The Sims 2
From Modifieddesign
| "The Next Generation People Simulator" | 
|
| Developer | Maxis |
| Publisher | EA Games |
| Released | September 14, 2004 |
| Platform | PC |
| Participation Type | User-Created Content |
| Home Page | thesims2.ea.com |
Contents |
Description
The Sims 2 is the sequel to the popular PC game, The Sims, which was the biggest selling PC game of all time and was also developed by Maxis and published by EA Games. The game touts itself as a people simulator, or strategic life simulation computer game, wherein players create "Sims", virtual people, and their families, house and other destinations "Downtown", such as shops, bowling alleys and nightclubs. Players take care of the Sim's daily needs and help them develop skills so that they can land the job that they want, make money and start a family.
Gameplay
Sim Creation
In The Sims 2 players use in-built tools and pre-made assets to create virtual people who belong to virtual families. The game also utilises "genetics" whereby some of the attributes of one Sim, such as hair colour, eye colour etc., may be passed on to the next generation in the family. During the Sim creation process players also choose what their Sims wear for various occasions. Players also choose the age group that the Sim belongs to as well as their ultimate Aspiration, Star Sign and Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs.
Environment
Players can also create the world in which their Sims live. The Sim's house environment can be created on a "Neighborhood Lot" with the limited money that a Sim begins with. Players first choose a lot size and then build within it's boundaries. Players have full control over the size of rooms but are limited to 3 stories. Once initial building is complete, the player can choose elements such as flooring, wallpaper, windows, doors and even gardens and pools.
Once a home is created the player can then move onto filling it with possessions for their Sim with the money left over from building. The game comes with multiple sets of items for each room in the house, from the Study, Kitchen and Dining Room to the Bathroom, Bedroom and even Outdoor.
Downtown Lots
In addition to the home environment players can also choose to create lots in the Downtown area called "Community Lots". These lots can either become restaurants, bowling alleys, nightclubs and shops. What the player can create depends upon the expansion packs that they have and their own imagination.
Open-Ended Play
The gameplay in The Sims 2 is classed as "Open-Ended". This is due to the fact that there is no distinct goal and the game is never truly "completed". Players can continue to play as long as they wish and create as many Sims as they want.
Participatory Design
User-Created Content
One of the main features of the game is that it allows the players, the end-users, to create their own content and to even download content from others. This includes items such as clothing for sims, household items, Sims, stories, families, and even entire lots.
The Sims 2 BodyShop
The Sims 2 Homecrafter
External Links
The Sims 2 @ Wikipedia
The Sims 2 Homepage
The Sims Resource
