Community Attempts to Save TSO
Former Developers may be Working on a New Sims Online
A few weeks ago, the cancellation of The Sims Online (TSO) was announced. The publisher, Electronic Arts (ERTS) said they would be shutting the game down on August 1st, 2008. Since then the players have banded together in an attempt to save the game. The players have created a web-based community called Player Campaigns. The stated goal of this community is to save The Sims Online.
Why the Players are Passionate
Recently re-packaged as EA Land, TSO has had an active fan base since it entered beta in the fall of 2002. Over the years the number of fans has decreased, but the players are as passionate as ever. When asked why they continue to play the game, one answer stood out. One of the community members, called Ayla, summed it up well, “What I love about TSO is the people.”
What the Players are Doing
Electronic Arts is a big company, the members of Player Campaigns seem to realize that. One of the efforts being spearheaded by the group is player-based advertising. The players have been going to websites to invite people to play the game they love. They also plan to attempt to buy the game from Electronic Arts.
EA’s Response
Electronic Arts did not respond to queries. At this point it seems like the company still plans to sunset the game.
Will there be a New Sims Online?
Some of the former developers for TSO have left the company since the announcement. When asked, one of the developers stated that it was a bit early to talk about future plans. However he indicated there would be something to talk about in the future. In a thread on the Player Campaigns forums he promised to provide more information to the community as it became available.
Life After TSO
“The game has given me many friends, many tears, many laughs, many fights and many memories. These are precious to me…” said Andreas, an impassioned TSO player from Norway. Reading the message boards at Player Campaigns, it is clear that when the servers go dark, a community will mourn its passing.
What will the TSO players do if they cannot stop the server shutdown on August 1st? Some say they will move on to other games like Second Life and There. Others like Ayla, plan to quit playing online games altogether. A few players like Andreas say they will continue fighting.
A player going by the handle of Whit is holding out hope that if EA doesn’t doing anything, some of the former TSO developers will create a new, similar game that they can play. “We have become a family, everywhere we look we have friends,” said Whit. “My eyes are full of tears, my heart is filled with a great sadness, for a peaceful world that’s being forgotten…”
Only time will tell if a phoenix will rise from the ashes of TSO.
