17 years and counting and “The Sims” series is still the greatest game franchise. With it’s continually growing fan base, it proves its ability to adapt throughout the years. Sims released their latest version, Sims 4, and like the previous Sims, Sims 4 focused on creating and controlling a neighborhood of virtual people, but this Sims had greater abilities to manipulate creating a Sims, updated building skills, and much more complex emotions and traits.

There has been talk about a Sims 5 being released in 2017-2019, but what does it have in store for us? Sims have gotten more and more complex throughout the years. Players have more control over their Sims, their homes, and the neighborhood in ways people never thought was possible. Especially since the Sims did just release Sims 4, Sims 5 is going to have to have a special twist. I propose:

Multiplayer

.

Back in the early 2000's Sims did try Sims Online, but it was a bust. It turned out to be just people using it for cybersex and losing the whole concept of the game. Some problems with Sims online, besides the cyber sex issue, included:

• Less for players to do than in original game
• Lag
• Relied too heavily on interaction; basically glorified chat room

So, here are some suggestions that could stop this idea from being a bust.

• Similar to Facebook; You add friends and can only interact with people you are friends with
• Similar to Call of Duty games; you could choose to play it individually or play online (like Xbox live) where you get put into a lobby which can include "x" amount of other Sims players

What better way to enjoy the game you love than enjoying it with your friends? Although the Sims franchise has yet to comment if they are releasing a Sims 5 anytime soon, it will be interesting to see what they have in store for us this time.