The Sims 2: Double Deluxe, Electronic Arts (EA), 2008.ASIN: B001444IN6
Plot Summary
SIMS 2: Double Deluxe contains the original SIMS 2 game along with SIMS 2 Nightlife and The SIMS 2 Celebration Stuff. While the graphics in SIMS 2 may not be considered up to date (especially when looking at the SIMS faces’) the game is still a pleasure to play today and users will find it easy to spend hours designing houses, going on dates, and working hard on promotions. Users start with game by either selecting an already created family (complete with back story) or by creating their own. After choosing how their SIM will look (and there are many choices including hair color, facial shape, and weight), users choose their SIM’s aspiration. Each aspiration determines what a SIM will want throughout their lifetime. For example, a knowledge inspired SIM may desire to learn how to cook well whereas a fortune inspired SIM may want to become a chief architect. There are pleasure inspired SIMs who seek to buy as many things as possible and there are romance inspired SIMs who dream of having multiple boyfriends. Finally, there are popularity oriented SIMs who want nothing more than to seek out lavish parties and family oriented SIMs who want to marry and have lots of children. Every time the user fulfills a SIM’s wish the SIM’s aspiration meter rises, eventually allowing the user to obtain exclusive aspiration rewards. Of course, while users are trying to gain aspiration points they must contend with their SIM’s other needs that include hunger, energy, bladder, hygiene, comfort, fun, social and environment. If any of these needs fall too low the SIM will start crying and, depending on the need, may even die. As such, SIMS 2 is a much harder game to play if a user is responsible for multiple characters so it is recommended that users start with one until they feel comfortable meeting both their SIM’s basic needs as well as their aspirations.
Critical Evaluation
While game play is smooth and at times humorous, the best part of the SIMS 2 is its ability to let people explore alternate identities and different moral values. Because of the wide array of possibilities present to players, it is just as easy to have a SIM who is an upstanding citizen as it is to have a SIM filled with criminal intent. Users can create loving, attentive parents or characters who neglect their children only to have social services come and take them away. SIMs can be monogamous or cheat on each other constantly just as SIMs can become business tycoons or criminal masterminds. If desired, SIMs can engage in physical fights and insult each other. Alternatively, they can constantly kiss a spouse, read to their children, or throw a football around with a friend. By allowing a variety of moral choices users can explore the different implications of their decisions (and there are always logical implications in SIMS 2) while they virtually try on different identities. In addition, to moral exploration, users can virtually explore what it might be like to have four children, work constantly, throw parties, and maintain a home.
SIMS 2 also provides excellent ways for users to express their creativity as they can create houses from the foundation to the roof. Not only does this include the floor plan of the house as users are responsible for choosing wallpapers, paint colors, flooring, fixtures and furniture. In essence, the SIMS 2 allows those who wish to explore their creativity through architecture a way to do so without using overly complicated software. Overall, the SIMS 2 is a well-crafted game that gives users the opportunity to explore moral issues while allowing them the freedom to create houses and govern others’ lives, albeit fictional lives. In its promotion of creativity and moral exploration, SIMS 2 is a wonderful addition to a library collection.
Reader’s Annotation
Have you always wanted to be able to have complete control over your life? Now you can with the SIMS 2: Double Deluxe—create a character and have them live life the way you’ve always wanted to.
About the Company
Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts (EA) resides in Redwood City, California where its employees produce award winning computer and video console games. “In fiscal 2010, EA had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies, and five titles that each sold more than four million copies, including FIFA 10, Madden NFL 10, Need for Speed SHIFT, The SIMS 3 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2” (EA, n.d.a). EA has several labels to its name including EA Games, EA Play, EA Sports, and EA Interactive. Some of EA Games most famous titles include the Medal of Honor games and Battlefield while EA Sports is well-known for FIFA Soccer, Madden NFL Football, NCAA Football (EA, n.d.b). The EA Play label encompasses many enticing games such as all the SIMS games including SIMS 2, SimCity, and SimAnimals (EA, n.d.b). The latest trend in gaming is seen in the EA Interactive label which addresses mobile gaming and application development (EA, n.d.b).
Although Electronic Arts primarily operates out of Redwood City, CA it also has offices in Los Angeles, Orlando, Salt Lake City, Fairfax, and Austin (EA, n.d.c). Outside of the United States, EA employs people from Canada (in Montréal, Vancouver, and Edmonton specifically), the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Romania, India, China, Korea, and Singapore (EA, n.d.c).
EA (n.d.a) About Electronic Arts. Retrieved from http://aboutus.ea.com/companylabels.action
EA, (n.d.b) Company labels. Retrieved from http://aboutus.ea.com/companylabels.action
EA, (n.d.c) Locations. Retrieved from http://aboutus.ea.com/companylabels.action
Genre
Role playing game, Simulation game
Tags
Paper dolls, nightlife, house design, raising children, cooking, romance, growing up, morality, criminal, consequences
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalk Ideas
N/A
Interest Age
Interest Level: 7th-12th grade and beyond (12-18+ yrs.)
Challenge Issues
SIMS 2: Double Deluxe could be challenged because users can make characters do things that may be considered immoral and/or illegal such as killing other characters and having sex out of wedlock. Librarians should show challengers the library collection policy and point out how the game can be used in positive ways (such as allowing budding architects a way to design their own homes and encouraging teens to live out their fears through a created character).
Why Was This Included?
I decided to include this game because it appeals to both male and female teens. It’s a game that I discovered in college and spent many hours playing it. I also believe that it can be beneficial for teens who want to explore their values through roleplaying.
SIMS 2: Double Deluxe image is from:
Amazon (n.d.) SIMS 2: Double deluxe. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Sims-2-Double-Deluxe-Pc/dp/B001444IN6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312691162&sr=8-1
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