The Sims 3 Universe

The Sims Medieval Limited Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:15:00 +0000

The Sims Medieval will launch during March 2011 and Electronic Arts already announced a Limited Edition.

This edition will include exclusive content, allowing access to three new thrones with the themes Princess, Barbarian and Dark Magic. Also, there are two exclusive outfit sets, the Monarch set featuring a royally decked out king and queen and the Executioner set, complete with a leather apron and an intimidating black hood.

The Sims 3 upcoming Store set

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:57:00 +0000

Electronic Arts used Facebook to reveal a picture from a new set that they will make available in the Sims store. There’s no name yet, but it should be made available during December.

The Sims 3: Late Night new screens

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:44:00 +0000

Electronic Arts released a new batch of The Sims 3: Late Night screenshots. The new expansion pack will launch on October 28, 2010.

The Sims 3: Ambitions iPhone screens

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:20:00 +0000

Electronic Arts revealed some screens from the iPhone version of The Sims 3: Ambitions. In this game, players will be able to embrace several careers, such as fireman, chef, ghost hunter and more.

The Sims 3 console and Late Night artists

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:45:00 +0000

Electronic Arts revealed the complete list of the artists that will feature in the console versions of The Sims 3 and in the next PC expansion pack, Late Night. All songs are in Simlish, of course:

The Sims 3 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii:

* 22-20’s – “Latest Heartbreak”

* 3oh!3 – “Double Vision”

* Aceyalone and RJD2 – “Ever Seen This”

* Aeroplane – “We Can’t Fly”

* Alpha Rev – “Phoenix Burn”

* Cody Simpson – “IY IY IY”

* Crash Kings – “You Got Me”

* deadmau5 – “Some Chords”

* Flo Rida featuring Jovi – “Fresh I Stay”

* Free Energy – “Free Energy”

* Hot Chip – “We Have Love”

* Innerpartysystem – “American Trash”

* Jasmine V – “All of These Boys”

* Jessica Mauboy – “Saturday Night”

* John Butler Trio – “Gonna Be a Long Time”

* Kidz in the Hall – “Flickin’”

* Lazee featuring Apollo Drive – “Calling Out”

* Mickey Factz – “Dreamland”

* Ozomatli – “Are you Ready?”

* School Of Seven Bells – “Dust Devil”

* The Dirty Heads – “Stand Tall”

The Sims 3 Late Night:

* 3oh!3 – “Double Vision”

* Bryan Rice – “There for You”

* Chiddy Bang – “Here We Go”

* Electrolightz – “Miss Outta Control”

* Eliza Doolittle – “Rollerblades”

* Foxy Shazam – “Unstoppable”

* Hadag Nahash – “Lo Maspik”

* Hadouken! – “M.A.D.”

* Jessica Mauboy – “Saturday Night”

* Junkie XL – “Live Wired”

* Kelis – “Brave”

* Kelly Rowland – “Rose Colored Glasses”

* King Fantastic – “All Black Ying Yang (The Party Song)”

* My Chemical Romance – “Na Na Na”

* Nikki & Rich – “Next Best Thing”

* The Ready Set – “More Than Alive”

* Soulja Boy – “Speakers Going Hammer”

* Travie McCoy – “Need You”

The Sims 3: Late Night

The Sims 3: Barnacle Bay announced

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:15:00 +0000

Electronic Arts and Maxis announced a new expansion pack for The Sims 3. Exclusively available through the Sims Store, Barnacle Bay is a pirate themed affair. Here's the official description and screens:

A Whole New World for your Sims to Explore! An island nestled in the Simuyan Sea, Barnacle Bay is a vibrant vacation getaway with stunning beaches, campgrounds, parks, and a curiously modern downtown. First settled by pirates, fisherman, and artists – the world’s inhabitants now enjoy relaxing at Smuggler’s Beach and letting loose at The Wanderer’s Watering Hole. Will your trip be a vacation or a staycation?

Late Night cover

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:30:00 +0000

Electronic Arts revealed the cover for the new The Sims 3 expansion, Late Night.

Get your Sims an all-access pass to the hottest spots in town. Whether they mingle with celebrities or enjoy a casual night with friends, your Sims’ social lives are getting a boost! But keep in mind that some scenes are more exclusive than others, so make sure your Sims have the right connections to get past the bouncers at the hottest clubs.

Wherever your Sims go, they’ll discover new things to become—adored celebrities, all-night partiers, rowdy bandmates, or sexy vampires.

What will your Sims get up to after dark?

The Sims 3 officially on consoles

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:54:00 +0000

The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts announced today that The Sims 3 will launch on consoles this Fall. The game is being developed to PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii e Nintendo DS.

“We’re bringing players the best console and handheld game for The Sims franchise to date and are excited to offer a unique experience for all types of gamers on their platform of choice,” explained Sam Player, Executive Producer at EA. “Building on the unique traits system, living open neighborhood, lifetime wishes, and endless customization options, we’ve tailored each platform of The Sims 3 with exclusive features to allow for even more control, creativity, and connectivity.”

In The Sims 3 for console and handheld, players will be able to create Sims with unique personalities, fulfill their desires…or not, and control their lives within a living neighborhood. Additionally, all-new features make it easier than ever to mess with life as players can unlock the ultimate “Karma Powers” for instant control and unleash them on their Sims. Players can help their Sim “get lucky,” bless them with “instant beauty” or be deviant and curse them with an “epic fail.” But players should use these powers wisely—they may have unexpected results and karma may come back to bite.

Rich, immersive gameplay is complimented with a seamlessly integrated exchange system on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms where gamers will be more connected than ever before as they design, build, and share their creations and download content from other players around the world without ever leaving the game.** Facing short and long term challenges, players will reap rewards and trophies and can even share achievements with friends by connecting to Facebook**.

Exclusive to the Wii version, players will be able to enjoy an all-new beach town with unique residents, traits, careers and lifetime wishes. For the first time ever, players can enjoy The Sims 3 with friends by going head to head in the new “Life Moments” game to earn rewards. Finally, players will also enjoy several adventure quests, as the game will challenge them to explore their town and discover the secrets therein.

Never before seen on Nintendo DS, players can use the stylus to build their Sims’ homes with tools, draw walls and floors, and customize virtually everything from décor objects, textures, and more. Players will use the stylus to sculpt their Sims’ facial features, choose hair styles and clothing, and dictate personalities in the most robust Create a Sim yet for a handheld game. In “Story Mode,” players will control multiple Sims within a family and enjoy life’s special moments. For the first time ever on the Nintendo DS, players can enjoy a complete life simulation as they guide their Sims through completing challenges to unlock additional items, new buildings and landmarks, and more.

“The Sims series continues to be one of the most successful videogames of all time by providing universally appealing content and focusing on the player’s imagination, emergent gameplay mechanics, and the innate humor evident in the virtual world of The Sims,” said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio. “We’re building on this foundation and applying new features that will make for a robust, deep and rewarding gameplay experience. I’m extremely proud of the game that the team is making and can’t wait to bring these exciting new features like “Karma Powers” to life and get them into players’ hands.”

The Sims 3 with Renault electric vehicles

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:59:00 +0000

Electronic Arts announced a partnership with french car maker Renault, that will allow The Sims 3 players to use certain electric vehicles in the game. This contract runs for several years, and the first model to be made available as a free download during this Spring is Renault's Twizy Z.E Concept car.

The Sims 3 already sold 4,5 million copies.

The Sims 3 Ambitions announced

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Electronic Arts announced a new expansion pack for The Sims 3. Ambitions is scheduled for June 2010 and allows players to vecome fearless heroes and ace entrepreneurs. In other words, it's a career oriented expansion pack.

The Sims 3 Ambitions allows players to pursue a variety of exciting paths and careers in their Sims’ lives that in turn affect their overall gameplay experience and neighbourhood. While on the job, the player has direct control over their Sims’ work and can choose how to spend their days. Players can opt to make house calls and save lives as a doctor or choose the devious route and test experimental medicine on patients be the hero firefighter tackling raging infernos or smashing everything in sight at the victim’s home with an axe; or take a shot at solving cases as an investigator, nicely convincing sources to divulge secrets or roughing up perpetrators in a dark alley to get information.

Players can now experience some of the most exciting and varied jobs. In The Sims 3 Ambitions, players can choose to hunt down vengeful spirits as the ghost hunter, invent brilliant and potentially destructive gadgets as an inventor, craft glorious masterpieces as a sculptor, and solve riveting cases by any means necessary as an investigator with dozens of cases to solve and numerous clues to find. Additionally, players will be able to change the look and feel of their town by becoming an architect and directly affecting the neighbourhood around them leveraging Build and Buy mode. The stylist career and new tattoo system allow players to make over their Sim neighbours in fashionable or catastrophic ways. For the first time, players will be in charge of how their Sims’ career progresses and decide if they will work for good or evil, pursue creative endeavours or technical affairs, climb to the top quickly, or be a slacker. The future of a Sims’ success or failure is entirely in the hands of the player.

The Sims 3 Ambitions will also be available for feature phones, iPhone and iPod touch in late 2010.

The Sims 3 on consoles

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:25:00 +0000

It wasn't unexpected, but it's confirmed that The Sims 3 will be released on consoles. However, Electronic Arts didn't specify which devices, but they announced a tentative launch date for the end of 2010.

There's no platform confirmation, but hopefully The Sims 3 will appear on PS3, X360 and Wii, and also on handhelds.

The Sims 3: Design and High Tech Stuff details

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:51:00 +0000

Electronic Arts will release the first stuff pack for The Sims 3 on February 5, 2010. Here are the details, boxshot and a screenshot:

Release date: February 5, 2010

DESCRIPTION

Transform your Sims’ homes into sleek, edgy apartments with The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff. With a host of new items for the most lived-in rooms in your Sims’ homes, including slick gadgets for your high-tech home office, a next-gen gaming system for the killer game room, modern furniture for the most contemporary living room, and more, your Sims can now give their homes an ultra-modern makeover! After you modernise their homes, turn your attention to their wardrobes and give them an overhaul with sophisticated, cutting-edge fashions. Whether it’s your Sims themselves or their homes that needs a new look, The Sims 3 Design & High-Tech Stuff lets you catapult your Sims into a more modern, stylish lifestyle!

FEATURES

* Add high-end furnishings to your Sims bedroom, entertainment room, office and patio.
* Transform your Sims’ homes into cutting-edge spaces with contemporary sofas, sleek coffee tables, and eclectic art.
* Give your Sims coveted electronics including high-tech, ultra-slim TVs, video game systems, stereos, and more.
* Upgrade your Sims’ wardrobes with fashion-forward apparel, tailored suits, and sophisticated outerwear.
* Plus Bonus Anniversary Items! This special 10th Anniversary pack also includes three well-loved items from The Sims and The Sims 2 games: the heart-shaped vibrating bed, the electric guitar, and the aquarium.

The Sims 3 Store trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:58:00 +0000

We have a brand new The Sims 3 trailer, this time showing some details from the Sims Store.

New sets and items have been added to the Sims 3 online store! Your Sims could be chic and sleek with Ultra Lounge, achieve fashion lift off with Jet Set Clothing, un-leash the power of clockwork with Steampunk, or have elegance and majesty added to their life with Regal Living.

New collections are added monthly. Register your game and get 1000 free SimPoints that you can spend on the new gear and sets.

Visit the store to see more: http://store.thesims3.com.

The Sims 3 Holiday Video

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Do you want to know why The Sims 3 makes a wonderful Christmas gift? Well, look no further than this awesome video. It's a Top 10 reasons to give The Sims 3 this holiday. And it's really funny, as usual.

World Adventures: Nectar Making. Photography and Martial Arts guides

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:59:00 +0000

Carl's Sims 3 Guide has three great guides for The Sims 3: World Adventures. They cover the Nectar Making, Martial Arts and Photography skills. Be sure to give them a look.

Nectar Making guide
Martial Arts guide
Photography guide

World Adventures: four new videos

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:08:00 +0000

We have four new videos from The Sims 3: World Adventures. They are: New Moon Parody, Nelly Furtado “Manos Al Aire,” Brad’s Adventure and a behind the scenes clip.

The Sims 3 World Adventures released

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:18:00 +0000

The Sims 3 World Adventures has been released in the USA, with European countries seeing the game during this week! Here is the official announcement along with two new screens.

TAKE YOUR SIMS TO REAL-WORLD INSPIRED LOCATIONS WHEN EA’S THE SIMS 3 WORLD ADVENTURES LAUNCHES THIS WEEK

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., November 17, 2009 – The Sims are off on an adventure of a lifetime! The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that The Sims™ 3 World Adventures Expansion Pack*, the first expansion pack to the best-selling PC game of calendar 2009**, The Sims 3, is available at retail nationwide and for digital download today for the PC and Mac. The game will be in stores worldwide in 60 countries and in 22 languages this week.

“The Sims 3 World Adventures is the most robust expansion pack in the history of The Sims franchise,” said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims at EA. “Players can take their Sims to three new real-world inspired locations in Egypt, France, and China where they will embark on exciting adventures, master new skills, and discover exotic objects and treasures to collect. In addition, the enhanced building and customization features will allow players to express their creativity in exciting new ways. We’re looking forward to seeing what players create and the new stories, content, and movies they’ll share online.”

The Sims have itchy feet and are looking for adventure far from Sunset Valley. Players travel with their Sims to three real-world inspired locations in Egypt, France, and China. They can search for treasure in ancient tombs in Al Simhara, Egypt, fill the sky with fireworks purchased from locals in Shang Simla, China and master the art of nectar-making in Champs Les Sims, France. Players can accept challenges, chase down new personal opportunities, and meet locals who will share their culture and style. Along the way, they can capture the funny, scary and exciting moments while using the brand new photography skill. Once they have completed their quests, players can bring their treasures home with them to reminisce and share with other Sims. Additionally, players will get exclusive, extra game content when they register their copy of the PC/Mac version of the game online. They will receive the Explorer’s Loot Set which includes exotic Egyptian furniture, Chinese décor, and more as well as 1,000 SimPoints*** to be used in The Sims 3 Store to customize their game with additional in-game items.

The Sims fans around the world will be rockin’ out to new Simlish music in The Sims 3 World Adventures. Over a dozen artists lent their Simlish voice stylings to the game including GRAMMY Award-winners Nelly Furtado and LeAnn Rimes, plus hot rising stars Matt + Kim, Fefe Dobson, Pixie Lott, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, Katie Melua, Esmee Denters, Young Punx!, Evan Taubenfeld, Madina Lake, and more.

The Sims 3 World Adventures will also be available for feature phones, the iPhone and iPod touch in early 2010 from EA Mobile. These versions do not require a base game to play and will have customized mobile gameplay features. For information on carrier availability and pricing for all EA Mobile games, please visit www.eamobile.com.

The Sims 3 World Adventures for PC/Mac is rated PEGI 12 and is available at retail and online through digital distribution at http://eastore.ea.com/. For those who haven’t already purchased The Sims 3 or need a good gift idea for friends or family, a special limited Holiday Collector’s Edition will also be available on November 17, 2009. The special edition will feature content from the original The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition along with new holiday content. For more information on The Sims 3 or The Sims 3 World Adventures, go to www.thesims3.com.

*Requires The Sims 3 or The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition for PC/Mac to play.
**According to NPD data.
***INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED, see product pack or digital distribution rules for details

About The Sims
The Sims franchise celebrates an impressive over 100 million units sold since its launch in February 2000. Now translated into 22 different languages and available in 60 different countries, The Sims quickly has become a universal gaming and cultural phenomenon. The Sims 3 sold more than 4.5 million copies since launch through October 2009 and was the best-selling PC launch in EA’s history. Fan intensity is evidenced through more than 80 million downloads of player created content including: Sims, houses, stories and more. The Sims 3 YouTube Channel is in the top 5 most viewed sponsored channels of all time with more than 22 million video views. The Sims 3 took the social media sites by storm with half a million fans on the official Facebook page for the game and more than 30,000 followers on the Twitter official game page, making it one of the most popular games on Twitter. Visit The Sims 3 official website to see what the players are creating at www.TheSims3.com or the official YouTube Channel for The Sims at http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSims.

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA Mobile TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile, POGO, and The Sims are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Mac, iPhone, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

World Adventures available for presale

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:57:00 +0000

EA’s Sims 3 World Adventures, the next installment in The Sims saga, is available for presale and will hit stores on November 17th!

The Adventure is Near…

Take your Sims on the adventure of their lives with The SimsTM 3 World Adventures. Explore Egypt, China, and France thwarting danger and finding glory on your Sims search for treasure and rewards.

Here's a new video:

About Sims 3 World Adventures:

Take your Sims on the adventure of their lives with The SimsTM 3 World Adventures. Guide your Sims to acclaimed fortune—or potential doom. Take your Sims to exotic destinations to hunt for hidden treasures. Uncover new skills, experience new personality traits and garner rewards, if your Sims succeed. Explore ancient tombs in the pyramids of Egypt, master martial arts in the Far East, and discover rich culture and famous landmarks in France. Go online for additional content and $10 worth of free SimPoints. Adventure is on the horizon — what will your Sims discover?

FEATURES
• Accept challenges, find treasures, discover what’s lurking in hidden caves and more.
• Explore famous landmarks in China, Egypt, and France.
• Learn new skills like photography and pursue new opportunities.
• Meet new Sims from exotic locations and share their cultures.
• Customize your Sims homes with new styles & artifacts from their adventures.
• Get $10 worth of free SimPoints for The Sims 3 Store as well as additional online features soon to be announced.

World Adventures gone gold

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:36:00 +0000

EA's The Sims Studio announced that the first expansion pack for The Sims 3, called World Adventures, has gone gold. This pack will be available for PC and Mac on November 17, 2009 in North America. World Adventures will reach stores worldwide in 60 countries and in 22 languages the same week.

Learn more about World Adventures in The Sims 3 Universe.

World Adventures: full list of songs

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:23:00 +0000

Electronic Arts released the full list of songs to appear in The Sims 3: World Adventures expansion pack. It includes GRAMMY Award-winner LeAnn Rimes and hot rising stars Fefe Dobson, Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, Katie Melua, Esme Denters, Evan Taubenfeld, Madina Lake, and more (via IGN):

New global artists with Simlish songs in The Sims 3 World Adventures include:

* LeAnn Rimes - "You've Ruined Me"
* Fefe Dobson - "I Want You"
* Katie Melua - "If the lights go out"
* Madina Lake - "Lets Get Outta Here"
* Manchester Orchestra - "I've Got Friends"
* Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - "Me + Yr Daughter"
* Esme Denters - "Outta Here"
* Hot Chelle Rae - "Say"
* Audrye Sessions - "Turn Me Off"
* Metalkpretty - "Wake Up, Wake Up"
* Evan Taubenfeld - "Pumpkin Pie"
* Friday Night Boys - "Can't Take That Away"
* Cassie Steele - "Summer Nights"
* Broken Hearts Club - "Na Na Na"

Previously announced artists and songs featured in the game include:

* Nelly Furtado - "Manos al Aire"
* Pixie Lott - "Mama Do"
* Stefanie Heinzmann - "No One (Can Ever Change My Mind)"
* Matt & Kim - "Daylight"
* Young Punx - "Juice and Sim"

Kotaku and IGN World Adventures previews

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:27:00 +0000

Both Kotaku and IGN had some time with World Adventures. Read some quotes below and the complete previews in the links:

Kotaku - October 2, 2009

"A Step Toward Multiculturalism: I think some people might claim the portrayals of France, China and Egypt are shallow and therefore insulting. However, based on what I've seen of the Sims from its earliest origins, World Adventures is a huge step toward a multiculturalism-aware game."

IGN - October 2, 2009

"A Sims expansion wouldn't be the same without a supernatural element, so fans should be happy to hear mummies have been included in World Adventures. They're likely to pop out in dungeons, and if they manage to catch up with you, it's possible to get hit with a curse. Visiting the Sphinx in Egypt can remove this, but otherwise an unfortunate death may be in your future. It's also possible to turn into a mummy if you decide to take a nap in a cursed sarcophagus, a transformation I was told would be permanent."

World Adventures new screens

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:12:00 +0000

We have some new screenshots from The Sims 3: World Adventures, and one of them shows us the Paris setting for the first time.

Building tombs in The Sims 3: World Adventures

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Infinite Sims received a guide from Electronic Arts, regarding the creation of tombs in The Sims 3: World Adventures. It's an interesting new feature in the series, and the guide is accompanied by two new screenshots.

TOMB CREATION IN THE SIMS 3 WORLD ADVENTURES
The game offers a variety of tools, unique objects, and updates to objects from The Sims 3 so that you can design deadly catacombs, beautiful burial mounds, and wondrous caves filled with treasures. Some of these tools include the new Basement Tool, the Special Items Buy Menu sort, and the Buy Menu Interactions.
To start from the bottom, basements let your Sims build up to four levels of underground rooms. Each basement level can span the entirety of the lot upon which they are built. By cleverly building basements and placing stairs, you can create an underground network that takes Sims through winding halls and dark descents.

Your How-to Guide to Creating Tombs With or Without 4 Levels, Fire, Steam Traps, Lurking Treasures, Hidden Stairways, and More
Building tombs is an entirely new way to enjoy Build and Buy Modes in The Sims 3 World Adventures and adds a new element to the adventure gamplay as a first for The Sims. In this Tomb Creation 101 update, we’ll start by describing some of the dozens of Tomb Objects and offer a tip. Next time we’ll reveal additional Tomb Objects, examples of setting Triggers and Activated Behaviors, and more tips. Let’s get started!

Here is some of the dozens of Tomb Objects and Object Updates:

Tomb Object (Fogger): The tomb object is the cornerstone of tomb building and will often be placed in every room of the tomb. The Tomb Object is what creates the “fog” that hides non-explored rooms from the player. This lets you create a sense of discovery and suspense as your Sims explore new tombs. The “fog” will recede from a room when a player enters the room through a door, descends stairs into the room, enters a room that is connected to a fogged room with an arch, or if a Sim “Looks Through” a window that looks into a fogged room. Adding or Removing fog is also a potential Activated Behavior.

Floor Switch: The floor switch is a classic adventure game object. It is a small, 1 tile floor object on which Sims can stand or push statues. Stepping On and Off the switch are both Triggers that can connect to Activated behaviors. Floor Switches can also be set to Appear or Disappear.

Wall and Floor Trap: The traps are two different objects that can be placed on the wall or floor. These can be set to shoot fire, darts, steam, or electricity on unsuspecting Sims. They can have a variety of states, including hidden and dormant, armed and visible, hidden and armed, or hidden and firing. Each of these states can be activated by Sims walking over them or as an Activated Behavior. Traps can light Sims on fire or knock them out. However, there are multiple ways to handle traps. Sims can disarm them by tinkering with them, or push statues upon them to disarm. Water will disarm a fire trap, which makes a great puzzle element when paired with the steam trap…which creates water! Sims can walk with immunity through a fire trap when soaked. Experiment and come up with your own puzzles!

Dive Well: Dive Wells are one of the most exciting Tomb Objects. Sims can use them to become Soaked, which makes them immune to fire, or to put themselves out when already on fire. A Hidden Switch can be set at the bottom of dive wells as a Trigger. You can always place treasures at the bottom. Another fun element is that you can set the color of the water in the dive well, so fire tombs can have blood red water, whereas a tomb with a poison theme can have murky green water. Dive Wells are most fun when they are set up as portals. Dive Wells set as Portals will connect to each other. Sims will go to the bottom, and then emerge from the closest dive well on the same floor. It’s also possible to designate a Dive Well as an Uber Dive Well. Here, you designate a name so that you can define the precise point of origin and exit – even across multiple lots in the world. This lets you create one-of-a-kind entrances to island tombs and other inaccessible areas.

Treasure Chest: The biggest reason to explore anything is to find treasure at the end. Treasure Chests let you fill your tomb creations with various treasures, keys, garbage, or whatever you can imagine. Opening and Inserting a Keystone a treasure chest are also Triggers that can set Activated Behaviors.

Sarcophagus: The Sarcophagus can act as a large, ornate treasure chest, a place to hide, a place to sleep, and even a place to WooHoo. Most exciting, however, is its ability to spawn mummies. Mummies will patrol tombs in search of unsuspecting Sims to pummel and *gasp* curse! Mummies provide an element of danger and the unexpected to any tomb.

Torch Lever: The torch lever, like the Floor Switch, is an object for Sims to pull on to trigger Activated Behaviors. Some can be set to active, whereas others can be dummies, forcing players to carefully examine their surroundings. It’s possible to define the colors of the torch light, which allows Tomb Designers to provide hints and clues on how to complete puzzles. Or, to simply set the ambience of a tomb!

Pushable Statues: Pushable Statues are another classic adventure game element. They can be pushed on top of traps to disarm them, or cleverly pushed through a maze to unveil a formerly blocked path. Their most common use is to be paired with a floor switch. Floor Switch triggers can be set so that they activate something when a Sim is on them, but deactivate as soon as a Sim steps off of them. This means a Sim must push a statue on top of them in order to keep the floor switch depressed. Pushable Statues can be set to be secretly pushable (they require inspection), visibly pushable (no inspection needed), or not pushable at all.

Hidden Stairways: Stairways from The Sims 3 can be set to Hidden now. This is an Activated Behavior, so that a Trigger can now Hide or Unhide the stairs. Hidden Stairways are a great way to surprise players. Just when it seems there’s no way out, pulling a switch reveals a stairway!

TIP 1 - Basements
Basements cannot be built directly underneath pools or ponds. When building above ground, it helps to plan for stairways that descend into basements ahead of time to reduce rework! You can access the Special Items Buy Menu sort by going to Buy Mode, opening the cheat console (hit Shift + Ctrl + C) and entering “buydebug.” This new sort allows you to pick out new tomb objects such as floor traps, floor switches, dive wells, and more!

World Adventures new screenshots and info

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:44:00 +0000

Electronic Arts released two new screenshots for World Adventures, the first The Sims 3 expansion pack, along with some info on the mummy. It seems players will be able to come back as a ghost mummy! Read it all:

The Curse of the Mummy

Beware of Mummies in The Sims 3 World Adventures

In The Sims 3 World Adventures, you can accept challenges, find treasures, discover what’s lurking in hidden caves, tombs and more with the first ever adventure gameplay. While venturing to Egypt, one of three real-world inspired locations you can journey to, watch out for any sarcophagus in the tombs that may have an angry mummy just waiting to put a curse on you. Unless you are a master of the martial arts skill, the mummy will win in a fight and you’ll either be knocked out or cursed. When cursed, you can go to the Sphinx and plead before it in an attempt to find the soul peace statue, which removes the curse. If not, so long Sim!

What’s better than being chased by a mummy? Spend the night in a cursed sarcophagus and find out what it’s like to be a mummy! You will live longer, your energy and bladder motives won’t decay which means no bathroom breaks or sleeping. You’ll be strong, have unique mummy socials, have a longer lifespan, and more. But note, you’ll move more slowly and be prone to catching on fire more easily. But that’s ok, because you’d then be able to come back as a ghost mummy. Cool.

The Sims 3 World Adventures expansion pack will ship on November 17, 2009 for the PC and MAC.

Next week we’ll give you a lesson in building your own Tombs from simple to complex then we’re off to China.

The Sims 3 Halloween Treats set free

noreply@blogger.com (Alex) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:11:00 +0000

The Sims 3 store has been updated with four new sets, and the best news is that the Halloween Treats one is free. It includes 6 items and is available for download here.

The other new sets are Steampunk (5 objects for 325 points), Regal Living (41 objects for 2400 points) and Victorian Fashions (17 items for 950 points).