Electronic Arts, ELEAGUE and BuzzFeed Multiplayer have joined forces in the launch of a new four-part reality show challenging 12 contestants to compete by creating unique universes in The Sims 4, which will begin airing on July 17 on TBS.
The new show -- titled "The Sims Spark'd" -- will be hosted by former American Idol finalist Rayvon Owen and feature $100,000 on the line. While "The Sims 4" is a single-player game, contestants will compete in challenges in which they have to create stories and build characters within the game that will be judged by three judges: BuzzFeed multiplayer personality Kelsey Impicciche, "The Sims 4" contributing musician Tayla Parx and game developer Dave Miotke.
"Since its inception, The Sims has been a groundbreaking experience, allowing players to create and virtually live out the stories they create in-game. That's what makes it so special," The Sims franchise GM Lyndsay Pearson said in a press release. "That's also why this show is so exciting. We're continuing that innovative spirit, bringing our community together to compete and showcase their in-game storytelling on a reality show in an entirely new way."
The show will air every Friday night at 11 p.m. ET on TBS for four consecutive weeks beginning July 17.
The project is the latest for ELEAGUE, the esports and gaming-focused arm of Turner Sports. The brand was founded in early 2016, launching with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournaments in their Atlanta studio, which is also home to the likes of "Inside the NBA" and NBA TV productions. The group has held tournaments for other titles, such as Injustice 2, Mortal Kombat, Rocket League, FIFA, Overwatch and others but has mainly pivoted to entertainment-style gaming content, such as a regular show called "Super Punch," which features big influencers from Twitch.
The Sims is a wildly popular single-player simulation game in which users are able to create their own characters, allowing them to mingle and build relationships, as well as construct homes, buildings and other types of structures. The game's fifth installment has been widely anticipated, although not announced, over the past few months by avid fans of the franchise.