly after launch.<ref name="gi" /> In the United States, it was the best-selling computer game of 2000, with domestic sales of 1.77&nbsp;million units and revenues of $72.9&nbsp;million.<ref name="pcgsales">{{Cite journal |date=April 2001 |title=Eyewitness; It's All in the Numbers |journal=[[PC Gamer US]] |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=40, 41}}</ref> It remained the country's No. 1 computer title in 2001,<ref name="npd2001">{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Trey |date=February 7, 2002 |title=2001 game sales break records |url=http://www.gamespot.com:80/news/2002/02/07/news_2846252.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041019101827/http://www.gamespot.com:80/news/2002/02/07/news_2846252.html |archive-date=October 19, 2004 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> when it sold an additional 1.48&nbsp;million units and earned another $60.4&nbsp;million in revenue.<ref name="2001nyu">{{Cite web |last=Bradshaw |first=Lucy |author-link=Lucy Bradshaw (game developer) |date=January 31, 2002 |title=Markle Forum on Children and Media |url=https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619191112/https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf |archive-date=June 19, 2004 |publisher=[[New York University]]}}</ref> In 2002, ''The Sims'' became the top-selling PC game in history at the time, displacing ''[[Myst]]'' by selling more than 6.3&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref name="best-selling">{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Trey |date=March 22, 2002 |title=The Sims overtakes Myst |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/simslivinlarge/news_2857556.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119043947/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/simslivinlarge/news_2857556.html |archive-date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=January 13, 2019 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CNET Networks]]}}</ref>

By February 2005, the game had shipped 16 million copies worldwide.<ref name="16m">{{Cite press release |title=The Sims Franchise Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary and Continues to Break Records |date=February 7, 2005 |publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] |url=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2005/feb/1114806.htm |access-date=October 8, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905043911/http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2005/feb/1114806.htm |archive-date=September 5, 2008}}</ref> By July 2006, the console versions of ''The Sims'' series had sold a combined 3.5&nbsp;million units in the United States.<ref name="nextgensales2">{{Cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Colin |last2=Keiser |first2=Joe |date=July 29, 2006 |title=The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115051/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 |archive-date=October 28, 2007 |website=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]}}</ref> ''Next Generation'' ranked ''The Sims'' as the 45th highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in the United States.<ref name="nextgensales2" /> As of March 2015, ''The Sims'' had sold more than 11.24&nbsp;million copies for PC, making it one of the best-selling PC games of all time.<ref name="guinness-sims">{{Cite book |title=Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer's Edition |publisher=Macmillan |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-910561-13-3 |page=145}}</ref>

==Sequels and legacy==
{{Main|The Sims}}
''The Sims'' was followed by the sequels ''[[The Sims 2]]'' (2004), ''[[The Sims 3]]'' (2009), and ''[[The Sims 4]]'' (2014). The console versions of ''The Sims'' were each followed by a sequel, ''[[The Sims Bustin' Out]]'' (2003), and a spin-off game, ''[[The Urbz: Sims in the City]]'' (2004). These versions incorporate some features of later PC expansion packs, and ''Bustin' Out'' adds a [[multiplayer]] mode supporting two simultaneous players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sims Bustin' Out |url=https://www.gamefaqs.com/gba/917846-the-sims-bustin-out |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219004503/https://www.gamefaqs.com/gba/917846-the-sims-bustin-out |archive-date=February 19, 2017 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |website=GameFAQs}}</ref> When completing the game, Will Wright dedicated ''The Sims'' to the late [[Danielle Bunten Berry]], an influential trans game designer known for her innovation and contributions to multiplayer gaming.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koon |first=David |date=2012-02-08 |title=Dani Bunten changed video games forever |url=https://arktimes.com/news/cover-stories/2012/02/08/dani-bunten-changed-video-games-forever |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Arkansas Times |language=en-US |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107172616/https://arktimes.com/news/cover-stories/2012/02/08/dani-bunten-changed-video-games-forever |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
*[[Simulated reality]]
*[[Simulation]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last=Barry|first=Atkins|year=2003|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dxMLnayXwTQC|title=More than a Game: The Computer Game as Fictional Form|edition=paperback|location=Manchester|publisher=Manchester University Press|isbn=978-07-1906-365-7|access-date=February 27, 2024|via=Google Books}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Nakamura |first1=Rika |last2=Wirman |first2= Hanna |date=October 2005 |title=Girlish Counter-Playing Tactics |url=http://www.gamestudies.org/0501/nakamura_wirman |journal=Game Studies |volume=5 |issue=1|access-date=February 27, 2024}}
* {{cite journal |last=Paulk |first=Charles |date=December 2006 |title=Signifying Play: The Sims and the Sociology of Interior Design |url=http://gamestudies.org/0601/articles/paulk |journal=Game Studies |volume=6 |issue=1|access-date=February 27, 2024}}
* {{cite journal |last=Pearce |first=Celia |date=July 2002 |title=Sims, BattleBots, Cellular Automata God and Go |url=http://www.gamestudies.org/0102/pearce |journal=Game Studies |volume=2 |issue=1|access-date=February 27, 2024}}
* {{cite book |last=Sihvonen |first=Tanja |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5C09RiJl0ZUC |title=Players Unleashed!: Modding The Sims and the Culture of Gaming |date=2011 |edition=paperback|location=Amsterdam|publisher=Amsterdam University Press |doi=10.1515/9789048511983-003 |jstor=j.ctt46mt37.5 |isbn=978-90-8964-201-1 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |via=Google Books}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links 
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*[http://www.mobygames.com/game/sims ''The Sims''] at [[MobyGames]]

{{Sim series|all=yes}}

{{GDCA GOTY}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sims 1, The}}
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