my daughter wants me to buy a video game called "the sims online" for her and let her use our internet connection to play it. at first I said no way. but I am doing a little research and it seems like maybe it's okay for her. it's a community building game. may be a good alternative to all of the killing and fighting games out there. should I get it for her? anyone know anything more about this game?

By Trina on Sunday, January 5, 2003 - 08:43 pm:

WELCOME, Hawkmom!
I'm from CT, too!

I have no personal experience with this game but did a little research. The online version is actually online with other Sims (real people who have created a Sims character). From what I read on the web site there is a $9.99 monthly fee to register and subscribe. I have no idea whether it would be appropriate for a 14 yr. old or not, but DH said he thinks Gamespot.com gives reviews, etc..

More info here:
TheSimsOnline.com

By Hawkmom on Sunday, January 5, 2003 - 10:14 pm:

thanks trina, and thanks for the welcome too.

I'll take a look at the links you've provided. In the meantime, if anyone has any actual experience with it or wants to give it an A or and F for teen-friendliness, please chime in!

cheers!

By Terri4him on Sunday, January 5, 2003 - 10:45 pm:

HI!!
My daughter played this game for HOURS at a friends house this past year..and she was 11 at the time and LOVED it..me being a possesive mother cub ( got the claws out) marched my not so small..not so large hiney over to that house to check it out...and the first one was ok!!

You can just buy the game right in the stores and that way you can see the ratings on each of the boxes...Sims has a few different versions that you get and I guess expand on...some of the series seem like a E for everyone and then some have slight language..etc...

I would personally puchase the game if you allow her to use it..
1) because there's no charge each month
2) no chance of her getting caught on or in something weird on the internet
3) Most teens need to be supervised while on the internet..this way you don't actually have to sit side by side...

This is just my .2cents...I probably owe you some change on this one...but...thought I would throw this out to ya!!

You could ask someone at the store if they know anything about them...they do seem quite popular!!

Blessings to you Hawkmom and Welcome
Terri

By Palmbchprincess on Monday, January 6, 2003 - 12:52 am:

First off, Terri, you are in a comical mood today! All of your posts today have been quite energetic and entertaining. What brought on the great mood and where can I get some? Ok second, WELCOME to Momsview Hawkmom!!! I'm 20, and I think Sims can be a wonderful alternative to violent and gory games. The ones I would steer clear of are Sims House Party ( I think that's the name of it) and Sims Hot Date. Both are risque, with oral sex in a hot tub being one of their innapropriate points. Not something I think you'd want her playing. As the others said, check the ratings on them. Nothing rated "M for mature", obviously. Most "T for Teen" rated games are ok, but my DH has a Bond game and Tekken Tag that are "T" and they are pretty violent. Check out the Sims site and read the details on the ratings. And good luck!

By Marymary on Monday, January 6, 2003 - 09:38 am:

I can provide some advice from experience, my daughter is 9 and has several if the Sims, inlcuding Sims on Vacation, Sim Roller Coaster and a couple of others...those are games that you play directly on your computer...however I would NOT let her have the one to play online....these people are adults and recently there was a show in Canada much like 20/20, that did a segment on it...it is truly an ADULT environment, people take on the roles, one guy is a lounge owner and boasts about the free sex he can have and all his money, cars, etc. This is strictly an adult environment..it's all fanatsaty but adult fantasy...one person that participates is a women that they interviewed and she told about how she has sex with other men...now keep in mind this is "fantasy"...YAH RIGHT!!!! her husband knows about his wife's involvement and asked "should I be concerned about it"...what do you think...I don't think it is any different than cyber sex......it's bad enough that there are pedophiles out there in chat rooms, we have all seen the shows on those types of things...but to bring that into your home...I would highly suggest against it...even if all the other kids are doing it...it is a provocative game for ADULTS...definately the ones that you buy for home use are better and SAFER...it helps create the imagination, you develop characters, and in some you learn about budgeting for a household and other regular daily activities....actually you can download those occasionally from the Internet, if you are interested in that sort of thing as a trial, let me know persoanlly.

Mary

By Hawkmom on Monday, January 6, 2003 - 11:23 am:

thanks for all the info gang! so glad I tried this board out before I gave the yeah or nah on the game.