Hilary Duff is a pop star, actress, self appointed animal lover and is going to grace us with her presence in The Sims 2: Pets. Players will see Duff along with her treasured pet/accessory, Lola (not featured in picture). According to the press release, Duff was involved in each aspect of the game that features her and her Teacup Chihuahua -- everything from their overall design to the tricks the dogs can perform. Here is what she had to say about making her first video game appearance:

"I've logged hundreds of hours playing The Sims games, so I jumped at the chance to be in The Sims 2: Pets," said Sims aficionado Hilary. "I love creating Sims characters and guiding them through life, designing their houses and then blinging them out with cool furniture. Now, in The Sims 2 Pets, EA has combined two things I really enjoy -- pets and The Sims!"

Hmmmm ... we had no idea Hilary played games. We'll just have to go ask our 11-year-old sister ....

[Via press release]

Hilary Duff in the Sims 2: Pets originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Oct 2006 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sims 2 Pets will be shedding on the Mac originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pick from a cat, dog, bird or guinea pig to add as a new addition to your Sims life. We never were big fans of virtual pets because we would rather have our own to cuddle in real life, but, this game sounds like you will have to do a lot of the things you would in real life to keep your animal happy, clean and bringing in the bacon by having a job.

Yes, the PC version of The Sims 2: Pets allows your animal to make money by being a movie star, rescue animal or as a member of an elite security pets corp. Too bad that won't be on the DS version.

The DS version will let you create and manage a pet care center. Treating the animals in your care lovingly helps you unlock items and such. You can also help others pick out pets and clothes/accessories for their new friends.

The Sims 2: Pets will be available October 17 for the DS. We would get into the whole trying to take a piece of the virtual pets franchise pie thing but that's just another messy can of worms.

On a side note -- Is it us or does the cat in the above picture look really... freaked out? Either that or really pissed off. Either way, that cat looks weird.

[Via Go Nintendo]

The Sims 2: Pets preview -- virtual pets ahoy! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Aug 2006 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.