7. The Sims
The Sims first debuted for Windows in early 2000 and soon went on to become the best selling franchise in PC gaming history. By 2002 alone, the original Sims had sold over 2 millions copies, and its subsequent sequels and countless expansion packs have generated over 150 million sales worldwide, and that number continues to grow. The lifestyle simulator, in which players can create their own likeness (or any likeness they choose for that matter) and follow him and her through their day to day lives, intervening at their own leisure or taking full control of their surroundings, choices and interactions. The game gave players the ability to fulfill their fantasies using the titular Sims, whether that was raising a family with their significant other or subjugating citizens to grizzly scenes of terror. The freedom of choice, as well as the ever expanding list of further activities, lifestyles and locations through expansion packs kept fans coming back for more simulated reality fun.