I am a recovered Sims addict.
I was done with all of schooling and I had no real idea what I really wanted to do with my life. I had, however, just spent just about every last cent I had on a Pentium III 600mhz PC, which I was going to use to play the latest games – John Romero’s Daikatana would be out soon, and that was something to be excited about. In retrospect, of course, we now know that wasn’t really worth waiting for.
It’s a good thing, I suppose – because that year, I ended up playing very little other than The Sims. The very first one – which was released today 16 years ago. I spent hours creating the perfect lives for my digital people, trying to fathom their absurd language and what the symbols above all their heads meant.
I even got suckered in to the myriad expansions and add-ons that the game saw; Livin’ it Up, which added new careers and items, House Party which added exactly what its name implied and especially Hot Date – which let sims leave their neighbourhoods for the first time, and revamped the game’s relationship systems. Yes, I spent a lot of time wooing virtual women inside of a video game. Yes, I was terrible at it in real life.
Anyway, point is I played the game and its expansions, tirelessly for about a year, spending way too much time living a digital life. I didn’t really get sucked I to its sequels (something I’m actually glad about) but the franchise is still one of the biggest series on planet earth; consistently topping the sales charts. It’s still one of EA’s biggest earners.
And tomorrow, it’s 16 years since the game was first released.
Have any Sims memories? any of you still plugging away hours and hours Simming?
Last Updated: February 3, 2016
HvR
February 3, 2016 at 13:47
Was playing Sims 1 on a cousin’s PC, struggling between keeping balance between Happiness, Exercise for work stats and my sim’s need to soil himself every freaking 10 minutes I realized this is bloody boring and started up C&C Tiberiun Sun.
Commander Admiral Chief
February 3, 2016 at 14:02
CnC ftw
Commander Admiral Chief
February 3, 2016 at 14:02
EDIT
OLD CnC
Hammersteyn
February 3, 2016 at 14:24
Making baby back ribs
https://media.giphy.com/media/UIliSW7cD1Uis/giphy.gif
Jan Prins
February 3, 2016 at 14:58
I have nothing! Other than a hectic collection of Sims 2 and Sims 3 base games and add-ons taking up two huge drawers of space!
Oh, and a Katy Perry poster. 😉
I won’t mention my Sims 1 collection, ARRRGGGHHH!
But still, (and please people, do not laugh) This game, and I mean The Sims 4 has been instrumental in my overcoming a hardcore porn addiction, as well as calming the irrational fears that plague me for days after a panic attack.
Gardos
February 3, 2016 at 15:08
My best memory was cheating on my digital wife with my maid, eventually marrying her and moving to a castle-like home that had about 6 empty rooms I used solely to display the art my sim had painted. He was a narcissistic asshole but I had a soft spot for him. Good ol’ Nigel McDirtbag.
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 3, 2016 at 15:13
I remember having to download every single Sims 1 expansion for my niece. Legally, of course.
I looked it once and thought “why”, then played something else.
SargonTheRebornBatpanda
February 3, 2016 at 15:23
Best Sims memory? Pressing uninstall.
ZA Ludomusicologist
February 3, 2016 at 20:01
So many memories. I am currently practising a piano piece from Sims 1… New beginnings I think… but it is from HELL! The rhythms are a nightmare!