The Sims Series

Year: 2000

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Maxis, The Sims Studio

Creator: Will Wright

Country: US

Genre: Life simulation game

Platform: Various

Image credit: “The Sims 4 Box Art” by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Sims_4_Box_Art.png#/media/File:The_Sims_4_Box_Art.png

The Sims is a life simulation game series, set predominantly in fictional suburban neighborhoods. Often characterized as a virtual doll house, The Sims allows players to build and furnish home spaces and observe and control the domestic lives of “Sims” (i.e. simulated people). The Sims series has increasingly included lesbian, gay, and bisexual content as the series has progressed. This trend of progressiveness is evident in the series’ most recent update to The Sims 4 that allows players to customize their Sims’ gender identity, presentation, and biological capacities. The series is also notable for LGBTQ focused mods designed by fans and often freely available for players to install and change their play experience.

The series includes 4 main installment and numerous expansions.

2000: The Sims; The Sims: Living Large (expansion)

2001: The Sims: House Party (expansion), The Sims: Hot Date (expansion)

2002: The Sims: Vacation (expansion), The Sims: Unleashed (expansion)

2003: The Sims: Superstar (expansion), The Sims: Making Magic (expansion)

2004: The Sims 2

2005: The Sims 2: University (expansion), The Sims 2: Nightlife (expansion)

2006: The Sims 2: Open for Business (expansion), The Sims 2: Pets (expansion)

2007: The Sims 2: Seasons (expansion), The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (expansion)

2008: The Sims 2: Free Time (expansion), The Sims 2: Apartment Life (expansion)

2009: The Sims 3, The Sims 3: World Adventures (expansion)

2010: The Sims 3: Ambitions (expansion), The Sims 3: Late Night (expansion)