The Sims cover art

The Sims

by Maxis · published by TransGaming Technologies

Released February 4, 2000 on PC, Mac, and Linux.

The Sims Trailer thumbnail

About The Sims

The Sims is a life-building simulation with emphasis on intimate details of individual characters rather than expansion of an entire society or civilization. You are in control of nearly every aspect of the lives of the individuals who make up your chosen population in the neighborhood. Characters are developed from the ground up and you infuse and mold them with personalities, looks, desires, moods, urges, living arrangements, career and personal choices, life styles, and reactions.

Management in The Sims revolves around decision-making. From physical environmental layouts, to mental outlook, emotional makeup and skills of your Sims, you'll be immersed in their daily lives. Activities include buying and placing unique items for households and offices, selling and replacing worn out furnishings, and otherwise building and maintaining the world in which your Sims live. You'll guide your Sims in life-development phases and chemistry between your Sims is a product of your manipulations as well - all form the level and style of interaction through conversations with other Sims. The Sims has a range of ten career tracks for your breadwinners to follow and each career advancement requires specific skills for success. There are ten levels of positions within each of the ten career tracks - your Sims can work their way up in career fields. Your Sims can experience floods, fires, and robberies. Neglect, starvation, loss of energy, failure to perform basic bathroom visits - all can affect your Sims and even stop them in their tracks. Death is an option and entire families could be wiped out by complete neglect and starvation.

Release dates by platform

PCNAFebruary 4, 2000 · Out now
PCEUFebruary 11, 2000 · Out now
MacNAJuly 25, 2000 · Out now
MacEUAugust 15, 2001 · Out now
LinuxNAMarch 12, 2003 · Out now

Reviews & players

Player score80526 ratings on IGDB

The Sims FAQ

When did The Sims come out?

The Sims was released on February 4, 2000 for PC, Mac, and Linux.

Is The Sims on PlayStation 5?

No. The Sims has not been announced for PlayStation 5. It is available on PC, Mac, and Linux.

Is The Sims on Xbox Series X|S?

No. The Sims has not been announced for Xbox Series X|S. It is available on PC, Mac, and Linux.

Is The Sims on Nintendo Switch 2?

No. The Sims has not been announced for Nintendo Switch 2. It is available on PC, Mac, and Linux.

Who is making The Sims?

The Sims is developed by Maxis and published by TransGaming Technologies, Aspyr Media, and Electronic Arts.

Is The Sims multiplayer?

No. The Sims is single player only.

The Sims series

22 games in release order

Full timeline
  1. The Sims2000
  2. SimsVille2001
  3. The Sims Online2002
  4. The Sims Bustin' Out2003
  5. The Sims 22004
  6. The Sims: Life Stories2007
  7. The Sims Pet Stories2007
  8. The Sims: Bowling2007
  9. The Sims Pool2007
  10. MySims2007
  11. The Sims 2: Castaway2007
  12. The Sims DJ2007
  13. The Sims Carnival: Bumper Blast2008
  14. The Sims Castaway Stories2008
  15. The Sims 32009
  16. The Sims Medieval2011
  17. The Sims Medieval: Limited Edition2011
  18. The Sims Social2011
  19. The Sims 3: Pets2011
  20. The Sims FreePlay2011
  21. The Sims 42014
  22. The Sims Mobile2018

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