The Sims Spark’d TV show review

Whether it was helping my favorite Sim find true love or walking unlucky Sims into doorless rooms filled with fire hazards, my teenage self spent an unhealthy amount of time playing various incarnations of the EA’s “The Sims.” However, despite my extensive Sim CV, I still don’t think I would stand much of a chance impressing the judges on the new Sims themed TV show, “Spark’d,” which premiered on Friday. 

In this new game show based around “The Sims 4,” 12 contestants are split into four teams of three people to see who can create the most engaging settings and stories. In each round of the show, the different teams are given either a set of objects to inspire them or dynamic time-limited challenges to keep them on their toes. 

The contestants are well known Sims streamers and bloggers from around the world, with particular expertise in different aspects of the game. Some contestants, such as DeeSims, specialize as storytellers while others, like DoctorAshley, are better at building intricately detailed in-game worlds. In each team, the contestants take on different roles as a storyteller, designer, or builder and try to impress the judges.

From watching the first episode, half of the challenge for each team is just working together. The contestants’ vibrant and often clashing personalities have already led to some dramatic moments as they tried to both overcome differences of opinion and rush to complete tricky challenges. Competing to avoid elimination at the end of the episode, the teams struggled to finish tasks like creating a Sims family and making an engaging cinematic video with them in five hours, which would normally take several days. To make the show even more intense, each team is competing to win a $ 100,000 prize at the end of the series.

By forcing contestants to combine teamwork, creativity, technical ability, and, of course, the Sims, “Spark’d” make surprisingly gripping viewing. Watching it left me in awe of how good some Sims players are and a little ashamed at how terrible my Sims games were in contrast. I reckon if I start looking for my Sims 4 Deluxe edition set now, I can maybe be a pro in time for the next season?

The four-episode season will air at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Fridays on TBS and rerun the following Saturday at 8 a.m. ET/PT. If you missed the first episode, you can catch it on Buzzfeed Multiplayer’s YouTube channel.