Maxis wanted to give the feel of a crowded dormitory without having a large amount of Sims on the screen at a time, so NPCs disappear upon entering a private room.
A university-themed expansion pack was discussed for The Sims but the technology did not support it. University was first announced in mid-November. In 2004, Electronic Arts announced that it was planning on releasing a new expansion pack for The Sims 2 in March 2005. University has won two Editor's Choice awards from syndicated game review publications. The pack added several key gameplay elements which have been included in all expansions succeeding it. Once they reach this life period, they can go to University to earn a degree, allowing them to take up any one of four graduate-exclusive careers. The expansion pack adds a new aging stage to Sims – Young Adult. It was released on March 1, 2005, to mixed reception. The Sims 2: University is the first expansion pack for The Sims 2 developed by Maxis Redwood Shores and published by Electronic Arts. The last expansion pack, Apartment Life, was released on August 25, 2008. The first expansion pack, University, was released on March 1, 2005. Expansion packs tend to focus on major new features, with many objects, clothes, styles, neighborhoods and life states are geared towards the pack's major theme. All expansion packs were developed by Maxis Redwood Shores and published by Electronic Arts.