“To millions of people, The Sims is known as a carefree virtual playground, where prompting human-like avatars to eat, wash, work and socialize can become a massively time-consuming obsession. A slogan for the game’s online version aptly sums up its terrific utility as an escape vehicle: “Be Somebody. Else.”
But few probably ever envisioned The Sims as a tool for serious social and personal expression. Who would have thought, for example, that abuse victims might turn to The Sims to unburden themselves of past torments?” [Wired News]