Sims are celebrating their 25th birthday: between fiction and reality

Sims are celebrating their 25th birthday: between fiction and reality


For a quarter of a century, the Sims, these emblematic virtual avatars, have been popular our screens and have offered players various experiences: family dramas, eccentric adventures or supernatural explorations.

Launched in 2000, the SIMS has established itself as a benchmark for pop culture. The principle is simple: create and personalize characters, manage their needs and guide their aspirations. An immersive concept that has attracted millions of players, fascinated as much by the reproduction of their ideal life as by more wacky experiences, such as testing the limits of the game with improbable scenarios.

As early as 2002, the Sims became the best -selling game on PC. Electronic Arts maintains this craze by multiplying extension packs and new versions. In April 2023, the Sims 4 exceeded 70 million players.

Realism and need for control

Unlike other games, Sims do not offer quests or epic missions. However, his success is based on his hyper-realism. In this universe without winners or loser, life follows its course according to the player’s choices, offering a feeling of control often inaccessible in the real world. This mastery becomes even more attractive in periods of crisis: during the pandemic, the Sims, like animal crossing, experienced a renewed popularity.

This game also serves as an expression space. Some players used it to overcome personal events by recreating difficult scenarios in a secure setting. A form of catharsis which strengthens its impact far beyond the simple entertainment.

Inclusion and representation

From its beginnings, the Sims was a precursor in terms of inclusiveness. In 2000, he joined romantic relationships without gender distinction, a choice which, ironically, results from a programming error. This aspect becomes a major argument for its success, especially after the buzz caused by a kiss between two female avatars during the E3.

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