Can't Kill The Sims (ERTS, AAPL)

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) is often known for its overwhelmingly popular Madden and sports game franchises.  Yet the Sims is the series that just keeps on giving.  Because you can play The Sims online and get to essentially create your own microcosm, it has been a success for much longer than many expected.  EA has now had the biggest launch week in the Sims’ history with its latest release.

The Sims 3 has now sold more than 1.4 million units and has had more than 7 million downloads of player-created content in the first week alone.  EA is calling this the biggest PC launch in its history.  EA also noted that this was the #1 paid-app from the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone app store on launch day.

For a Gen-X gamer, this was one of those franchises that from the start was a surprising success.  But after seeing the success pile up, it is only important to understand that it is a hit regardless of personal opinion.  This is one of those gaming franchises that will probably be around through thick and thin.

Just to let you know that EA doesn’t plan to let this one just die off, it is not just TheSims3.com domain that is taken.  TheSims5.com and TheSims8.com are also owned by Electronic Arts.

Jon C. Ogg
June 9, 2009