Gigantic posters sporting the phrase "Let There Be Sims" cover billboards in Time Square and buildings in Los Angeles, signaling the release of a sequel to one of the best selling games of all time. Millions of dollars are being spent on television and internet advertisements featuring a glowing, green diamond, and the game sold over a million copies within its first week of retail. The fact that EA is able to get away with an marketing campaign equating The Sims 3 to the Biblical creation of light itself proves exactly how big of a deal the game is.

The Sims 2 added a lot to the formula started by The Sims. A life cycle was added, meaning there was more to living than either being a child or an adult, and the option to visit different locations gave more opportunities to explore the world. Seeing as The Sims is a franchise built around life simulation, being able to age and travel is sort of a big deal. Needless to say, The Sims 3 had a lot to live up to calling itself a sequel, especially considering the fact that The Sims 2 had upwards of a dozen expansion packs.