Deluxe Edition

Deluxe Edition combines the full version The Sims with the first and best in the series of Sims expansion packs, The Sims Livin' Large. This expansion pack puts Sim families into fun situations and settings; adds dozens of intriguing items that include a home chemistry lab, heart shaped bed, crystal ball, and more; and entertaining new characters that include a grim reaper, genie, clown, and more.

The Sims Creator, which only comes in the Deluxe edition, is a new customization tool that lets you create your own Sim characters. You can create a variety of Sims by selecting new clothes, designing new attire, and adding accessories such as belts, ties, and jewelry. You can even import faces into the program and apply it to a Sim character.

The Deluxe version also comes with two new designs sets that offer 25 new objects (found only in The Sims Deluxe Edition), as well as 50 new clothing choices. While some experienced players may find the new customization tool and design sets worth the price of the Deluxe Edition, most who already own The Sims and Livin' Large can probably pass on it. Despite the additions, this Deluxe version is mainly geared towards those who haven't yet discovered the pleasures of controlling those compelling, virtual human characters.

Overview - Part I

Sim City started a revolution. Real life became fun and dealing with problems that annoy us in reality engrossed us for hours.

Planning an industrial zone and sorting out traffic problems were the order of the day, and if things didn't go to plan you could always cause a melt down in a nuclear reactor. The latest title in the range, The Sims, pushes the concept of controlling a simulation of real life even further. Instead of a city you control a person.

Either creating your own Sim or selecting one from a pre-generated set you must shape their life. Their personality (which you create at the beginning of the game by distributing points among certain values) will shape the things they do but you can help them out and gradually change them as the game progresses. For example, the demo that was shown at E3 where the game was previewed had a slobbish, bad tempered character who, through careful handling and gentle hints to find a job, became an astronaut with a wife and kids.

The open endedness of The Sims is rivalled only by the freedom it allows you. YOU set your own goals. If you want to create a master criminal then you can (or at least try to), or a well meaning nobody, or a pop star; you can do anything providing you make the right decisions.