GameSlice: Behind the Scenes of the Computer and Video Game Industry

GameSlice Daily Editorial

February 15, 2000

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The Sims
When I first had a chance to sit down with Will Wright to play the Sims almost a year ago I said to myself, 'How will they ever finish this game?' There was just so much detail and so many different permutations of events; it had to be one of the most ambitious games due for release in 1999. Well, although the game didn't surface until last week, I have to say I am absolutely amazed at what Maxis has pulled off with this experience that simulates the lives of individuals living in a community. What stands out about this game is the level of personality you can add to it, whether it is in how you build a house, decorate it, or even starve your Sim to death. (Yes, I've tried it, and you have to love the Tombstone that is erected in your honor).
It's easy to make a game where the player is a pawn in a linear-driven experience, but The Sims stands out because it seems so open-ended – A definite tribute to the game's design and programming team. Even better yet, I now have Tony Soprano and Homer Simpson walking around my house thanks to a number of character skins available online. Overall, although the frame rate is a tad slow for my liking, The Sims is the kind of game that renews my faith in the art of game design. We're two months into the year and we already have a worthy contender for game of the year.
Retail Shenanigans
Speaking of the Sims, I have to vocally complain about the way retail prices are set in the gaming industry. This weekend I visited a major national retailer in California and saw the Sims on sale for US $39.95 -- a very reasonable price. Next to it was the universally panned first-person shooter Mortyr retailing for $49.95. Can someone explain to me how a great game like The Sims retails for $10 less than Mortyr? Sure, because of sheer volume EA can afford to sell The Sims for a lower price, but what about the idea of value? There's no way The Sims should retail for less than Mortyr and I suspect what really should happen is that Mortyr needs to retail for about $2.95 in order to have any value. (And even at that the value is derived from laughing at the game's horrible execution.) I'm glad to see The Sims at an attractive retail price. EA is sending a wake-up call to the industry: No longer can you charge more than $50 for a game unless it's something completely out of this world. The developers of Mortyr should take note.
Next, find out what Quake 3 Engine game looks too good to be true…and it is >>>