The Sims 3: Difference between revisions

As in previous games of the franchise, in ''The Sims 3'' players control their own Sims' activities and relationships. The gameplay is open-ended and does not have a defined goal. The Sims live in neighborhoods, now being officially referred to as worlds, which can be customized, allowing the player to create their houses, community lots, and Sims, although many of these come with the core game. These worlds are now seamless, allowing all Sims to move around freely without any loading screen in between lots, as happened in the previous games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dean |first=Grace |date=2022-09-06 |title=Which is better out of The Sims 3 or The Sims 4? |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/sims-3-vs-sims-4-better-differences/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=GamesRadar+ |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303200012/https://www.gamesradar.com/sims-3-vs-sims-4-better-differences/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Creswell |first=Jacob |date=2021-04-01 |title=The Sims 3's Open World Was Too Ambitious for Its Time |url=https://www.cbr.com/sims-3-open-world/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=CBR |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008230627/https://www.cbr.com/sims-3-open-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=Jordan |date=2022-12-20 |title=10 Harsh Realities Of Playing The Sims 3 Again |url=https://screenrant.com/the-sims-3-replay-harsh-realities/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=ScreenRant |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306194939/https://screenrant.com/the-sims-3-replay-harsh-realities/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The neighborhood includes community lots which can be leisure lots (parks, markets, gyms, and movie theaters) and job lots (town hall, hospital, and businesses). Since the neighborhood is open, the game includes the "Story Progression" mechanic, which allows all Sims in the neighborhood to autonomously continue their lives without the player ever controlling them. This helps to advance the story of the whole neighborhood instead of only the active playing units. Sims live for a set duration of time that is adjustable by the player and advance through several life stages (baby, toddler, child, teen, young adult, adult, and elder).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Sims 3 Aging, Lifespan, and Stages of the Life Cycle |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/aging.php |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008230606/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/aging.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Sims can die of [[old age]] or from causes such as fire, starvation, drowning, and electrocution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=The Sims 3 Death Guide: Causes of Death & Killing Sims |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/death.php |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008230530/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/death.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

The base game comes with the world Sunset Valley and an additional world called Riverview can be obtained for free from The Sims 3 Store website. All expansion packs except ''[[The Sims 3: Generations|Generations]]'' and ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons|Seasons]]'' included a world,<ref>{{cite web |date=2011 |title=Sims 3 Generations gets Adult Material |url=http://www.gamekudos.com/news/4058-sims-3-generations-gets-adult-material |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123191718/http://www.gamekudos.com/news/4058-sims-3-generations-gets-adult-material |archive-date=2013-01-23 |access-date=2011-08-23 |website=GameKudos.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=The Sims 3 Seasons Expansion Pack |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/seasons/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101131954/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/seasons/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and additional worlds can be bought at The Sims 3 Store for SimPoints. Sunset Valley and a few of the other worlds available have some degree of connection to the storyline set up by ''[[The Sims (video game)|The Sims]]'' and ''[[The Sims 2]]''. In-game Sunset Valley is stated to be the same town as the default neighborhood in ''The Sims'', and Pleasantview from ''The Sims 2'', although set twenty-five and fifty years earlier, respectively. Several pre-made characters from other ''Sim'' games appear throughout ''The Sims 3''{{'}}s worlds, many of them in younger form.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DelGreco |first=Marina |date=2021-02-16 |title=How Every Sims Game Fits on the Timeline |url=https://gamerant.com/every-sims-game-timeline-families-storylines/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Game Rant |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111225810/https://gamerant.com/every-sims-game-timeline-families-storylines/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Career opportunities like working overtime or completing tasks can yield a pay raise, cash bonus, or relationship boost. Challenges occur randomly based on each Sim's lifestyle, like relationships, skills, and jobs. Skill opportunities are the requests by your Sim's neighbors or community members for Sims to solve problems using their acquired skills for cash or relationship rewards. The new Wishes reward system replaces the Wants and Fears system in its predecessor, ''The Sims 2''. Fulfilling a Sim's wishes contributes to the Sim's Lifetime Happiness score, allowing players to purchase Lifetime Rewards for the cost of those Lifetime Happiness points.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=The Sims 3 Lifetime Wish Guide for All Expansions |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/lifetimewishes/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317032801/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/lifetimewishes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game introduces a big change in terms of customization with the "Create-a-Style" tool. In this way, every object or piece of clothing in the game is completely customizable in terms of color (which can be picked from a [[color wheel]]), material (plastic, stone, fabric, wood, and so on) or design pattern.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blackburn |first=Norma |date=2014-08-17 |title=The Sims 3 Create-a-Style: Make Custom Paterns and Colors |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/create-a-style.php |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008230529/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/create-a-style.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

As opposed to previous games, where personalities consisted of sliders, and a limited set of personality points to distribute among them, ''The Sims 3'' introduces a trait system: adult Sims can have up to five personality traits to pick from a list. These traits can be mental, physical, social, or influenced by lifestyle and jobs. The traits will determine different actions the Sims can make, as well as behaviors and wishes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=The Sims 3 Traits List and Hidden Traits |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/traits/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008230530/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/traits/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Sims can learn skills from interacting with different objects. Skills improve gradually in 10 levels. Skill improvements are useful for achieving career goals, as well as unlocking new possibilities for those activities which require the skills; for example, a high gardening level allows the sims to plant different rare seeds. The basic skills include Logic, Cooking, Painting, Gardening, Writing, Guitar, Athletic, Handiness, Charisma, and Fishing. New skills were later added in expansion packs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=The Sims 3 Skills List, Information, and Tips |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/skills/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319180122/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/skills/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many of the careers from ''The Sims'' and ''The Sims 2'' are back in ''The Sims 3''. The careers in the core game are Business, Culinary, Criminal, Education, Journalism, Law Enforcement, Medical, Military, Music, Political, Science, and Professional Sports, as well as part-time jobs in the book shop, supermarket, or spa, which can be accomplished by both adults and teenagers. Each one of the jobs takes place in a community lot of the neighborhood; however, these lots are only "rabbit-hole" buildings, with an external façade, but the player cannot access them and is not able to see what happens inside. Thus, jobs are automatic in the game, even if the player will sometimes receive challenges and questions with different options to have more control over the sims' career performance. Advancing in a career still depends on mood and skills, but with the addition that relationships with colleagues/boss and even certain goals that have to be fulfilled. Players can control if the Sims "Work Hard", "Take It Easy", and "Suck Up To Boss", thus affecting their performance. A new feature ''The Sims 3'' offers is branching careers, which allows Sims to choose a certain path in their career (such as a Sim in the Music career can eventually choose to specialize in Symphonic music or Rock). These branches are generally offered around level 6 of a career, depending on which career the Sim is working.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=The Sims 3 Career Track and Profession Guides |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/careers/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008230531/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/careers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[The Sims 3: Ambitions|''Ambitions'']] expansion pack includes brand-new professions that are playable: Firefighter, Ghost Hunter, Investigator, Architectural Designer, and Stylist.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stapleton |first=Dan |date=June 25, 2010 |title=The Sims 3: Ambitions review |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-sims-3-ambitions-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006170724/http://www.pcgamer.com/the-sims-3-ambitions-review/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Erickson |first=Tracy |date=September 21, 2010 |title=The Sims 3: Ambitions |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/The+Sims+3%3A+Ambitions/review.asp?c=23667 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722210828/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/The+Sims+3%3A+Ambitions/review.asp?c=23667 |archive-date=July 22, 2017 |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=Pocket Gamer}}</ref> Some of them take place in a playable community lot, such as Firefighter or Stylist, while the others are freelance jobs. Players can search for gigs in the neighborhood and actually accomplish them. For example, an Architectural Designer can visit other sims' houses and redecorate them in exchange for money and career performance. Sims are also able to make a living at home through their skills such as selling their own paintings, writing novels, playing guitar for tips, or growing fruit and vegetables.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gallegos |first=Anthony |date=June 1, 2010 |title=The Sims 3: Ambitions Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/01/the-sims-3-ambitions-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120075613/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/01/the-sims-3-ambitions-review |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=VanOrd |first=Kevin |date=June 7, 2010 |title=The Sims 3: Ambitions Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-3-ambitions-review/1900-6264817/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305032314/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-3-ambitions-review/1900-6264817/ |archive-date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=January 7, 2018 |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref> Sims can also [[investment|buy out businesses]] and receive a percentage of the profits they earn.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=The Sims 3 Real Estate − Buy Property and Upgrade Venues |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/careers/realestateandvenues.php |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303200012/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/careers/realestateandvenues.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

As in previous ''Sim'' games, a build and buy tool is included to design houses and community lots. The two modes retain most of the main fundamental tools from the previous games. Build mode is used to add walls, paint them, add stairs, doors and windows, lay down flooring, create foundations, basements, pools, and ponds. Some expansion packs add extra build mode features such as terrain design. Players cannot build or place objects outside the limits of the lot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thigpen |first=Tom |date=2011 |title=The Sims 3 Building Guide: Learn to Build Houses |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/buildedit/houses/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726213200/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/buildedit/houses/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In Buy mode, the player can purchase and place down new objects, such as appliances, electronics, furniture, and vehicles. Buy mode largely focuses on providing objects that are useful or necessary for the sims, allowing them to build skills, provide some sort of utility, or purely to act as house decoration. The descriptions of many of the objects available for purchase in the game involve humor, sarcasm, insults towards the player, and wit, and serves as comic relief in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=The Sims 3 Buy Mode Object Guide − Where to Buy/Find Items |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/objects/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008230531/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/objects/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The build and buy modes have received their own makeover. The modes maintain the grid building system from the previous game; however, this grid is more flexible now, allowing the objects to be laid down in the middle of the tiles or without any grid help at all. A blueprint mode is added in further expansions, where pre-designed rooms are available to lay down as-is. The Create-a-Style tool can also be applied to redesign every single piece of furniture or building, changing to any color, material, or design pattern.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Lauren |date=2022-06-03 |title=The Sims 3 was ultimate freedom for builders |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-sims-3-was-ultimate-freedom-for-builders/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |work=PC Gamer |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303200011/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-sims-3-was-ultimate-freedom-for-builders/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Lauren |date=2022-10-18 |title=The next Sims game is bringing back my beloved Create-A-Style tool |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-next-sims-game-is-bringing-back-my-beloved-create-a-style-tool/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |work=PC Gamer |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303200011/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-next-sims-game-is-bringing-back-my-beloved-create-a-style-tool/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 29, 2009, [[Electronic Arts]] announced "Create-a-World" (CAW), which is a [[Fictional universe|game world]] editor that allows players to create their own custom cities from scratch for use within the game. Players can customize lots, choose terrain patterns and add roads, vegetation, and neighborhood accents, such as water towers and lighthouses. CAW also allows players to import designs from PNG files for use in their worlds. Users can upload their worlds to The Sims 3 Exchange for download by other players. The editor tool is offered to players as a separate download, and was released on December 16, 2009, as a [[beta version]]. EA would offer technical support and updates. Players are able to share their neighborhoods as with other content. The Create-a-World tool is available for Windows-based PCs.<ref name="EA">{{cite web |date=May 3, 2010 |title=Create a World-The Game-Community-The Sims 3 |url=http://www.thesims3.com/game/tools/world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128060211/http://www.thesims3.com/game/tools/world |archive-date=November 28, 2009 |access-date=May 3, 2010 |publisher=Electronic Arts}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hickman |first=Tom |date=2011 |title=The Sims 3 Create a World Introduction |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/createaworld.php |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203152817/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/createaworld.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

As a life simulation game, Sims can have families. Players can create a family in Create-a-Sim and edit their relationships, or they can manually meet different sims and have children. Young adults and adults can try for a baby. There is no "Try for Baby" option for any younger or older Sims. The only exception is senior males – they can try for a baby with a young adult or adult female, although conception can be significantly harder. In order to try for a baby, two Sims of the opposite gender must have a relationship of "Romantic Interest" or higher. A lullaby-like melody will play if the sim has conceived, although on rare occasions it may not play. Sims will get the Nauseous moodlet if they are pregnant, and these symptoms will persist for about one Sim day until they discover they are pregnant and will change into default pregnancy clothes. From now on until after birth, the Sim will not be able to wear their usual clothes. Some pregnancy symptoms Sims can experience are nausea, backache, reduced or increased appetite, and inability to partake in certain actions or exercise. When the Sim goes into labour, they can either deliver the baby at hospital or have a home birth. Most Sims go to hospital by default, although this action can be cancelled. Kids and baby interior can be bought in buy mode. Babies require a lot of attention and care, and can get whisked away by social services if it is not given to them – along with toddlers, kids, and teenagers. Babysitters can be hired to accompany children if their parents are busy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=The Sims 3 Pregnancy, Adoption, and Having Kids |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/skills/parenting/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321000610/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/skills/parenting/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Jon |date=2011-10-25 |title=Procreation − The Sims 3 Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-3/Procreation |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=IGN |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303200012/https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-3/Procreation |url-status=live }}</ref>

A mobile version of ''The Sims 3'' was released on [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Bada]], [[Symbian]], [[BlackBerry OS]], and [[Windows Phone]] on June 2, 2009. It was also released for [[N-Gage (service)|N-Gage 2.0]] on July 14 of the same year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mundy |first=Jon |date=July 15, 2009 |title=''The Sims 3'' out now on N-Gage |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-sims-3-n-gage/the-sims-3-out-now-on-n-gage/ |access-date=March 15, 2024 |website=[[Pocket Gamer]] |language=en |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315193736/https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-sims-3-n-gage/the-sims-3-out-now-on-n-gage/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=4006|title=Exclusive GDC10 Leak: Sims 3 for Nintendo DS|date=2010-03-13|publisher=N-Sider.com|access-date=2010-03-13|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050223/http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=4006|url-status=live}}</ref> The iPhone game works similar to that of the PC version. In Create-a-Sim, instead of Lifetime Wishes, there are personas. Personas decide which lifetime wishes your sim will have, as a persona is the largest factor in a Sim's personality. Sims start out with a small house. The house can be expanded every five sim days if the player can afford it.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Sims 3 on iTunes App Store|website=[[iTunes]]|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-sims-3/id317904170?mt=8|access-date=September 16, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115235124/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-sims-3/id317904170?mt=8|url-status=live}}</ref> There are four careers in the town: biology, politics, business, and culinary. As in the PC version, Sims can also learn skills. There are nearly 75 wishes in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/989/989265p1.html |title=The Sims 3 iPhone Review – iPhone Review at IGN |access-date=April 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817063901/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/989/989265p1.html |archive-date=August 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> When all of them are fulfilled, Sims unlock the criminal career and have the ability to purchase a car. In some events, such as appliances breaking down, the player must play a minigame to solve or do the action.

''The Sims 3'' was supported to several expansions, add-ons, and edition, including eleven expansion packs and nine stuff packs. Stuff packs only include new items, e.g. furniture, clothing, and hairstyles. They do not add any new functionality to the game. Stuff packs are compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X as with the main game and expansion packs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=The Sims 3 Expansions & Stuff Packs |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/expansionpacks.php |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide |archive-date=January 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102035824/https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/expansionpacks.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

Reviewing the Nintendo 3DS version, ''IGN'' gave it a 7.5 out of 10, saying "while some of the additions are welcome like the new graphics and interface, the removal of certain features like multiple saves, personality traits and calling for services is odd. ... Still, if you've never played a ''Sims'' game before, prepare to be addicted. Even though this version has some problems, the positives outweigh the negatives."<ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2011-04-12 |title=The Sims 3 3DS Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/04/12/the-sims-3-3ds-review |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418213519/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/04/12/the-sims-3-3ds-review |url-status=live }}</ref> During the [[13th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''The Sims 3'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year|Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2010&idGameAwardType=129 |title=2010 Awards Category Details Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008231533/https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2010&idGameAwardType=129 |url-status=live }}</ref>

EA reported that in its first week, ''The Sims 3'' sold 1.4 million copies.<ref>{{cite news|title='Sims 3' sells 1.4 million in first week|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31194133|access-date=September 24, 2013|newspaper=[[NBC News]]|date=June 9, 2009|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927143948/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/31194133/ns/technology_and_science-games/t/sims-sells-million-copies-first-week/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to EA, this was the most successful PC game launch the company had had to date.<ref>{{Cite news | title = ''The Sims'' 3 Sells 1.4 Million Units in First Week | author = Chris Remo | url = http://gamasutra.com/view/news/23980 | work = Gamasutra | date = June 9, 2009 | access-date = July 30, 2012 | archive-date = October 1, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131001182432/http://gamasutra.com/view/news/23980 | url-status = dead }}</ref> According to retail data trackers Gfk Australia, ''The Sims 3'' has been the top selling game in Australia from release until June 30, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://au.gamespot.com/news/aussie-game-charts-june-15-21-6212813 |title=Aussie game charts: June 15–21 |access-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001182436/http://au.gamespot.com/news/aussie-game-charts-june-15-21-6212813 |archive-date=October 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ''The Sims 3'' ended 2009 as the year's best selling PC game worldwide,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2010 |title=EA: The Sims 3 Top-Selling PC Game Worldwide In 2009 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/ea-i-the-sims-3-i-top-selling-pc-game-worldwide-in-2009 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818221744/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/ea-i-the-sims-3-i-top-selling-pc-game-worldwide-in-2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> and since its release has become one of the [[best-selling PC games]] of all time, having sold over ten million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/116/1160047p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411204523/http://pc.ign.com/articles/116/1160047p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2011 |title=The Sims Live Life to the Fullest in EA's The Sims 3 Generations Expansion Pack – PC News at IGN |publisher=Pc.ign.com |access-date=September 18, 2011}}</ref>