Released in 2003 for Windows and Mac, The Sims: Superstar is the sixth expansion pack for Maxis's life simulation series. It introduces Studio Town, a customizable new district where Sims can pursue careers in music, film, or modeling. Unlike standard career tracks in the base game, these professions allow players to accompany their Sims to work directly, observing and influencing their professional activities in real time. A new fame score metric sits alongside the existing relationship and skill ratings, giving players an additional dimension of progression to manage. The expansion also adds a range of new objects tied to both work and leisure. Success in Studio Town is not guaranteed — Sims must build their reputation carefully to reach the upper tiers of celebrity status.

Storyline

Studio Town is full of movie lots, recording facilities, and fashion halls, as well as friendly agents who will lead the way to stardom - for a nominal, industry-standard percentage, no doubt. It's not always what you know as much as who you know, so time spent in Studio Town schmoozing industry insiders and fellow wannabes is well spent. Sims now have a five-star meter that fills, half a star at a time, as they gain publicity and popularity among the masses. Studio Town is the place for superstars to be seen, and Sims can increase their star ratings with good routines there. While on stage or in the recording studio, the goal is to give the NPC directors the kinds of performances they want. Players can directly affect their characters' routines. They can choose the genre of music to be recorded in the studio, for example, and decide on the singing style for each part of a song. Success in the entertainment industry is the ticket to it all: money, fame, friends - as well as gaping groupies, persistent paparazzi, and perhaps even a star-struck stalker or two. For those Sims who might rather live the life of a celebrity without actually becoming one, The Sims: Superstar adds dozens of new objects that can be purchased for use in any home that can afford them. How about a state-of-the-art satellite dish that adds premium TV channels, or a fully operational skydiving simulator? Opulent new furniture and artwork selections are available, so spoiled Sims can "flaunt it" to anyone who might stop by for a visit. A new domestic staff is available to manage mundane chores, so that talented (or at least affluent) Sims might answer a higher calling.