The Sims franchise is celebrating a monumental milestone: its 25th anniversary! Join the festivities with in-game events, a massive 25-hour livestream, and the highly anticipated return of two beloved titles. Let's dive into the details.
Happy 25th Birthday to The Sims!
A Celebration Overflowing with Events and Freebies
The Sims' 25th anniversary is being marked with a plethora of in-game treats, a star-studded livestream showcasing the best of the Simmer community, and the triumphant return of The Sims 1 and The Sims 2 to PC.
"Our amazing players have shown us that no one does life quite like The Sims, and we wanted to celebrate this incredible journey we've shared," Kevin Gibson, The Sims Production Director, shared with Xbox Wire. "Twenty-five years ago, a game with a groundbreaking idea made a splash at E3, and look how far we've come! We've been a part of multiple generations and touched millions of lives." He emphasized that this success wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering support of players spanning two decades, since its 1999 reveal.
"Every Simmer, from every era and every way of playing The Sims, is part of this 25-year journey, and this is our way of saying thank you."
The Sims 1 and The Sims 2 Make a Comeback!
The biggest announcement? Players can now revisit the beginning! To celebrate the 25th anniversary, the original The Sims and The Sims 2, complete with all their DLC, are available for purchase on Steam and the EA store—as a Birthday Bundle or individually.
This is fantastic news for Simmers, as these first two titles haven't been readily available for almost a decade. Even with physical copies, running them on modern computers required significant technical adjustments. EA has addressed this by releasing versions fully compatible with modern systems—a long-awaited re-debut for fans.
In-Game Events for The Sims 4 and The Sims FreePlay
The Sims 4's "Blast From The Past" event brings iconic clothing, furniture, and décor from earlier titles into the game. Over four weeks, new items will be added, including neon inflatable chairs, a three-layer cake, a light-up dance floor, and even wired phones.
Meanwhile, The Sims FreePlay Birthday Update transports players back to the series' 2000s origins with new Live Events ("The One with the Coffee Shop" and "Reality Island"), a new velour tracksuit, 25 days of daily gifts, and a Social Town update featuring a museum showcasing The Sims' history.
A 25-Hour Livestream for 25 Years of Fun
The anniversary celebration kicked off with a non-stop 25-hour livestream on February 4th, featuring celebrities, streamers, and beloved Simmers. Guests included Doja Cat, Latto, Trixie Mattel and Katya, Dan & Phil, Plumbella, Angelo & Lexy, Ironmouse, and many more.
Missed the live event? Catch the entire recording on The Sims' official YouTube and Twitch channels.
