The Sims Marks 25 Years of Gameplay

The Sims franchise is marking its 25th anniversary with an array of exciting in-game events, a marathon 25-hour livestream, and the much-anticipated return of two iconic titles. Dive in to explore all the celebratory details.

Happy 25th Birthday To The Sims!

Events And Freebies Galore

The Sims is celebrating its monumental 25th anniversary with a plethora of events and delightful freebies for its dedicated community. Players can look forward to in-game goodies, a star-studded livestream showcasing the talents of Simmers (Sims enthusiasts), and the exciting re-release of The Sims 1 and The Sims 2 on PC.

"Our incredible players have shown us that no one does life like The Sims, and we wanted to celebrate this journey we have been on together," remarked The Sims Production Director Kevin Gibson in an interview with Xbox Wire. "25 years ago, there was a game with an idea that made a big splash at E3, and look where we are today! We’ve been part of multiple generations and touched millions of lives." Gibson emphasized that without the unwavering support of players over the past two decades since its 1999 reveal, the franchise wouldn't be where it is today.

"All of the Simmers from all of the years and all of the different ways to play The Sims, are part of this 25-year journey, and this is our way of saying thank you."

The Sims 1 And The Sims 2 Are Back

Kicking off the celebrations, players can now revisit the roots of the franchise. In honor of its 25th anniversary, the original The Sims and The Sims 2, along with all their respective DLCs, are now available for purchase on Steam or the EA store. They can be bought either as a Birthday Bundle or individually.

This re-release is a dream come true for Simmers, as these first two titles have been largely inaccessible to the general public for nearly a decade. Even owners of physical copies faced challenges running them on modern systems without significant modifications. EA has addressed these issues by launching versions optimized for contemporary computers, fulfilling a long-standing wish among fans.

In-Game Events For The Sims 4 And The Sims FreePlay

The Sims 4 is set to host the "Blast From The Past" event, which will introduce iconic clothing, furniture, and decor from the earlier titles. Over four weeks, players will see new additions like neon inflatable chairs in vibrant neon green or popping pink, a three-layer cake, a light-up dance floor for unforgettable party nights, and even nostalgic wired phones.

Meanwhile, The Sims FreePlay's Birthday Update will transport players back to the early 2000s with new Live Events such as "The One with the Coffee Shop" and "Reality Island". Players can also enjoy a new velour tracksuit, daily gifts for 25 days, and a Social Town update featuring a museum dedicated to The Sims' history.

25 Hour Livestream For 25 Years

To launch the anniversary festivities, The Sims hosted a continuous 25-hour livestream on February 4th, featuring a diverse lineup of celebrities, streamers, fan-favorite builders, and storytellers united by their passion for the game. Notable guests included Doja Cat, rapper Latto, drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya, YouTubers Dan & Phil, Plumbella, TikTokers Angelo & Lexy, and virtual streamer Ironmouse, among others.

For those who missed the live event, the entire recording is available on the official The Sims YouTube and Twitch channels.