Question about the SIMS computer games

[DVCindy]

My dd 9 is dying for the SIMS computer game. She's played it once at a friend's house and it is really up there on her Christamas wish list. However, every one I have found is rated "T" and I'm a little reluctant to get it for her. Are there any rated "E" versions out there ? Are you able to block access to certain features in the "T" versions ? What exactly goes on that it gets a "T" rating anyway ? I can tell by some of the titles (I guess they are add on packs) that the content is mature, but what about the basic version ?

 

[Crazoo]

You can't block certain parts of the game as that would take away functionalityi from it...

Are you familiar with the game? It's basically a virtual life where you create a character and control what they do. They can even date and I guess that's why it's rated T.

 

[golfgal]

The only thing I can think of on this game is that the people on the game don't start out with clothing so they can walk around in their underwear. DD has this and I haven't really seen anything that is really "offensive" other then she has "Dad" walking around in a speedo swimsuit.

 

[Crazoo]

Take a look at this link too, most versions are rated T

http://www.esrb.org/search_results.asp?key=sims&x=0&y=0&type=game&validateSearch=1

 

[Marseeya]

I haven't really seen anything offensive with it and my DD used to play the first Sims version when she was younger than 9. She even used to play Hot Date.

 

[olena]

I assume we're talking about Sims 2 and not Sim 1.

The basic game is rated T because of some more mature elements. Sims are virtual people that can have careers, raise families and realize other lifetime goals. There are 6 life stages with the basic game: baby, toddler, child, teen, adult, elder. Teens and older can make out with each other, which means you see them kiss and run their hands down each other's backs. Teens can only date teens. Adults and older can Woo Hoo, which is another term for sex. You never see them doing this. You'll see covers flying on the bed, arms and legs splashing in the hot tub or the clothes changing booth bouncing around. Sims can get pregnant from Woo Hoo if you click on the Try For Baby option in the interaction menu. This means they'll Woo Hoo and the female may get pregnant. And she 'll grow in size and give birth after 3 Sim days. The cinematic that sometimes appears has cheesy, 70's music. I turn off the cinematics, so I don't see them anymore. If things got any more graphic than that, then the T rating would be changed to M. It's your call as to whether your child is mature enough for that. There are lots of 9 and 10 year olds who play it.

On the other side of the coin, there are other aspects to the game. Some Simmers love to just build houses or community lots. To play with the Sims, you have to manage their lives. Make sure they get enough food and sleep so they go to work. If they miss work, they can be fired. Sims with kids have to keep them in similar shape and if the kids don't keep up with homework and get an F, the Social Worker takes them away. If Sims don't pay their bills, here comes Repo Man. If Sims don't learn adequate cooking skills, then they run the chance of dying in a kitchen fire every time they get hungry. If Sims don't spend quality time with the kids, the kids get really cranky and grow up with bad memories. If a Teen is really unhappy with everyone in the household, he'll run away from home. So there's a lot to keep a player busy.

If you are serious about purchasing this game, then you must check the system requirements. This game uses up a lot of RAM, needs a great video card and uses up a good bit of hard drive space.

http://thesims2.ea.com/help/detail.php?help_id=21

If you have further questions, just let me know.

 

[DVCindy]

Thanks for the info, everyone ! It sounds like she can handle it. Now, which SIMS do I buy ?

olena, you mentioned SIMS 2 ... what's the difference between 1 and 2 ?

Thanks !

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

DD11 has the original Sims - they can't "whoo hoo" on that one. We got her a few of the expansion CDs like the Pets one and the Rock Star one. She is happy with those although her friends all have Sims 2.

 

[DarkSideMoon]

Thanks for the info, everyone ! It sounds like she can handle it. Now, which SIMS do I buy ?

olena, you mentioned SIMS 2 ... what's the difference between 1 and 2 ?

Thanks !

that one does not have much mature content, but it has less functionality and graphics.

 

[Marseeya]

Just my personal opinion, but I'd buy Sims 1 for my DD. It's less complicated and no like someone else mentioned.