The Sims franchise is owned by Electronic Arts (EA), a major video game publisher. However, as of late 2025, Electronic Arts itself has been sold to private investors including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners (founded by Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law) in a $55 billion all-cash deal. This deal includes ownership of EA and all its franchises such as The Sims. The transaction is set to be finalized officially in early fiscal year 2027. Until that time, EA remains the owner and publisher of The Sims.

Maxis, the game studio that develops The Sims, is a division of Electronic Arts since it was acquired in 1997. So ownership of The Sims ultimately corresponds to ownership of EA.

In summary:

• The Sims is developed by Maxis, a division of EA.
• EA owns The Sims franchise.
• EA was purchased by a consortium of private investors (PIF, Silver Lake, Affinity Partners) in a $55 billion deal in 2025.
• This consortium will take full ownership of EA, including The Sims, starting in fiscal year 2027.