‘The Sims’ Franchise Turns 16, Check Out How ‘The Sims 4’ Stacks Up To Its Predecessors

With over 175 million sales, The Sims franchise is one of the most popular brands of all time. Over the last 16 years, the game that lets people play with life has gone through four major iterations, each thriving to expand on the one before it in a crucial way. The original game launched in 2000 with an isometric view; but, for instance, The Sims 2 released in 2004 as a fully 3D game. In 2009, The Sims 3 featured a full, seamless world and by 2013 The Sims 4 utilized smaller neighborhoods and superior Sim creation tools.

To celebrate the 16^th year of Simming, developers of The Sims 4 put together an informative graphic on the history of each game. Interesting statistics include the lines of code in an exact number for each game. In fact, The Sims 4 has over 14 times as many lines of code as the original game did. The number of audio files for each title, and some of the highlighted musical artists, are also included in the graphic. View the comparison between each Sims game on the official website.

Aww, your Sims like to settle down! Find out more cool TS4 stats here: https://t.co/zK88MBkJS2 pic.twitter.com/0oBVGDwOqn

— The Sims (@TheSims) February 8, 2016

According to polls conducted by The Sims 4 team, players generally make themselves in the game. A majority, 68 percent, of players create a Sim in their likeness while 32 percent create someone else entirely. More players also create faithful Sims while 29 percent celebrate a Sim that gets around. The majority of players also partake in the game’s cheat mode to use the “Motherlode” cheat. Reportedly, 62 percent of players use this cheat for a quick 50,000 Simoleons in The Sims 4.

In-game telemetry is also revealed in the graphic. Players engage in over three million “WooHoos” each week in The Sims 4. Sims visit the bathroom nearly 17 million times, and over one million grilled cheese sandwiches are eaten in a week, too. Not to mention, The Sims 4 recently updated with celebratory items to commemorate the 16^th anniversary. The Tragic Clown painting, a Plumbob Poster, and the Grilled Cheese Aspiration are now available as part of a free download.

As the Inquisitr previously reported, that latest update also added the Kleptomaniac Trait, the NPC gardener, and the trick options from the Halloween challenge. Players can now create Sims with a lust for stolen objects with the Kleptomaniac Trait. These Sims can lift things from their neighborhood for the thrill of it. The option to return the stolen item is available, or the Sim can sell the item for tidy profit. The gardener service is now available, as well. Players can hire this NPC for a little temporary help or pay the NPC regularly for continued service.

Of course, free updates are regular and appreciated in The Sims 4 but paid DLC is always an option as well. The newest stuff pack releases tomorrow on February 9. The “Romantic Garden Stuff” pack includes new decorations and items crafted to set the mood. Two new gameplay objects, The Fountain of Gluteus Maximus and the Whispering Wishing Well, give Sims a few new ways to interact with each other. The latter of which can even bring a dead Sim back to life. Like all stuff packs for The Sims 4, “Romantic Garden Stuff” will cost $9.99 upon release.

Lovers of The Sims franchise should also note that The Sims 4 and its first two expansions are currently on sale via Origin. Since The Sims franchise is 16, players can save up to 60 percent off select titles right now. The Sims 4 is just $24 and the two available expansions are $30 each. “Get to Work” and “Get Together” add a wealth of features, items, and create-a-Sim options including active jobs and club gameplay, respectively. The 16^th anniversary sale ends on February 9. The sale on “Get Together” is especially welcome, considering the expansion just released in December.

[Image via Electronic Arts]