The Sims Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary

The Sims franchise is marking its 25th anniversary with a series of exciting in-game events, a marathon 25-hour livestream, and the much-anticipated return of two beloved titles. Dive into the details of how the celebration is unfolding.

Happy 25th Birthday To The Sims!

Events And Freebies Galore

The Sims is commemorating its 25th anniversary with an array of engaging events and special treats for its dedicated community. Players can look forward to in-game freebies, a star-studded 25-hour livestream featuring prominent Simmers, 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," stated Kevin Gibson, The Sims Production Director, in an interview with Xbox Wire. Reflecting on the franchise's origins, he remarked, "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 the continuous support from players over the past two decades since the game's reveal in 1999 has been pivotal to their success.

"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 with the most significant announcement, fans can now revisit the beginnings of the series. In honor of its 25th anniversary, The Sims and The Sims 2, along with their respective DLCs, are now available for purchase on Steam or the EA store, either as a Birthday Bundle or individually.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Simmers, as these foundational titles have been unavailable for general purchase for nearly a decade. Even owners of the physical disc versions faced challenges running the games on modern systems without extensive modifications. EA has addressed this issue by releasing versions compatible with today's computers, fulfilling a long-standing desire among the community.

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

The Sims 4 is set to host the "Blast From The Past" event, introducing iconic items from previous games. Over four weeks, players can expect additions like neon inflatable chairs in vibrant green or popping pink, multi-layer cakes, light-up dance floors, 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". The update also includes a new velour tracksuit, daily gifts for 25 days, and a Social Town update featuring a museum that chronicles the history of The Sims.

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 love 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 celebration can be viewed on The Sims' official YouTube and Twitch channels.