Meet the Artist Turning 'The Sims' Into Pure Cinema
Anastasia Kokoshka has created her own universe within one of the most popular games in the world, and she’s bringing us all along for the ride.
If you’re into The Sims, you’ve probably stumbled across one of Anastasia Kokoshka’s videos before. Creating heartwarming, nostalgic slices of life and suspenseful thrillers that will have you hanging on to the edge of your phone screen, the multidisciplinary artist has made the game her canvas.
Her art stretches far and wide within The Sims universe, challenging the limits of what the game can do. From classic townie cosplays to polymer clay recreations and life-sized sculptures of the iconic cow plant, Kokoshka found her niche early, and she always keeps her audience wanting more.
Making Academy Award-worthy cinema using an early 2000s video game is a feat in and of itself, but look at the comments of any of her videos and you’ll see why people love them so much. “My favorite show is on” is a standard reply to her creations, with many storylines blending into each other and building the never-ending “kokoshkapino” universe.
We talked to Kokoshka about her relationship with The Sims, the process behind her viral videos and the potential for a career in film down the line. Keep scrolling to read the full conversation.
When did you start playing The Sims?
I started playing The Sims in childhood, right when the very first game came out. I was about seven or eight years old. My best friend bought the game disc, and we would spend hours playing together. I still remember that magical feeling – I was obsessed with Barbie and Tamagotchis, so The Sims felt like living dolls to me.
Your art takes on many different forms. How did you start exploring different mediums?
I grew up in a family of artists, so creativity in all its forms has always been a part of my life. I started with drawing and design, and later discovered sculpture. I’ve always loved trying new things and exploring my abilities through different creative outlets – sewing, knitting, doll customization. Whenever I see something beautiful online, it inspires me to try it myself. I truly enjoy the process of improving my skills and watching my craftsmanship grow.
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Why did you choose The Sims as the focus of your artwork?
The Sims is my main source of inspiration. I feel like it shaped my love for design and aesthetics. My life is a mix of reality and this game. Whenever I see a beautiful house or street outside, I immediately imagine how I would build it in The Sims and who might live there. No matter what I do, The Sims remains an essential part of my world. It’s a universe of its own to me.
What is the process of creating a new video?
I simply live and observe the little moments around me. Some ideas come from everyday life or personal experience, others from films or even random images. Sometimes a storyline appears while I’m listening to music. Then I open the game, build locations and let my imagination flow freely without strict rules or scripts.
Sometimes Sims act on their own, and I include those moments in the final edit if they feel right. Other times, I’ll repeat the same action many times to get the perfect shot. I never fully know how a video will turn out – the stories unfold as I go. For example, I might notice a ladder and think, “It would be cool to film a teenage Sim sneaking out at night.” And suddenly, it turns into a story about a group of teens hanging out by an abandoned pool, even though I originally built the house for an elderly couple and had a completely different idea in mind.
Your videos are incredibly cinematic. What’s the secret to a “kokoshkapino” video?
I think it comes from the way I see my videos – not just as something to show, but as something to be felt. It’s important for me to convey a mood, whether it’s unsettling or nostalgic. I pay close attention to small details, and together they create that cinematic feeling.
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Where do you get the inspiration for new storylines?
My life is my greatest source of inspiration. The love and support around me give me both strength and ideas for my stories. I’m deeply drawn to everyday details – the simplest moments feel meaningful and fascinating to me. I never get bored.
That’s probably why I still love The Sims 2 so much. It never feels outdated to me. The game is full of small, charming animations that beautifully reflect everyday life – kissing your child goodnight, cuddling in your sleep, reading the morning newspaper, cleaning windows and jumping in puddles in the rain.
Is screenwriting something you would ever want to try?
I would love to try screenwriting someday, or even create a short film. It would be amazing to explore that direction. Once, I wrote a small children’s story for my husband and turned it into a book as a gift. Maybe one day I’ll create something like that to share with a wider audience.
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What is your favorite video that you have made so far?
It’s really hard for me to choose just one video, because I put my heart into each of them and truly live through these stories. Every video reflects my mood, my emotions, my state of mind. It’s a bit like scents – when you smell something and it instantly takes you back to a specific moment in your life.
From my recent works, I would probably highlight the video about two vampire lovers, moving through different eras together, set to “It’s No Good” by Depeche Mode. I truly enjoyed creating it. I love Depeche Mode, and that song always carried this story in my mind. It felt incredibly satisfying to finally bring it to life through The Sims.
