Why We Still Play 'The Sims'

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Three Sims in a colourful, cluttered bedroom: one in cowboy hat stands, one with pink hair sits on a bed, one in an astronaut suit lies on another bed — Image courtesy of Electronic Arts

For over two decades, The Sims franchise has been a staple in many gamers’ lives, cultivating a fandom that repeatedly buys the same premise yet remains excited for new instalments. From nostalgic two-week obsessions to households kept alive for years, it has maintained a devoted following. However, the new alternative, Paralives, poses a threat to this monopoly. So, what keeps players returning, and can Paralives reinvent the industry?

The Sims (2000) started as a standard life simulation game and has evolved into increasingly open worlds with extensive customisation and social systems. Each iteration reinvents what it means to play The Sims without abandoning its core: the fantasy of simulating life. The player continues to create characters, build homes and relationships, and watch their lives unfold.

Why we return may lie in the psychology behind why we play. The game’s cyclical pattern, or replayability, may be rooted in our fundamental need for autonomy and control. The Sims provides a predictable environment where we can decide what happens next, offering an escape from the unpredictability of real life. Its low-stress gameplay, which mirrors real life, also provides a space for emotional regulation that is unique compared to other games. We don’t just create characters; we can wholly live different lives.

Combined with our psychological need to goal-seek, an unfinished career, incomplete aspiration, or family milestone can leave us wanting to return and finish what we started. The Sims’ endless challenges, mods, and custom content create countless opportunities to reinvent the gameplay. We return to the same game after months or even years away because there is always another story to tell.

Our relationship to the game also reinvents itself as we get older. The person playing changes, and therefore the game addresses different needs: from pretend-play as a child, to building our dream house at university, to relaxing after a long day by satisfying the needs of a Legacy household. The Sims allows players to return to a world they know while its DLCs and new mechanics offer something different to explore.

Familiarity may keep players coming back, but can it keep them from leaving?

Indie life simulator Paralives, released in May 2026, offers players an alternative to The Sims after decades of franchise dominance. Its appeal lies in offering something familiar, but different through new mechanics, flexible building tools, and a fresh visual identity which is less cartoonish and more realistic. Most notably, Paralives has committed to never releasing paid DLC, promising free updates and expansions, offering an alternative to the monetisation synonymous with The Sims 4.

However, promises don’t make a great game. Despite its flaws, The Sims offers an established reputation and longevity compared to Paralives. Therefore, Paralives’ success will depend on whether it can deliver a polished experience as well as an appealing gameplay alternative.

Paralives may be reinventing the life simulation genre, but it still has to overcome the attachment players have to The Sims. The real question is not whether The Sims can keep reinventing itself, but whether Paralives can offer enough to overcome decades of familiarity.