 |
| The Sims 2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Maxis Redwood Shores[a] |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts[b] |
| Director(s) | Charles London |
| Producer(s) | Jonathan Knight Margaret Ng |
| Programmer(s) | David Gregory Matthew M. Brown |
| Artist(s) | David Patch Goopy Rossi Leo Hourvitz |
| Composer(s) | Jerry Martin Mark Mothersbaugh |
| Series | The Sims |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | September 14, 2004
|
| Genre(s) | Social simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
The Sims 2 is a 2004 social 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.[c] 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. Unlike the original, the handheld and console versions are more storyline-based. 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. A sequel, The Sims 3, was released in June 2009.
Like its predecessor, The Sims 2 allows the player to create and dress characters called "Sims", design neighborhoods, and build and furnish houses. Players manage their Sims from birth to death, forming relationships in a manner similar to real life. Sims have life goals, wants, and fears, the fulfillment of which can produce good or bad outcomes. First incorporated in the console versions of The Sims, The Sims 2 was the first PC game in the series to incorporate a complete 3D graphics engine of the game world. This allows the player to get 360º views as opposed to the fixed 2D isometric view of The Sims. Genetics are also a new game mechanic; children in The Sims that were born in-game were randomly generated. Although gameplay is not linear, storylines and scripted events exist in the game's pre-built neighborhoods.
The Sims 2 was critically acclaimed, and it has been cited as one of the greatest video games ever made. It was also a commercial success, selling one million copies in its first ten days, a record at the time. It contributed to The Sims series reaching 100 million copies in April 2008. By March 2012, the game had sold 13 million copies over all platforms with over six million PC copies, making it one of the best-selling PC games of all time.
- ^ "Les Sims 2 passe gold" [The Sims 2 goes gold]. Jeuxvideo.com. August 24, 2004. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ "The Sims 2". Gameplanet. Archived from the original on February 11, 2005. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ Bramwell, Tom (August 24, 2004). "The Sims 2 goes gold, attracts musical talent". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Leuveren, Luke Van (October 31, 2005). "Updated Australian Release List - 31/10/05". PALGN. Archived from the original on June 29, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ Surette, Tim (October 25, 2005). "Sims 2 livin' it up on consoles". GameSpot. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ Jastrzab, Jeremy (December 12, 2005). "Updated Australian Release List - 12/12/05". PALGN. Archived from the original on February 23, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "Sims 2 for mobile hits handsets this Thursday, 22 December 2005". GamesIndustry. December 22, 2005. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
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