With the release of The Sims: Legacy Collection, many players are experiencing the origins of the iconic franchise for the first time. But unlike today’s games, the original was far from a relaxing life simulator.

The Sims has evolved into a household name in gaming, but its first entry was a far cry from the casual-friendly experiences we know today. With the recent launch of The Sims: Legacy Collection, a whole new generation of players is discovering just how punishing the original game was.

What surprises many is just how relentless its simulation was. Compared to today’s quality-of-life improvements, the first Sims game required constant micromanagement. “It felt less like a life simulator and more like a survival game,” wrote The Guardian, highlighting how much more dystopian it felt compared to modern entries.

A Mistake in AI Design Changed Everything

The game’s difficulty stemmed from an AI system that was originally designed to be much smarter. “Anything the player did was worse than what a Sim would do on their own,” revealed Will Wright, the game’s creator, in a recent interview.

Realizing that this removed the need for player interaction, the developers made a drastic change: instead of improving the AI, they intentionally made it less intelligent. This forced Sims to rely on player input, making every decision crucial. Later installments refined this system, incorporating desires, social needs, and self-fulfillment beyond mere survival.

With The Sims 5 on the horizon, fans are wondering whether the franchise will stick to its traditional formula or introduce bold new mechanics. Will the next installment maintain the classic gameplay loop or take a radical new direction?

Source: 3DJuegos