Playing virtual God apparently has its appeal.
In what it called the biggest video game launch in the company's 22-year history, Electronic Arts says it sold more than a million copies of "The Sims 2" within the first 10 days of its release.
The personal computer game, released on Sept. 14, lets players control virtual humans from birth until death, making myriad decisions ranging from romantic entanglements to personal hygiene.
The sequel adds sharper three-dimensional graphics and other improvements over the original Sims game, released in 2000.
Company spokesman Frank Gibeau said more than half the "Sims 2" sales came from Europe. Combined sales of the original Sims and its numerous expansion packs, meanwhile, have topped 41 million units.
"The Sims franchise has become a cultural phenomenon and The Sims 2 is a game that changes the way we think about our industry," Gibeau said.
EA, the world's largest video game maker, put out an online version in 2002 but it suffered from disappointing sales and tepid reviews.
Next up in the Sims roster is "The Urbz: Sims in the City." Expected in November, players must test the reputation of their Sims in an urban environment.