Sims 2 and H&M bring us adver-gaming v2.0

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 1st 2007 at 7:53PM }

If you can't get enough of your Sims, but you're starting to think they're looking a bit drab in their fashions -- well, buck up kiddo, 'cause SimsGamer tells us you can now pre-order the Sims 2: H&M Fashion Stuff to dress your Sims up for summer. The game releases June 5 and will cost (wait, this can't be right) $20?

Remember how we're always told that advertising in games is supposed to bring cost down? There was even a Morgan Minute about the subject and we're still waiting for it to be true. You'd think that this "expansion" would be given away free at H&M. It benefits the company and extends the life of the three-year-old game. But, if EA is selling it at $20 there must be plenty of people who are going to plunk down the cash for what amounts to an ad for H&M that you play. A brilliant move by H&M and EA to charge customers for advertising if it works, good show.

Tags: fashion, sims

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

waLLy @ May 1st 2007 7:58PM

oooo shiney!

Ian Von Porter @ May 1st 2007 8:00PM

People are still playing the Sims?

kingofwale @ May 1st 2007 8:25PM

Here's to all the lady gamers...

For the sake of the industry, Please don't go out and buy a game just because of its name, This just encourages company to make crappy games. *sighs*

H&M??? For god sake, what's next? Walmart clothing brand?

Geimkisi @ May 1st 2007 8:43PM

@kingofwale
Don't mess with the H&M it's maybe not the best. But still, they are nice at a good cost.. 1/4 of my clothes is H&M :P

electronic @ May 1st 2007 8:44PM

Seems like a glorified advert but then again we have had this going on in games for years, take the Chupa Chups products in Zool and Cool Spot being based around the red dot on 7-Up cans for example. Of course they won't put the price down because they see it more of an attachment of a well known brand rather than an advert for the brand.

I can see my ex-girlfriend buying this, she likes the style of clothing found in H&M and just bought Sims 2 today.

electronic @ May 1st 2007 8:46PM

Also I must admit with Geimkisi, I buy most of my clothing from H&M, very nice stuff for the price ;).

TheBigC @ May 2nd 2007 1:14AM

Goddamn EA, running their company like a buisness.

Eggzie @ May 2nd 2007 4:46AM

Judging by your comment on the price of the H&M pack, I can tell you have never noticed The Sims 2 on the shelf at a game store. The H&M stuff pack isn't an expansion at all. Its just a collection of 60 or so items for The Sims 2. It adds no gameplay and is priced accordingly. This kind of thing isn't new either- The H&M pack is the fourth "Stuff Pack" for The Sims 2.

Also, Ian Von Porter, your comment is funny because The fanbase for the game is crazy-big. The Sims 2 boasts video games largest active community without an online component.

I'd have to agree on the absurdity of the pack due to the fact that most of the clothing doesn't even come close to looking as good as some of the player made clothes. Don't believe me? go to modthesims2.com and see for yourself.

I've made a name for myself with this game, doing commercials for it and stuff, so I gotta get on the defensive a little.

Gozan @ May 2nd 2007 12:10PM

Throw in IKEA and I'm sold!

happygolucky @ May 2nd 2007 7:38PM

im not hopeing for much, infact im going to try and keep myself from buying...god i can just imagine half my out fits are H&M branded, T.V. H&M commercial on ur TV, Cereal boxs...ughh no thanks..although a H&M personality aspiration woule be nice

Aldyn @ May 2nd 2007 8:13PM

@Gozan

you read my mind.

sandraa @ May 5th 2007 11:41AM

hello.. i play the sims for a long time now
i played sims 1 and when sims 2 came sims 2 only (so not sims1 more) and i love the sims to.. :D i play it every day.... and this new expension pack looks cool i love fashion and fashionshows and everything.. i dont now if i buy it.. because i have to buy a new mophile phone but i like this ±D you to?

Janelle @ Jul 29th 2007 11:01PM

umm hi i just bought the fashion expanshion pack and i have no idea how to get all the collio stuff pleaseeeeeeeeeee help me!!!!!!

Miss_Stone @ Jun 20th 2007 8:19AM

I'm a dedicated Sims 2 player, I'm female but I know a lot of males play this game, so it's not just a 'lady gamer' game!

I'll probably stay away from this stuff pack 'cuz it does seem like an advertising ploy that you have to pay for the privilege of viewing/playing. I live in New Zealand and I don't even know who H&M are, but judging from the fashions I've seen on the game cover, it's not very impressive. Designs by various creators in the Sim community are far superior, so I'll just save my bucks and hard drive space for the next expansion pack - Bon Voyage!