The Sims Quick Start Guide
Minimum System Requirements
200 MHz PC with MMX
800x600 or higher video resolution
32 MB RAM
2 MB graphics card
100 MB hard disk space for installation
Windows NT users need the NT 4 Service Pack 3.
Note: currently, The Sims may not run on some Cyrix and AMD processors.
Installation
Insert the CD. Select Run… from the Start menu. Type d:\setup.exe (replacing "d" with the letter of your CD-ROM drive), and press OK.
Installing DirectX
Many games, including The Sims, rely on DirectX, a Microsoft-released set of functions which allow games to use various hardware configurations. The Sims installation includes DirectX 6, which we recommend you use. However, the game will run with versions as old as DirectX 3.
When the Sims installation completes, the installer checks the DirectX version number on your machine. If it is less than version 6, you are prompted to install DirectX 6. You may cancel the installation at that time. If you proceed, the DirectX installer will make recommendations about individual components based on Microsoft's definition of the safest course of action. Accept or reject the recommendations to move on.
Running The Sims
After you’ve installed, run The Sims by selecting Start
à Programsà Maxisà The Sims. Select whichever video setting is optimum for your hardware configuration. The Sims will not automatically change your video resolution but will instead prompt you to change it.
How to Start Playing
The game starts in a neighborhood with various empty lots, houses for sale and some (placeholder) occupied houses.
- The Bachelor Family
is a single male living alone.
- The Roommates Family
is two single women living together.
- The Jones Family
is a simple nuclear family. Note that all the familes know each other and can invite one another over for visits.
- Create Your Own Family
and move them into one of the empty houses or lots. To purchase an empty lot or a house, you first need to create or pick a family to move in. Click on the Pick Family button to create characters and families. To play in an already occupied house, go right on in!
Four "Modes"

|
Live Mode. Select the active Sim and view the motive bars to find out what’s driving him or her. |

|
Buy Mode. Buy household furnishings. |

|
Build Mode. Build structures and landscape terrain. |

|
Options Panel. Return to the neighborhood, save or quit a game. |
Initiating an Interaction
To direct a character to use an object or interact with a person:
- Select the character’s icon in the control panel.
- Click with the left mouse button on the object or person you want the character to interact with.
- The available interactions will appear in a menu. The active character’s head appears in the middle. Click the interaction you’d like.
Working with Objects
To find out how to use a build or buy object and to learn more about its impact on game play, click on and release its thumbnail and wait until a popup appears.
To delete or sell an object, select the object (in build mode, select the hand first in order to do this). Then either drag it to the control panel or press the Delete key.
To rotate an object, select it and then click and drag it until it faces the direction you’d like. Or use the ‘<’ or the ‘>’ keys to rotate it before you place it.
In Buy mode, objects are grouped by function by default. Click the Buy icon to sort them by room instead.
Live Mode Tips
Double-click a character’s icon to center on that character. Keep the cursor over the icon to follow them.
Press the space bar or right-click on a new character to switch the active character.
Setting The Game Speed
Click the time of day to bring up a slider for setting game speed. You can also use the number keys. 1- regular speed. 2- faster. 3- ultra.
The ‘p’ pauses or unpauses the game in Live mode. (Build and Buy modes are always on pause.)
Scrolling Tips
There are several ways to scroll.
- As you move your cursor to the top or side of the screen, you will automatically start moving in that direction. To scroll down, move your cursor to the far bottom of the screen and click with the left mouse button.
- Within the game world, click with the right mouse button and drag.
- Use the arrow keys.
- Hold down the Alt key to drag the world around.
Houses with Multiple Levels
To change the level of the house in view, select the first or second floor icon from the far left side of the control panel.
In Build mode, the Tab key toggles between the 1st and 2nd floor. It will only work in Buy or Live mode if you have already created a 2nd floor in Build mode.
Build Mode Tips
For complete information about how to use individual build tools, hold your cursor over the thumbnail after you’ve clicked it, and you will get a popup. Generally speaking:
- Hold the Ctrl key to delete build items. (Hold it down while you click.)
- Hold the Shift key to apply a tool’s action to an entire room.
Money Cheat
Press the 'm' key to get more money. (But try not to use it… have your characters get a job instead!)
Technical Support
E-mail Kana Ryan, The Sims Producer, at
kryan@maxis.com or phone at (925) 927-3685.