If you’re a millennial, or even just know one, chances are you’ve played or encountered The Sims. The exceedingly popular video game franchise captured the imagination of more than one generation—and continues to do so. It’s described by game publisher Electronic Arts as the “ultimate life simulation game” and entails users designing aspects of real life, online; the game’s tagline reads, “You can create unique characters, build your dream home, and let chaos unfold.” Whether it was by being able to decorate your room in imaginative ways, plugging in the infamous “mother lode” cheat key to triple your bank balance, or dictating the actions of characters and narratives you’ve built, The Sims appealed to gamers and non-gamers alike, in a way seldom seen.
The game was also infinite, in that there wasn’t a definitive end or goal. “It felt less like a game at which you had win or lose,” says artist Ian Cheng, explaining that any “winning” in came from maintaining a household or city and making sure it’s healthy and thriving, bringing out the player’s nurturing side. “To me, this was a whole different paradigm [of playing video games]: it felt a lot like owning a
