It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since The Sims first hit our computer screens. The first generation was released for Windows on February 4th 2000, and it wasn’t long before it sold 11.3 million copies, becoming the most popular PC game of all time.
If like me, you grew up with The Sims, you’ll know that it’s definitely not an accurate depiction of modern life – as far as I know robbers don’t usually steal your toilet and pregnancy usually lasts longer than a day, but that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t also taught me some important life lessons over the years. (And yes, I’m aware of the irony of spending hours making sure my fictional characters have their lives together when I can barely run my own.)
1) Follow your dreams, no matter how unrealistic they may seem
You want to be a doctor, or an astronaut? Go for it! You want to do both? Might as well try.
Dr Mike Sim is a perfect example of what you can achieve – he’s also a vampire.
2) Love doesn’t conform to a time scale
When it’s right, it’s right, whether you’ve known each other 2 years or 2 months. (That doesn’t mean you should saddle up with the first pony that comes along though).
3) Whether you like it or not, networking really is beneficial to your career
This fact was extra painful for Sim fans such as myself, who spent most of their teenage years actively avoiding people. But it is an important to know that you can’t spend ALL of your time being anti-social, as much as you’d like to, and that sometimes people aren’t actually that bad.
4) And despite your personal taste some music just sounds good, no matter what the language
Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night is just as catchy in Simlish as it is in real life.
5) The game even has the answer to some of those nagging philosophical questions
For example, why do bad things happen to good people?
6) And that pesky freewill vs fate debate
It suddenly all makes sense.
7) It taught me that hitting electronics until they work really is a useful technique to master
Our suspicions were correct. Getting mad and smacking your computer really does make it run faster.
8) And as much as you love your parents, they don’t always know what’s best
It’s a sad moment when you realise grown-ups have no idea what they’re doing most of the time either.
9) No matter how clever you are, practice makes perfect and studying really does pay off
Unless of course you’re at university. Then you just rely on Wikipedia, energy drinks and some clever referencing.
10) Being terrified of fire is a legitimate fear
(Just in case you hadn’t worked that out for yourself along time ago).
11) Online dating isn’t all its cracked up to be
Oh the woes of Tinder.
12) Aim low and you’ll never be disappointed.
This is a valid life choice – everyone loves cereal.
13) Some people are just rubbish at buying presents
A lettuce is not the worst present idea ever…
14) Time management is hard
Anyone who is perpetually late will understand this feeling.
15) It’s never too late to say you’re sorry
And there are many different ways to do it.
16) Nothing is more important in life than pizza
Not even sunlight.
17) And finally, sometimes stuff just happens
And there is no way to explain it.
Which one do you find the most relatable?
Tell us in the comments!
