Vacation director – The Sims On Holiday

[Throughout this project, I am bringing in different perspectives for some posts. I’m always excited to welcome a new guest writer to the blog, and this post is a first for Krista, who you can find at LeeksPlays and on Twitter at @LeeksPlays]

When The Sims was first released back in February 2000, I don’t think that anyone was truly prepared for just how popular the game was going to be. For the time, it was such a unique concept building on from aspects of Sim City but letting the player go one step further into being able to play with life. 

After The Sims successful launch, Maxis and EA released The Sims Livin’ It Up  (Livin’ Large), House Party and Hot Date Expansion Packs followed by The Sims On Holiday (Vacation) in March 2002. 

The Sims On Holiday featured a new destination world simply called Vacation Island. It contained nine new lots split between either a Winter, Beach or Forest theme. The expansion pack also allowed your Sims family to holiday in the new world for as long or as little as you liked as well as purchase souvenirs and stay in either a hotel, tent or igloo.

Much like The Sims base game launch, The Sims On Holiday was another outstanding launch for Maxis.

The Sims On Holiday was the first expansion pack I ever owned myself for The Sims. I had no idea that they existed until this point. Imagine my surprise when I learnt that there were more too! 

As for the expansion pack itself, I remember feeling overwhelmed with just how much it added. I couldn’t wait to start exploring and take my Sims on holiday for the first time. I recall taking my Sims to the Winter themed areas of the new vacation world. Having my Sims go snowboarding or having snowball fights. Meeting the new NPC’s of the world and being terrified the first time of meeting them. Of course, the more I played, the more I explored the other neighbourhoods with my Sims. Creating memories and bringing home more souvenirs.

One fond memory I do have from playing The Sims On Holiday was trying to create all these different extravagant homes for my Sims. I would try and make sure each one had a different theme or even multiple themes so that they could still have those holiday vibes at home.I wish the old The Sims Exchange still existed as I would love to be able to see some of those creations I made when I was younger.

Apart from the expansion itself giving me countless hours of fun, the soundtrack for The Sims On Holiday is something that still pops up in conversation and even on shuffle from time to time on Spotify. There’s just something about the soundtrack that brings back so many memories from growing up alongside the game. Where else can you find a song with random yodelling that just works perfectly?

During the lifetime of The Sims, the Prima game guides were a staple must have for many players and I had one or two during the time. My first happened to be for The Sims On Holiday which my grandparents bought for me. Honestly I was glued to this guide book so much as it covered both The Sims base game and the expansion pack. I would just sit there and read it cover to cover. Even now I wouldn’t be able to tell you how many times I’ve read that guide. Now it sits alongside a few other books that I have on my desk and I find myself catching a glimpse of it out of the corner of my eye from time to time.

Personally for me, The Sims will always have a special place in my memories. I’ve grown up alongside the franchise and still play the games on a regular basis. The Sims On Holiday was and still is today one of my favourite expansion packs that I’ve played. Whenever I think about the game I always get filled with many memories and nostalgic moments that never fail to make me laugh or smile.

---

Top of the charts for week ending 13 April 2002:

• 

• 

• 

• 

•