A Sims Reality Show Hosted by an American Idol Finalist Is Coming to TBS
The Sims Spark'd will be quite different from other game TV shows we've heard about recently, and it's premiering soon.
It feels a bit like every game under the sun is getting a TV show these days, and perennial favorite The Sims is joining that list with a premiere in just a few days time. The Sims Spark'd will actually try to play to the creation-focused strengths of the series-it's not an adaptation of The Sims but a reality competition show built around its tools and community. The first episode of it will premiere next week on TBS.
Variety confirms that Spark'd, hosted by American Idol finalist Rayvon Owen, will pit four teams with three creators each against one another in challenges involving storytelling, character creation, and home building. This debut season, which was shot in late 2019, will last for four episodes. The winning team at the end of the season will take home a $100,000 prize.
The just-released trailer for the show makes it clear that Spark'd will follow a familiar reality show model not unlike Chopped, Project Runway, or The Great British Baking Show. The teams of three will each have to complete a challenge in a set amount of time and then present their work to the Spark'd judges, a panel that includes Sims player Kelsey Impicciche (creator of the popular "100 Baby Challenge" Sims YouTube series), musical artist Tayla Parx, and Maxis developer Dave Miotke.
The Sims Spark'd will premiere at 11 p.m. ET and PT on TBS come Friday, July 17, but that won't be your only option for watching it. Produced in collaboration with BuzzFeed, the episodes of Spark'd will also be uploaded to BuzzFeed's gaming channel, Multiplayer, each Monday following their TV premiere.
It'll be fascinating to see if this format really pans out for The Sims, but on paper it certainly shows a good understanding for why millions of people play it regularly and watch what other people create in it. If Spark'd finds an audience, then the future of TV shows based on games might see more reality shows in the mix alongside adaptations like those planned for Fallout and The Last of Us.
In other news
Stardew Valley Just Got Beaches, Fish Tanks, Swimming Ducks, and a Whole Lot More
Nearly five years on, Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone just pushed what he says is Stardew's "biggest update yet."
Vin Diesel Doesn't Just Appear in Ark 2, He's Also Its Executive Producer
Living life one development milestone at a time.
The Last of Us Part 2 Takes Home Top Prize at The Game Awards: Here Are All the Winners
Hades, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and Among Us did get some well-earned love too.
Airplane Mode, a Purposefully Dull Air Travel Simulator, Gets In-Game Podcast About Itself
Pretend to be in a plane while listening to a podcast on recreating the experience you're pretending to have…
You may also like
USgamer Staff Past and Present Say Goodbye (Clone)
End of an era.
USgamer Staff Past and Present Say Goodbye
End of an era.
Press Start to Continue
A look back on what we tried to accomplish at USgamer, and the work still to be done.
Mat's Farewell | The Truth Has Not Vanished Into Darkness
This isn't the real ending, is it? Can't be.