A reader discusses the recent anniversary of The Sims, and explains why the series has been such a favourite for so long.
So recently, The Sims celebrated its 18th birthday. And it’s safe to say that there aren’t that many games that have had as much of an impact on me the way The Sims has. No exaggeration here, but it’s literally changed my life and intensified my love of video games.
I remember seeing it advertised on TV before it came out, thinking it was everything I wanted in a video game. The fact that you could take on a godlike role, create your very own people and customise them, build their house and then make their lives heaven or hell. With me being such a creative being, this was a blessing for me. I wanted this game more than anything. Next thing I knew, I found myself with a notebook with all the names of my families I would create when I eventually got the game myself and looking on baby name websites to see what I’d name them.
I remember being at a family occasion and discovering my cousin had The Sims. So exciting! So much so that I can’t even remember what they were even celebrating! There I was just creating my people and moving them into their house and having them doing their thing. Oh, and causing a couple of deaths! I got so immersed in it and I instantly became addicted to the new world that I created.
What followed, after losing my Sims virginity, was eventually getting hold of a copy of the game myself, and spending hours and hours playing it. There was so much to the game, from feeling a huge sense of gratification for catching burglars, to those super-catchy, super-jazzy songs, and alien abductions.
Then came the expansions. Livin’ It Up, where I’d spend hours and hours making wishes with the genie lamp and utilising the ‘Rosebud’ cheat to spend my not-so hard-earned Simoleans on the heart-shaped, vibrating love bed – with my mum walking in at the most awkward moments!
Then there was House Party, where I’d use the cheats yet again to create the craziest underground rave caves. And bought a cake with a stripper in it.
There was Hot Date, the best and most fun expansion pack with the first game. I mean, who could forget Mrs. Crumplebottom, eh? The Queen of the Prudes, she was truly someone special…
Not to mention playing footsie on dinner dates, heading downtown, getting hot and heavy in fitting rooms, WooHoo-ing in hot tubs…
And now, who wasn’t guilty of killing their sims?! Drowning them, burning them, and electrocuting them, then seeing their ghosts?
I could continue all day…
Growing up, The Sims was just simply the best form of escapism for me. It got me through some tough times in my life. So therapeutic. It’s not the best-selling PC game of all-time for nothing…
And I still have my original collection of The Sims and their expansion packs, with no intention of getting rid of them anytime soon.
Whenever I was struck down with a serious case of boredom, The Sims was always the best remedy.
Happy 18th birthday, The Sims. Thanks for all the memories. And here’s to many more…
By reader Laura Francis
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