Product Mini Profile The Sims 3 in: Life Simulation (PC) links » p/reviews

A good few gamers have been wondering when the third primary installment in The Sims franchise will come out. Well, rest your weary head: it's February 20, 2009. Announced at the Leipzig Games Convention today, the game will be available via retailers and digital download.

As for the features, here are the main ones planned: a new seamless, open neighbourhood, a new Create-a-Sim, new unique personality traits, new "unlimited" customization, and new gameplay that's described as "quick and rewarding." So essentially, new everything.

And now, the third item on the list: The Sims 3 Collector's Edition. This will be in stores on the same day, and will include the following things:

• 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

As is standard, a limited number of copies will be available; those who pre-order this edition from select retailers will get an additonal exclusive in-game vintage sports car and a collectible poster which gives a first look at The Sims 3 neighbourhood.

"I'm excited to get the next-generation flagship PC game from The Sims Label, The Sims 3, into player's hands worldwide on February 20," said Rod Humble, Head of The Sims Studio. "The Sims 3 Collector's Edition, launching on the same day, will offer a very special Sims experience to our loyal players."

Background

The Sims 3 features a brand new engine that allows you to immerse your unique Sims in an open living neighborhood where they can roam and explore all new surroundings including the beach, mountains and town center. The neighborhood is alive and constantly evolving so what happens to a Sim on one side of the neighborhood could impact your Sims on the other side of town! If your Sims are in the right place at the right time, who knows what might happen? And now for the first time, your Sims have distinctive personalities thanks to a range of all-new personality traits. You have the option to select from dozens of personality traits such as brave, artistic, kleptomaniac, clumsy, paranoid and romantic. Combine up to five traits to create an endless number of truly diverse individuals.

The all-new Create-a-Sim allows you to completely customize your Sims' appearances making every Sim unique. The feature is easy-to-use and more powerful than ever, letting you fine-tune every aspect of your Sims face, customize their hair color, select the exact shade of their skin tone and determine much more to make lifelike Sims. It's never been easier to make Sims that are thin, full-figured or muscular and everything in between! In true The Sims fashion, you can customize everything. The Sims 3 allows for infinite possibilities to design the interior and exterior of your Sims surroundings.

Additionally, you can enjoy the challenge of short-term and long-term goals and then reap the rewards! Based on personality traits, skills and career choices, your Sims have short and long term Wishes that provide constant fun challenges, things to do and achieve. You have the ultimate freedom to choose whether to fulfill their destiny, giving them lifetime happiness and rewards or not! Will your Sim skyrocket from latrine cleaner to an astronaut, go from being a rabid fan to a sports legend or will you choose an alternate destiny? In The Sims 3, life is what you make it!