The Sims was never expected to be a hit.
In the 1990s, when creator Will Wright proposed the game to his bosses, they weren't sold on his idea of a "virtual dollhouse."
A life simulator where players design characters, give them personalities, and take care of their needs.
Who would want that?
Quite a lot of people, it turns out.
Now, 25 years after its debut, The Sims is one of the best-selling video game series ever, with a dedicated community of superfans known as Simmers.
The latest installment, The Sims 4, has been translated into 18 languages and played by 85 million people worldwide, according to publisher Electronic Arts.
The original game's open-ended nature helped it become a hit and reach "casual gamers" beyond the medium's more dedicated audience.
Players had the freedom to create detailed domestic settings for their digital people, managing their love lives, daily routines, basic needs, and hobbies in great detail.
But it also let them imagine various torments for their virtual friends. One of the most famous—stranding your Sim in a swimming pool without a ladder—remains a popular meme today.
UK-based streamer Jesse, best known as Plumbella, says she became fascinated with the legendary trick when she first played the game at five years old. The Sims has been part of Jesse’s life ever since, thanks to the community around it.
Players can create modifications or "mods" that change various aspects, from gameplay to a character's appearance. Popular fan-made add-ons include extra height options, multiple jobs, and neurodivergent personality traits.
For dedicated fans, Jesse says the game's lasting appeal comes from building on each other's creations. As she puts it: "Take something, customize it, and share it with other Simmers. It's fascinating to see the creative ways people use their game."
The ability to express yourself in The Sims has also made it popular among players from diverse communities. Even at its launch in 2000, The Sims included same-sex relationships, a rare choice in gaming at the time.
Creator Mollie, who streams as TheEnglishSimmer, produces a lot of LGBT-themed content for her channel.