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Maxis has been suffering ever since the company became a 'The Sims' only enterprise. I am sure that I am not the only one who finds 'The Sims' dreadfully boring. I hate how http://www.maxis.com/ became only an advertisement for their latest game(either The Sims:Who the Hell Cares, or Spore). I realize that websites are used for advertising, but try finding out anything about, say, Simcity 4, or even(cringe) Simcity Societies. It's not there. Maxis has gone downhill ever since being bought out by EA. I swear to (insert Supreme Deity of Choice) that if they come out with any more The Sims expansions, I will cease to be a customer of any future games, whether they be fun or not.

What about Maxis?? Can't think of a single bad game they've produced!

(and I don't mean by walling them in with no potty)

The sims, like sim city was born from the drive and originality of Maxis' lead, Will Wright. Of course, it also was born from the dedication and sleepless nights of countless programmers, designers, and artists. It was successful because it was freeform, fun, original, emotionally engaging, etc, etc.

However, with the success of the sims came expansion after expansion. Since the Sims success caught on, there hasn't been a single original title released by Maxis, just an amazing eight expansion packs and two very similar sequals, with a few platform ports thrown in.

Not much truly original has entered the sim's world recently. Gameplay wise, The Urbs is the same as the Subbies. This seems somehow the anthesis of a franchise, and a company, that has made it's name on amazingly original gameplay. Can the sims survive as a franchise with such oversaturation? Is the Sims destined to be the next Sim City, or the next Myst or 7th Guest?

"Dost thou have any idea of the number of dead people and creatures there are? I thought not. The dead of the ages are mine to summon and control. The graves of beloved ancestors will spew forth their contents into an army. A special treat for the living, mine undead monsters will be. Imagine a skeletal dragon that cannot be killed. Consider a cabal of everliving mages eternally enthralled to me. And the most beautiful part of my plot is that, as the living die in these battles, and they will die, they will swell the ranks of the undead host. I will rule supreme -- a world of the dead!"

- Horance, in Ultima VII: The Black Gate

Shouldn't Maxis be the ones adding stuff to their games?

This one is way more advanced. Just be careful where you point it.

Maxim?

Oh, you meant Maxis .

Actually, Microsoft didn't make 3D Pinball. They licensed it from another company. I think it was Maxis. (Maxis has since been bought by Eletronic Arts)

http://www.maxis.com/games/simearth/

The system requirements say:

• Windows 95 with a 486 or above
• SVGA display
• 8mb Memory
• double-speed CD-ROM
• mouse

• or Windows 3.1 or higher with a 286 or above
• EGA display
• 2mb Memory
• double-speed CD-ROM
• mouse

• or Macintosh System 6.0.2 or higher with a Mac Plus or above
• 2mb Memory
• standard CD-ROM
• mouse