Patrick Elliot
Shaun InguanzoThe Sims sells 100 million
April 19th 2008 14:55
Give thanks to the series that got your girlfriend into gaming
THE SIMS franchise has now sold over 100 million units worldwide, according to publisher Electronic Arts.
The people simulator that has become a gaming phenomenon (mainly because it appeals to people of all ages and genders) has had a major release on most current and last generation consoles, and of course, the PC.
So how does 100 million sales stack up against other powerhouse franchises? Well, let's take the gaming classic Super Mario Bros on the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Released in 1989 it went on to sell 40.24 million copies, making it the best selling title in the Super Mario Bros series.
The Mario franchise - spin-offs included - have gone on to sell over 200 million games in over 20 years.
Given the short time The Sims has been with us, 100 million units is a fair achievement, even compared to freak cases such as the Mario Bros series.
We here at Gamer Herald can recall taking our first step with The Sims when the original game was released in 2000.
Telling people what to do and where to go in any life other than the virtual one in The Sims would normally result in one being slapped, punched or themselves told where to go. It may even be called bullying.
But the point-and-click game required players to guide their virtual, helpless people through life, including the mundane chores such as taking out the trash, cleaning dishes and completing the daily grind of waking up, showering, going to work, coming home, showering again (obviously no drought in Sims land) and eating - perhaps followed by some sleeping.
Ah, and who could forget when your Sim first wet him or herself, or set the place on fire trying desperately to cook a basic dish.
The sequel, Sims 2, took the franchise to a new level with true three dimensional graphics and smarter Sim AI.
It also introduced a lifespan for Sims that saw them age, give birth, and then allow you to take the family into future generations, if you could last that long.
One record EA forgot to mention is that the Sims has given birth to an extraordinary amount of expansion packs.
The first game has seven expansion packs, the second game the same number.
Let's not forget that interesting spin-off, The Sims Online, which yours truly actually paid to play at one stage - yes, I know, take to me with an axe if I ever have thoughts of returning to the 'chat room on roids'.
Now, The Sims 3 is on the horizon and it's only inevitable that the game will sell a bundle. The question is, will it be any better?
I'd be looking to instead buy a game like Spore, a new title from the creator of The Sims, Will Wright.
While The Sims 3 introduces long overdue features such as seamless neighbourhoods, it may be too little, too late for the franchise with Mr Wright's forthcoming project to be launched this September on the PC.
Spore challenges gamers to create their own species and watch it evolve from the cellular stage to eventual space exploration.
A sample of the Creature Creator will be bundled with EA's Sim City Box, a compilation of its Sim City games, to be released in June in America (and hopefully in Australia, too).
THE SIMS franchise has now sold over 100 million units worldwide, according to publisher Electronic Arts.
The people simulator that has become a gaming phenomenon (mainly because it appeals to people of all ages and genders) has had a major release on most current and last generation consoles, and of course, the PC.
Don't laugh - we've all done it.
So how does 100 million sales stack up against other powerhouse franchises? Well, let's take the gaming classic Super Mario Bros on the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Released in 1989 it went on to sell 40.24 million copies, making it the best selling title in the Super Mario Bros series.
The Mario franchise - spin-offs included - have gone on to sell over 200 million games in over 20 years.
Given the short time The Sims has been with us, 100 million units is a fair achievement, even compared to freak cases such as the Mario Bros series.
We here at Gamer Herald can recall taking our first step with The Sims when the original game was released in 2000.
Telling people what to do and where to go in any life other than the virtual one in The Sims would normally result in one being slapped, punched or themselves told where to go. It may even be called bullying.
But the point-and-click game required players to guide their virtual, helpless people through life, including the mundane chores such as taking out the trash, cleaning dishes and completing the daily grind of waking up, showering, going to work, coming home, showering again (obviously no drought in Sims land) and eating - perhaps followed by some sleeping.
Ah, and who could forget when your Sim first wet him or herself, or set the place on fire trying desperately to cook a basic dish.
The sequel, Sims 2, took the franchise to a new level with true three dimensional graphics and smarter Sim AI.
"It is I, Major Nelson.... HEY! You're not Genie!"
It also introduced a lifespan for Sims that saw them age, give birth, and then allow you to take the family into future generations, if you could last that long.
One record EA forgot to mention is that the Sims has given birth to an extraordinary amount of expansion packs.
The first game has seven expansion packs, the second game the same number.
Let's not forget that interesting spin-off, The Sims Online, which yours truly actually paid to play at one stage - yes, I know, take to me with an axe if I ever have thoughts of returning to the 'chat room on roids'.
The SIms Online - nothing more than a sad indictment on the gaming community
Now, The Sims 3 is on the horizon and it's only inevitable that the game will sell a bundle. The question is, will it be any better?
I'd be looking to instead buy a game like Spore, a new title from the creator of The Sims, Will Wright.
While The Sims 3 introduces long overdue features such as seamless neighbourhoods, it may be too little, too late for the franchise with Mr Wright's forthcoming project to be launched this September on the PC.
Spore challenges gamers to create their own species and watch it evolve from the cellular stage to eventual space exploration.
A sample of the Creature Creator will be bundled with EA's Sim City Box, a compilation of its Sim City games, to be released in June in America (and hopefully in Australia, too).
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