Maxis is best known as the game development company for the highly-popular and critically acclaimed Sim titles such as SimCity and the best-selling computer game of all time, The Sims. The company was founded by game-thought leader Will Wright in 1987.

Maxis was acquired by Electronic Arts in 1997, but retained the majority of its identity and workforce. Up until recently, the Maxis logo was featured prominently on many of the Sim-based computer games and even makes a brief appearance in Spore's game opening.

The latest brainchild of Maxis and creator Will Wright is the game Spore, which has often been described as Sim Everything due to its Sim-inspired origins. Upcoming titles include the hotly-anticipated sequel to the original franchise, The Sims 3, which is expected to be available in early 2009.

Will Wright's studio is located in Emeryville, California and is getting full-credit for creating Spore (some of the later Sim City expansions didn't have the Maxis logo on them).