Maxis developed, and Electronic Arts published The Sims 2 in 2004. The Sims’ sequel. Like its predecessor, players control their Sims and build relationships like in real life. The Sims 2 is open-ended like its predecessor. Life goals, desires, and anxieties can positively and negatively affect Sims. Depending on their dreams, Sims can live up to 90 Sim days. The Sims 2 adds a 3D graphics engine and lets Sims go through six life phases. Storylines are scattered throughout the game’s pre-built neighborhoods. Pleasantview takes place 25 years after Sim’s settlement. Strangetown’s supernatural plot is only loosely related to Pleasantview. Shakespeare inspired Veronaville characters.
Windows launched The Sims 2 on September 14, 2004. Mac OS X was ported on June 17, 2005. Eight expansion and nine-item packs followed. Additionally, console versions exist. Nokia’s Ovi Store sells The Sims 2. The Sims 3 followed in June 2009. The Sims 2 sold one million copies in ten days, a record. The Sims 2 website reported 100 million sales in April 2008. The Sims 2 received 90% Metacritic and GameRankings ratings. As of March 2012, The Sims 2 was one of the best-selling PC games, selling at least six million PC copies and 13 million across all platforms.
