The Sims Marks 25 Years with FreePlay Upgrades

• The Sims celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with exciting festivities
• Multiple franchise titles are receiving updates, including mobile versions
• The Sims FreePlay introduces nostalgic Y2K-themed content through FreePlay 2000

What defines gaming's most iconic franchises? Doom? Wolfenstein? The Elder Scrolls? Final Fantasy? Super Mario? Tetris? Wait—you're overlooking arguably the most influential one: Maxis' groundbreaking life simulation series The Sims, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.

Originally conceived as a spinoff from SimCity, The Sims revolutionized digital life simulation by giving players unprecedented control over their virtual families—guiding them through careers, relationships, parenting, and ultimately mortality.

This landmark franchise didn't just create an entire genre—it maintains extraordinary popularity across all iterations decades later. Our publication even launched a dedicated Sims news platform. Naturally, EA is commemorating this silver anniversary with celebrations spanning The Sims 4 to mobile titles across all platforms.

Beyond celebration, what's new for mobile players? Both The Sims FreePlay and The Sims Mobile are receiving (or have received) significant anniversary updates. FreePlay's nostalgic FreePlay 2000 update transports players to Y2K-era culture shock, complemented by live events and 25 days of gifts. The Sims Mobile offers dual free gifts during its March 4th birthday week.

New to mobile Sims? Start with our comprehensive Sims Mobile beginner's guide for essential tips on nurturing your virtual families.