I started out on day 1 of TS1. First learned about it while doing an economics paper, thought the concept intriguing and revolutionary, and kept close tabs on the game in the computer and gaming magazines. The more I read the better it looked so was ready to pounce when it came out. Started with the Bob & Betty tutorial to learn the basics and went on from there. Got all the packs, many of the add-ons Maxis and otherwise, and played the daylights out of that game. Got into building early on and have not looked back. Soon discovered TSR (it looked like a mini mall back then and each type of CC had its own department to go to) and went there for b/b stuff. The wall coverings were amazing - especially the murals.
Went on to TS2 when it came out - again day 1, much the same story, and still play it as it's my favorite version of the series. There is so much depth in that game that am still finding new things even in routine play, and there are many areas that I've yet to explore. One of the best features of 1 & 2 is that screenshots are tied to the households, which makes possible the making of what amounts to graphic novels, suitable both for own enjoyment or sharing on the site - which had provision for such things in those days.
TS3 took longer to try, and never really got into it. All the sims look the same, the graphics seem muddy, and the story telling aspect was gone with the dumping of screenshots into a common bucket. One of the coolest things I remember from those attempts was the horses wandering through the neighborhood. My sim was able to make friends with them, including the unicorn.
Got 4 soon after release (in disk form, mind you) and have picking away at it since. Have most of the packs, usually for CAS & b/b, so there is no lack of material to work with but it's just not up to the level of TS2. Gorgeous to be sure, and does have features I wish 2 had, but it's wimpy and shallow. Not to mention as buggy as a Florida swamp. So I take the old advice of eat the meat and spit out the bones, going with what works and ignoring what doesn't. Can be fun, but not immersive.
So happy anniversary to a game that's been part of my life (and provided a lot of entertainment and creative outlet) for 1/5 of a century!
EA Staff
