Danny's The Sims Website News

Team Discuss The Sims 3 Development Bloopers In New Blog

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:40:00 EST

A new "blog" has been posted on TheSims3.com that discusses some bloopers encountered during the development of the game:

The amazing part of a Sims Developer�s job that keeps us coming back to work day after day is the sheer number of hilarious and unexpected moments that occur in our game, typically as the result of portions of the game that are �works in progress.�

A fun read - check it out by clicking below and looking for the post "The Sims 3 Blooper Blog!". You may need to change your country and language to English > United States using the Select Language link at the bottom of the page for the post to appear (if you're taken to the homepage after doing this, look for the "The Sims 3 Blooper Blog!" link in the The Sims 3 Newsfeed box).
> News at TheSims3.com

Poll Extended To 20th March

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:57:00 EST

Okay, this is getting ridiculous now - the current poll (Have you downloaded The Sims 3 Create a World Tool Beta?) has been extended yet again due to a lack of votes. Assuming I've finally received enough votes by then, it will now end on 20th March. If you haven't done so already, please - vote now to the right of any page.

Two New Ambitions Screenshots Show Ghost Hunting, Exploding Junk

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:17:00 EST

Two more The Sims 3 Ambitions screenshots have appeared on the 'net, showing what looks like a ghost hunter capturing a ghost, and a Sim seemingly enjoying himself as a pile of junk explodes:

Image source: GameSpot

> View them larger on the Screenshots tab

The Sims 3 Ambitions Announced With Trailer, Q&A (Updated)

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:15:00 EST

EA has announced the latest expansion pack for The Sims 3, titled simply Ambitions:

Widen your Sim�s horizons with a bunch of killer new career opportunities. With The Sims� 3 Ambitions, decide whether your Sim will be the brave town hero or cause loads of mischief among their neighbours. Make your Sim save the day as a fearless firefighter, change the town as an ace architect, or live on the edge as a tattoo artist.

�> Go to the new The Sims 3 Ambitions page to see the full description

EA has given GameSpot an exclusive "announcement trailer", which you can watch below:

�> "The Sims 3 Ambitions Announcement Trailer 1" at GameSpot

GameSpot has also had a Q&A with associate producer Grant Rodiek:

GameSpot: Give us an overview of The Sims 3 Ambitions.

Grant Rodiek: The Sims 3 Ambitions allows players to control their sims while they are at work in a variety of new careers. Instead of sending your sims off to work all day, The Sims 3 Ambitions lets you pick a career like firefighting, investigator, architect, ghost hunter, stylist, or doctor and then guide your sim to make choices and succeed (or fail) every step of the way. You can also make your sim a tattoo artist, sculptor, or inventor.

�> "The Sims 3 Ambitions Q&A - Exclusive First Details" at GameSpot

I've found five screenshots so far, four of which you will have seen if you followed my link to Amazon on Tuesday, so click below to view one new screenshot:
�> The Sims 3 Ambitions screenshots

Update: Forgot to mention, the expansion is set to be released in June. Also, the source for the screenshot at the top is Joystiq.

Amazon.com Confirms The Sims 3 Ambitions With Screenshots

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:33:00 EST

What looks to be the next expansion pack for The Sims 3, "Ambitions" has appeared on Amazon.com, complete with some screenshots and a logo. The screenshots show a Sim sculpting ice into the shape of another Sim posing, a fireman breaking a door down with an axe, what looks like ghost hunters, and a servo-like robot. No information is given.
> "The Sims 3: Ambitions" at Amazon.com

EL33TONLINE Rates Design & High-Tech Stuff Two Stars

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:28:00 EST

EL33TONLINE has posted a review of The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff (known as High-End Loft Stuff in Australia, New Zealand and the US), rating it two stars out of five:

It contains hardly any items worthy of a detailed description, the only light being that of the aquarium. With the Sims Shop there is no need for this expansion. Save your money and wait for an aquarium to appear in the Sims shop, which it ultimately will.

> The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff review at EL33TONLINE

Current Poll Extended To 6th March

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:49:00 EST

As I still haven't received enough votes, the current poll (Have you downloaded The Sims 3 Create a World Tool Beta?) has been extended again - this time to 6th March. The results will finally be revealed then if I've received enough votes. To tide you over, here's a choice explanation from mark gooch, who voted "No, I'm not interested" (swearing censored):

it will be s***, just like the rest of them.

CS FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!1111!!1

it is 733t

Not voted yet? Do so to the right of any page, and click the "Vote with explanation" link if you feel like explaining your choice like mark here.

The Sims Could Have Been An Activision Product

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:14:00 EST

During his keynote address at this year's DICE Summit, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has confirmed that he had the opportunity to purchase Maxis, but was put off by the troubled development of SimCity 2000 at the time. Here's the quote from GameSpot's transcript:

[12:06] An an example, Activision almost bought Maxis at a time when the studio was dealing with Sim City 2000's troubled development.

[12:07] Will Wright invited him to check out a secret project called "Jefferson," but he was so put off by Sim City 2000's problems he passed.

[12:07] Yes, Jefferson was The Sims. Oops.

> "Activision CEO on helming the industry's 'Death Star'" at GameSpot

"The Sims 3: Hobbies & Professions" Spotted

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:37:00 EST

It looks like the next expansion pack for The Sims 3 will be about new hobbies and professions if a listing on an online store is anything to go by. Take 2 (not the publisher) has a page for the somewhat-boringly-named "The Sims 3: Hobbies & Professions", with an expected release date of 4th June 2010 in South Africa. Is this a remake of The Sims 2 FreeTime? We'll probably find out soon.
> "The Sims 3: Hobbies & Professions" at Take 2

IGN Reviews Design & High-Tech Stuff

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:51:00 EST

IGN has posted a review for The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff (known as High-End Loft Stuff in the US, New Zealand and Australia):

All in all, having new objects is never a bad thing. The artwork of the objects is almost universally better than anything you can get from the online Sims 3 store, and you'll pay much less for the Stuff Pack than the total cost of purchasing the same number of new objects from the online store. However, considering the leanness of the Stuff Pack (one new object per category, no new wallpaper or flooring), it's not like the Stuff Pack will allow you to overhaul your neighborhoods.

�> The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff review at IGN

Apple Features Design & High-Tech Stuff

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:55:00 EST

Following on from their features on The Sims 3 and World Adventures, Apple has now posted one for The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff (known as High-End Loft Stuff in the US, Australia and New Zealand):

What do you get the Sim who has everything? Mom has achieved her lifetime wish of professional sports superstar. Dad worked his way up from Latrine Cleaner to Top Gun in the military. The kids are doing well in school, and the neighbors are friendly. In fact, most people in Sunset Valley like your Sim family.

> "The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff: The Finer Things in Sim Life" at Apple

USA Today Reviews Design & High-Tech Stuff And World Adventures

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:32:00 EST

To "celebrate" the 10th anniversary of The Sims, USA Today has posted a short review each for The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff (known as High-End Loft Stuff in the US, Australia and New Zealand) and The Sims 3 World Adventures, rating them 2.5 stars out of 4 and 3.5 stars out of 4 respectively. Here's a quote from the Design & High-Tech Stuff review:

But with only 35 or so items, $20 feels a bit steep for what you get. That, and there aren't any new game-play elements to sink your mouse into. Perhaps a sub-$10 digital download would have been a better idea.

> "'The Sims' turn 10, get new goodies" at USA Today

NZGamer.com Reviews Design & High-Tech Stuff

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:46:00 EST

NZGamer.com has posted a review for The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff (known as High-End Loft Stuff in the US, Australia and New Zealand), giving it 7.0 out of 10 ("Good"):

In receiving High-End Loft Stuff in the post, I was surprised to find I wasn�t as excited by it as I was with previous Sims 2 stuff packs. Interestingly, this had nothing to do with the actual content of the stuff pack, but was - I suspect � a by-product of having already bought some custom objects from the online store.

> The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff review at NZGamer.com

The Sydney Morning Herald Does Its Own The Sims 10th Anniversary Feature

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:17:00 EST

The Sydney Morning Herald's Screen Play blog has posted an interesting article for the 10th anniversary of The Sims:

Psychologist Kathryn Wright believes The Sims appeals to many base instincts, including narcissism, voyeurism and consumerism.

�The Sims acts as more of a mirror for the player than most games,� she said. How a player tackles the game reveals much about their personality.

> "A decade of The Sims" at The Sydney Morning Herald's Screen Play blog

The Sims 3 Game Update Fixes Bug Preventing Beetles From Showing In Game, More

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:17:00 EST

EA has released another game update for The Sims 3, which fixes some issues probably caused by the last one:

Fixes issues with the Input Method Editor for players on the Japanese SKU. Also addresses some functionality errors in the launcher.

Fixes a bug that prevents collectible Beetles from showing up in game.

Fixes a bug that causes Sims to teleport off of some of the new beds in SP01.

Fixes crashes and stalls when multiple patches are being installed.

They recommend you go through the "checklist" in the news post before installing, so lets hope you hadn't got automatic updates enabled and already agreed to download it!
> News at TheSims3.com (UK) (scroll to "Game Update for: 1.10/2.5/3.1")

Kotaku Discusses The Sims For The Latter's 10th Anniversary

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:09:00 EST

Kotaku has posted an article discussing The Sims for the latter's 10th anniversary:

One hundred million copies sold, 36 magazine covers and 100 game critic awards: The Sims franchise continues to thrive ten years after its launch, basking in the uncommon flattery of having no real competition.

> "The Once and Future Sim" at Kotaku

Blend Games Gives Their Impressions Of Design & High-Tech Stuff

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 07:41:00 EST

Blend Games has posted their impressions of the new The Sims 3 stuff pack Design & High-Tech Stuff (known as High-End Loft Stuff in the US), complete with lots of screenshots:

Over all, I'm relatively pleased with the stuff pack as the furniture alone definitely freshens up the look of my game. I think my love for lofts and modern, funky decor will make this stuff pack a worthwhile addition to the game for me.

�> "Sims 3 High End Loft Stuff Pack Impressions: Daisy Gets A Makeover" at Blend Games

Current Poll Extended To 20th February

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:51:00 EST

The current poll (Have you downloaded The Sims 3 Create a World Tool Beta?) has been extended to 20th February as I've only received half the minimum number of votes. I'll reveal the results then if I've received enough votes. Not voted yet? Do so to the right!

IGN Posts Its Own Video Feature On The Sims's 10th Anniversary

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:07:00 EST

Following GameSpot's video feature about the 10th anniversary of The Sims that I reported on earlier, rival site IGN has posted one of its own. It's worth a watch as it doesn't cover all the same topics as GameSpot's one:

More The Sims 3 News & Previews

(Please note the link below the player (can't see the player? Click the title to view this post on the website) came with the embed code.)

UGO Reveals Its Top Ten Ways To Kill Sims

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:51:00 EST

UGO has posted a small feature covering its top ten ways to kill Sims:

10 - Death By Fire
There is no greater power to kill Sims than the power of fire. Everyone who owns a Sim game is sure to set at least one Sim on fire. Low cooking skills? Cook a steak, moron! Low on cash? You don't need a smoke detector! Throwing an indoors party? Where are the bottle rockets, loser!?

> "The Top Ten Ways to Kill Your Sims" at UGO

Some Of The People Behind The Sims Talk To GameSpot About Its 10th Anniversary

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:36:00 EST

The latest episode of GameSpot's video show Today on the Spot included a feature on The Sims's 10th Anniversary, featuring Tim LeTourneau, John Riccitiello, Will Wright, Rod Humble and Lucy Bradshaw. They have posted the video separately, and you can watch it below (can't see the player? Click the title to view this post on the website):

Some Of The Staff At G4 Discuss Their "favorite moments of digital depravity" In The Sims

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:43:00 EST

The onslaught of features to celebrate 10 years of The Sims continues - in the latest, some of G4's staff tell stories of their "favorite moments of digital depravity carried out against our Sim friends":

A few weeks pass without incident until one day [my Sim] wakes up to find that his one bedroom, one bathroom home has transformed into a giant glass cube. Since having a guy slowly starve to death wasn�t all that interesting, especially to the rest of my town�s residents who would walk past his house everyday, I decided to drop in a fridge, a table and a chair every once in a while, and then take it all away after he had eaten and placed his dirty dishes/trash on the floor. After a while, his cube became a rancid, toxic, boxed-in waste dump.

> "What We Learned From The Sims: We Are Bad People" at G4

GamePro Looks At How The Sims Has Evolved Over The Last 10 Years

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:48:00 EST

GamePro has posted an article looking at 10 things about The Sims that have evolved over the last 10 years:

The jobs your Sims could have in the original The Sims always sounded interesting (Policeman, Professional Athlete, etc.) but you had no control over your Sim once they'd left the house. Sometimes you'd get a random Chance Card at the end of the business day, telling you your Sim had been fired or promoted; but that was about as fun as work got.

> "Older and Wiser: How The Sims Has Evolved" at GamePro

VentureBeat Interviews Tim LeTourneau About Making The Sims For 10 Years

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:42:00 EST

VentureBeat has posted an interview with vice president and general manager of The Sims Studio Tim LeTourneau about a decade of The Sims:

VB: What has it been like?

TL: It�s been 10 years of the most fascinating virtual neighborhood you can imagine. Every one of the neighborhoods is the creation of an individual person. When you think about it that way, as a game where you create the experience, where you can create your own person, houses and neighborhoods, I think that�s why The Sims has endured so long. It changes so easily with the times because people can put themselves into the game.

> "Interview with Tim LeTourneau on 10 years of making The Sims" at VentureBeat

The Ten Best Places For Sims To WooHoo

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:48:00 EST

EA has wrote a feature for GamesRadar about the ten best places for WooHoo in The Sims games, to celebrate the series' 10th aniversary:

The Heart Bed
Though the act was disguised as the choice �Play In� for the original Sims, the heart bed has since featured more provocatively in The Sims 2 Apartment Life and The Sims 3 High-End Loft Stuff.

> "10 best places for Sims sex" at GamesRadar

EA Celebrates 10 Years Of The Sims With Artwork While Series Sales Top 125 Million Units

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:38:00 EST

EA has celebrated the 10th anniversary of The Sims with a new collection of artwork produced by 10 different artists:

Collect artwork inspired by
The Sims�
EA teamed-up with Society6 to curate 10 artists from around the world who each created an original artwork to commemorate the first 10 years of The Sims! For a limited time, you can collect each one of these exclusive artworks as a variety of products.

Find out more about the artists and buy prints, laptop and iPhone/iPod Touch skins and T-shirts at the website:
> The Sims 10th anniversary art collection

That's not all there is to celebrate though, as EA has announced (according to GameSpot) that the total sales of the The Sims franchise has reached 125 million units, with revenue of over $2.5 billion.
> "The Sims turns 10, tops 125 million units" at GameSpot

The Sims 3 Game Update Stops Desks From Burning, More

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:35:00 EST

EA has released another game update for The Sims 3:

To install this update, please start your game and use the �[Game] Updates� tab in your Launcher.

This game update includes:

High-End Loft Stuff - This update is required to play the digital download version of The Sims 3 High-End Loft Stuff.

World Adventures - Users can now capture the Town Theatre subject in photography

A change was made so that desks do not burn anymore.

Mac only: Fixed an error with uploading screenshots from the Mac when the �.jpg� file extension is deleted.

PC only: Fixed a bug where the launcher would display an error message that it could not connect to EADM on Vista and Windows 7 machines.

The post on TheSims3.com goes through a couple of things you might be best to do before installing updates - disable custom content and backup save files. The Windows file directory given in the instructions only applies to Windows XP though - in Windows Vista and Windows 7 it's "C:\Users\[USER]\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3" where [USER] is your user name.
> News at TheSims3.com (UK) - Scroll down to "Game Update for: 1.9/2.4"

High-End Loft Stuff Trailer Released

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:50:00 EST

EA has released the US trailer for the stuff pack known there as The Sims 3 High-End Loft Stuff (it's called Design & High-Tech Stuff in the UK if you didn't know):

(If you can't see the video player above, click the title to view this news post on the website)

New Design & High-Tech Stuff Interview With Melanie Lam

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST

German fan site SimFans.de has posted an interview (in English, thankfully) with The Sims 3 Associate Producer Melanie Lam regarding The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff (known as High-End Loft Stuff in the States):

SimFans.de:
Why did you generally decided to release a Stuff Pack beside the Sims Store?

Melanie Lam:
As I mentioned earlier, we like to reach our players in different ways. Some players like having a new product with a complete collection of objects; others prefer to go shopping online to pick and choose individual pieces and have that experience.

> "SimFans.de exclusive Producer-Interview" at SimFans.de

"The Sims 3 Create a Sim" Appears On ESRB

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:10:00 EST

"The Sims 3 Create a Sim" has appeared on the website of the ESRB, the US game rating body. It's for Windows and Mac, and has been given an Everyone 10+ rating. It sounds like it might be The Sims 3, but with everything except the Create a Sim taken out. Here's the rating summary:

This is a simulation game that allows players to create and customize a character to use in The Sims 3 video game. Players can determine their character's age, sex, clothing, physical features, and personality traits. While the outfits are not especially provocative, one character (in a cutscene) is depicted in her underwear as she raises an eyebrow to the mirror�the camera dashes past a close-up of her buttocks. Characters can be dressed in teddies, camisoles, underwear as they emote their "Flirty" and "Great Kisser" personality traits: licking the fingertip and getting sizzled (by imaginary stove); blowing a kiss. The game also features the personality trait of "Slob," which (in clinical terms) triggers the flatulence sound effect, the clenched-buttocks-and-attendant grimace, the wafting hand gesture. Taken together, the comic mischief and the mild suggestive content account for the E-10+ rating.

> The Sims 3 Create a Sim at ESRB

The Sims 3 Worldwide Best Selling PC Game Of 2009 - EA

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:48:00 EST

EA has announced according to GameSpot that The Sims 3 was the best selling PC game of 2009 worldwide:

Today, EA announced that not only was The Sims 3 the best-selling PC title in the US, but also the rest of the world. The publisher pulled its data from a range of independent industry-tracking sources, including NPD, Chart-track UK, Gfk France, Gfk Spain, Gfk-MCC Germany, as well as its own internal estimates. EA has confirmed for GameSpot that lifetime-to-date sales for The Sims 3 have reached 4.5 million units.

The article also notes that "more than 100 million pieces of content have been downloaded through the Exchange since the game launched in June".
> "The Sims 3 tops global PC chart in 2009, LTD sales hit 4.5M - EA" at GameSpot

First Screenshots Of High-End Loft Stuff Released

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:49:00 EST

EA has released the three first screenshots of new stuff pack The Sims 3 High-End Loft Stuff (or is it Design & Hi-Tech Stuff?). View them on TheSims3.com:
> High-End Loft Stuff screenshots at TheSims3.com

Poll Results, Plus New Poll: "Have you downloaded The Sims 3 Create a World Tool Beta?"

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:42:00 EST

I've now been able to end the poll, "Have you bought The Sims 3 World Adventures yet?", so I've got some results for you. Nearly 43% have already bought it, with a further 14.29% planning to buy the game eventually. Click below for the full results in graph form, the opportunity to discuss them, and a rare choice explanation:
> Full results

If a poll's ended, another one must have begun, and so it has: Have you downloaded The Sims 3 Create a World Tool Beta? Well, have you? Vote now to the right of any page, and feel free to explain your choice by clicking the appropriate link.

It's Matt and Kim's Turn For A Simlish Music Video

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:00:01 EST

EA has released another Simlish music video - this time it's Daylight by Matt and Kim. It seems to be about Matt and Kim turning everyone (except themselves) into mummies. Or something. (If you can't see the video player below, click the title to view this post on the website.)

The Sims 3 Photos You Shouldn't Take In Real Life

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST

GamesRadar has posted a new feature looking at the ten photos you can take in The Sims 3 World Adventures that you really shouldn't take in real life:

But the real fun comes from doing things in The Sims 3 that you can�t get away with in real life. Like taking pictures of stuff that could get you arrested, deported or maybe even killed.

Join us now as we exploit the beejesus out of the new Photography skill in The Sims 3: World Adventures.

�> "Ten Sims 3 photos you shouldn�t take in real life" at GamesRadar

The "Sim" Is One Of The Best New Characters Of The Decade, According To GamesRadar

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:11:00 EST

In a new feature GamesRadar has named the "Sim" as one of the 25 best new characters of the decade:

The game gives them no name. No personality. No appearance. No motivation. No nothing, really, until you � the player � step in to fill out all the blanks. Yet the Sims have somehow managed to capture our hearts and imaginations more than any other customizable avatar this decade. Why? Because unlike the frozen-faced Miis or utterly generic Second Life residents, the Sims are not puppets. Once brought into being, they take on a life of their own. You create them, you often control them, but you can never fully predict them.

Scroll down the page linked below to find the "The Sim" section:
> "The 25 best new characters of the decade" at GamesRadar

PETA Names The Sims 3 As The Most Animal-Friendly Game Of The Year

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:07:00 EST

Thanks to the Vegetarian trait, PETA has deemed The Sims 3 the most animal-friendly game of 2009:

In the latest version of the biggest-selling gaming franchise ever, Electronic Arts allows players to choose a vegetarian lifestyle. According to game testers, vegetarian Sims, like their real-life counterparts, live longer, age more slowly, and feast on cruelty-free delights�from tofu dogs to ratatouille. And, like all great art, The Sims 3 imitates life�if your Sim eats meat, it will get sick.

> "The Sims 3: Most Animal-Friendly Game of 2009" at The PETA Files

The Sims Is The Most Influential Game Of The Decade, Says Wired.com

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:39:00 EST

Wired.com blog GameLife has named The Sims as the most influential game of the decade in a feature:

It�s the most popular game franchise that debuted this decade, with more than 100 million copies sold. Yet many people don�t even consider The Sims to be a game at all. Will Wright�s people simulator so completely disrupted our beliefs about what a videogame had to be that non-gamers with no expectations had the easiest time wrapping their heads around it. Sims has had a profound influence on videogames in a dozen different ways.

> "The 15 Most Influential Games of the Decade" at Wired.com

Poll Extended

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST

If you're here looking for some results for the current poll, "Have you bought The Sims 3 World Adventures yet?", sorry - you must be one of the too-few that voted, as I haven't received enough votes to end it yet. If I do get enough votes by then, the poll will now end with the results revealed in two weeks time - Saturday 9th January.

The Sims 3 Is 2009's Best Strategy Game, Says GameSpot

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:04:00 EST

GameSpot has named The Sims 3 as the best strategy game in their best of 2009 awards:

While 2009 brought us some fantastic strategy games, it was the one that simulates the intricacies of everyday life that won the hearts of our editors. The Sims 3 takes the gameplay established in the previous two games and expands on it in new and exciting ways, resulting in a rich experience with a lot more depth.

> Best Strategy Game - GameSpot's Best Games of 2009 at GameSpot