Danny's The Sims Website News

New The Sims 3 Developer Interview

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:48:00 EST

GameSpot AU Presents Crosshairs has an interview with The Sims 3 Assistant Producer Grant Roddick in it's latest episode. The interview starts at about 35:30 (if you can't see the video player, you may want to click the post title to view this news post on the website):

The Sims 3 Official Q&A

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:48:00 EST

EA have released some questions and answers about The Sims 3 to the press, which I've posted in full on this website. It seems a little repetitive, so that and the wording of some of the questions leads me to believe it's a compilation of individual answers to fan questions.

What kind of player activity have you planned for The Sims 3?

Sims can do things that they couldn�t do before, like ride bikes, work out at the gym, go to the beach, grab a snack at the bistro and more!

> The Sims 3 Official Q&A

Another two blog posts at TheSims3.com

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:51:00 EST

Web Producer Adam Siegel and Games Designer Ray Mazza have both added new blog posts over at TheSims3.com. Firstly Adam talks about the new The Sims 3 community website:

First, we are really excited about the new Exchange. We're making it way easier and faster to find what you are looking for by browsing and searching. You'll be able to use keywords and filters to hone in on what you are looking for, and the advanced search function is crazy powerful. Plus, we'll let you sort your search results and category listings by date, number of downloads, and number of recommendations. Yes - members of the community will be able to recommend items by clicking a thumbs-up icon! There is no thumbs-down, so this is truly an all-positive rating system!

In the second post, Ray talks about careers in The Sims 3:

In The Sims 3, you can also take a bit of your career home with you through our new Opportunity system. Opportunities pop up while you play, giving you the chance to do a bit of extra work for a bonus�added performance, improved relationships with your coworkers, cash, a raise, or objects, to name a few.

> Community Features Blog at TheSims3.com
> Hello Fans of The Sims! blog post at TheSims3.com

Poll Results and the 15th November - 13th December Poll

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:06:00 EST

A new poll has begun. This time I wondered how you lot read this news. Do you simply direct your browser to this page every so often, or do you have the news delivered to you? Maybe you don't read the news at all (but then you wouldn't be reading this, so I'm basically talking to myself here). Vote now to the right of any page on this website.

Of course, if a new poll has begun, a poll must have ended to make way for it. Last month, I asked whether you'll get the collector's edition of The Sims 3, or the regular game, or, you know, neither. The results are in and it seems the majority or you will be getting the collector's edition. See the full results by clicking below:
> Poll Results

EA sued over SucuROM

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:46:00 EST

Dianna Cortez of Missouri, US, has sued EA over the inclusion of SucuROM Data Rights Management software with The Sims 2 Bon Voyage. She calls EA's conduct "immoral, unethical, oppressive [and] unscrupulous" for including it, according to GamePolitics.

After installing Bon Voyage, Ms. Cortez began having problems with her computer. She had previously made backup Sims 2 game content on CDs, but her computer's disc drive would no longer recognize that content, reporting the CDs as empty. She could not access files that were saved on her USB flash drive or iPod, either...

This follows two lawsuits for the inclusion of SucuROM with new game Spore, also from EA. GamePolitics noted that the same law firm represents all three individuals who have sued EA over SucuROM.
> "New Class-Action Suits Target EA, SecuROM, The Sims & Spore Creature Creator" at GamePolitics

The Sims 3 Developer Game Tour

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:08:00 EST

EA has released a new video where The Sims 3 game designer Grant Rodiak takes us through the Create-a-Sim, explores the neighbourhood (Sunset Valley), throws a campaign party, ridies bikes and cars into town and does some protesting. Watch the video below (if you can't see it, you will probably have to click the heading to view this news post on the website):

The Sims 3: New screenshots, Q&A

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:34:00 EST

GameSpot have posted a Q&A with The Sims 3 executive producer Ben Bell:

GS: How much dedication does it take to reach the pinnacle of your respective career ladder? Are there any shortcuts to the top?

BB: If you play your cards right, you might be able to get to the top of more than one career in a lifetime, but it would take a lot of hard work, and your sim would need the right traits. Workaholic sims will be happy if they live at the office, so that might be a good way to go. There are definitely some shortcuts, and your sims will get opportunities from time to time that give them a boost.

Four new screenshots have also been made available - check them out on the screenshots page.
> The Sims 3 Q&A: Dreams, Wishes, and Improving on The Sims 2 at GameSpot
> The Sims 3 Screenshots

The Sims 3 Election Coverage

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:36:00 EST

EA have posted two new videos on YouTube showing US election coverage made in The Sims 3. In the first video, John McCain and Sarah Palin have an unscheduled rally in Sunset Valley:

In the second video, Palin and Biden have a fight:

Download The Sims 3's theme music at The Sims 2 UK

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:30:00 EST

The Sims 3's theme music is available to download at The Sims 2 UK, and it's heavily based on The Sims 2's theme music.
> News post at The Sims 2 UK, with link to download music

Patch your Apartment Life (again)

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:24:00 EST

EA have released another patch for The Sims 2 Apartment Life, replacing the previous one. It makes quite a lot of changes.
> The Sims 2 Apartment Life patch

Steve Jablonsky to compose music for The Sims 3

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:51:00 EST

EA has announced that award-winning composer Steve Jablonsky will score the theme music for The Sims 3.

In addition to the theme music, Jablonsky�s score is featured throughout key areas of the game. For instance, in Create A Sim, the music will reflect the creative nature of choosing from a selection of facial features, hairstyles and outfits. There will also be a unique sound to distinguish build and buy modes in which you can create your dream home and design the neighborhood. In The Sims 3, you are able to visit many areas of the town for the first time such as the beach, gym, bistro or even a friend�s home. The music will also follow suit. For instance, when you are walking by the beach, the sound will coordinate. You might hear seagulls, waves crashing and the music will reflect the breezy feeling of being near the ocean. The gym will also feature appropriate music suited for that specific environment such as fast paced disco tech.

The press release linked below also includes some images (one of which is above-right) of what I assume is him at work.
> Press release at TheSims3.com

The Poll for October: Results

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:11:00 EST

The web entry is now closed, the votes have been counted and the results are in. The winner, of The X Factor 2008, is... Wait a sec. Sorry, this is a web poll not The X Factor isn't it? My mistake. Right, so the question last month was simply this: Have you bought Apartment Life yet? Well, nearly 55% of you have, with a further 27% definitely getting it soon. Click below to see the results.

Semi-related to polls is my survey, which you may have noticed at the top of the right-hand pane. It's nothing to do with The Sims, because it's actually for a college assessment, but if you could fill it in anyway that would be most helpful. UK residents only though please.
�> Poll Results
�> Survey

The Poll for November

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:57:00 EST

Slightly later than planned, I've launched a new poll for you. The question? Do you think you'll get the collector's edition of The Sims 3, or just the standard game? If you're reading this on the main site, vote now to the right.

Unfortunately I'm going to have to save the results of the previous poll until tomorrow.

The Sims 3: New screenshots, collector's edition available to pre-order

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:17:00 EST

EA have announced that the collector's edition of The Sims 3 is now available to pre-order in the States. The collector's edition includes the following exclusive extras:

2 GB THE SIMS PLUMBOB� USB DRIVE

EUROPEAN STYLED SPORTS CAR DOWNLOAD

NEW THEME MUSIC FROM THE SIMS 3

AN EXCLUSIVE PRIMA TIPS & HINTS GUIDE

If you pre-order from the EA Store or a participating retailer, you'll also get:

Vintage Sports Car Download
The Sims 3 Neighborhood Poster

EA have also released three new screenshots, which I've added to the appropriate page.
> The Sims 3 Pre-order details at TheSims3.com
> The Sims 3 screenshots

The Sims 3 to appear at London Games Festival

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:05:00 EST

EA have announced EA Be The One, an event at Trafalgar Square between October 31st and November 1st during the London Games Festival, according to MCV. They say that The Sims 3 will be one of the games on show, though they fail to make absolutely clear it will be playable, they give that impression. I will try to attend and find out for myself.
> "EA to take over Trafalgar Square" at MCV

Gabriella Cilmi sings Simlish in Apartment Life

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:09:00 EST

Gabriella Cilmi's hit debut single Sweet About Me ("...There's nothing sweet about me, yeah." Yep, it's a song I've actually heard!) was re-recorded in Simlish and is featured in The Sims 2 Apartment Life. EA have posted an interview with her as well as a video where you can see the recording taking place. Read the interview by clicking the link at the bottom of this post. The video is embedded below:

> Interview with Gabriella Cilmi at TheSims2.com

New blog posts at TheSims3.com

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:04:00 EST

Two new blog posts have been added to TheSims3.com, Town Blog by Associate Producer JoAnna Lio, and Create a Style by Associate Producer (again) Jennifer Lane.
> Blog at TheSims3.com

Patch your Apartment Life

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:20:00 EST

EA has released a patch for The Sims 2 Apartment Life, fixing a number of issues.
> Get the patch at TheSims2.com

IGN's guide to Apartment Life

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:13:00 EST

IGN have posted a pretty detailed guide to The Sims 2 Apartment Life.

It's been a long journey since 2004, when The Sims 2 was first released! Four years of expansion packs, four years of seeing your little Sims grow from leading mediocre, drab lives to lives full of dating, vacations, four-legged friends, and vampires!

The guide goes through game changes, witches, apartment living and apartment building.

IGN also have guides for every other expansion pack and the base game, which are linked to from the introduction page of the Apartment Life guide.
> The Sims 2 Apartment Life guide at IGN

Katy Perry's Simlish Music Video

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:11:00 EST

EA have released a music video of "hot newcomer" Katy Perry's latest single, Hot N Cold, created using The Sims 2, and with the vocals re-recorded in Simlish. I've embedded the video below:

Poll Results and the Poll for October

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:57:00 EST

It's that time of the month again: new poll time! The question this time is this: Have you bought Apartment Life yet? A very simple poll where you shouldn't need to think about it before voting. So vote! Now! To the right*!

Last month, I asked you lot this: Does it annoy you that to shut the open windows in Apartment Life you'll need to swap them for another in build mode? And I can tell you, with 71% of you, it does!
> Full results

*Pages in main site only - not RSS feed

The Sims 3: New screenshots

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:57:00 EST

Three new screenshots of The Sims 3 have been released. See protesting, rocking and hand shaking by clicking below.
> The Sims 3 screenshots

New blog posts on TheSims3.com

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 10:15:00 EST

Head of The Sims studio Rod Humble and associate producer Lyndsay Pearson have both posted new blogs on TheSims3.com. Rod talks about the create-a-sim and how it captures his attention:

As we develop The Sims 3, I have to say that playing with the new Create A Sim completely captures my attention! You can hit the random button and create Sims with unique personalities, as well as incredibly varied appearances. It�s hypnotic sitting there generating little beings with unique physical and mental traits. I just generated a Sim who is a computer wiz, has commitment issues, is easily impressed and can't stand art. He likes Latin Music and his Favourite food is Key Lime Pie. All of those mental traits have an impact in the game world.

Lyndsay discusses Wishes:

We�ve looked back on our experience with Wants from The Sims 2, and think that you�ll find the Wish gameplay feels really different and better than Wants. You�re now free to pick or ignore your Sims� wishes without fear of some sort of mental breakdown. Instead you really get to focus on telling the story and making decisions; your Sim just makes suggestions along the way. If you promise that you�ll help your Sim get married, then decide to throw that wish away, your Sim will be a little sad (who wouldn�t be!) but otherwise it�s really all up to you.

> Community Blog at TheSims3.com

VentureBeat has a Q&A with Ben Bell

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:44:00 EST

VentureBeat has had a Q&A with The Sims 3 executive producer Ben Bell.

VB: What role has direct player feedback had in crafting The Sims 3?

BB: We�re all fans of The Sims, and a lot of our team worked on The Sims and The Sims 2, so player feedback is built into our team. We also spend a lot of time interacting with members of The Sims community around the world. I don�t think the game would be what it is without The Sims community. They make the content that keeps the game alive, and we are going to amplify that activity with The Sims 3.

> Q&A with Ben Bell at VentureBeat

Yet more Stuff for your game

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:02:00 EST

Yet another stuff pack has been announced: The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff.

Design impressive estates and meticulous gardens for your Sims with three all-new architectural styles. Infuse your Sims' mansion with the intricate beauty of new Moroccan designs, add a touch of retro-modern style with stately and new Art Deco elements, or build in the imposing new Second Empire style. With a host of new architectural and landscaping items to choose from, your Sims mansions will look more stunning than ever!

> Information and screenshots at The Sims 2 UK
> Less information and screenshots at TheSims2.com (bottom left of page)

GameDaily gets a first look at The Sims 3

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:41:00 EST

Ben Bell, the executive producer of The Sims 3 has given GameDaily an exclusive demo of the game.

"We have members of our design and graphics staff that have really grown up with the franchise, so this is very personal to us," said Bell. "Everybody on the team is a fan of the game. And there's a whole bunch of stuff that we've always wanted to do with the game that we were never allowed to explore due to time or technology."

The preview confirms the name of the one and only neighbourhood in the game - Pleasant Valley. The valley that contains the town of Pleasantview from The Sims 2, perhaps?

GameDaily had some screenshots that were not already on this website, so I've added them to the screenshots page.
> The Sims 3 First Look at GameDaily
> The Sims 3 screenshots

IGN reviews Apartment Life

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:55:00 EST

It's now IGN's turn to publish a review of The Sims 2 Apartment Life, and they've given it a "Good" 7.7 out of 10.

It's odd recommending an expansion pack like this with The Sims 3 coming out early next year. Yet if you're looking for more content to tide you over until the next game, Apartment Life certainly works as a solid expansion. It doesn't completely reinvent the style of gameplay you're used to, but it does make enough interesting tweaks and additions to warrant a look. And if this does turn out to be the last bit of official content released, it's not a bad way to go out for such a venerable franchise.

The Metascore remains at 74.
> The Sims 2 Apartment Life review at IGN
> The Sims 2 Apartment Life at Metacritic

Find out how to build your own apartment building

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:09:00 EST

The Sims 2 Apartment Life game team have created a basic tutorial explaining how to construct apartment buildings. As well as showing you what must be featured in an apartment building and the cheat needed to turn your lot into one, the tutorial also gives help on adding cornices. It's not had much time spent on making it look nice or checking for spelling errors, but Maxoid_Hydra explains that's because they wanted to get the tutorial available quickly.
> Apartment Building Tutorial at TheSims2.com Forum

1UP reviews Apartment Life

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:34:00 EST

The second English review of The Sims 2 Apartment Life has been posted online, this time from 1UP, who gave it a "good" B+.

It strikes the perfect balance of adding new material without taking away from the overall game, and it doesn't feel like a completely different path but rather a cool new take on some of the basic mechanics. It's a must-have for Sims 2 zealots, especially for those who skipped out on the last crop of expansions. Give it a go -- Apartment Life succeeds at facilitating a great new life for your Sims without straying too far from the old block.

Including foreign language reviews, this means the Metascore (an aggregate score out of 100 from Metacritic) is currently 74, "mixed or average reviews".
> The Sims 2 Apartment Life review at 1UP
> The Sims 2 Apartment Life at Metacritic

See Behind the Scenes of The Sims 3

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:42:00 EST

A new video has been posted on TheSims3.com, giving us a look behind the scenes of the game. The offices are shown, we get to see a bit of how the game is developed, some of the game's user interface is seen for the first time, and the team discuss the game.
> Videos at TheSims3.com

Meet the Landlord

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:48:00 EST

The Sims 2 UK have posted another The Sims 2 Apartment Life comic strip: Meet the Landlord. The landlord of an apartment building, John, throws a party to try and help his favourite tenant find romance. I find it hard to believe this could actually happen in the game, as I'm pretty sure the landlord can only be an NPC (and probably wouldn't do anything like this), but oh well. Once again, all the screenshots from the strip have been added to the appropriate page on this website.
> Meet the Landlord at The Sims 2 UK
> The Sims 2 Apartment Life screenshots

GameSpot preview The Sims 3

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:50:00 EST

Now it's GameSpot's turn to preview The Sims 3 (see next post down for GameSpy's preview).

The Sims started off as an experimental game concept that designer Will Wright reportedly had to fight for. After it was released in 2000, it became a smash hit that went on to occupy top spots on computer game bestseller lists for years to come, along with a good number of expansion packs and its in-depth sequel, The Sims 2. Now the team is getting ready for an impressive round three with a new sequel that will offer much more in the way of customization options, social options, character behavior, and in-depth careers. We got an up-close look of the game and have much to report.

> The Sims 3 Preview at GameSpot

GameSpy preview The Sims 3

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:28:00 EST

GameSpy enjoyed a demo of The Sims 3 at the Leipzig Games Convention and have posted a preview of the game.

Two big changes separate the new game from its very successful (and elegantly designed) prequel. For one, the Sims themselves are much more dynamic, defined with a series of traits that make them more compelling and (at times) even more creepily human. More on that later. The biggest change is the seamless world.

They also videoed part of executive producer Ben Bell's talk, which I've embedded below:

> The Sims 3 preview at GameSpy

Meet the Socialites

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:51:00 EST

The fifth The Sims 2 Apartment Life comic strip has been posted on TheSims2.com: Meet the Socialites. This strip shows Kristina going off in her helicopter to buy a new apartment, where her father gets the butler to watch her, and she finds a secret room to escape to. As usual, all the screenshots from the strip have been added to the screenshots page.
> The comic strip at TheSims2.com
> The Sims 2 Apartment Life screenshots

First Apartment Life review released

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:03:00 EST

GameZone has published the first review of new expansion pack The Sims 2 Apartment Life, and have given it an OK 7.2 out of 10.

This is more entertaining than Free Time and the apartment roommate element spices it up a touch.

> The Sims 2 Apartment Life review at GameZone

Get a walkthrough of your future Apartment Life

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:38:00 EST

A walkthrough video of The Sims 2 Apartment Life has been posted on TheSims2.com. Lead designer Lakshmi Jayapalan moves a family into an apartment, gets a roommate, visits a neighbour, and takes a taxi to a new park.
> The Sims 2 Apartment Life videos at TheSims2.com

Poll Results and the Poll for September

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:01:00 EST

It was confirmed during the recent The Sims 2 Apartment Life chat that the open windows shown in screenshots can only be closed by replacing them with closed versions in build mode. It didn't surprise me, but it was still pretty annoying. This month, I want to know whether you feel the same way. It makes them sound like a waste of time to me, especially if you have Seasons as well. Vote now to the right.

Last month, I asked whether you think you'll ever buy anything from the new The Sims 2 Store. Well, the results are in, and it looks EA's new way of making money from us isn't very popular - not one person said they've already purchased something, or definitely will at some point. See the full results and comment by clicking below.
> Poll Results

IGN sets their eyes on The Sims 3

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:35:00 EST

IGN have posted an eyes-on preview of The Sims 3.

Although we've heard a bit about the Sims 3 in the past, I had the opportunity to sit in on a demonstration here in Leipzig at this year's German Games Convention. Although our time to check out the Sims was limited, especially considering the scope of the game as a whole, I was still able to get a grasp on what Maxis is doing for the next full installment of its greatly-loved franchise.

> The Sims 3 Preview at IGN

The Sims 3 coming 20th February 2009

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:36:00 EST

EA has announced at the Leipzig Games Convention that The Sims 3 will launch worldwide on 20th February 2009, six months from today. (Unless you believe the US version of TheSims3.com, which thinks it has already been released on 20th February 2008.) A collector's edition will also be released on the same date which will, according to the news post on the UK EA website and the press release, include the following:

- The Sims 3 Game for PC
- The Sims Plumbob USB Drive with matching Green Carabiner
- Exclusive In-Game Italian-Style Sports Car
- Tips and hints guide
- The Sims 3 Plumbob Stickers

> News post at EA UK
> Press release at Business Wire

TheSims3.com re-launches with new design, screenshots and a developer blog

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:48:00 EST

The official website for The Sims 3, TheSims3.com (oddly enough), has re-launched with a new design and new sections. One of the new features is a developer blog, with the first post executive producer Ben Bell.

Hello from The Sims 3 team, This is the first installment [sic] of a regular blog in which you�ll hear from developers about what we�re creating, how we�re building it, and other random stories about life.

There are also more pages about the game and some new screenshots which I've also posted on this website.
> TheSims3.com
> Developer Blog
> New Screenshots