Electronic Arts has announced that The Sims, already the best-selling PC game franchise of all time, has reached sales of 100 million units worldwide.
First released in 2000, the game series is now available in 22 languages and sold in 60 countries around the world, while TheSims2.com attracts over four million visitors per month. Millions of players have immersed themselves into the world of The Sims, creating characters, exploring relationships, building homes and designing, creating and sharing unique items that have been downloaded more than 70 million times. The mobile version of The Sims, created by EA Mobile, has experienced similarly phenomenal success, with more than nine million downloads onto mobile devices.
“At this milestone, we want to thank players of The Sims everywhere for making The Sims such a worldwide phenomenon,” said The Sims studio head Rod Humble. “The Sims has been an interactive experience for people around the globe to explore their passion for creativity and we’re thrilled to be a part of that. From building houses and relationships, from the first kiss to a toddler’s first step, from kitchen fires – and even visits from ghosts, players have told more than 100 million unique and fun stories!”
“The Sims is truly unique in the world of interactive entertainment because it attracts creative people around the world of all ages and both genders,” added The Sims Label President Nancy Smith. “Because of the open-ended creative freedom that players experience with the game, The Sims has universal appeal like no other game franchise. We thank players everywhere for their creativity, sense of humor and strong sense of community that has made The Sims the cultural phenomenon it is today.”
Designed by Will Wright and originally published by Maxis, The Sims was an instant hit with gamers, surpassing Myst as the best-selling PC game of all time only two years after its release. It has since spawned seven expansion packs, a full-blown sequel with seven expansions of its own and an eighth on the way, an MMOG and a second sequel in development.
As an added bonus, EA is offering an exclusive free outfit to Sims players who visit the game’s website today to celebrate the occasion. For more information, check out TheSims2.com.
