The Sims 2: Open for Business

Ever since the release of the original Sims game, even prior to all its expansions, gamers have been clamoring to follow their Sims to work. The Sims: Superstar was a nice first step, asking players to give a little effort to helping their Sims climb the ladder of being a celebrity, but something was missing.

Enter The Sims 2: Open For Business. You want your own hours? Done. You want unlimited income potential? Done. You want to hire employees and deal with all the fun of a Tycoon game without a stereotypical horrid interface? Done.

Ah, but don't think this is as simple as a Microsoft buyout. You'll need some skill, both for yourself and your Sims, to truly succeed in business. It's not easy, even if you're a veteran Sims player, to make thousands of simoleons. Also, just like reality, no business will start at the top of its game, and it will take a long time to evolve into the Sims version of a corporate empire.

Still, the challenges of business are nothing we at IGN can't handle. (Well, simulated business anyway. If we had the chance to have Bill Gates's income in reality, do you think we'd still be here?) Turn the pages here to find all the information you need to start a business, hire help, turn profits, and pass the business (and buck) to the younger generation.

In this The Sims 2: Open for Business strategy guide, you'll find:

• Game Changes: The 411 on new Sims 2 elements added from the newest expansion pack.
• Business Basics: It's all about the benjasims, and this little overview will help you decide what business to run.
• Starting Up: Even Electronic Arts wasn't built in a day. Head here to see how to being your business on its road to riches.
• Employees and More: Once your business gets too big to handle yourself, you'll need some hired help. This is where things get interesting, and this section will give you some direction.
• Going Up!: Elevators are new to the series, and they're complex enough to warrant their own section.
• Servo-tude: Speaking of complexity, Servo is back and deeper than ever!

Cheat: $1,000
Hit shift, ctrl and c to access the cheat menu, then enter kaching.

Cheat: $5,000
Hit shift, ctrl and c to access the cheat menu, then enter motherlode.

Cheat: No Aging
Hit shift, ctrl and c to access the cheat menu, then enter aging off.