The Sims expansion packs

Last updated

The Sims expansion packs
Genre(s) Life simulation
Developer(s) Maxis
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts (PC)
Aspyr (Mac)
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Mac OS
Mac OS X
First release The Sims: Livin' Large
August 29, 2000 (2000-08-29)
Latest release The Sims: Makin' Magic
October 29, 2003 (2003-10-29)
Aggregate review scores
Game GameRankings Metacritic
Livin' Large77.48% [1] 82/100 [2]
House Party75.95%74/100 [3]
Hot Date85.54% [4] 85/100 [5]
Vacation77.30%75/100 [6]
Unleashed80.25%79/100 [7]
Superstar76.76%79/100 [8]
Makin' Magic78.45%80/100 [9]

Seven expansion packs were released for the 2000 life simulation video game The Sims , the first major title in The Sims series. All expansion packs were developed by Maxis for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Windows versions were published by Electronic Arts, and Mac OS X versions were published by Aspyr. Expansion packs tend to focus on major new features, with many objects, clothes, styles, worlds and life states are geared towards the pack's major theme. The first expansion pack, Livin' Large , was released on August 29, 2000. The last expansion pack, Makin' Magic , was released on October 29, 2003.

Contents


Expansions

Livin' Large

The Sims: Livin' Large (known as The Sims: Livin' It Up in Europe) is the first expansion pack released for The Sims, released in North America on August 29, 2000, and Europe on September 8, 2000. [10] [11] The pack includes new characters, careers, items, and features. This expansion pack is also part of The Sims Deluxe Edition and later compilations of the core game.

House Party

The Sims: House Party is the second expansion pack released for The Sims, released in North America on April 2, 2001. The pack gives players the ability and facilities to hold parties and gatherings in their Sims' homes. Upon release, House Party met an average reception from reviewers, with praise directed at the new objects and mechanics that aided social interaction and variety of visual styles, and criticism at the limited scope and lack of changes to core gameplay. Many of the objects and gameplay mechanics in House Party would be reintroduced in The Sims 2: Nightlife .

Hot Date

The Sims: Hot Date is the third expansion pack, released in North America on 14 November 2001. The expansion adds a new community area to the game, Downtown, and provides players with more opportunities for their Sims to interact and romance one another. Upon release, Hot Date received generally favorable reviews, with praise directed to the game's expansion of game mechanics and locations in contrast to earlier expansions, although with some criticism of the limited options for customisation and the level of challenge with relationship management. Following release, Hot Date was a commercial success, becoming one of the top ten highest-selling computer games of 2001 and 2002 in the United States.

Vacation

The Sims: Vacation (known as The Sims: On Holiday in the UK, Ireland, China, Portugal and Scandinavia) is the fourth expansion pack released for The Sims. It was released on March 26, 2002. [12] The pack introduces a new destination called "Vacation Island" where Sims can take vacations with family members or with other Sims and marks the first time Sims can stay on lots away from home. Players can save the game while a Sim is on Vacation Island. The pack also allows Sims to purchase or find souvenirs, stay at a hotel, or rent a tent/igloo. [13] The concept of travelling to different areas in Vacation would be re-introduced in The Sims 2: Bon Voyage .

Unleashed

The Sims: Unleashed is the fifth expansion pack released for The Sims. It was released on November 7, 2002. The pack introduces cats and dogs into the game. The pack also introduces farming and gardening, and expands original 10-lot neighborhood to over 40 lots, with the added ability to rezone these lots for residential or community use. Community lots can be modified to shops, cafes, and other commercial establishments. [14] Small pets like birds, fish and reptiles are also introduced. The concept of owning pets would be later re-introduced in The Sims 2: Pets , The Sims 3: Pets and The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs .

Superstar

The Sims: Superstar is the sixth expansion pack released for The Sims. It was released on May 13, 2003. The pack allows Sims to become entertainment figures and includes representations of several famous personalities, and contains additional work and leisure items. Upon release, Superstar was a commercial success, leading sales charts in the United States and United Kingdom. Critical reception of the expansion was generally favorable, with critics praising the addition of a new and challenging game mechanic through the star power system, and others critiquing the repetition and tedium of the system in balance with other gameplay mechanics. The addition of celebrity gameplay mechanics in Superstar would be re-introduced in future Sims expansions including The Sims 3: Late Night and The Sims 4: Get Famous .

Makin' Magic

The Sims: Makin' Magic is the seventh and final expansion pack released for The Sims. It was released on October 29, 2003. The pack introduces magic to the game and allows Sims to cast spells, forge charms, and buy alchemical ingredients. The pack introduces the Magic Town neighborhood, as well as Magic Town lots, which house vendors of magical ingredients and items and a number of magic-related mini-games. [15] Baking and nectar-making are also introduced. Adds additional residential lots in Magic Town, which contain new aesthetic accents such as new grass textures, background sound effects, and a higher chance of growing magical items, marking the first time that Sims may live outside of the main neighborhood. The game includes a disc with a preview of The Sims 2 , which would be released in 2004. The concept of magic/witchcraft in Makin' Magic would be re-introduced in The Sims 2: Apartment Life , The Sims 3: Supernatural and The Sims 4: Realm of Magic .

Compilations

Collections

There have been many expansion-only compilations released over the years, including The Sims Expansion Collection and The Sims Expansion Three-Pack.

The Sims Deluxe Edition

The Sims Deluxe Edition, was the first major compilation of the game. Released in October 2002 to coincide with the release of The Sims: Unleashed, Deluxe Edition includes an updated version of the base game and the Livin' Large/Livin' It Up expansion pack in a single package, replacing the standalone versions of both titles for retail. Two new themed sets containing over twenty-five items, and fifty new clothing choices were also included with the game, which could allow for Deluxe Edition to be installed as an expansion pack for existing owners of the game. Deluxe Edition also comes bundled with The Sims Creator, a program that allows in-game skins to be edited and the saving of real-life faces to be used for Sims in-game. [16]

The Sims Double Deluxe

The Sims Double Deluxe, was the second major compilation of the game. Released on September 23, 2003 to coincide with the release of The Sims: Makin' Magic, Double Deluxe included everything from Deluxe Edition along with the addition of the House Party expansion pack and a bonus disc containing extra themed set and trailers for other Sims expansions, SimCity 4 and The Sims 2 . [17]

The Sims Mega Deluxe

The Sims Mega Deluxe, was released on May 26, 2004, and included the entirety of The Sims Double Deluxe with the addition of the Hot Date expansion. [18] It was only released in North America.

The pack was released for Mac on August 30, 2004 by Aspyr Media, under the name of The Sims Party Pack. [19] Unlike the PC release, this version of the game was released in Europe as well, in May 2005. [20]

The Sims Triple Deluxe

The Sims Triple Deluxe was released in June 2004 exclusively in Europe. It is similar to Mega Deluxe but includes the On Holiday (Vacation) expansion instead of Hot Date. [21]

The Sims Complete Collection

The Sims Complete Collection (Released as The Sims: Full House in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) was released on November 10, 2005, and combines the base game with all seven expansions. [22]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Sims</i> (video game) 2000 video game

The Sims is a social simulation video game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts in 2000. The game allows players to create and control virtual people, called "Sims", and manage their daily lives in a suburban setting. The game features an open-ended gameplay, where players can choose their own goals and objectives, and customize their Sims' appearance, personality, skills, relationships, and environment. A series of expansion packs were also released that add new content and features to the game, such as new careers, items, locations, and scenarios.

<i>SimCity 4</i> 2003 video game

SimCity 4 is a city-building simulation computer game developed by Maxis, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts. The game was released in January 2003 for Microsoft Windows and in June 2003 for Mac OS X. It is the fourth major installment in the SimCity series. SimCity 4 has a single expansion pack called Rush Hour which adds features to the game. SimCity 4: Deluxe Edition contained the original game and Rush Hour combined as a single product.

An expansion pack, expansion set, supplement, or simply expansion, is an addition to an existing role-playing game, tabletop game, video game, collectible card game or miniature wargame. These add-ons usually add new game areas, weapons, objects, characters, adventures or an extended storyline to an already-released game.

<i>The Sims 2</i> 2004 video game

The Sims 2 is a 2004 strategic life simulation video game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. It is the second major title in The Sims series, and is the sequel to The Sims. The game was released for Microsoft Windows on September 14, 2004, and a port for MacOS by Aspyr was released on June 17, 2005. Eight expansion packs and nine "stuff packs" were subsequently released between 2005 and 2008. In addition, versions of The Sims 2 were released on various video game consoles, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo DS, and GameCube, and mobile platforms, including the Nokia Ovi Store. The three handheld versions of the game are completely different among themselves, unlike the home console versions of the game, which are virtually identical to each other. All three handheld versions take on more of a linear storyline. A sequel, The Sims 3, was released in June 2009

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sims: Unleashed</span> 2002 video game

The Sims: Unleashed is a 2002 expansion pack developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts for The Sims. The fifth expansion pack for The Sims, Unleashed expands the game's neighborhood to include a community area named Old Town which allows players to purchase pets, including cats and dogs, and farm their own produce. Unleashed was announced by Electronic Arts in June 2002 and released in September, with a Macintosh port of the game published by Aspyr Media in December. Upon release, Unleashed received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise directed to the scope and variety of the gameplay additions in the new neighborhood and pet mechanics, although expressing disappointment at the limited degree of control and gameplay mechanics involving pets. The concept of owning pets would be later re-introduced in The Sims 2: Pets, The Sims 3: Pets and The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sims: Livin' Large</span> 2000 video game

The Sims: Livin' Large a 2000 expansion to The Sims developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The first of several expansions to The Sims, Livin' Large introduces several new objects and architecture features, new characters and careers. The expansion was designed with a more humorous and unusual tone to broaden the creative direction and scenarios in the game. Upon release, Livin' Large received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise directed to the unique and unusual range of interactive objects, and criticism to the expansion's largely cosmetic approach. In 2002, Livin' Large was combined with the original game and packaged by Electronic Arts as The Sims Deluxe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sims: Makin' Magic</span> 2003 video game

The Sims: Makin' Magic is a 2003 expansion pack for The Sims developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The expansion introduces magic to the game, featuring items that allows Sims to create and use spells, charms, and potions. The pack also introduces the Magic Town neighborhood, as well as Magic Town lots, which house vendors of magical ingredients and items and a number of magic-related mini-games. The game was the last expansion released for The Sims prior to the 2004 release of The Sims 2, with previews for the game included in the expansion. Upon release, Makin' Magic received generally favorable reviews from critics, with reviewers praising the novelty and depth of the magic mechanics and the Magic Town neighborhood, with some critiquing the expansion's difficulty and conceptual incompatibility compared to other aspects of the game. The expansion has received praise following its release, leading a pattern of magic-themed expansions in succeeding Sims titles including The Sims 2: Apartment Life, The Sims 3: Supernatural and The Sims 4: Realm of Magic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sims: House Party</span> 2001 video game

The Sims: House Party is a 2001 expansion pack for The Sims developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The expansion introduces the gameplay features and facilities for players to hold parties and gatherings in their Sims' homes. Upon release, House Party met an average reception from reviewers, with praise directed at the new objects and mechanics that aided social interaction and variety of visual styles, and criticism at the limited scope and lack of changes to core gameplay. Many of the objects and gameplay mechanics in House Party would be reintroduced in The Sims 2: Nightlife.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sims: Hot Date</span> 2001 video game

The Sims: Hot Date is a 2001 expansion pack for The Sims developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The expansion adds a new community area to the game, Downtown, and provides players with more opportunities for their Sims to interact and romance one another. Upon release, Hot Date received generally favorable reviews, with praise directed to the game's expansion of game mechanics and locations in contrast to earlier expansions, although with some criticism of the limited options for customisation and the level of challenge with relationship management. Following release, Hot Date was a commercial success, becoming one of the top ten highest-selling computer games of 2001 and 2002 in the United States.

<i>The Sims: Vacation</i> 2002 video game

The Sims: Vacation is a 2002 expansion pack for The Sims developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The expansion introduces the ability for the player's sims to take vacations, as well as new social features including interests, daily and lifetime relationships, and new interactions. Vacation was announced by EA in January 2002, following speculation about a vacation-themed fourth expansion to the game, and was shipped in March 2002.

<i>The Sims 3</i> 2009 video game

The Sims 3 is a 2009 life simulation video game developed by the Redwood Shores studio of Maxis, and published by Electronic Arts. Part of The Sims series, it is the sequel to The Sims 2. It was released on June 2, 2009, for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, and smartphone versions. Console versions were released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo DS in October 2010 and a month later for Wii. The Windows Phone version was released on October 15, 2010. A Nintendo 3DS version, released on March 27, 2011, was one of the platform's launch titles.

<i>The Sims 2: Bon Voyage</i> Expansion pack for The Sims 2

The Sims 2: Bon Voyage is an expansion pack for the 2004 life simulation video game The Sims 2, developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The sixth expansion pack for the game, it was released 4 September 2007. Bon Voyage adds the ability to book in-game holiday travel to one of three pre-defined destinations, broadly themed around the Far East, Polynesia, and a generic mountainous region respectively. Each destination has its own unique culture, activities, and attractions. Other features of Bon Voyage include its expansion of the in-game inventory function, a number of new items and interactions, and its soundtrack, featuring Bob Marley's son Damian Marley.

<i>The Sims</i> Series of video games

The Sims is a series of life simulation video games developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The franchise has sold nearly 200 million copies worldwide, and is one of the best-selling video game series of all time. It is also part of the larger Sim series, started by SimCity in 1989.

<i>The Sims 2: Apartment Life</i> 2008 video game expansion pack

The Sims 2: Apartment Life is an expansion pack for the 2004 life simulation video game The Sims 2, developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The eighth and final expansion pack for the game, it was released 27 August 2008. Apartment Life is a broad-concept expansion pack introducing various features, including the option for sims to live in apartments, a system of social class and personal reputation, a new pre-made neighbourhood, and a magic system in which sims can become witches and learn spells.

<i>The Sims 4</i> 2014 video game

The Sims 4 is a free-to-play social simulation game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. It is the fourth major title in The Sims series, following The Sims 3 (2009). The game was released in North America on September 2, 2014, for Windows, an OS X version was released in February 2015, and PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were released in November 2017. The game was moved to a free-to-play model on October 18, 2022, monetized by the purchase of various paid downloadable content packs that have been developed since its release.

Twelve downloadable content "game packs" have been released for the 2014 life simulation video game The Sims 4, the fourth major title in The Sims series. All game packs are developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, for the Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4 and Xbox platforms. Game packs are intended to be smaller than full expansion packs. The first game pack, Outdoor Retreat, was released on January 13, 2015. The most recent game pack, Werewolves, was released on June 16, 2022.

Fifteen expansion packs have been released for the 2014 life simulation video game The Sims 4, the fourth major title in The Sims series. All expansion packs are developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, for the Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms. Expansion packs tend to focus on major new features, with many objects, clothes, styles, worlds and life states are geared towards the pack's major theme. The first expansion pack, Get to Work, was released on March 31, 2015. The most recent expansion pack, For Rent, was released on December 7, 2023.

Eleven expansion packs were released for the 2009 life simulation video game The Sims 3, the third major title in The Sims series. Of the eleven expansion packs, seven were developed by Maxis Redwood Shores, while the other four were developed by EA Salt Lake. All expansion packs were published by Electronic Arts. Expansion packs tend to focus on major new features, with the addition of many new objects, worlds, and game features geared towards the pack's major theme. The first expansion pack, World Adventures, was released on November 18, 2009. The last expansion pack, Into the Future, was released on October 22, 2013.

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References

  1. ↑ "The Sims: Livin' Large". GameRankings . Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  2. ↑ "The Sims: Livin' Large for PC". Metacritic . Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Sims: House Party". Metacritic . Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  4. ↑ "The Sims: Hot Date Reviews". GameRankings . Archived from the original on March 28, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Sims: Hot Date, The (pc:2001): Reviews". Metacritic . Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  6. ↑ "The Sims: Vacation". Metacritic . Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  7. ↑ "The Sims: Unleashed". Metacritic . Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Sims: Superstar". Metacritic . Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  9. ↑ "The Sims: Makin' Magic". Metacritic . Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  10. ↑ "The Sims: Livin' Large". IGN . Archived from the original on December 8, 2000. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  11. ↑ Writer, Gestalt (September 8, 2000). "Latest UK releases". Eurogamer . Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  12. ↑ Walker, Trey. "The Sims overtakes Myst". GameSpot . Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  13. ↑ Bates, Jason (April 8, 2002). "The Sims: Vacation". IGN . Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  14. ↑ Park, Andrew (September 30, 2002). "The Sims: Unleashed Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  15. ↑ Butts, Steve (October 30, 2003). "The Sims: Makin' Magic Review". IGN . Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ Bates, Jason (November 6, 2002). "The Sims Deluxe". IGN. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  17. ↑ McNamara, Tom (September 23, 2003). "Sims Double Deluxe Released". IGN. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  18. ↑ "EA ships The Sims Mega Deluxe". GameSpot. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  19. ↑ https://www.amazon.com/Sims-Party-Pack-Mac/dp/B0002RCYZA
  20. ↑ "The Sims: Party Pack (Mac/DVD) : Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games". Amazon UK.
  21. ↑ "The Sims: Triple Deluxe (PC CD) : Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games". Amazon UK.
  22. ↑ Adams, David (November 10, 2005). "The Sims Complete Collection Arrives". IGN. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
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