Sims

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 * The Sims** is a simulation game that mimics suburban life. The point of the game is to bring the sims (virtual people) through their life stages while keeping them content. The game allows the user to build houses and communities, create each sim with specific physical features, and build relationships between other sims. In the most recent version – the Sims 2 – the user can mix sim genes, fulfill their dreams, and so forth. It offers various expansion packs that add new features to the game.

=What Started it All=

The sims was originally released in 2000. It was a breakthrough in gaming which eventually made it the top selling game of all time, surpassing Myst. Following it were various expansion packs, which add to the games content, as well as the Sims Online – which allows users to interact with other online users through their sims. The inner structure of the sims is actually agent based artificial life software (Wikipedia), which is an artificial interlligence type system dependent on the users control. That is, the sims are able to act and think on their own to some extent (free will), but as the player plays 'god', he is able to control and modify the sims actions.

What is Simlish?
Simlish (sometimes referred to as Simish) is the language spoken by the sims, created by Gerri Lawlor and Stephen Kearin. It has been said to have some close resemblance to Latin. Simlish cannot be translated. The words are actually improvised, but rather consistent in the sound and flow of it (Wikipedia). It originated in SimCopter, and adds a 'cute' feel to the Sims series of games. [|Watch a simlish conversation here].

Expansion Packs

 * 1) [|Livin' Large]
 * 2) [|House Party]
 * 3) [|Hot Date]
 * 4) [|Vacation]
 * 5) [|Unleashed]
 * 6) [|Superstar]
 * 7) [|Makin' Magic]

Screenshots


=Currently=

The Sims 2 is a sequal to the original sims. Aside from its higher-end graphics, it introduces many new features. The user can now design specific facial features, mate sims to produce babies (with mixed genes) – thus introducing the genetics factor. The sims now each have dreams that require fulfillment in order to succeed. Lack of success in a sim's life may lead to insanity and desperation. New building opportunities regarding homes and communities have been added. Finally, [|sims movie making] is now available – so users can film their sims, edit, and share them online on the sims exchange.

Expansion Packs

 * 1) [|University]
 * 2) [|Nightlife]
 * 3) [|Open for Business]

Screenshots






=Sims Exchange=

See [|Virtual Online Communities]

=The Psychology Behind the Sims=

[|Will Wright], the creator of the Sims was programmed based on psychological principles – primarily those of Abraham Maslow. He researched Maslow's work on motivation and personality, as well as his famous hierarchy of needs. In the hierarchy of needs model, maslow basically establishes basic physiological needs as the primary ones that require satisfaction. Once they are, the next level of needs must be satisfied – such as shelter, then it moves up to emotional and so forth. Once all of the needs have been satisified, one may reach self-actualization (or personal growth and fulfilment).



=The Sims and Reality=

Looking at the fundamentals of the Sims one cannot help but realize the connection between this game and our own reality. In the game perspective you can create a person, control about every aspect you want (when to eat, sleep, work, and etc), and of course you get to see the growth of your character(s) individually and through their families. The principle of this game is to mirror our reality. This brings on the concept of how we try to experience everything through technology which we experience in reality. For example, we had black and white televisions, yet color came to express the full spectrum of colors that we see. Also consider the telephone, once a completely stationary object facilitating communication has now evolved into mobile phones from which mirror the reality that we talk anywhere, anytime, and without constraint. Similar to this is the Sims, which in it's own right can be related to a virtual reality. Much of what we experience in our lives is experienced by our characters in the game. The real difference between reality and this game is the obvious fact that the game is not real but also the fact that we have complete control over the characters in the game which is not the case with reality.

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