In celebration ofThe Simsfranchise’s 25th anniversary, EA and Maxis have released an extravaganza of content over the last two months. Notable highlights include a 25-hour-long livestream, the announcement of three new Kits, and a new Expansion Pack, but the biggest announcement was arguably the re-release ofThe SimsandThe Sims 2. Though the re-release of these classic titles has its fair share of bugs, the relaunch was ultimately successful. In fact, the success of this relaunch could leadThe Sims 3to receive similar treatment further down the line.
Players were able to purchase both titles digitally starting on January 31. Simmerscan purchaseThe SimsandThe Sims 2individually, but a pack for the two games calledThe Sims: 25th Birthday Bundleis also available. All three versions are available on the EA store right now, withThe Simsretailing for $19.99,The Sims 2for $29.99, andThe Sims: 25th Birthday Bundlefor $39.99.
Why The Sims 3 Should Get its Own Spotlight
What ultimately led EA and Maxis to re-release these iconic titles is their age and fan perception. Nostalgia for media from the early 2000s is currently at an all-time high,with bothThe SimsandThe Sims 2sitting in the heart of the time period. Additionally, EA and Maxis made sure thatThe Sims 4received new nostalgic content based on the franchise’s previous titles in the Blast from the Past Event. By introducing newer players to these nostalgic items and the franchise’s earlier titles, gamers who have not playedThe SimsorThe Sims 2might give these games a try.
Therefore, givingThe Sims 3its own time in the spotlight is not only warranted but could be a massive success for EA and Maxis. UnlikeThe SimsandThe Sims 2,The Sims 3has a much more active player baseand the game even received a performance update to suit more modern computers in January. Despite this update, new content forThe Sims 3has not been released since 2013, the year beforeThe Sims 4’s release. The game’s player base and modding community have allowed new content for the game to circulate, but official new content from EA and Maxis has not occurred in years.
But there is a wrench that could be thrown into a re-release ofThe Sims 3.UnlikeThe SimsandThe Sims 2before January 31,The Sims 3has remained available for purchase via digital download on EA’s store and Steam for $19.99. However, a Legacy Edition forThe Sims 3could work if EA and Maxis play their cards right.
How The Sims 3: Legacy Edition Could Happen
DLC forThe Sims 3fits the same mold as other entries inThe Simsfranchise,with Expansion and Stuff Packs available for the title. However,The Sims 3store was a controversial avenue for Simmers to purchase new Build and Buy and Create-A-Sim (CAS) items. Both individual items and entire sets are available for purchase using SimPoints, the game’s premium currency.The Sims 3store surprisingly remains functional despite the game’s release back in 2009. In order to promoteThe Sims 3store alongside a Legacy Edition of the game, EA and Maxis could include a few items exclusive toThe Sims 3store in the hypotheticalThe Sims 3:Legacy Edition. Picking items that are bestsellers could even the playing field for Simmers who were unable to buy items atThe Sims 3store originally.
Another avenue forThe Sims 3:Legacy Editionis to simply bundle DLC alongside the base game. EA and Maxis have done this previously forThe Sims 3withThe Sims 3Starter Pack, which included the base game,The Sims 3: Late Night, andThe Sims 3: High End Loft Stuff. One Expansion and one Stuff Pack does not make for a very substantial collection. Instead,The Sims 3’s hypothetical Legacy Edition could include more essential Expansion Packs like Generations, Pets, and Seasons. Including packs that feature these necessities alongside the base game would, likeThe SimsandThe Sims 2’s re-releases, incentivize players to pick up the older title. WithThe Simsfranchise’s 25th birthday celebrationcoming to a close, perhapsThe Sims 3will finally receive a Legacy Edition of its own when the franchise turns thirty.
