Gaming site GamaSutra has published a feature about the history of Electronic Arts, publisher of the Sims series. It starts off with Trip Hawkins' ideas from the '70s and the actual launch in 1982, 25 years ago, and the move to Redwood City (from San Mateo) in 1998. The necessary new strategy after the "crash" when consumers lost interest in Atari's machine (VCS/2600) in 1983. After the eighties the article describes some of the acquisitions made in the previous decade. This includes the purchase of Maxis and the release of the Sims in 2000. The game is discussed with some more details later in the article, with Frank Gribeau telling how it appealed to many women - even though that was not the original intent. The concept of Hot Date was made when EA realized so many teenage girls were playing the Sims games. The entire special covers 7 pages, of which pages 3 and 6 are probably of most interest to Sims fans. Read the complete feature for more details.