One of the most successful PC games of all time will soon have its online features shut down by its publisher. Electronic Arts has revealed that the online services of the PC and Mac ports of The Sims 2 will close on January 14th, along with TheSims2.com website.
The announcement was made via EA"s Service Update website, which the company uses to give customers of its online-enabled games a heads up when the official support is shut down. A number of other EA games will end their online lives later this month, including the PC versions of FIFA Soccer 11 and FIFA Manager 11.
However, it"s the end of online support for The Sims 2 that will likely affect the most people. Launched in 2004, the first sequel to the hit people sim game first created by Will Wright was an instant critical and sales hit. EA has sold a whopping 20 million copies of The Sims 2 since its launch on the PC platform. Eight expansion packs for The Sims 2 have been released since the original game launched.
Of course, EA will continue to provide online support for the current game in the series, the Sims 3, which launched in 2009. There"s no word if EA has plans to continue the series with a new installment.
Source: EA | Image via EA