Sims 3 sets franchise sales record

Electronic Arts may get criticized in the press for its reliance on long-running franchises, but if the record first-week sales of The Sims 3 are any indication, gamers aren't concerned with such matters.

The game giant reported Tuesday that The Sims 3, the latest full iteration of the storied Sims franchise, sold 1.4 million copies in the first week following its June 2 release. That made it, according to EA, the best launch of a PC game in the company's history.

In the newest version, as in the previous iterations, players can create sims--lifelike simulated people with unique personalities--and control their lives while trying to keep them happy and alive. The new game also allows players to create and edit videos they make in the game.

For any new Sims title to set such records is particularly noteworthy, given that the original version of The Sims, released in 2000, quickly became the best-selling PC game of all time. Further, the games and the many expansions released over the years have sold more than 100 million copies.

In addition, the iPhone version of The Sims 3, which costs $10 on Apple's App Store, rose to the top spot among paid applications.

All of this goes to show that just when you think a franchise may have reached its limits, gamers make it clear that they have their own ideas about things. And for that, EA is smiling all the way to the bank.