View source for The Sims Online

{{short description|2002 massively multiplayer online game}}
{{use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = The Sims Online
|image= The Sims Online Cover.jpg
|developer = [[Maxis]]<ref>[http://pc.ign.com/objects/015/015970.html IGN: The Sims Online<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822012539/http://pc.ign.com/objects/015/015970.html |date=2008-08-22 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/simsonline/index.html The Sims Online for PC – The Sims Online PC Game – The Sims Online Computer Game<!-- Bot generated title -->]  {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725224042/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/simsonline/index.html |date=2008-07-25 }}</ref>
|publisher = [[EA Games]]
|producer = Margaret Ng<br/>Virginia Ellen McArthur
|designer = [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]]<br/>Chris Trottier<br/>Jenna Chalmers
|programmer = Jeff Lind<br/>Greg Kearney
|artist = Bob King
|composer = [[Jerry Martin (composer)|Jerry Martin]]
|engine = 
|series = ''[[The Sims]]''
|platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|December 17, 2002}}
|genre = [[Massively multiplayer online game|Massively multiplayer online]] [[Social simulation game|social simulation]]
|modes = [[Multiplayer]]
}}
'''''The Sims Online''''' was a 2002 [[massively multiplayer online game]] (MMO) developed by [[Maxis]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]] (EA) for [[Microsoft Windows]]. The game was a subscription-based online multiplayer version of the 2000 Maxis game ''[[The Sims (video game)|The Sims]]'', in which players could interact with others on virtual user-made lots, buy and customise properties, and make in-game money by taking on jobs. ''The Sims Online'' was the project of Maxis founder and ''Sims'' creator Will Wright, who sought to create an open-ended online game based on social interaction, with ambitions for the game to be a platform for [[emergent gameplay]] and the creation of virtual societies and politics. In line with these ambitions and the prior commercial success of ''The Sims'', ''The Sims Online'' received considerable pre-release coverage, with expectations that it would be successful and break new ground for online multiplayer games. 

Released following a two-month public beta, ''The Sims Online'' was met with mixed reviews from critics. Reviewers generally praised the game's social features, but found the game to lack the depth and appeal of ''The Sims'', with many describing it as similar to a [[chat room]]. The overemphasis of jobs and money-making in the game was particularly critiqued due to the limited, repetitive and time-consuming nature of these activities in overall gameplay. The game similarly fared poorly commercially, underperforming press, industry and publisher expectations for the success of the game. The game also courted controversy, with its open-ended approach to social interaction leading to organised player harassment and simulated [[cybersex]]. The player count of ''The Sims Online'' peaked at slightly over 100,000 players in 2003, a modest number compared to other popular multiplayer games of the time. In March 2007, EA announced that the product would be re-branded as '''''EA-Land''''', introducing several major enhancements to the game. Within several weeks, EA announced the game would shut down, and closed the servers on August 1, 2008. ''The Sims Online'' has retrospectively been viewed as a failed experiment, with its failure attributed to its limited features, repetitive gameplay and subscription fee. A free fan-made reimplementation of ''The Sims Online'', titled ''FreeSO'', was available from 2017 to 2024. 

== Gameplay ==

{{see also|The Sims (video game)#Gameplay}}

Similar to ''[[The Sims (video game)|The Sims]]'', ''The Sims Online'' is an open-ended game that allows players to create and control virtual people, named Sims, with other player and non-player characters, in a virtual neighborhood where they can make money to buy objects and build homes and venues to live in and to interact with other Sims.<ref name=CGW/> 

=== Sim and neighborhood setup ===

Players setup the game by selecting a city and creating a sim. Cities represent persistent servers with different players; each player may have one sim per city with a total of three sims. Creating a sim is similar to ''The Sims'', with control over name, gender, and appearance.<ref>{{cite web|website=IGN|title=Getting Started|date=27 March 2012|accessdate=19 February 2024|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-online/Getting_Started|archive-date=February 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219083748/https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-online/Getting_Started|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=June 2024|reason=Cite doesn't contain info on gender and name at least}} Once the sim is created, a player enters the city view of the selected city, divided into neighborhoods which feature a grid of properties. Players can use a search, browser and map filters to locate existing properties, including by attributes including their popularity and category. As in ''The Sims'', players are required to manage their sim's needs whilst on a lot by keeping their eight individual motive levels high, which include hunger, comfort, hygiene, bladder, energy, fun, social, and room.<ref>{{cite web|website=IGN|title=Live Mode|date=27 March 2012|accessdate=19 February 2024|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-online/Live_Mode|archive-date=February 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219083750/https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-online/Live_Mode|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Sims Online'' features a similar skill progression system to ''The Sims'', with some modifications. Skills improve players' ability to generate an income using skill objects. Skill progression is accelerated by the number of people progressing the same skill at the same time in a lot. Skills also degrade over time based on the total number of skill points earned.<ref name="Prima" />

=== Social interaction ===

''The Sims Online'' integrates social features that allow players to interact with others. Players can search, bookmark, and locate other players in their neighborhood by name in the city view. This view also provides a top 100 list of the most successful sims and properties in the neighborhood by various categories. The relationships between players are visually depicted in a friendship web, which depicts the player's network of friends, enemies and acquaintances. These statuses are manually set by players.<ref>{{cite web|website=IGN|title=Relationships|date=27 March 2012|accessdate=19 February 2024|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-online/Relationships|archive-date=February 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219083749/https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-online/Relationships|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=June 2024|reason=Most of the information is not in the cite given, for instance the top-100 list}}

Relationships are indirectly measured by a relationship score that increases and decreases along with the daily and lifetime interactions a player has with another. Players have also several modes of social interaction inside and outside of properties. Messages can be sent through the user interface to specific players, which turns into a real-time chat if both players are online. If both players are on the same property, they can interact using an open text chat creating speech bubbles to nearby players. Players can also select animated gestures and interactions, with more earned by progressing skills above a certain level or having a higher relationship score. Some gestures and interactions are mutual and require both players to accept before proceeding. Players can manage unwanted behaviour by ignoring the player, removing their text in chat, or banning them from the lot if owned by the player.<ref name=Prima/>

=== Making money and managing property ===

[[File:Sims Online Screenshot.jpg|thumb|Player properties in ''The Sims Online'' can be inhabited by other players as visitors or roommates.]]

Simoleans are the main commodity in ''The Sims Online'', used to purchase lots and objects and design buildings. There are several other sources of income for players. Passive sources of income include a daily 'visitor bonus' based on the number of minutes that visitors spend in the lot, and an 'achievement bonus' for being on the game's top ranking lists. Players with properties also can set several items that allow others to pay them an income, including tip jars, fees for vending machines and pay-to-enter doors. The primary source of income for players is using job objects, some job objects produce items of value accumulated at a rate based on the player's skill level and number of other players simultaneously producing items which can be traded or sold for a profit. These objects are based upon a single skill requirement. Other job objects require multiple players to participate, and feature minigames with a payout based on the efficiency of the players, including games to navigate mazes, guess the correct letters in a code, and create a pizza with the largest variation in ingredients. These objects often have multiple skill requirements at different levels, requiring players to find others with compatible skills.<ref>{{cite web|website=IGN|title=Making Simoleans|date=27 March 2012|accessdate=19 February 2024|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-online/Making_Simoleans|archive-date=February 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219083749/https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-online/Making_Simoleans|url-status=live}}</ref>

Players purchase and manage properties in a different manner to ''The Sims''. Players select a vacant lot located in a neighborhood, with property values affected by the location and size. Players that own a property can invite roommates to inhabit them. Roommates have the ability to add or remove their own objects and manage visitors, but can't manage the inhabitants or the size of the property. The owner's user interface provides additional pages that allow them to manage inhabitants, such as lists of admitted and banned users. Property pages in the game's city view provide key information of a property, including its residents and property type.<ref name=Prima>{{cite book|title=The Sims Online: Prima's Official Strategy Guide|last=Kramer|first=Greg|publisher=Prima Games|date=2002|isbn=0-7615-4002-4|url=https://archive.org/details/simsonlineprimas00kram}}</ref>

== Development and release ==

=== Development and release ===

{{quote box|quote=The Sims Online was taking The Sims into a giant, shared world. It was kind of Darwinian: who can build the coolest place that the others want to hang out in? I wanted the social structures to be as emergent as possible. |author={{emdash}}[[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]], ''Wired''<ref name=Wired>{{cite magazine|magazine=Wired|title=Interview: Will Wright wants to make a game out of life itself|last=Baker|first=Chris|date=14 August 2012|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/the-creator|access-date=14 February 2024|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215061519/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/the-creator|url-status=live}}</ref>|width=25%}}

''The Sims Online'' was conceived by Maxis lead designer and creator of ''The Sims'', [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]], who envisioned future games would be online as the "norm rather than the exception",<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Wired|title=Will Wright: The Mayor of SimCity|last=Kelly|first=Kevin|date=1 January 1994|access-date=5 February 2024|url=https://www.wired.com/1994/01/wright/|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107160246/http://www.wired.com/1994/01/wright/|url-status=live}}</ref> and proposed the concept of an online ''Sims'' game to Maxis in 2000.<ref name=GSpot2>{{cite web|website=GameSpot|title=The Endless Hours of The Sims Online|last=Keighley|first=Geoff|access-date=5 February 2024|url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/simsonline/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021213185023/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/simsonline/|archive-date=13 December 2002}}</ref> Delivering a keynote speech at the 2001 [[Game Developers Conference]], Wright revealed initial concepts and screenshots for ''The Sims Online'',<ref>{{cite web|website=Game Developer|title=Video: Will Wright's classic 2001 keynote on game design inspirations|date=24 August 2017|access-date=16 February 2024|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/video-will-wright-s-classic-2001-keynote-on-game-design-inspirations|archive-date=February 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216025054/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/video-will-wright-s-classic-2001-keynote-on-game-design-inspirations|url-status=live}}</ref> outlining an aim for the game to imitate and represent real-life social networks as "an interactive exploration of the emerging social web" and based upon the "social topography" created and explored by players.<ref>{{cite web|website=IGN|title=GDC 2001: Will Wright Unveils Sims Online|date=23 March 2001|access-date=16 February 2024|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/23/gdc-2001-will-wright-unveils-sims-online|archive-date=February 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216023552/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/23/gdc-2001-will-wright-unveils-sims-online|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite conference|author=Will Wright|title=Design Plunder|conference=Game Developers Conference 2001|date=March 2001|access-date=16 February 2024|url=http://julienbarbe.com/Docs/GDC2001.ppt|archive-date=February 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216023552/http://julienbarbe.com/Docs/GDC2001.ppt|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Keynote>{{cite youtube|title=Will Wright's Design Plunder|publisher=GDC|date=25 August 2017|access-date=16 February 2024|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Um5hfcXchU|archive-date=February 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216023552/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Um5hfcXchU|url-status=live}}</ref> Wright also attributed conversations with author [[Neal Stephenson]] and his 1992 novel ''[[Snow Crash]]'' as inspiration for the game, with its notion of a [[metaverse]] also emerging as a comparison point for publishers and reviewers.<ref name=GSpot2/><ref name=Newsweek/><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Wired|title=The Sims Online|last=Levine|first=Robert|date=1 November 2002|url=https://www.wired.com/2002/11/simcity/|access-date=18 February 2024|archive-date=February 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217230550/https://www.wired.com/2002/11/simcity/|url-status=live}}</ref> To reinforce the idea of an open-ended virtual environment, Wright conceived the game would be "thematically empty" upon release, with its settings and social dynamics to be created by players with minimal guidance from the game.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=PC Gamer|title=The Sims Online|issue=88|date=September 2001|pages=10–17|last=Morris|first=Dan|url=https://archive.org/details/UneditedPCGamer_marktrade/PC_Gamer_088u/page/n19}}</ref>

To realise Wright's concept, the development team aimed to create an online game with ''The Sims'' engine that encouraged interaction between players,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=PC PowerPlay|title=The Sims Online|last=Wildgoose|first=David|issue=62|date=July 2001|pages=28–31|url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-062-2001-07/page/n27}}</ref> and provide a broader business and economic simulation built from this premise.<ref>{{cite web|website=San Francisco Business Times|title=One on one with Will Wright, creator of 'The Sims'|date=21 April 2002|access-date=13 February 2024|last=Levine|first=Daniel|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2002/04/22/newscolumn9.html|archive-date=March 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320053742/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2002/04/22/newscolumn9.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially pitched as a smaller matchmaking client where players could visit each other's houses, suggestions by EA and Maxis to focus the game on a subscription model led to development of a larger online game.<ref name=GSpot2/> The team, which initially had little to no experience creating massively multiplayer online games, encountered challenges and delays in creating and scaling tools and processes from a game originally intended as a single-player experience.<ref name=GSpot2/><ref>{{cite conference|conference=Game Developers Conference|date=2005|title=Building Multi-Player Games Case Study: The Sims Online - Lessons Learned|last=Mellon|first=Larry|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://slideplayer.com/slide/6059750/|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212225545/https://slideplayer.com/slide/6059750/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite conference|conference=Game Developers Conference|title=Scaling The Software Development Process: Lessons Learned from The Sims Online|last1=Kearney|last2=Mellon|last3=West|first1=Greg|first2=Larry|first3=Darrin|date=Spring 2003|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://slideplayer.com/slide/4341879/|archive-date=February 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212225544/https://slideplayer.com/slide/4341879/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Ultima Online]]'' developer [[Gordon Walton]] joined Maxis to provide experience on designing online games.<ref name=GSpot2/> The team also featured a larger representation of women for the time reflecting the majority female audience of ''The Sims'' franchise,<ref>{{cite web|website=Guardian Unlimited|title=Jobs for the girls|date=23 June 2005|access-date=8 February 2024|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2005/jun/23/games.shopping2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051023022134/http://www.guardian.co.uk/computergames/story/0,,1512184,00.html|archive-date=23 October 2005}}</ref> commended by the [[ELSPA]] as a "success story" for the female games industry workforce.<ref>{{cite book|title=Chicks and Joysticks: An Exploration of Women and Gaming|publisher=Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association|date=September 2004|url=http://www.elspa.com/about/pr/elspawhitepaper3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051023012139/http://www.elspa.com/about/pr/elspawhitepaper3.pdf|archive-date=23 October 2005}}</ref> The undisclosed development budget for ''The Sims Online'' was estimated by industry insiders to be $25 million.<ref name=CNET2>{{cite web|website=CNET|title=Will 'Sims Online' alter gaming world?|last=Becker|first=David|date=30 June 2003|access-date=6 February 2024|url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/will-sims-online-alter-gaming-world/|archive-date=February 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205213125/https://www.cnet.com/culture/will-sims-online-alter-gaming-world/|url-status=live}}</ref> EA announced the release of a public beta in October 2002.<ref>{{cite web|website=CNET|last=Becker|first=David|date=3 October 2002|title="The Sims" put to online test|access-date=5 February 2024|url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-sims-put-to-online-test/|archive-date=February 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205103107/https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-sims-put-to-online-test/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Prior to release, ''The Sims Online'' received significant pre-release coverage and high expectations as a potential commercial and cultural phenomenon,<ref name=NYT2/> following the showcase of the game at [[E3]] in May 2002.<ref name=GSpot2/><ref>{{cite web|website=GameSpot|title=E3 2002: The Sims Online impressions|last=Shoemaker|first=Brad|date=22 May 2002|access-date=18 February 2024|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2002the-sims-online-impressions/1100-2867386/|archive-date=February 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217230551/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2002the-sims-online-impressions/1100-2867386/|url-status=live}}</ref> Featured as a cover article on ''[[Newsweek]]'', the game was hailed as a "step forward for online games" and an emerging "forum for social interaction".<ref name=Newsweek>{{cite web|website=Newsweek|title=Sims Family Values|date=24 November 2002|access-date=6 February 2024|url=https://www.newsweek.com/sims-family-values-142293|archive-date=February 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205213125/https://www.newsweek.com/sims-family-values-142293|url-status=live}}</ref> Lev Grossman of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' described the upcoming title as a "daring collective social experiment" to simulate a "vast virtual society" and "sandbox where we can play out our fantasies and confront our fears about what America might become".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Time|title=Sim Nation|last=Grossman|first=Lev|date=25 November 2002|access-date=6 February 2024|url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1003738-1,00.html|archive-date=February 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205213125/https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1003738-1,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some noted the novelty of an MMO that did not feature a fantasy theme in contrast to popular MMO games of the time, including ''[[EverQuest]]'' and ''[[Ultima Online]]'',<ref>{{cite web|website=Slate|title=The No-Magic Kingdom|last=Johnson|first=Steven|date=12 November 2002|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://slate.com/technology/2002/11/the-sims-online.html|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213004003/https://slate.com/technology/2002/11/the-sims-online.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Chicago Tribune|title=Sim-ulating Life Online|date=20 November 2002|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/11/20/sim-ulating-life-online/|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213010136/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/11/20/sim-ulating-life-online/|url-status=live}}</ref> with speculation that its general appeal could "bring multiplayer online gaming to the masses".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=PC PowerPlay|title=E3 2002: Sims Online|issue=76|date=August 2002|pages=56|url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-076-2002-08/page/n55}}</ref> Others expressed caution about the game's high expectations, with Chris Morris of [[CNN]] noting the commercial risk due to the poor performance of previous EA online games ''[[Motor City Online]]'' and ''[[Majestic (video game)|Majestic]]'', and the "looming question of whether casual gamers will be willing to pay a monthly fee".<ref>{{cite web|website=CNN Money|title=Goodbye Myst. Hello Sims.|last=Morris|first=Chris|date=28 March 2002|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://money.cnn.com/2002/03/27/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/|archive-date=December 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206185244/https://money.cnn.com/2002/03/27/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Sims Online'' was launched on 17 December 2002 to coincide with the Christmas period.<ref name=Escapist/> The release was accompanied by a kitsch-themed launch party organized by EA and held in New York at the [[B. Altman and Company Building|Altman Building]].<ref>{{cite web|website=BizBash|title=The Sims' Nostalgic Launch|date=7 January 2003|last=Ito|first=Suzanne|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.bizbash.com/catering-design/event-design-decor/media-gallery/13470754/the-sims-nostalgic-launch|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213005945/https://www.bizbash.com/catering-design/event-design-decor/media-gallery/13470754/the-sims-nostalgic-launch|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Controversy === 

{{quote box|quote=I think the problem is that the game itself is mind-numbingly boring. It's an axiom of these games that the less there is to do, the more people gravitate toward cybersex.|author={{emdash}}Peter Ludlow, ''Reason''<ref>{{cite web|website=Reason|title=Hobbes in Cyberspace|last=Walker|first=Jesse|date=April 2004|url=https://reason.com/2004/04/01/hobbes-in-cyberspace-2/|access-date=13 February 2024|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213084436/https://reason.com/2004/04/01/hobbes-in-cyberspace-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>|width=25%}}

''The Sims Online'' was subject to controversy due to the behaviors of some of its user base,<ref name=MN>{{cite web|website=Mercury News|title=Hey Tony, outta the way, mob moves on 'Sims Online'|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn|date=5 June 2003|access-date=13 February 2024|url=http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/6018777.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030608090408/http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/6018777.htm|archive-date=8 June 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Wired|publisher=Associated Press|title=Game Sparks Bad Behaviour Online|date=6 July 2003|url=https://www.wired.com/2003/07/game-sparks-bad-behavior-online/|access-date=13 February 2024|archive-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509194140/https://www.wired.com/2003/07/game-sparks-bad-behavior-online/|url-status=live}}</ref> prompting commentary on whether these behaviours consisted of [[virtual crime]]. Many critics noted the unexpected adult behavior of the game at release, with critics observing the game had a "sleazy" and "off-color" tone due to the risqué theme of the franchise,<ref name=IGN/> and commonly encountered flirting, [[cybersex|sex]], and users operating virtual brothels offering sex in exchange for simoleons.<ref name=PCZone/><ref>{{cite web|website=The New York Times|title=Game Theory: Win Friends, Influence People, or Just Aim And Fire|last=Herold|first=Charles|date=6 February 2003|access-date=6 February 2024|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/06/technology/game-theory-win-friends-influence-people-or-just-aim-and-fire.html|archive-date=February 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206034451/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/06/technology/game-theory-win-friends-influence-people-or-just-aim-and-fire.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This had not been entirely unexpected; Wright had previously stated the developers were "counting on" players to create "bordellos and whatever else they can imagine" with the game's open-ended tools.<ref name=Keynote/> Players also discovered that the relationship system could be abused by threatening to label the reputation of others as untrustworthy, with cases spanning from targeted harassment to widespread, co-ordinated efforts by a Mafia of players who would extort victims and properties.<ref>{{cite web|website=The Guardian|title=A reputation for extortion|last=Simon|first=Michael|date=12 November 2009|accessdate=19 February 2024|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/nov/11/sims-games-online-reputation|archive-date=February 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219034845/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/nov/11/sims-games-online-reputation|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Building Web Reputation Systems|chapter=Objects, Inputs, Scope and Mechanism|pages=162|last1=Farmer|first1=F. Randall|last2=Glass|first2=Bryce|publisher=O'Reilly|date=2010|isbn=978-0-596-15979-5}}</ref>

Public attention was further brought to these issues by Peter Ludlow, a [[University of Michigan]] philosophy professor, who operated an online blog titled ''[[The Alphaville Herald]]'' that frequently canvassed the activities of the inhabitants on the server of the same name.<ref name=TB>{{cite web|website=Tampa Bay|title=Sins of the Sims|last=Knight|first=Will|date=25 January 2004|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2004/01/25/sins-of-the-sims/|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213061440/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2004/01/25/sins-of-the-sims/|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the pseudonym Urizenus, Ludlow observed, wrote about, and interviewed users engaging in practices including scams,<ref>{{cite web|website=The Alphaville Herald|title='Voleur' Means 'Thief', Part 1|author=Urizenus|date=19 November 2003|access-date=13 February 2024|url=http://alphavilleherald.com/archives/000027.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040211082701/http://alphavilleherald.com/archives/000027.html|archive-date=11 February 2004}}</ref> sadomasochism,<ref>{{cite web|website=The Alphaville Herald|title=Interview with Anonymous, On Alphaville's Bondage, Discipline and Sadomasochism Community|date=20 December 2003|author=Urizenus|access-date=13 February 2024|url=http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000066.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610181204/http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000066.html|archive-date=10 June 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=The Alphaville Herald|title=Interview with Gorean Mistress Maria Laveaux and Her Slave, Toy|date=2 January 2004|access-date=13 February 2024|url=http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000075.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610185347/http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000075.html#more|archive-date=10 June 2004}}</ref> prostitution,<ref>{{cite web|website=The Alphaville Herald|title=Evangeline: Interview with a Child Cyber-Prostitute in TSO|date=8 December 2003|access-date=13 February 2024|url=http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000049.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610164853/http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000049.html|archive-date=10 June 2004}}</ref> and organised crime.<ref>{{cite web|website=The Alphaville Herald|title=JC Soprano: Now the City is Mine!|author=Urizenus|date=14 January 2004|access-date=13 February 2024|url=http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000089.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610201051/http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000089.html|archive-date=10 June 2004}}</ref> Of particular concern was a reported [[griefing|griefer]], Evangeline, who claimed to be a seventeen-year-old male who operated a brothel offering virtual sex services in the game.<ref name=Salon/><ref name=NYT>{{cite web|website=The New York Times|title=A Real-Life Debate on Free Expression in a Cyberspace City|last=Harmon|first=Amy|date=15 January 2004|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/15/business/technology-a-real-life-debate-on-free-expression-in-a-cyberspace-city.html|archive-date=June 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617085948/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/15/business/technology-a-real-life-debate-on-free-expression-in-a-cyberspace-city.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ludlow, among other academics, noted the ethical grey area of these activities, although the potential of "real money" being exchanged for simoleons opened up issues around the "exploitation" of users.<ref name=Salon>{{cite web|website=Salon|title=Raking Muck in 'The Sims Online'|last=Manjoo|first=Farhad|date=12 December 2003|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.salon.com/2003/12/12/sims_online_newspaper/|archive-date=March 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320060053/http://www.salon.com/2003/12/12/sims_online_newspaper/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ludlow's account on ''The Sims Online'' was banned by EA on the basis that he had included a link to his website in his player profile, raising mainstream commentary on the merits of Ludlow's reporting, the potential harms of virtual crime, and the adequacy of moderation in the game.<ref name=Salon/><ref name=NYT/><ref>{{cite web|website=BBC News|title=The dark side of digital utopia|last=Ward|first=Mark|date=22 December 2003|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3334923.stm|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426083913/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3334923.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Post-release content and ''EA-Land'' ===

Following release, the development team used surveys, feedback and demographic studies on the player base to plan a growth strategy for the game, aiming to provide more specific goals and activities, enhance the social aspects of the game, and integrating more features from ''The Sims'' into the game. Initial features added by the development team included clothing racks to customise outfits, a player trading feature,<ref>{{cite web|website=Eurogamer|title=Sims Online gets secure trading|last=Bramwell|first=Tom|date=5 March 2003|accessdate=19 February 2024|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47516|archive-date=February 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219082033/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47516|url-status=live}}</ref> non-player characters that provide services, and pets from ''[[The Sims Unleashed]]'';<ref name=GD>{{cite web|website=Game Developer|title=The Sims Online Evolution: A Case Study|last=Lewis|first=Jessica|date=17 September 2003|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-the-sims-online-i-evolution-a-case-study|access-date=13 February 2024|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213065512/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-the-sims-online-i-evolution-a-case-study|url-status=live}}</ref> however, the introduction of the clothing rack also introduced an exploit into the game that allowed players to generate large amounts of money. Despite being fixed, the exploit led to [[hyperinflation]] and permanently impacted the game's virtual economy.<ref name=RPS/><ref name=TG>{{cite web|website=TheGamer|title=15 Shocking Things You Didn't Know About The Miserable Sims Online|last=Nguyen|first=Lisa|date=25 September 2017|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://www.thegamer.com/shocking-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-miserable-sims-online/#custom-content-wasn-t-originally-available|archive-date=September 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913125359/https://www.thegamer.com/shocking-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-miserable-sims-online/#custom-content-wasn-t-originally-available|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=MO>{{cite web|website=Massively Overpowered|title=The Game Archaeologist: The Sims Online|last=Olivetti|first=Justin|date=11 July 2015|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://massivelyop.com/2015/07/11/the-game-archaeologist-the-sims-online/|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215084736/https://massivelyop.com/2015/07/11/the-game-archaeologist-the-sims-online/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2008, EA announced that ''The Sims Online'' would be relaunched as a free-to-play reworked version titled ''EA-Land''. The launch was the product of ongoing development from a small development team led by EA studio head [[Luc Barthelet]] from 2007 under the initial name TSO-E, designed as a single, merged city.<ref>{{cite web|website=GameSpot|title=The Sims Online reborn as EA-Land|last=Boyes|first=Emma|date=27 February 2008|access-date=18 February 2024|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-sims-online-reborn-as-ea-land/1100-6186790/|archive-date=February 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218043208/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-sims-online-reborn-as-ea-land/1100-6186790/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=TSO-E|title=Log of Live IRC Chat with Luc, Parizad & Sarah|date=18 June 2007|access-date=18 February 2024|url=http://www.tso-e.com/blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620194514/http://www.tso-e.com/blog|archive-date=20 June 2007}}</ref> As part of this process, several features were introduced into the game, including the introduction of the ability for players to upload custom content into the game, and the integration of web and social media features, including [[Facebook]] apps and user-created widgets.<ref>{{cite web|website=The Guardian|title=The Sims Online becomes EA-Land|last=Krotoski|first=Aleks|date=28 February 2008|access-date=18 February 2024|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2008/feb/28/thesimsonlinebecomesealand|archive-date=February 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218043208/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2008/feb/28/thesimsonlinebecomesealand|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=EA-Land Blog|title=A Special Message From Luc and the EA-Land Team|date=29 April 2008|access-date=18 February 2024|url=http://www.ea-land.ea.com/blog/?p=1151|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501071023/http://www.ea-land.ea.com/blog/?p=1151|archive-date=1 May 2008}}</ref> The relaunch announcement was met with an unenthusiastic reception; Jim Rossignol of ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' described the relaunch as "horribly rebranded" and "buzzwordery",<ref>{{cite web|website=Rock Paper Shotgun|title=Sims Online Is Dead, Long Live "EA-Land"|last=Rossignol|first=Jim|date=27 February 2008|access-date=18 February 2024|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sims-online-is-dead-long-live-ea-land|archive-date=February 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218043208/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sims-online-is-dead-long-live-ea-land|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Eurogamer'' didn't "understand any of it".<ref>{{cite web|website=Eurogamer|title=Goodbye Sims Online, hello EA-Land|last=Welsh|first=Oli|date=27 February 2008|access-date=18 February 2024|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/goodbye-sims-online-hello-ea-land|archive-date=February 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218043209/https://www.eurogamer.net/goodbye-sims-online-hello-ea-land|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Closure ===

On 29 April 2008, weeks after the relaunch of the game, EA announced the ''EA-Land'' service would be shut down from 1 August.<ref>{{cite web|website=EA-Land Blog|author=Electronic Arts|title=EA-Land Drawing To A Close|date=29 April 2008|access-date=17 February 2024|url=http://www.ea-land.com/blog/?p=1156|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505195324/http://www.ea-land.com/blog/?p=1156|archive-date=5 May 2008}}</ref> The announcement was met with disappointment from users,<ref>{{cite web|website=CNET|title='EA Land' closing just weeks after debut|last=Terdiman|first=Daniel|date=29 April 2008|access-date=17 February 2024|url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/ea-land-closing-just-weeks-after-debut/|archive-date=February 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217002706/https://www.cnet.com/culture/ea-land-closing-just-weeks-after-debut/|url-status=live}}</ref> with Barthelet noting the difficult and "particularly complex" reasons for ending the service weeks after relaunch.<ref>{{cite web|website=Games Industry.biz|last=Welsh|first=Oli|title=Electronic Arts to close EA-Land|date=30 April 2008|access-date=17 February 2024|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/electronic-arts-to-close-ea-land|archive-date=February 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217002706/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/electronic-arts-to-close-ea-land|url-status=live}}</ref> ''EA-Land'' shut down at 4:35am [[Pacific Standard Time|PST]] on 1 August 2008.<ref name=PVR>{{cite report|title=Preserving Virtual Worlds: Final Report|last1=McDonough|last2=Olendorf|last3=Kirschenbaum|last4=Kraus|last5=Reside|last6=Donahue|last7=Phelps|last8=Egert|last9=Lowood|last10=Rojo|first1=Jerome|first2=Robert|first3=Matthew|first4=Kari|first5=Doug|first6=Rachel|first7=Andrew|first8=Christopher|first9=Henry|first10=Susan|date=31 August 2010|publisher=University of Illinois|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/items/17178|archive-date=February 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206171349/https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/items/17178|url-status=live}}</ref> To commemorate the closure, EA developers held a 'See You Soon' party where players congregated until the shutdown of the game.<ref>{{cite podcast|title=Game Over|website=99% Invisible|host=Roman Mars|date=17 February 2015|url=https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/game-over/transcript/|access-date=15 February 2024|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215083519/https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/game-over/transcript/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite video|website=Archive.org|date=2008|title=moviesEALand: See You Soon Party|author=degtiar|url=https://archive.org/details/EALand_SeeYouSoonParty}}</ref> The final moments of the game at this party were recorded by Henry Lowood's research team as part of ''Archiving Virtual Worlds'' and ''Preserving Virtual Worlds'', two Congress-funded projects to investigate and develop measures to archive software content.<ref name=PVR/><ref>{{cite web|website=Stanford Magazine|title=Saving Worlds|date=November–December 2008|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://stanfordmag.org/contents/saving-worlds|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215071738/https://stanfordmag.org/contents/saving-worlds|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Gizmodo|title=The Creepy, Surreal Apocalypse of The Sims Online|last=Mars|first=Roman|date=5 March 2015|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://gizmodo.com/the-creepy-surreal-apocalypse-of-the-sims-online-1689650678|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215071738/https://gizmodo.com/the-creepy-surreal-apocalypse-of-the-sims-online-1689650678|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reception ==

{{ video game reviews

| MC = 70%<ref name=MC>{{cite web|website=Metacritic|title=The Sims Online|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-online/|access-date=29 January 2004|archive-date=January 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129110607/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-online/|url-status=live}}</ref>

| Allgame = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=Allgame>{{cite web|website=Allgame|title=The Sims Online|last=Deci|first=T.J.|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35140&tab=review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114234714/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35140&tab=review|archive-date=14 November 2014|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>

| CGM = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=CGM>{{cite magazine|magazine=Computer Games|title=Virtual Sims Reality: The Sims Online|last=Theon|first=Jessica|date=April 2003|issue=149|pages=74–5|url=https://archive.org/details/computer-games-issue-149-april-2003/page/74}}</ref>

| CGW = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=CGW>{{cite magazine|magazine=Computer Gaming World|issue=225|date=April 2003|title=The Sims Online|last=Jongewaard|first=Dana|pages=104–105|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_225/page/n107}}</ref>

| GI = 9/10<ref name=GI>{{cite web|website=GameInformer|title=The Sims Online|date=March 2003|access-date=29 January 2024|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200303/R03.0729.1604.47407.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030921085834/https://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200303/R03.0729.1604.47407.htm|archive-date=21 September 2003}}</ref>

| GameRev = C−<ref name=GR>{{cite web|website=GameRevolution|last=White|first=AA|title=The Sims Online - PC|date=1 January 2003|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/the_sims_online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423033827/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/the_sims_online|archive-date=23 April 2006|access-date=29 January 2004}}</ref>

| GSpot = 6.7<ref name=GSpot>{{cite web|website=GameSpot|title=The Sims Online|date=17 December 2002|url=https://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/simsonline/review.html/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030402061721/https://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/simsonline/review.html/|archive-date=2 April 2003|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>

| GSpy = 60%<ref name=GSpy>{{cite web|website=GameSpy|title=The Sims Online (PC)|last=Harker|first=Carla|date=30 January 2003|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/january03/simsonlinepc/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040906105927/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/january03/simsonlinepc/|archive-date=6 September 2004|access-date=29 January 2004}}</ref>

| GameZone = 7.3<ref name=GZ>{{cite web|website=GameZone|title=The Sims Online|last=Lafferty|first=Michael|date=1 January 2003|url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18483.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229230205/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18483.htm|archive-date=29 December 2004|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>

| IGN = 7.2<ref name=IGN>{{cite web|website=IGN|last=Butts|first=Steve|title=The Sims Online Review|date=13 January 2003|access-date=29 January 2024|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/13/the-sims-online-review|archive-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520022804/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/13/the-sims-online-review|url-status=live}}</ref>

| PCZone = 72%<ref name=PCZone>{{cite magazine|magazine=PC Zone|issue=126|date=March 2003|title=The Sims Online|last=Steinberg|first=Scott|pages=72–5|url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_126_March_2003/page/n71}}</ref>

|award1Pub = 2002 [[E3]] [[Game Critics Awards]]
|award1 = Best Simulation Game<ref>{{cite web|website=Game Critics Awards|title=2002 Winners|access-date=12 February 2024|url=https://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2002winners.html|archive-date=March 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314170228/http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2002winners.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=IGN|title=2001 Best of E3 Awards Winners Announced|date=20 June 2001|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/19/2001-best-of-e3-awards-winners-announced|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213082353/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/19/2001-best-of-e3-awards-winners-announced|url-status=live}}</ref>

|award2Pub = [[6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]]
|award2 = Massively Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year<ref>{{cite web|website=Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences|title=The Sims Online|access-date=12 February 2024|url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2003&idGame=475|archive-date=August 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811001455/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2003&idGame=475|url-status=live}}</ref>

}}

=== Sales ===

''The Sims Online'' was a commercial disappointment, peaking in sixth place in United States PC sales charts in December 2002.<ref>{{cite web|website=GameSpot|title=NPD weekly PC game sales chart|last=Calvert|first=Justin|date=30 May 2003|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.gamespot.com/app.php/articles/npd-weekly-pc-game-sales-chart/1100-2908345/|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213083133/https://www.gamespot.com/app.php/articles/npd-weekly-pc-game-sales-chart/1100-2908345/|url-status=live}}</ref> At launch, the game sold 105,000 units, a quarter of its production shipment.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=PC PowerPlay|title=Sims Online Almost Flops|issue=85|date=April 2004|pages=20|url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-085-2003-04}}</ref> By early 2003, the game was reported as having between 80,000 and 85,000 subscribers at launch, 40,000 of whom remained on a free trial.<ref name=NYT2>{{cite web|website=The New York Times|title=Technology: Fine Print in Electronic Arts' Results|last=Richtel|first=Matt|date=3 February 2003|access-date=6 February 2024|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/03/business/technology-fine-print-in-electronic-arts-results.html|archive-date=February 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206035517/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/03/business/technology-fine-print-in-electronic-arts-results.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CGM2/><ref name=LAT>{{cite web|website=Los Angeles Times|last=Pham|first=Alex|date=4 February 2003|title='Sims Online' Gives Creators a Painful Reality Check|access-date=5 February 2024|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-04-fi-sims4-story.html|archive-date=February 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205092100/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-04-fi-sims4-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Citing an "error on expectations" for sales, EA immediately dropped the retail price of the game from $49.99 to $29.99.<ref name=GD/><ref name=CGM2>{{cite magazine|magazine=Computer Games|issue=150|date=May 2003|title=Diminishing Expectations|last=Todd|first=Brett|pages=26–27|url=https://archive.org/details/computer-games-issue-150-may-2003/page/26}}</ref> The subscription base, which remained under 100,000 for most of 2003,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=GMR|date=May 2003|issue=4|title=Motor City Offline|last=Jones|first=George|url=https://archive.org/details/GMR04May2003/page/n19|pages=20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=CNN Money|title=Pay for Web Games?!|last=Morris|first=Chris|date=7 May 2003|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://money.cnn.com/2003/05/07/commentary/game_over/colum_gaming/index.htm|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213082850/https://money.cnn.com/2003/05/07/commentary/game_over/colum_gaming/index.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> underperformed industry expectations,<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Game Developer Magazine|date=March 2003|page=10|title=Industry Watch|last=Strong|first=Everard|url=https://archive.org/details/GDM_March_2003/page/n3|quote=Goldman Sachs believes that if sales of The Sims Online surpass half a million subscribers by the end of March (Electronic Arts' fiscal year-end), EA could see a 20- to 25 cent-per-share boost. However, if total subscribers come in under 350,000, the company could take a hit.}}</ref> and fell short of EA goals of reaching 200,000 by March and 400,000 subscribers by the end of the year.<ref name=CNET2/><ref name=NYT2/><ref name=IGDA>{{cite book|title=IGDA Online Games White Paper|date=March 2003|edition=2nd|author=IGDA Online Games Committee|access-date=4 February 2024|url=https://jiad.org/files/online/igda_online_games_whitepaper_2003.pdf|archive-date=February 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204020011/https://jiad.org/files/online/igda_online_games_whitepaper_2003.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Analyst [[Bruce Woodcock (computer games analyst)|Bruce Woodcock]] estimated active player subscriptions for ''The Sims Online'' peaked near 105,000 in 2003, sharply declining in the years after.<ref>{{cite conference|title=An Analysis of MMOG Subscription Growth|last=Woodcock|first=Bruce Sterling|conference=ION Game Conference|date=2008}}</ref>

=== Reviews ===

''The Sims Online'' received "mixed to average" review scores according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MC/> Reviewers generally praised the social networking features of the game, with several comparing it to the functionality of a [[chat room]].<ref name=Allgame/><ref name=GI/><ref name=GZ/> Describing the game as a "chat room come to life', Michael Lafferty of ''GameZone'' considered the interactive social gameplay to be a highlight of ''The Sims Online'' due to the diversity of the player base.<ref name=GZ/> A. A. White of ''Game Revolution'' commended the "realized" and "excellent" integration of in-game instant messaging and email.<ref name=GR/> Jessica Theon of ''Computer Games'' praised the game's design and social features in encouraging player co-operation, although she found the map and search function making it difficult to navigate to find others.<ref name=CGM/> ''Game Informer'' enjoyed the communal aspect of the game, but wished there were more gameplay options than "mindless genial interaction".<ref name=GI/> Scott Steinberg of ''PC Zone'' highlighted the game's "unique approach to massive online play" and focus of the game mechanics to "bring people together", but found the lack of a chat log made it difficult to monitor and continue conversations.<ref name=PCZone/> Several critics also discussed the negative aspects of player interaction. Steve Butts of ''IGN'' noted the gameplay was open to "confusion" and "abuse", observing easy ways to exploit the property manager system.<ref name=IGN/> Dana Jongewaard of ''Computer Gaming World'' found players were generally unwilling to interact in gameplay and were primarily focused on making money.<ref name=CGW/> In contrast, Jessica Theon of ''Computer Games'' found players to be "incredibly friendly and helpful".<ref name=CGM/>

Many critics questioned the merits of the game's changes compared to ''The Sims''. Steve Butts of ''IGN'' noted the gameplay lacked "challenge and conflict" due to the individual focus of gameplay and less scripted nature of other players.<ref name=IGN/> T. J. Deci of ''Allgame'' considered the social mechanics to detract from the appeal of ''The Sims'', citing the lack of player customisation to differentiate players.<ref name=Allgame/> Dana Jongewaard of ''Computer Gaming World'' noted the design of ''The Sims Online'' omitted large aspects of the original game, including its events, careers, and special characters.<ref name=CGW/> A. A. White of ''Game Revolution'' noted the game's greater emphasis on collective activities was effective, but reduced the uniqueness of individual sims, their interests and personality traits.<ref name=GR/> Scott Steinberg of ''PC Zone'' lamented the absence of the "little details" from ''The Sims'', such as disasters.<ref name=PCZone/>

The game's business simulation mechanics were also critiqued. Steve Butts of ''IGN'' noted that the lack of a "player-run market of commodities and items" limited the incentive of focusing on the money-making aspects of the game.<ref name=IGN/> ''GameSpot'' similarly cited the functionality of the economy as a problem for the game, finding skill building and money making activities to be limited and repetitive.<ref name=GSpot/> A. A. White of ''Game Revolution'' found the money-making activities generic, "non-interactive", and limited in progression, leading to an "intense emphasis on drudgery" and the proliferation of "sweatshop" lots on the game to facilitate money-making.<ref name=GR/> Carla Harker of ''GameSpy'' similarly described them as a "boring", "time-consuming", and "repetitive chore".<ref name=GSpy/> Describing money as the "downfall of the game", Scott Steinberg of ''PC Zone'' noted the job objects to dominant player participation and interaction, stating "the emphasis on cash and beauty leaves the game unbalanced, offering little reward to the player who wants to pursue a different path".<ref name=PCZone/>

=== Retrospective reception ===

{{quote box|quote=We know as little about why multiplayer online games fail as we do about why they succeed. The size of their publishers may be a factor but is no guarantee of success ... as with the Sims Online, it would seem that an MMOG based on a top-selling single-player franchise should have been a sure hit. But in spite of its ardent fan base, two successive attempts at launching the game failed.|author={{emdash}}Celia Pearce, ''Communities of Play''<ref name=COP/>|width=25%}}

Initial post-release reception of ''The Sims Online'' evaluated the game as falling far below the cultural, commercial and critical impact of ''The Sims'', with some labelling the game as a failure.<ref name=Escapist>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Escapist|title=20 Million Dollar Failure|last=Drake|first=Shannon|pages=18–19|issue=55|date=July 2006|url=https://archive.org/details/theescapist_201911/TheEscapist_55_final/page/n17/mode/2up?q=%22the+sims+online%22}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Computer Games|title=A Top Selling Failure|pages=71|issue=149|date=April 2003|url=https://archive.org/details/computer-games-issue-149-april-2003/page/70}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=GMR|title=Flatliners|last=Green|first=Jeff|issue=5|date=June 2003|pages=21|url=https://archive.org/details/GMR05Jun2003/page/n19}}</ref> Early assessments from analysts suggested the game's disappointing performance arose from a late December release too close to Christmas, poor reviews, and a limited time from announcement to release to generate support for a subscription service.<ref>{{cite web|website=CNN|title=Electronic Arts' Online Folly|last=Morris|first=Chris|date=4 March 2003|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://money.cnn.com/2003/03/04/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804090922/https://money.cnn.com/2003/03/04/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Computer Gaming World'' assessed that whilst the game was meant to be a "breakthrough" game, "players stayed away in droves".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Computer Gaming World|last1=Scott|last2=Salvatore|last3=Green|last4=Jongewaard|first1=Ryan|first2=Kristen|first3=Jeff|first4=Dana|title=Online Evolution|pages=62–4|issue=258|date=January 2006|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_258/page/n61}}</ref> Several authors categorized ''The Sims Online'' as part of a trend of failed launches of massively multiplayer online games in the early millennium.<ref name=COP>{{cite book|title=Communities of Play: Emergent Cultures in Multiplayer Games and Virtual Worlds|publisher=MIT Press|last=Pearce|first=Celia|date=2009|isbn=978-0-262-16257-9|chapter=Communities of Play and the Global Playground|pages=15–16|url=http://mitp-content-server.mit.edu:18180/books/content/sectbyfn?collid=books_pres_0&id=8039&fn=9780262162579_sch_0001.pdf|access-date=February 15, 2024|archive-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101213835/http://mitp-content-server.mit.edu:18180/books/content/sectbyfn?collid=books_pres_0&id=8039&fn=9780262162579_sch_0001.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Dungeons and dreamers : the rise of computer game culture, from geek to chic|last1=King|first1=Brad|last2=Borland|first2=John|pages=230–231|chapter=Herding Gamers|publisher=McGraw-Hill|date=2003|isbn=0-07-222888-1|url=https://archive.org/details/dungeonsdreamers0000king}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Game Developer|date=April 2003|title=Game Plan|last=Olsen|first=Jennifer|pages=4|url=https://archive.org/details/game-developer-april-2003/page/4}}</ref> 

Many writers attempted to assess the reasons for the underperformance of ''The Sims Online''. Henry Jenkins and Kurt Squire of ''Computer Games'' cited the game's difficulties in attracting a "diverse player base" and "role-playing and storytelling community" due to the medium of a massively multiplayer online game being "expensive" and "time-intensive" for players to maintain.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Computer Games|issue=151|date=June 2003|title=SimTreadmill|last1=Jenkins|last2=Squire|first1=Henry|first2=Kurt|pages=92|url=https://archive.org/details/computer-games-issue-151-june-2003/page/92}}</ref> Dan Whitehead of ''Eurogamer'' wrote that the mixture of pre-broadband performance issues and lack of infrastructure failed to "support the infinitely malleable persistent virtual world ''The Sims'' required".<ref>{{cite web|website=Eurogamer|last=Whitehead|first=Dan|title=The History of The Sims|date=5 February 2010|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-history-of-the-sims-article?page=2|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213023159/https://www.eurogamer.net/the-history-of-the-sims-article?page=2|url-status=live}}</ref> Describing the game as an "imperfect" transition of ''The Sims'', Steen et al. attributed the underperformance of the game to the "disassociation" between the idea of the player as an avatar and the dissatisfying social and economic gameplay mechanics that dominated the online experience, creating a "chilling effect" on natural social interaction.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=What went wrong with The Sims Online: Cultural learning and barriers to identification in a massively multiplayer online role-playing game|last1=Steen|last2=Greenfield|last3=Davies|last4=Tynes|first1=Francis|first2=Patricia|first3=Mari Sian|first4=Brendesha|editor=P. Vordered & J. Bryant|title=Playing Video Games: Motives, responses and consequences|date=2006|publisher=Lawrence Erlbaum|url=https://greenfieldlab.psych.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/168/2019/06/55-sgdt2006.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801070258/https://greenfieldlab.psych.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/168/2019/06/55-sgdt2006.pdf|archive-date=1 August 2023|pages=320–321}}</ref> Dan Morris of ''PC Gamer'' stated the game needed a "well-defined narrative, not just a sandbox".<ref name=Time2>{{cite magazine|magazine=Time|title=Reinventing The Sims|last=Taylor|first=Chris|date=31 August 2003|url=https://time.com/time/covers/1101030908/xgames.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030904171825/https://time.com/time/covers/1101030908/xgames.html|archive-date=4 September 2003|access-date=6 February 2024}}</ref> Graham Smith of ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' described the game as a "mess", citing the vulnerability of its player-driven economy to bugs and the unscrupulous nature of players.<ref name=RPS>{{cite web|website=Rock Paper Shotgun|title=Have You Played... The Sims Online?|last=Smith|first=Graham|date=30 July 2016|access-date=8 February 2024|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-sims-online|archive-date=February 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208065244/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-sims-online|url-status=live}}</ref> Leah Williams of ''Kotaku'' noted the game was a "bold experiment" with a sound concept, but "faded quickly" due to the newness of the internet, the lack of players and available features, and constant development changes.<ref>{{cite web|website=Kotaku|title=The Sims 5 Should Reboot The Sims Online|last=Williams|first=Leah|date=22 January 2021|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/01/the-sims-5-multiplayer-sims-online/|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213081721/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/01/the-sims-5-multiplayer-sims-online/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Kotaku|title=The Best MMOs That Died|last=Williams|first=Leah|date=8 September 2021|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/09/best-mmos-shut-down-online/|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215083828/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/09/best-mmos-shut-down-online/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Describing the game as a "letdown", video game historian Phil Salvador assessed that whilst the concept "should have worked", the game's economic features were "a constant grind" with "non-existent" entertainment venues, but noted that "its communal work interactions anticipated the sort of social games that are popular today".<ref>{{cite web|website=The Obscuritory|title=Farewell, Maxis: a look back and some Sim obscurities|last=Salvador|first=Phil|date=9 March 2015|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://obscuritory.com/sim/farewell-maxis/|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814174341/https://obscuritory.com/sim/farewell-maxis/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Legacy == 

Developers of ''The Sims Online'' retrospectively shared views that the game was a disappointment. [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]] believes that the game's lack of success was due to the online subscription model not fitting with ''The Sims''{{'}} core audience. He has observed that ''Online'' was "a very different game",<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=PC PowerPlay|title=Will Wright On...The Sims Online|pages=46|issue=94|date=December 2003|url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-094-2003-XMAS/page/n45}}</ref> and that many of the constraints of the game came from the limitations of creating a multiplayer online game.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Computer Gaming World|title=To Infinity...And Beyond|issue=263|date=June 2006|pages=76|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_263/page/n79}}</ref> Executive producer Gordon Walton stated that the game was not shipped with the complete features envisioned by the development team due to time constraints, writing "not having a fully functioning economy and more fun activities ... made the game less appealing than we wanted".<ref name=Escapist/> Although later added in ''EA-Land'', ''The Sims'' developer Don Hopkins considered the initial lack of support for player-created content was also a major factor in the game's failure.<ref>{{cite web|website=Don Hopkins' RadiOMatic BlogUTron|last=Hopkins|first=Don|title=Sims Proposals|date=5 February 2004|url=http://www.donhopkins.com/2004/02/05.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040403170132/http://www.donhopkins.com:80/2004/02/05.html|archive-date=3 April 2004|access-date=13 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=The Alphaville Herald|title=Interview With Don Hopkins|author=Urizenus|date=12 February 2004|access-date=13 February 2024|url=http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000117.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040611011207/http://www.alphavilleherald.com/archives/000117.html|archive-date=11 June 2004}}</ref> Associate producer Jessica Lewis speculated the game's higher price and subscription fee at launch deterred some consumers, who could purchase expansion packs for ''The Sims'' for cheaper.<ref name=GD/> ''[[The Sims 2]]'', a single-player title and sequel to ''The Sims'', was developed by Maxis and published by EA in 2004. ''Sims 2'' producer Tim LeTourneau assessed that ''The Sims Online'' was "ahead of its time" even though it "never resonated as strongly as the regular ''Sims'' game did".<ref>{{cite web|website=VentureBeat|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=3 February 2010|title=Interview with Tim LeTourneau on 10 years of making The Sims|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://venturebeat.com/games/interview-with-tim-letourneau-on-10-years-of-making-the-sims/|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215061106/https://venturebeat.com/games/interview-with-tim-letourneau-on-10-years-of-making-the-sims/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''The Sims Online'' frequently arose in discussions about online integration in future ''Sims'' titles, with journalists noting the failure of the game suggested the unpopularity of the concept.<ref name=Offline2/><ref>{{cite web|website=PC Gamer|title=What We Want From The Sims 4: The Sims Online (Or Not)|last=Cobbett|first=Richard|date=18 May 2013|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/what-we-want-to-see-in-the-sims-4/|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215055807/https://www.pcgamer.com/what-we-want-to-see-in-the-sims-4/|url-status=live}}</ref>  ''The Sims Online'' was also noted to foreshadow later business practices by EA to increase online integration and monetization of the ''Sims'' franchise.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Edge|title=Post Script: How The Sims 4 suggests EA's attitude to its customers is improving - gradually|page=106|issue=272|date=November 2014|url=https://archive.org/details/edge-020/Edge-272}}</ref> In 2011, EA published the online game ''[[The Sims Social]]'' on [[Facebook Platform|Facebook]], which featured similar social networking features on the platform.<ref>{{cite web|website=Forbes|title=EA's The Sims Social Debuts to Almost 5M Active Users|last=Tassi|first=Paul|date=19 August 2011|access-date=8 February 2024|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2011/08/19/eas-the-sims-social-debuts-to-almost-5m-active-users/?sh=7711e68d296a|archive-date=February 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208070510/https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2011/08/19/eas-the-sims-social-debuts-to-almost-5m-active-users/?sh=7711e68d296a|url-status=live}}</ref>  Following negative feedback to the online integration of the 2013 title ''[[SimCity (2013 video game)|SimCity]]'', EA announced ''The Sims 4'' would be "an offline, client-based game".<ref>{{cite web|website=Rock Paper Shotgun|title=Smiley-Face Bubble: The Sims 4 Will Be Offline|last=Walker|date=21 August 2013|access-date=15 February 2024|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/smiley-face-thought-bubble-the-sims-4-will-be-offline|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215060637/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/smiley-face-thought-bubble-the-sims-4-will-be-offline|url-status=live}}</ref> In discussing the future direction of the ''Sims'' franchise in 2020, EA CEO Andrew Wilson noted ''The Sims Online'' had been influential in the studio's approach to considering how "social interactions and competitive elements" could be integrated into the gameplay experience for future ''Sims'' titles.<ref name=Offline2>{{cite magazine|magazine=GameCenter|title=EA Hints at the Future of Sims|issue=69|date=March 2020|pages=12|url=https://archive.org/details/walmart-gamecenter-issue-69/Walmart%20GameCenter%20Issue%2069/page/n11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Forbes|title=EA Reveals A Cross-Platform Future For 'The Sims' In The PS5 And Xbox Series X Era|last=Tassi|first=Paul|date=2 February 2020|access-date=13 February 2024|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2020/02/02/ea-reveals-a-cross-platform-future-for-the-sims-in-the-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-era/?sh=5cdec8b21b54|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213010844/https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2020/02/02/ea-reveals-a-cross-platform-future-for-the-sims-in-the-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-era/?sh=5cdec8b21b54|url-status=live}}</ref>  

=== FreeSO ===

''FreeSO'', a free fan-made [[Game engine recreation|recreation]] of ''The Sims Online'' created by developer Rhys Simpson in [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] and [[MonoGame]], was launched in open beta on 6 January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|website=FreeSO|last=Simpson|first=Rhys|title=FreeSO Open Beta kicks off on January 6th!|date=15 December 2016|access-date=12 February 2024|url=https://freeso.org/freeso-open-beta-kicks-off-on-january-6th/|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202014225/https://freeso.org/freeso-open-beta-kicks-off-on-january-6th/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game is a non-commercial, legal re-implementation of ''The Sims Online'', acting as a [[Client–server model|client]] to read the game's original assets, and has been approved by EA.<ref name=IGN3>{{cite web|website=IGN|title=How Fan-Based Projects Are Helping Preserve Video Games History|last=Williams|first=Leah|date=15 October 2018|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/10/14/how-fan-based-projects-are-helping-preserve-video-games-history|access-date=16 February 2024|archive-date=August 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820173845/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/10/14/how-fan-based-projects-are-helping-preserve-video-games-history|url-status=live}}</ref> Simpson had developed the game from July 2016,<ref>{{cite web|website=FreeSO|last=Simpson|first=Rhys|date=31 March 2018|title=One Year of Beta Testing|access-date=12 February 2024|url=https://freeso.org/one-year-of-betatesting/|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202021338/https://freeso.org/one-year-of-betatesting/|url-status=live}}</ref> seeking to "recapture the feeling" of ''The Sims Online''.<ref>{{cite web|website=FreeSO|title=20 Years of The Sims Online|last=Simpson|first=Rhys|date=17 December 2022|access-date=12 February 2024|url=https://freeso.org/20-years-of-the-sims-online/|archive-date=March 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316055939/http://freeso.org/20-years-of-the-sims-online/|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially featuring a shared area named Sunrise Crater that accommodated 200 users, demand for the beta was so high that the servers crashed under a load of 1,000 accounts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Donnelly |first=Joe |date=2017-01-09 |title=Sims Online fan-made remake crashes at launch due to huge flood of players, plans closed beta |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/sims-online-fan-made-remake-crashes-at-launch-due-to-huge-flood-of-players-plans-closed-beta/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |archive-date=January 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128094032/http://www.pcgamer.com/sims-online-fan-made-remake-crashes-at-launch-due-to-huge-flood-of-players-plans-closed-beta/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=ShackNews|title=Unofficial Sims Online game buckles under unexpected demand and delayed|last=Keefer|first=John|date=12 January 2017|access-date=12 February 2024|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/98510/unofficial-sims-online-game-buckles-under-unexpected-demand-and-delayed|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123171820/https://www.shacknews.com/article/98510/unofficial-sims-online-game-buckles-under-unexpected-demand-and-delayed|url-status=live}}</ref>

FreeSO was shut down in December 2024 after being online for nearly eight years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-10 |title=The End |url=https://freeso.org/the-end/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=FreeSO |language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20030207151200/http://www.ea.com/eagames/official/thesimsonline/home/index.jsp}} (archived)
* {{moby game|id=/sims-online|name=''The Sims Online''}}

{{Sim series|thesims=yes}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Sims Online, The}}
[[Category:2002 video games]]
[[Category:Inactive massively multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Massively multiplayer online role-playing games]]
[[Category:North America-exclusive video games]]
[[Category:Online games shut down in 2008]]
[[Category:The Sims]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Jerry Martin]]
[[Category:Virtual economies]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]