The creative VP of The Sims franchise, Lyndsay Pearson, is unperturbed by the prospect of competing developers entering the life simulation market; on the contrary, she welcomes the competition. In a recent discussion with PC Gamer about the franchise’s 25th anniversary, Pearson elaborated on why she believes the life sim genre poses unique challenges for newcomers.

“I think we can learn from each other.”

Pearson noted, “The Sims continues to thrive due to our extensive content through downloadable content (DLC) over the years, which is difficult to replicate across various experiences. These complexities make the genre demanding for others to tap into.” She pointed to previous experiences by ex-Sims head Rod Humble, mentioning the intricate balance required to keep simulations engaging.

Despite facing challenges from titles like Life by You and Inzoi, both of which have met complications in their development cycles, Pearson expresses excitement for more players in the market. “I like to be challenged and try new things,” she added, signaling an open invitation for innovation in life simulation games.

Pearson’s encouraging stance offers hope for upcoming competitors, including Inzoi, reportedly set to launch into early access by March 28, and various other projects that strive to push the boundaries of the genre.