When The Sims debuted in 2000, it was the first game of its kind. It allowed players to live vicariously through virtual beings they could build from scratch and have complete control over. 24 years and numerous sequels later, The Sims franchise remains a favorite among worldwide fans of the life simulation genre. And this Facebook page of ‘Sims’ memes proves that the game has, indeed, stood the test of time. If you’ve spent thousands of hours in your very own “Sim” world, these images may resonate with you. Some memes poke fun at the game’s highly engrossing nature, where many players lose track of time in front of the computer. Others show the evolution of characters through the years. “The Sims has always been a game where players can play with life,” Pearson told The Washington Post. “While the settings and themes evolve, at the core, this need is still there. The need to explore, experiment, build a life and create — those activities resonate regardless of generation.” As Pearson admits, The Sims likely wouldn’t have the same longevity if developers Electronic Arts and Maxis had not prioritized broadening perspectives. “That means we need voices from women, people who grew up all over the world, and voices of underrepresented groups,” she said. “In hindsight, I probably should have questioned the design,” programmer Patrick J. Barrett III told The New Yorker in a 2014 interview. “But the design felt right, so I just implemented it.” “No one actually thought [kids] could a) kill themselves or b) blow themselves up. But they used to sell these [toys]. And you could do whatever you wanted with those things, sometimes in peril. “But in The Sims, you can do all the things that you want to do and not get hurt doing it.” It has brought the franchise considerable success, and EA’s chief studios officer, Laura Miele, plans to continue this practice. “I think that Sims provides an incredible canvas for us to tap into all kinds of relevant trends, whether it be music, fashion, design, and architecture, or in TV and media,” she said. “And we are going to continue to do more of that. That is the direction we’re headed.” “We certainly see interactive entertainment going to a place of streaming and being in a place where cross-platform play becomes a priority. I certainly perceive The Sims to be incredibly accessible, very global,” Miele said. “It’s a game about life, and we all have an amazing abundance of experiences and stories we want to tell. How are we ever going to finish The Sims? I don’t think we will.” Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
