The Sims Big Brother

**The Sims Big Brother** is a popular reality competition that features on *The Sims Reality Network*. The reality-competition is based on the format of Big Brother US/Canada version which was inspired by the original Dutch reality show of the same name; created by producer *John de Mol* and *Ron W Diesel* in 1997. The series started airing in early 2018 and has continued since. It has currently aired five seasons.

## Format

The series is a reality TV show competition where a bunch of sims *(who are typically but not always strangers)* live together, isolated from the outside world but watched and listened to by cameras/microphones. Each series lasts just over a month and consists of around 16 houseguests competing for a simoleon cash prize. Ultimately, a jury of evicted houseguests will determine who wins each season. Each season also has a different theme that is represented in the house design, competitions and twists.

Each series honors the current US edition of the show; focusing more on game mechanics that implement gameplay, strategy and competition rather than organic relationships and authenticity. The power to evict each other is down to the houseguests. They are allowed to form *alliances* and strategize for nominations/evictions. They also compete in competitions for power such as the *Head of Household* and *Power of Veto*.

### Head of Household

Each round, a new **Head of Household**, more commonly known as **HOH**, is crowned through a competition. The competition type can vary. Everyone but the outgoing *Head of Household* *(unless through a twist or the final Head of Household)* competes. *Head of Household* winners are given immunity and luxury privileges *(their own private bedroom and bathroom, a letter from home and a basket of treats)* but their main role is to nominate two houseguests, or more, for eviction. If the *Power of Veto* is used on either nominations, the *Head of Household* must name a replacement nominee. The *Head of Household* does not vote during the eviction unless there is a tie *or* for the final *Head of Household*.

The final Head of Household competition works differently takes place when there is only three houseguests left. There is also three parts to it, unlike any other *Head of Household* competition, which are played on three separate days. The winner of Part 1 automatically advances to Part 3, whilst the two houseguests who lost Part 1 face-off in Part 2. The winner of Part 2 faces-off against the Part 1 winner and is the crowned the final Head of Household; where they must ultimately decide the final houseguest to evict.

### Have/Have-Nots

A *Have/Have-Not* is a process in which houseguests are assigned to either a **Have** *(with normal houseguest privileges)* or a **Have-Not** *(given a disadvantage in the game)*. Each round, at least two houseguests are determined to be *have-nots*; who live differently to *haves* by eating slop or food decided by the audience, sleeping in an uncomfortable room and having cold showers. In The Sims Big Brother 1, the houseguests determined to be have-nots were the two-four houseguests in last place in the *Head of Household* Competition. In The Sims Big Brother 2, the *Head of Household* determined who was a have-not. From The Sims Big Brother 3 onwards, the process returned to the worst performers in the *Head of Household*.

### Nominations

Each round, the *Head of Household* nominates at least two houseguests for eviction at the **Nomination Ceremony**. They give a speech on why they are nominating those specific houseguests for eviction. If a nominee is saved by the *Power of Veto*, the *Head of Household* must name a replacement nominee at the **Veto Ceremony**. At the end of the week, the two nominations face-off against each other to try and gather votes from the rest of the houseguests to stay in the game.

### Power of Veto

Each round, a new **Power of Veto** holder, more commonly known as **POV**, is crowned through a competition. The competition type can vary. The winner has the option to save one of the *Head of Household's* nominations or leave them the same. If the *Power of Veto* is used, the *Head of Household* must name a replacement nominee. This decision plays out at the **Veto Ceremony**. Six players are chosen to compete in the *Power of Veto* competitions; the *Head of Household*, their two nominations and three players decided by random draw.

### Eviction

**Eviction** is a process in which the houseguests vote to evict one of the nominees to leave the game. Before the vote, each nominee has a chance to make one last plea to sway their houseguest's votes. After that, everyone but the *Head of Household* and the two nominees vote to evict one of the nominees anonymously. The *Head of Household* only votes in the event of a tie. When the votes are cast, the vote is revealed to the house as a tally *(without it being revealed who vote for who)* and the houseguest with the most votes is evicted. If a houseguest is evicted during the pre-jury stage, they go home. If they are evicted during the jury stage, they are sequestered until the finale.

### Jury

**Jury** is a group of the last few evicted houseguests *(typically ranging from seven to nine members)* who vote for the winner of the season. They are sequestered in the jury house from their eviction up until the finale; where they make their final vote. They are not allowed communication with the outside world and vote based on their perception, experience and knowledge of the game. During the finale, they have a chance to ask the final 2 questions in order to ultimately decide their final vote.

### Alliance

Due to the strategic nature of the game, **alliances** are formed during their time in the house to advance themselves further in the game. An alliance is a group of houseguests that work together throughout the game. Loyalty depends on the houseguests involved in the alliance.

### Finale

During the finale, Part 3 of the final *Head of Household* takes place live. Once a final *Head of Household* is crowned, they will then make their decision on who to evict and who to take to the final 2. After a final 2 is determined, the jury asks them questions of their choice in order to give them to plea their case on why they should win the season. At the end of questioning and speeches, the jury cast their vote live and the finalist with the most jury votes will be named the winner.

## Trivia

* The Sims Big Brother is the first series to air on *The Sims Reality Network*.