With the popularity of movies based on videogames now at an all time high, you’re probably finding your thoughts cast back to The Sims’ film adaptation announced last year. With Margot Robbie’s production company LuckyChap and prominent directors attached it begs the question, The Sims on Screen: What’s it all about?
It’s all Simlish to me
Now the idea of a movie based on a game happening, being announced and then fading away is not uncommon. But right now it’s big money, as the recent success of franchises like Sonic, Minecraft, Mario and more all aptly demonstrate. So it makes sense why The Sims, being one of the most recognisable game franchises of all time, is now headed to the silver screen.
Right now, the oft-cited ‘videogame movie curse’ has been pretty convincingly broken, and barely bares mentioning. But it’s all well and good having films based on something like Sonic the Hedgehog, or shows set in the League of Legends universe; worlds and narratives that’re already plotted out for prospective filmmakers.
But what about The Sims, where 90% of the fun is in how you create your own stories? Whether it’s your Friends-esque situationship drama, managing your own mini recreation of Game of Thrones, or crafting a Munsters-esque family of monsters that inhabit a stylishly creepy mansion, the sky is the limit.
Build Mode
I think that represents the biggest opportunity, and the potential pitfall, of a Sims film. Maxis’ franchise has always been great for exploring everything from the granular day-to-day life of Sims to the trials and tribulations of living in a big city. But how do you translate that to cinema, if at all?
Well, given LuckyChap is attached, one potential solution is a Barbiesque ‘meta’ take on the plot. Exploring what The Sims is all about, and its themes, rather than focusing on a specific story; which would probably be pretty difficult considering The Sims doesn’t really have an overarching plot other than what you create yourself.
Whatever the case, it’s not hard to see that The Sims on screen isn’t a pipe dream at this point. But the only question is whether or not it’ll be something aimed at fans, or another kind of film entirely but with the name of this beloved franchise stapled on.
