The Unstoppable Legacy of The Sims: Celebrating 25 Years of Virtual Living

From its unexpected rise to fame to creating inclusive spaces, The Sims revolutionizes how players experience life simulation games.

The Sims, the iconic life simulation game, is celebrating its 25th anniversary, a significant milestone for a virtual dollhouse that was initially met with skepticism. In the late 1990s, creator Will Wright pitched the game to his colleagues, who were unconvinced by the idea of a digital life simulator featuring customizable characters and household management. Fast forward to today, and The Sims has become a monumental success, boasting an extraordinary community of dedicated fans, often referred to as Simmers.

The franchise has now sold over 85 million copies worldwide, with the latest installment, The Sims 4, available in 18 languages, according to publisher Electronic Arts. Its open-ended nature has attracted a diverse audience, encouraging players to craft intricate domestic scenarios for their Sims, managing everything from relationships to daily routines. The game’s reputation for allowing players to enact playful or even cruel scenarios on their virtual characters—such as the notorious act of trapping a Sim in a pool—has cemented its status in gaming culture.

Streamer Jesse, known as Plumbella, recalls her early obsession with The Sims, attributing her lasting passion to the connected Simming community. Players actively create and share modifications, or "mods," enhancing various gameplay aspects, from visual aesthetics to character functionalities. This culture of customization fosters strong camaraderie among Simmers. Jesse reflects, “Take something and customize it and share it with other Simmers,” highlighting the collective creativity that thrives within the community.

Inclusivity has also played a vital role in The Sims' successful narrative. Upon its launch in 2000, the game stood out for introducing same-sex relationships—an unusual feature at the time. Content creator Mollie, known as TheEnglishSimmer, emphasizes how the game’s representation has allowed her to share her own stories and connect with others in the LGBT community.

While The Sims has been an inclusive pioneer, it has faced criticism regarding racial representation. American creator Amira, who operates under the alias Xmiramira, developed a custom skin tone pack that gained immense popularity among players due to the absence of diverse tones in the game. Amira’s initiative led to collaboration with the developers, resulting in an expanded range of skin tones in The Sims 4. She notes, “For me that's a big part of why I've played the game for so long,” emphasizing the ability to create Sims reflecting her own and others' identities.

Amid these triumphs, challenges remain. Critics argue that EA maximizes profits from representation through paid content, such as the recent Lovestruck add-on introducing polyamorous relationships. Additionally, accessibility issues, including key binding modifications, continue to leave some players behind. Developer Maxis has indicated plans to address these concerns, though many await more substantial action.

As The Sims celebrates its anniversary, the current socio-political landscape poses questions about the future of diversity initiatives in gaming. With calls to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in various industries, including tech, some fear this could embolden toxic behaviors in gaming, creating an urgent need for inclusive environments. Simmers like Amira stress that everyone should be able to create characters that reflect their identities seamlessly. Jesse echoes this sentiment by advocating for learning and cultural acceptance through simulation gameplay.

As the beloved game approaches its next chapter, it remains a testament to the power of storytelling, representation, and community in shaping the virtual lives that players adore.