Gaming News - February 2003
Redwood City, CA (February 11, 2003) - Electronic Arts
today announced that The Sims turns three this month.
"Three years ago, no one believed that a videogame about people and social
interaction, without shooting, driving or what passes for action, could be
published successfully," said EA President and COO John Riccitiello. "Today this
game, The Sims, has evolved to become the world's most successful PC game and a
global multi-platform success. The Sims' incredible appeal among teens and young
adults, and especially among female players, has broken all the old established
rules about videogames."
From EA:
The Sims, the wildly popular computer game, now available on the
PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and online, skyrocketed to the top
of the charts when it began shipping to stores in February 2000 and remains a
top seller in virtually every major game market worldwide.
The Sims Three Year Highlights
- The Sims franchise has shipped over 24 million units, including more than
eight million units of the core product, The Sims.
- Since the launch in 2000, The Sims franchise has spawned five expansion
packs and a deluxe, console, and online version. The Sims has been translated
into more than 17 languages and is sold worldwide.
- An estimated 60 percent of The Sims players are female, most of them young
teens.
- The Sims for the PlayStation 2 console launched in January and quickly
vaulted to the top of charts in both North America and Europe. In the UK, The
Sims for the PlayStation 2 console was number one on ELSPA's official UK game
sales chart as compiled by Chart-Track week ending February 1, 2003.
- According to The NPD Group, The Sims base product was the number one
selling PC game in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
- The Sims franchise games held five of the top ten spots on the 2002
best-selling PC games in North America chart, released by The NPD Group.
The Sims has insinuated itself into pop culture consciousness with features
on ABC Television's, "Drew Carey Show," in an episode of Fox Television's
"Malcolm In The Middle," and was parodied last week on the Jon Stewart "Daily
Show" on Comedy Central.
The game's long list of honors has included being selected "Game of the Year"
for 2000 by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences and by numerous other
publications in the United States and abroad. The creator of The Sims, Will
Wright, was inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of
Fame in February 2002, joining such industry legends as Sid Meier and Shigeru
Miyamoto. Will Wright has also been recognized by ISDA in 2002 for his
extraordinary body of work and enduring legacy he has established in the
interactive entertainment industry.
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