In the NFL, we constantly compare ourselves to our other 31 competitors - on the field and online, we want to be the best. The Chargers set the standard for Schedule Release content, consistently raising the bar with viral, culture-shaping videos. After revolutionizing the space with back-to-back Anime Schedule Releases, we knew expectations were higher than ever for 2024.
After dozens of brainstorming sessions, The Sims entered the chat. We trusted our gut on this team favorite and tapped into our childhood – recreating the quirks, humor, and nostalgia of the iconic game in a way only the Chargers could. Every detail was carefully crafted from custom items to deep-cut NFL references—designed to reward repeat viewings and fuel social conversation.
The result? A video that once again took over the internet, proving that when it comes to Schedule Release, the Chargers aren’t just playing the game—we’re redefining it.
From the start, authenticity was key. We didn’t just want to reference The Sims—we wanted to bring the NFL to life within the game. That meant diving deep into the game’s mechanics, visual style, and signature humor. Our strategy revolved around three core elements:
Using The Sims 2 as our production engine came with its own set of challenges. The game was never meant to handle the level of detail and customization we required, so our team had to navigate technical hurdles—modding restrictions, animation limitations, and rendering complexities—to bring our vision to life.
Another challenge was balancing humor with clarity. The Sims is inherently chaotic, and with so many Easter eggs packed into each scene, we had to carefully pace the video to ensure every moment was both entertaining and understandable, even for those unfamiliar with the game.
The final product wasn’t just a video—it was a full-on moment. Fans, media and players seemed to watch it on replay sharing their favorite hidden details. Even the Sims community engaged in the conversation, amplifying our reach far beyond the typical football audience.
The Chargers Sims Schedule release video was shared at 5:02 pm on May 15, 2024 and quickly became the most-watched and talked about video across the NFL hitting the #1 trending topic spot on X by 6pm.
Ultimately, our goal was to create a culturally relevant, widely shared, and highly engaging schedule release video—and the numbers prove we did just that.
