This is the first expansion pack for the original life simulation game, released in 2000 for PC and Mac. It significantly broadens the scope of the base game by introducing a wealth of new content, including additional characters, career paths, and a wide array of items. Unlike some later expansions that focus on a specific theme, this pack diversifies the gameplay with elements drawn from science fiction, fantasy, and the supernatural, offering a more eclectic and unpredictable experience for players. It requires the original game to be installed and played.

What New Content Does This Expansion Add?

This expansion pack injects a substantial amount of new material into the base game, enhancing the simulation with a variety of novel elements. Players will encounter new non-playable characters (NPCs) who can interact with their Sims, such as the peculiar Tragic Clown, the helpful robot Servo, and the formidable Grim Reaper. The pack also introduces unique events and interactions, like the possibility of Santa Claus visiting if specific conditions are met, or the Tragic Clown's attempts to cheer up unhappy Sims.

Furthermore, new career tracks are available, including a Paranormal career, which leans into the supernatural themes present in the expansion. The introduction of new objects is a key feature, with items like a crystal ball, an electric guitar, a chemistry set, and a magic lamp adding new ways for Sims to engage with their environment and unlock new possibilities. Some of these objects are directly linked to new NPCs, such as the genie that emerges from the magic lamp.

The expansion also expands the game world by providing multiple new neighborhoods, allowing players to create and manage up to five additional areas for their Sims to inhabit and explore. This increases the overall scale and variety of the game's playable space.

New Gameplay Mechanics and Interactions

Livin' Large introduces several new gameplay mechanics that add layers of unpredictability and engagement. Sims can now contract illnesses, such as one resulting from a guinea pig bite, adding a new health management aspect. The Grim Reaper's presence is a significant addition; he appears when a Sim dies, and living Sims can attempt to plead for the deceased Sim's life. This interaction can lead to one of three outcomes: the Sim remains deceased, is resurrected, or is turned into a zombie, introducing a dynamic and potentially humorous element to mortality within the game.

The magic lamp, when used, can summon a genie who may grant wishes, further incorporating fantastical elements into the simulation. The chemistry set allows for experimental concoctions, and the electric guitar provides a new avenue for Sims to develop skills and express themselves. These new objects and their associated interactions contribute to a more varied and often surprising gameplay experience.

What is the Scope of This Expansion?

The scope of this expansion is substantial, significantly increasing the amount of content and gameplay options available compared to the base game. It does not introduce a singular, overarching narrative but rather a collection of new characters, items, and events that enrich the existing simulation framework. The addition of new career tracks, interactive objects, and the unique NPC encounters provide a considerable amount of new material that can extend the playtime and replayability of the original game.

Release Information

This expansion pack was released on August 27, 2000, for PC (Microsoft Windows) and Mac platforms.

Additional Content

This expansion pack does not have any downloadable content (DLCs), further expansions, remakes, or remasters associated with it.