The Sims is a series of life simulation video games created by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts (EA). This series has sold nearly 200 million copies worldwide and is one of the best-selling video game series ever. It is also part of the larger Sim series, which began with SimCity in 1989.
The games in the Sims series are mostly sandbox games, meaning they do not have specific goals (except for some later expansion packs and console versions that added this style of play). Players create virtual people called "Sims," place them in homes, and help control their emotions and meet their needs. Players can choose to use pre-made homes or build their own. Each new expansion pack and game in the series added more activities and options for players to enjoy with their Sims.
Development
Game designer Will Wright was inspired to create a "virtual doll house" after losing his home in a big fire in Oakland in 1991 and rebuilding his life. He thought about turning his experience of replacing his home and belongings into a game. When Wright shared his ideas with the leaders at Maxis, they were doubtful and did not provide much support or money for the game. Later, when Electronic Arts bought Maxis in 1997, their leaders were more interested in the idea because SimCity had been very successful, and they saw the chance to create a strong series of games.
Wright said The Sims was meant to mock how people in the U.S. spend money. He used ideas from a 1977 book about architecture and city planning called A Pattern Language, a 1943 paper by psychologist Abraham Maslow titled A Theory of Human Motivation and his hierarchy of needs, and a book by Charles Hampden-Turner called Maps of the Mind to create the game's artificial intelligence model.
Games
The Sims was the first game in the series. Maxis created it, and Electronic Arts published it. It was released for Microsoft Windows on February 4, 2000. The game used a specific type of 2D view and allowed players to control virtual people ("Sims") living in a suburban area near SimCity. Between 2000 and 2003, seven expansion packs were added to the game. The Sims was sold in many different formats and editions. By March 22, 2002, the game had sold more than 6.3 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling PC game at that time. By February 2005, it had sold 16 million copies worldwide.
The Sims received seven expansion packs:
The Sims was re-released for Windows 10 and 11 on January 31, 2025, as part of The Sims franchise's 25th birthday celebration. This version, called The Sims: Legacy Collection, includes all seven original expansion packs.
Electronic Arts released The Sims 2 on September 14, 2004. Developed by Maxis, this game used a full 3D environment instead of the 2D view in the original. Sims in The Sims 2 go through seven life stages, from infancy to old age and death. A key feature is the aspiration system, which gives Sims wants and fears based on their goals and personality. The aspiration meter affects how well Sims complete tasks. Fulfilling wants earns aspiration points, which can be used to buy rewards. The game also has clear days of the week, with weekends when children stay home from school and vacation days when adults take time off work.
The Sims 2 is set about 25 years after the original game. For example, the Goth family has aged, and Bella Goth disappeared during this time. Because the game uses 3D models instead of 2D sprites, all content in The Sims 2 was created from scratch. This means it is not compatible with content from the first game, though some items from the original series were redesigned for The Sims 2.
Eight expansion packs and nine "stuff packs" were released for The Sims 2. Over 400 items were also added through The Sims 2 Store. The Sims 2 received eight expansion packs:
The Sims 2 was re-released for Windows 10 and 11 on January 31, 2025, as part of the franchise's 25th birthday celebration. This version, called The Sims 2: Legacy Collection, includes all eight original expansion packs and nine stuff packs.
Electronic Arts released The Sims 3 on June 2, 2009. The game was announced in November 2006. It is set before the original The Sims, with an open neighborhood, better tools for creating Sims, and new features like wishes and goals. The game introduced step-by-step goals for players to complete or ignore. The Sims 3 sold 1.4 million copies in its first week, making it the largest PC game release at that time.
The Sims 3 is set before The Sims. For example, the Goth family is younger, and Bella Goth, who was an adult in the first game, is a child named Bella Bachelor. Some players think the game takes place 25 years before the original. Eleven expansion packs and nine "stuff packs" were released for The Sims 3. Many items are also available for purchase online through The Sims 3 Store. The Sims 3 received eleven expansion packs:
Electronic Arts announced The Sims 4 on May 6, 2013. Maxis was developing the game. The Sims 4 takes place in a different timeline than previous games. In 2014, more details about features and gameplay were shared. The game was released on September 2, 2014. As of February 2026, 21 expansion packs, 12 game packs, 20 stuff packs, 44 kits, and 11 creator kits have been released. Updates added new content, such as basements, ghosts, pools, modular stairs, toddlers, new careers, terrain tools, additional skin tones, bunk beds, and infants. The Sims 4 became free-to-play on October 18, 2022.
The Sims 4 has received 21 expansion packs:
The Sims 4 has received 12 game packs:
On October 18, 2022, Maxis announced Project Rene, the next game in The Sims series. The game allows solo or team play and cross-play. Room customization works differently than in The Sims 4, with more furniture options. The buy-and-build mode is multiplayer, letting players customize buildings together.
As of July 2024, Project Rene is still in development. Maxis plans to offer small public playtests or early access for interested players. The game will co-exist with The Sims 4, meaning both will continue to be developed. This is different from past The Sims games, where one installment usually replaced the previous. Project Rene will be free-to-play and not require a subscription, core game purchase, or energy mechanics.
Project Rene will have in-game purchases. Maxis plans to change how purchases work, such as adding basic weather features for free. This approach follows The Sims 4, which became free-to-play in 2022.
In September 2024, EA vice president Kate Gorman confirmed Project Rene is not a direct replacement or sequel to The Sims 4. Instead, it is a separate project within the The Sims franchise. The Sims 4 will continue to receive updates and new content.
In December 2002, Electronic Arts released The Sims Online, later renamed EA Land. This game let players interact with each other in a multiplayer online environment. It was not as successful as the original The Sims. Reviews were mixed, with some comparing it to a large chat room. EA Land closed on August 1, 2008.
The Sims Stories is a series of games released in 2007–2008. These games use a modified version of The Sims 2 engine, optimized for weaker systems like laptops. Players can choose between open-ended gameplay or a structured story mode with goals to complete. Three games were released in this series.
The Sims Carnival was a casual game brand of The Sims. It had two product lines: one was an online community of web games, and the other was retail and digital games sold in stores.
*The Sims Medieval
Legacy
The success of The Sims has led to Guinness World Records giving the series many world records. As of 2017, the series holds records for "Most Expansion Packs for a Videogame Series" and "Best Selling PC Game Series," with sales estimates between 36 and 50 million units. The series is ranked 10th among the best-selling video game franchises of all time, with total sales of over 200 million units across all games. By October 2019, the series had generated more than $5 billion in total sales.
A live-action drama film based on The Sims was announced in 2007. At that time, 20th Century Fox bought the film rights. The movie was to be written by Brian Lynch and produced by John Davis. However, the project remained in development for many years. In 2019, after Disney bought 21st Century Fox, the film and other video game-based movies in development at Fox were canceled.
In April 2020, it was announced that a live-action film based on The Sims and SimCity was being developed by Legendary Entertainment. The SimCity film was to be written by Mike Rosillio.
In March 2024, it was announced that LuckyChap Entertainment and Vertigo Entertainment plan to produce a Sims film. Kate Herron will direct and co-write the film with Briony Redman. This was confirmed by EA in September 2024, who stated the film will be made together with Amazon MGM Studios. EA’s vice president of The Sims, Kate Gorman, said the movie will aim to have an impact similar to the Barbie (2023) movie. Margot Robbie, who starred in Barbie, is a co-founder of LuckyChap Entertainment.
In partnership with Turner Sports and BuzzFeed, EA created The Sims Spark’d, a four-episode reality competition TV show. It first aired on TBS on July 17, 2020. The show was filmed between December 9 and 14, 2019, and features 12 contestants chosen from people who play The Sims online. Contestants complete challenges in The Sims 4 to create characters and stories based on themes and rules. A group of judges, including YouTube personality Kelsey Impicciche, singer Tayla Parx, and EA Maxis developer Dave Miotke, evaluate the creations. The winner receives $100,000. The show is hosted by Rayvon Owen, an American Idol season 14 finalist.