Video game giant Electronic Arts announced their The Sims franchise sold its 100 millionth unit worldwide. The figure includes both The Sims and The Sims 2 as well as all expansion packs. The franchise has already generated around $4 billion in sales, which amounts to an average of $500 million every year for the last eight years.

EA said: “If 100 million boxes of The Sims were lined up end-to-end, they would stretch from New York city to Moscow. And, with 100 million sols, one out of seven homes in Europe and one out of three homes in America would have a product of The Sims franchise.”

The game became a global phenomenon ever since its release on February 4, 2000. The game simulates real-life and was created by Will Wright, published by Maxis and distributed by EA. In eight years of existence, it became available in 22 languages and 60 countries around the world. The initial idea for the game started off in 1993, but it wasn’t until 1995 when the collaboration between Wright and EA started that the game creator was given a chance to develop the game.

The Sims has won numerous awards, including GameSpot's "Game of the Year Award" for 2000 and has seven expansion packs. The Sims 2, released in 2004, incorporates a more powerful 3D graphics engine.

“Over the years, we’ve seen an idea blossom into a global community of players, creators, and people who love to share with others. As part of that worldwide community, you’ve told your stories – more than a 100 million uniquely creative and inspiring tales that will continually take The Sims into the future,” said Sims studio head Rod Humble.

The Sims 3 was announced in November 2006 and is expected to be released sometime in the fiscal year 2009. In 2007, 22th Century Fox announced it had bought the film rights for the Sims and a film is to be expected in 2009.