The Sims 2: FreeTime
The Sims 2: FreeTime is an expansion pack for the 2004 life simulation video game The Sims 2, developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The seventh expansion pack for the game, it was released 26 February 2008. The expansion pack introduces hobbies as a new feature for sims to pursue; sims can pursue ten possible hobbies and gain enthusiasm and benefits as they advance in them. The expansion pack also revamps the aspiration system, a system introduced in the base game that influences sims' long- and short-term goals. FreeTime received mixed reviews from critics, who disagreed on the expansion’s impact on the game. Some praised its new hobbies and revamped aspiration system as adding complexity and depth to The Sims 2, while others felt they were underdeveloped and not well-integrated with existing gameplay goals. Reviewers also criticised the game’s graphics and interface as aging and outdated compared to contemporary releases. The expansion pack was commercially successful, ranking amongst the top-selling PC games in the United States in 2008. In the years following its release, FreeTime has been favourably compared to releases for later games. Background and development The Sims is a franchise of life simulation games developed by