The Sims life simulation game guide
Also known as: The Sims series, Sims
A beginner guide to The Sims life simulation: creating Sims, their needs, building homes, careers and relationships, plus tips for keeping a happy household.
- Type
- Video game
- Players
- 1
- First released
- 2000
- Designed by
- Will Wright
- Developer
- Maxis
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts
- Platforms
- Windows
The Sims is a life simulation game designed by Will Wright and developed by Maxis, published by Electronic Arts in 2000 for Windows. Instead of saving a kingdom or winning a race, you guide the daily lives of small virtual people called Sims. You decide what they do, where they live and who they become friends with. The game has no fixed ending and no single goal, which made it unusual and very popular with players who had never cared for traditional games. It grew into a long series with several numbered games and many expansion packs that add pets, seasons, jobs and more. The Sims is often described as a digital dollhouse with a sense of humour.
Our verdict
The Sims lets you tell your own stories. Some players focus on building beautiful houses, others on careers and wealth, others on drama between neighbours. It teaches simple ideas about time management and budgeting in a relaxed way, because neglecting needs or money has visible results. There is no pressure to win, so you can play at your own pace and simply enjoy small moments of everyday life.
What works
- Endless freedom to create people, homes and stories.
- Relaxed play with no fail state.
- Build mode is a strong creative tool on its own.
What does not
- Managing needs can feel repetitive over long sessions.
- Later games in the series rely on many paid expansions.
How to play The Sims
You start by creating one or more Sims, choosing their looks and personality. Then you move them into a house, either a ready-made home or one you build yourself in Build mode, where you place walls, floors, doors and windows. In Buy mode you furnish the house with beds, kitchens, showers, televisions and decorations, all paid for with in-game money. In Live mode, time passes and your Sims act on their own, but you give them orders by clicking objects and people. Each Sim has needs, such as hunger, energy, hygiene, bladder, comfort, fun and social contact, shown as bars. If a need gets too low, the Sim becomes unhappy or refuses tasks. Sims can get jobs, learn skills like cooking or logic, earn promotions, make friends, fall in love and start families. You can play many households in the same neighbourhood.
Tips for new players
- Place the bed, fridge, toilet and shower close together so Sims waste less time walking.
- Build skills early; most promotions require a certain skill level.
- Let Sims sleep fully before work; tired Sims perform poorly.
- Save often before trying risky experiments with your household.
Good for
The Sims: common questions
Is there a goal in The Sims?
There is no set ending. You choose your own goals, such as building a dream home, reaching the top of a career or raising a family.
What are needs in The Sims?
Needs are bars such as hunger, energy and hygiene. Keeping them high makes Sims happy and productive.
Which Sims game should a beginner start with?
The newest main game in the series is usually easiest to find and runs on modern computers and consoles.
The Sims belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
