Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Microsoft's free-to-play Flight lands this spring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/microsofts-free-to-play-flight-lands-this-spring/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/microsofts-free-to-play-flight-lands-this-spring/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/04/microsofts-free-to-play-flight-lands-this-spring/#comments
Flight simulator enthusiasts are a very specific, complex subsect of the gaming world. Their passion for checklists and indecipherable user interfaces places them at an almost MMO-level of dedication and persistence, and -- like the popular multiplayer RPGs -- flight sims are starting to make the leap to free-to-play.

Microsoft Flight will bring affordable ailerons and aerofoils to PC pilots this spring, according to an update on Major Nelson's blog. Everyone will have access to free crashes aircraft, though those who sign in with a Games for Windows Live account will receive additional free planes, missions and access to those sweet 'chievos.

The sim will also include the ICON A5, an amphibious, lightweight vehicle which doesn't enter real-world commercial production until the end of this year. Microsoft's PR describes the A5 as "the jet ski for the skies," which sounds like the most terrifying, fantastic way to die.

Prospective pilots can still sign up for that closed beta we mentioned by clicking here, presumably after strapping on goggles and a dashing scarf.

JoystiqMicrosoft's free-to-play Flight lands this spring originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closed-betaflight-simflight-simulatorfree-to-playICON-A5microsoftmicrosoft-flightpcrelease-datesimsspringspring-2012Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MySims Sky Heroes flying to DS, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3 this fall [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/mysims-sky-heroes-flying-to-ds-wii-xbox-360-and-ps3-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/mysims-sky-heroes-flying-to-ds-wii-xbox-360-and-ps3-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/mysims-sky-heroes-flying-to-ds-wii-xbox-360-and-ps3-this-fall/#commentsWe were almost right about the trademarked MySims SkyHeroes: we guessed it would be headed to DS and Wii, but EA has surprised us by announcing the game for PS3 and Xbox 360 as well!. You'll be able to see your unbelievably adorable characters in high definition.

SkyHeroes is, of all things, a cutesy air combat game, in which My ... your ... your MySim takes flight against the (apparently) evil Morcubus and his army. As you fight, your character's fame will increase, as will the customization options for your plane.

The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will feature both split-screen online multiplayer, in both cooperative and competitive game modes, for up to ten players. All four versions will be released this fall.

Update: trailer and screens added.

Gallery: MySims Sky Heroes (Xbox 360/PS3/Wii)



JoystiqMySims Sky Heroes flying to DS, Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3 this fall [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 May 2010 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSeaea-playElectronic-ArtsMicrosoftmysimsmysims-sky-heroesmysims-skyheroesNintendosimsWiiXbox-360Wed, 05 May 2010 15:23:00 EST<![CDATA[The Sims 3 coming to PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/the-sims-3-coming-to-ps3-xbox-360-wii-and-ds-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/the-sims-3-coming-to-ps3-xbox-360-wii-and-ds-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/the-sims-3-coming-to-ps3-xbox-360-wii-and-ds-this-fall/#comments As promised, last year's best-selling PC franchise is finally coming to consoles, and just in time for the holiday season. EA has announced that The Sims 3 is in development for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS, with all versions planned for fall release. The console versions promise "all-new" features, like "Karma Powers" that determine whether your Sim can "get lucky" or, on the other end of the spectrum, experience an "epic fail." In addition, the PS3 and Xbox 360 editions will include Facebook connectivity, so you can share Trophy and Achievement updates with friends.

The Wii version will feature an exclusive beach town, complete with its own residents, careers and "lifetime wishes"; and the DS version will introduce a new "Story Mode," a first for a handheld Sims game, allowing players to go through a "complete life simulation."

"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," said executive producer Sam Player in EA's announcement. And there's good reason for the publisher to be excited, too -- considering the franchise has already generated over $2.5 billion in revenue for EA. We can already hear EA's coffers quivering in anticipation.

Gallery: The Sims 3 (Console Editions)

JoystiqThe Sims 3 coming to PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consolesDSeaea-playElectronic-ArtsfacebookMicrosoftNintendosimsthe-simsthe-sims-3WiiXbox-360Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault saves the fake Sims 3 world with downloadable electric cars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/renault-saves-the-fake-sims-3-world-with-downloadable-electric-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/renault-saves-the-fake-sims-3-world-with-downloadable-electric-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/renault-saves-the-fake-sims-3-world-with-downloadable-electric-c/#commentsAre you rife with guilt over the damage your Sims' extravagant lifestyles have done to their nonexistent environment? Now you'll be able to reduce your simulated carbon footprint and decrease your dependence on the imaginary world's dwindling supply of e-fossil fuels by driving an electric Renault Twizy Z.E Concept in-game.

The tie-up with Renault is part of the "Electric Vehicle Pack," a free Sims 3 download to be offered in EMEA countries, comprising the car and other environmentally conscious items like solar panels and windmills. Despite the fact that all cars are electric in the game (because they're inside your computer, which is electric), driving the tiny Renault and using the other items will noticeably improve your Sims' lives -- by reducing their weekly bills.

Gallery: Renault Twizy Z.E. in The Sims 3

JoystiqRenault saves the fake Sims 3 world with downloadable electric cars originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectric-vehicle-packElectronic-Artseuroperenaultrenault-twizy-zesimssims-3the-simsthe-sims-3Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: Medal of Honor, Dead Space 2, Crysis 2 before March 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/ea-medal-of-honor-dead-space-2-crysis-2-before-march-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/ea-medal-of-honor-dead-space-2-crysis-2-before-march-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/12/ea-medal-of-honor-dead-space-2-crysis-2-before-march-2011/#comments During EA's half-hour investor callstravaganza yesterday, CEO John Riccitiello unleashed a flurry of game titles set to be released in the company's "FIscal 2011." For EA, that falls anywhere between April 1, 2010 and March 30, 2011 -- a window that now holds the release of "a great new version of Medal of Honor, a revitalized Need for Speed, Sims on console, FIFA in a World Cup year, an innovative and new take on Madden, Dead Space 2, Crysis at full margins, a new MMA game, and many others."

Considering this laundry list of games is getting little more than a 12-month window for release, we're taking the logical next step and throwing darts at images of the games on our cork-board calendar. According to our impeccable aim... everything is coming out in November. Not helpful!

[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqEA: Medal of Honor, Dead Space 2, Crysis 2 before March 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crysiscrysis-2dead-spacedead-space-2eaea-mmaea-sportsElectronic-Artsfifainvestor-callmaddenmedal-of-honorMedal-of-Honor-2010Microsoftmmaneed-for-speedpcrelease-datesimsthe-simsXbox-360Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[PETA chooses The Sims 3 as its GOTY 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/peta-chooses-the-sims-3-as-its-goty-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/peta-chooses-the-sims-3-as-its-goty-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/peta-chooses-the-sims-3-as-its-goty-2009/#comments Usually when we post something about PETA here on our gamez blawg, it's about the company protesting this or complaining about that. Not so today, as PETA's awarded EA Maxis' The Sims 3 with a Proggy Award for being the 'Most Animal-Friendly Game' of 2009. You may remember PETA gave the same award to Fable 2 last year.

The award this year is in recognition of The Sims 3's ability to put your virtual pal on a vegetarian diet. PETA also adds that "vegetarian Sims, like their real-life counterparts, live longer, age more slowly, and feast on cruelty-free delights -- from tofu dogs to ratatouille." Sounds well and good, but we're not sure we'd totally attribute any supposed increased life span to a diet, because we all know from the great Xena: Warrior Princess that if anything happens, it's because a wizard did it.

[Via Gamasutra]

JoystiqPETA chooses The Sims 3 as its GOTY 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispetaproggyproggy-awardsimssims-3the-simsthe-sims-3Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Nelly Furtado sings in Simlish, raids tombs, knows kung fu]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/video-nelly-furtado-sings-in-simlish-raids-tombs-knows-kung-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/video-nelly-furtado-sings-in-simlish-raids-tombs-knows-kung-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/video-nelly-furtado-sings-in-simlish-raids-tombs-knows-kung-f/#comments The latest of the previously announced Simlish music videos promoting the expansion Sims 3: World Adventures has been released. This time, it's Nelly Furtado's turn to try her hand at the nonsensical language, adapting her song "Manos al Aire." We've watched the video and, sure enough, we can't understand a word of it. Of course, the original song is in Spanish, so we couldn't understand it in the first place anyway.

But that's really all beside the point. What you should be focusing on is watching Nelly Furtado's Sim explore Egyptian tombs, doling out some kung-fu kicks and taking part in the longstanding tradition of obscure French film making.

JoystiqVideo: Nelly Furtado sings in Simlish, raids tombs, knows kung fu originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxisnelly-furtadosimssims-3sims-3-world-adventuresThe-Simsthe-sims-3the-sims-3-world-adventuresSat, 14 Nov 2009 00:32:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCastle and SimMars scrapped in favor of The Sims]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/simcastle-and-simmars-scrapped-in-favor-of-the-sims/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/simcastle-and-simmars-scrapped-in-favor-of-the-sims/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/simcastle-and-simmars-scrapped-in-favor-of-the-sims/#comments After breaking our hearts by showing us the Road Rash remake which never will be, the gaming industry's Encyclopedia Brown, supererogatory, dug up another pair of intriguing titles which sadly never saw the light of day. The personal blog of game designer Ward Moore mentions two Sim games which were ultimately canceled in order to focus on the blockbuster The Sims franchise: SimCastle, a game based on the SimTown engine set in medieval times, and SimMars, which ... simulated life on Mars, we guess?

Moore's blog included a look at the called-off Martian endeavor, seen above. The blog of illustrator Corey Keller includes a few conceptual designs from SimCastle, one of which can be seen after the jump. SimAnt, which perplexingly somehow got made while these two promising titles didn't, can be seen here. Life can be awfully unfair at times.

Continue reading SimCastle and SimMars scrapped in favor of The Sims

JoystiqSimCastle and SimMars scrapped in favor of The Sims originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelledeaElectronic-ArtsmaxissimsimcastlesimmarssimssimulationMon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sims 3 pirated 180,000 times in four days]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/31/sims-3-pirated-180-000-times-in-four-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/31/sims-3-pirated-180-000-times-in-four-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/31/sims-3-pirated-180-000-times-in-four-days/#comments
We certainly hope Electronic Arts built up some tough skin during the whole Spore piracy pandemic, as it looks like they'll be facing similar buccaneering with their upcoming plumbob-equipped title, Sims 3. According to media measurement group BigChampagne, the game was illegally download over 180,000 times between May 18 (the day the game hit the Torrentscape) and May 21.

Holly Rockwood, an awesomely named EA PR rep, responded to the downloads by explaining, "the pirated version is a buggy, pre-final build of the game," and that, "it's not the full game. Half the world -- an entire city -- is missing from the pirated copy." Based on the image seen above (sent in by an anonymous pirate), we don't think Rockwood is bluffing. For a more full-bodied Sims 3 experience, you'll have to wait for it to hit store shelves June 2.

JoystiqSims 3 pirated 180,000 times in four days originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 May 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxispiracypiratesimssims-3Sun, 31 May 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA announces MySims Agents for Wii, DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/ea-announces-mysims-agents-for-wii-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/ea-announces-mysims-agents-for-wii-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/22/ea-announces-mysims-agents-for-wii-ds/#comments
We always had this sneaking suspicion during our time in MySims' adorably rendered township -- an inkling that some great criminal presence was operating just below the surface of those colorful suburbs. Your quiet, saucer-eyed neighbor, Julia? Drug pusher. Mike, the lawyer from down the street? Human trafficker. Allie, the six-year-old daughter of Julia? Terrorist.

If bustin' scoundrels makes you feel good, you'll be pleased to hear Electronic Arts just announced MySims Agents for the Wii and DS. Though there will probably be some slight variations in gameplay, both titles place you in the patent leather shoes of a special agent tasked with bringing down some scurrilous lawbreaker using gadgets, Columbo-esque clue tracking and a little help from some similarly skilled neighbors. Look for the games to sneak out this Fall.

JoystiqEA announces MySims Agents for Wii, DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimeDSeaElectronic-Artsmysimsmysims-agentsmysteryNintendosimsWiiWed, 22 Apr 2009 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Will Wright to keynote SIGGRAPH 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/will-wright-to-keynote-siggraph-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/will-wright-to-keynote-siggraph-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/will-wright-to-keynote-siggraph-2009/#commentsThere's just something about Will Wright that makes us melt. His choice in games. His geeky good looks. His ability to play god. Whatever it is, maybe the esteemed game designer will shed some light on our infatuation when he takes the stage as the keynote speaker at SIGGRAPH 2009.

His presence marks an "expanded" gaming focus for the CGI tech fest, which normally centers on what's new and bleeding edge with all things graphics. The topic of Wright's discussion has not yet been released, though we'll be listening with bated breath when the show opens its doors in New Orleans in early August.

JoystiqWill Wright to keynote SIGGRAPH 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>siggraphsiggraph-2009siggraph2009simssporethe-simswill-wrightThu, 05 Mar 2009 09:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Nib frabbit: Sims 3 release date in question [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/nib-frabbit-sims-3-release-date-in-question/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/nib-frabbit-sims-3-release-date-in-question/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/nib-frabbit-sims-3-release-date-in-question/#commentsFiled under: ,


EA is apparently "evaluating the launch window" for The Sims 3, reports Eurogamer. The game was given a February 20 release date last August, but now European retailers are being told by the publisher to expect a delay. EA stated that it would have more information in the near future, presumably tying into EA CEO John Riccitiello's desire to make the third Sims a "huge success." The publisher sure could use the cash.

We've contacted EA to find out if it's "evaluating" the release date for North America as well. We'll update if we hear anything.

Update: Uh oh. EA responded: "We are evaluating the launch window. The game looks great and in the near future we'll have more information." Our Magic 8 Ball defines this as "outlook not so good."

Gallery: The Sims 3

JoystiqNib frabbit: Sims 3 release date in question [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-ArtsPCsimssims-3the-sims-3Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Sims 3 trailer shows you how to create a Sim, yet again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/new-sims-3-trailer-shows-you-how-to-create-a-sim-yet-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/new-sims-3-trailer-shows-you-how-to-create-a-sim-yet-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/new-sims-3-trailer-shows-you-how-to-create-a-sim-yet-again/#commentsFiled under: ,

Look, there's not a lot we can tell you about this. With something like 100 million copies of the Sims, Sims 2 and their various expansions sold worldwide and you, dear reader, being a person with at least a rudimentary knowledge of gaming, there's a good chance you know both what a Sim is and how they are made. This video isn't going to blow your mind or anything.

The graphics look good, it has a pretty groove-tacular soundtrack and your mom will actually contemplate upgrading her PC to play it. Electronic Arts also released three new images, which you can see in the gallery below.

Gallery: The Sims 3


Download in HD (10MB)

JoystiqNew Sims 3 trailer shows you how to create a Sim, yet again originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsMacmaxisPCsimssims-3the-simsthe-sims-3Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Rod Humble promoted to The Sims label lead]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/rod-humble-promoted-to-the-sims-label-lead/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/rod-humble-promoted-to-the-sims-label-lead/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/rod-humble-promoted-to-the-sims-label-lead/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When we last spoke to The Sims' studio head, Rod Humble, he was applauding the franchise's retail success. Now the exec has another, albeit more personal reason to celebrate, having climbed up another rung on the corporate ladder, laying claim to the role of The Sims' brand's executive VP. The move follows the recent hiring of Jeff Green, who left the world of game journalism last month to throw his body on the gears of EA's expansion factory as well.

Humble replaces former lead, Nancy Smith, who EA notes will handle "special" The Sims-related projects before eventually moving into a new as-yet-undefined role in the months ahead. We offer congratulations, and suggest he celebrate his new position by locking co-workers in the bathroom or pushing them in the corporate pool before deftly removing any means of escape.

JoystiqRod Humble promoted to The Sims label lead originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artselectronicartsrod-humblerodhumblesimsthe-simsthesimsTue, 07 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sim Bothering Animals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/sim-bothering-animals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/sim-bothering-animals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/sim-bothering-animals/#commentsFiled under: ,


EA has released a new trailer and screens for their Sim spinoff SimAnimals. Like the initial assets released during E3, this trailer, while putting on a happy-go-lucky face, illustrates a game almost exclusively about being a total jerk to animals.
"Oh, look, a happy little bear cub with his family," the interior monologue of the imaginary player seems to say, "Let's kidnap him! I wonder if bears eat squirrels? I wonder if this bear cub can swim!" The floating, gloved hand continues to disrupt the lives of once-peaceful forest residents like that while the narrator cheerily describes how much fun it is to interact with animals. This is horrifying.


[Via press release]

JoystiqSim Bothering Animals originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>easimanimalssimssimulationTue, 16 Sep 2008 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: SimAnimals simulates animals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/simanimals-simulates-animals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/simanimals-simulates-animals/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/simanimals-simulates-animals/#commentsFiled under:


EA has just announced a new Sim satellite game called SimAnimals, in which, much like you mess with virtual families' lives in The Sims and ruin people's houses in MySims, you control a floating hand that interacts with various wild animals. You can "reach out and touch, pick up and move everything in the game from foxes and bears to trees and flowers." See those bears? You can throw 'em.

If you can refrain from being a jerk, you'll be able to gain the trust and friendship of the various animals that populate the SimAnimals forest. SimAnimals is planned for Wii and DS this January.

JoystiqE308: SimAnimals simulates animals originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2008e308easimanimalssimssimulationMon, 14 Jul 2008 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[EA reveals SimAnimals for DS, Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/ea-reveals-simanimals-for-ds-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/ea-reveals-simanimals-for-ds-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/14/ea-reveals-simanimals-for-ds-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While everyone was distracted by EA's ongoing press conference, EA went and uploaded a bunch or screenshots and some basic information about a bunch of games, including a new one called SimAnimals for the DS. According to EA's Web page, the game lets players "control more than 60 animals" with an "on-screen animated hand that allows you to reach out and touch, pick up and move everything in the game from foxes and bears to trees and flowers." Animals will grow to like or dislike this disembodied, manual overlord based on how it treats them. Remind you of any other popular simulation game? Look for SimAnimals in January of 2009, and more about the project as we hear it.

Update: An official press release includes a few more details and some enthusiastic quotes from EA execs. Fun!

Gallery: SimAnimals (Wii)



Gallery: SimAnimals DS

JoystiqEA reveals SimAnimals for DS, Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsDSe3-2008EAelectronic artselectronic-artsElectronicArtssimSimAnimalsSimsWiiMon, 14 Jul 2008 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Sims 2 Store live today, microtransactions abound]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/sims-2-store-live-today-microtransactions-abound/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/sims-2-store-live-today-microtransactions-abound/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/sims-2-store-live-today-microtransactions-abound/#commentsFiled under: ,


Hagimona pana! Guranda epska tali tari ta. Eska, eska, esti toni wa?

*turns on Simlish to English translator*

Better? Good! EA announced that its Sims 2 Store is now live for US and Canadian shoppers. The online retail location practices the fine art of micro transactions by offering items available in Sims 2 expansion packs and "all-new exclusive" content.

The store works by converting real money into "SimPoints" at an exchange rate of $1 for 100 SimPoints, and most items we saw appear to be between 75 - 100 SimPoints. Sims 2 fans can decide for themselves if it's worth micro-transactioning through the Sims 2 Store or picking up the full expansions at retail. The store seems like the type of thing that's perfect if your Sim just needs to have that new shower head and nothing else.

[Via BigDownload]

JoystiqSims 2 Store live today, microtransactions abound originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-ArtsmicrotransactionmicrotransactionsPCsimssims2the-simsMon, 30 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sims Carnival is now in open beta]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/sims-carnival-is-now-in-open-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/sims-carnival-is-now-in-open-beta/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/sims-carnival-is-now-in-open-beta/#commentsFiled under:


In the future, there will be no game developers. Well, to be more accurate, there will be no paid videogame developers, just a legion of unpaid game slaves, toiling away for a chance at e-stardom. Today, the inevitable future looms just a bit closer with The Sims Carnival going into open beta.

Right now, you can play some of the offerings from closed beta folks, who've come up with some really bizarre entries like this terrible take on Mario Kart and this brûlée caramelizing sim. You can also design your own games for the general populace to partake of, enjoy and never, ever pay you for.

JoystiqSims Carnival is now in open beta originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-ArtsmaxisPCsimsthe-sims-carnivalugcuser-generated-contentTue, 17 Jun 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MySims Kingdom: The Home of Princess Butter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/mysims-kingdom-the-home-of-princess-butter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/mysims-kingdom-the-home-of-princess-butter/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/mysims-kingdom-the-home-of-princess-butter/#commentsFiled under:


In a press release sent out this morning, EA revealed some details of the new MySims sequel, MySims Kingdom. Fascinatingly, Kingdom is designed as more of an adventure than its predecessor, with things like a story and goals other than "build stuff and make friends."

That's still the basic gameplay, but this time you're building (medieval) stuff and making (ye olde) friends at the behest of King Roland (and his daughter, the amusingly-named Princess Butter), who charges you with improving his kingdom. As you build and achieve goals, you'll unlock new building capabilities including bridge-building (or at least bridge repair). These will allow you both to increase the size of your kingdom and to expand into other kingdoms, each with their own unique inhabitants.

Surprisingly, given the setting, you'll also be able to create electrical devices. We assume you will then be run out of town by a frightened mob.

JoystiqMySims Kingdom: The Home of Princess Butter originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 May 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamysimsmysims-kingdomsimsWed, 14 May 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA spills the beans on MySims Kingdom for DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ea-spills-the-beans-on-mysims-kingdom-for-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ea-spills-the-beans-on-mysims-kingdom-for-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ea-spills-the-beans-on-mysims-kingdom-for-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ever since MySims Kingdom was revealed, we've been patiently awaiting details regarding the title. Now, we've got a bit more to go on, as EA lets us know what this game is all about. It is "a story of adventure, discovery and exploration to help King Roland and his subjects revitalize the Kingdom." Okay, sounds simple enough.

The DS version of this game, specifically, will offer several different mini-games and very much resembles Animal Crossing. EA's Rod Humble (is that not an awesome name?), whom heads up The Sims division, said MySims Kingdom will contain "rewarding quests, building houses, bridges or even making contraptions powered by electricity or water." It sounds like the title will have a lot of customization options, however we wonder if it won't be the simple little game that EA promised it would be back at launch. Is this not getting to be a bit too big for a casual title?

Be sure to hit up our gallery below for first screens from the game.



[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqEA spills the beans on MySims Kingdom for DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 May 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualeaelectronic-artsmysimsmysims-kingdomsimsthe-simsWed, 14 May 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA details MySims Kingdom for Wii, DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ea-details-mysims-kingdom-for-wii-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ea-details-mysims-kingdom-for-wii-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/ea-details-mysims-kingdom-for-wii-ds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While we'll admit that The Sims was never more than a stone's throw away from being an all-out casual series anyway, EA will continue to dress the franchise in casual attire in MySims Kingdom, the sequel to last year's 3 million unit selling MySims. Shipping this fall worldwide for the Wii and DS, the game was first announced earlier this year as one of a handful of new dumbed down casual-themed takes on The Sims. However, EA today released the first details about the game, calling MySims Kingdom "a story of adventure, discovery and exploration to help King Roland and his subjects revitalize the Kingdom."

The gameplay, which once again sounds more than a little like Animal Crossing, will center on exploring and developing a kingdom through The Sims-style customization, with the DS version adding emphasis on mini-games as players try to turn aside a rival evil king. Adds The Sims studio head Rod Humble, MySims Kingdom will include "rewarding quests, building houses, bridges or even making contraptions powered by electricity or water." The game eschews much of the larger franchise's sandbox appeal for backstory, leaving us waiting for until next year's The Sims 3 before we can know the joy of deleting the ladder from the neighborhood pool.

JoystiqEA details MySims Kingdom for Wii, DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 May 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSeaelectronic-artselectronicartsmysimsmysims-kingdommysimskingdomsimsthesimsWiiWed, 14 May 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[EA-Land to be shut down in August]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/ea-land-to-be-shut-down-in-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/ea-land-to-be-shut-down-in-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/ea-land-to-be-shut-down-in-august/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yeesh, that was quick. Just around two months after it was put before the public, EA announced via a blog post that EA-Land (which was The Sims Online rebranded) would be closing up shop on August 1. Current subscribers can get $15 off a game at the EA Store or a three-month membership to Pogo.

Unsurprisingly, that hasn't satisfied most fans, who were able to spend real-world money to improve their EA-Land experience. Threads (here and here) were flooded with comments from users like:

"Well. I'm SO freaking glad that I put so much REAL LIFE money into this game. Thank you for letting us ALL down."

"Did I mention I just payed $150 last night for the founders account I've always dreamed of. Way to go... Perhaps you could have told someone sooner."

"I really just can't believe it's going to be over.....and I really can't believe they think a few months of POGO can make up what we're losing here."

Some of the comments were more conciliatory, some even began plans to buy the game outright. But it was clear that even if the world itself may be dying it leaves behind an impassioned, angry populace.

[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqEA-Land to be shut down in August originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-landElectronic-ArtsPCsimssims-onlineWed, 30 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Sims surpasses 100 million units sold worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/the-sims-surpasses-100-million-units-sold-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/the-sims-surpasses-100-million-units-sold-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/the-sims-surpasses-100-million-units-sold-worldwide/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The top-selling video game of all time has just surpassed another milestone, as EA announced that The Sims, which has been released in more than 20 different languages, has now sold 100 million copies the world over since it sprang from the mind of super-developer Will Wright in 2000. The first game's expansion-laden release was followed by The Sims 2 in the fall of 2004, while the recently announced The Sims 3 will drop sometime in 2009, for the first time letting sims venture beyond their front doors and into the neighborhood.

The idea of 100 million of anything is difficult for us to wrap our brains around, so we cornered Rod Humble, the brand's studio head, to pick his noodle on The Sims, particularly with regards to the franchise's expansion-heavy history. So, with pets, night-life, and even magic tricks to pick from, what add-ons do players continue to ask for that's not yet available? Says Humble, "Right now our players are keen to playing an expansion pack that focuses on living in a big city...other ideas I've seen in the community include a rave/party pack and science fiction pack." Little green sims? We can support that.

Look for the complete interview with the EA exec on The Sims franchise, expansions, and where it goes from here later today.

JoystiqThe Sims surpasses 100 million units sold worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsDSelectronic-artselectronicartsmilestonePCPS2PSPsimsthe-simesthesimesWiiwill-wrightwillwrightXboxWed, 16 Apr 2008 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[EA releases first details, screens of Sims 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/ea-releses-first-details-on-sims-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/ea-releses-first-details-on-sims-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/ea-releses-first-details-on-sims-3/#commentsFiled under: ,

sims 3
click to enlarge

If you're a Sims fan you've probably been obsessively counting down the days until March 19 when EA would reveal more details on the next iteration of their profit center popular series: Sims 3. The official site seems to be down at the moment [update: it's back up!], but we received some details from EA in a written statement we can pass on.

Expect a new engine with a new, much more detailed Create-a-Sim feature. There are more physical and personality options for Sims, in fact, the release boasts over 700 million combinations. All of the objects in the world are going to be more customizable too. Also, as we already knew, your neighborhood is going to be a bigger factor in your gameplay. It all sounds promising, but don't get too excited just yet: There's no specific date, but EA says the game won't drop until 2009.

Gallery: The Sims 3

JoystiqEA releases first details, screens of Sims 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewseaElectronic-ArtsPCsimssims-3the-simswill-wrightWed, 19 Mar 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The Sims 3 wants you to go outside (in the game)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/the-sims-3-wants-you-to-go-outside-in-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/the-sims-3-wants-you-to-go-outside-in-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/the-sims-3-wants-you-to-go-outside-in-the-game/#commentsFiled under:

We always found The Sims to be sort of depressing. While creating a virtual replica of your life may seem like an amusing activity at first, you -- like us -- may find the distant view through an LCD window to be both startling and uncomfortable. Yes, we can see our house from here. And we can see that it's an empty, meaningless shell bereft of human interaction outside of the occasional pizza delivery boy teleporting into the driveway. Having said that, we're definitely keen to try The Sims 3, as it'll enable us to virtually do something we've never done before. Venture "outside."

You could visit different areas in earlier games, but according to 1UP, The Sims 3 will feature a large and seamless neighborhood where a step out of the door is a step into a "much bigger sandbox." The myriad of meters indicating your Sim's moods and motives will also see an overhaul, with players encouraged to be less anal about living and more focused on living it up. You can expect more information to be tucked within the April/May issue of the official Games for Windows Magazine. Don't forget to check back with on March 19th when the official Sims site stops teasing us.

[Thanks, TechNick]

JoystiqThe Sims 3 wants you to go outside (in the game) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsPCSimsSims-3The-Sims-3TheSimsThu, 06 Mar 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sims 3 teaser posted, more info coming March 19]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/sims-3-teaser-posted-more-info-coming-march-19/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/sims-3-teaser-posted-more-info-coming-march-19/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/sims-3-teaser-posted-more-info-coming-march-19/#comments
If there was any doubt that EA would continue to milk the lucrative cash cow that is Will Wright's Sims franchise, that doubt can now be officially expelled. EA has created an official page for the next title in the series -- titled, appropriately enough, The Sims 3.

The site features little else besides the above image, which teases more details coming on March 19. Our Holmesian deductive reasoning lets us assume that this title will be a return to form for the Sims series, as opposed to another entry in the adorable but divergent MySims line. With work on Spore wrapping up after eight years, it's also possible that Mr. Wright himself may take an active role in the game's development. Guess we'll all have more information come March 19 (finally, something to anxiously look forward to besides Brawl).

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

JoystiqSims 3 teaser posted, more info coming March 19 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxissimssims-3the-simsthe-sims-3thesimsThu, 06 Mar 2008 05:20:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Will Wright talks the importance of worlds, community ownership]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-will-wright-talks-the-importance-of-worlds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-will-wright-talks-the-importance-of-worlds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-will-wright-talks-the-importance-of-worlds/#commentsFiled under:


Tonight had a chance to attend a speech given by Will Wright at the Mezzanine in San Francisco. "This is the first time I've ever spoken to a drunk audience," he quipped. Before the speech, Electronic Arts PR Neil Young warned everyone that this would not be a speech about Spore. That's all subjective, of course -- Wright's talk, spanning everything from social science to pop culture, show an insight into his psyche and drive for Spore better than any video game session could.

The point Wright started out was the negative connotation in the use of words such as franchise, brand and property, instead preferring the term "worlds" (though, we should note, he used franchise and brand a few times). Star Wars is presented as an example of a fractal timeline, with smaller iterative stories adding to fill in the gaps in between and around the major arc originally presented. Other successful worlds include LEGO, James Bond and Godzilla.

Gallery: GDC08: Will Wright party

Continue reading GDC08: Will Wright talks the importance of worlds, community ownership

JoystiqGDC08: Will Wright talks the importance of worlds, community ownership originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc08simswill-wrightwrightThu, 21 Feb 2008 23:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Plenty of MySims to go around: two new titles announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/plenty-of-mysims-to-go-around-two-new-titles-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/plenty-of-mysims-to-go-around-two-new-titles-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/plenty-of-mysims-to-go-around-two-new-titles-announced/#commentsFiled under:


Apparently EA's strategy of releasing games with the word "Sims" in the title is paying off. Citing the success of the MySims games on DS and Wii -- to the tune of $100 million in revenue and 3 million copies -- EA Casual's Kathy Vrabeck revealed two more games in the spinoff franchise to be released on Nintendo systems.

No details have been released for either game except the titles (MySims Kingdom and MySims Party) and release schedules. Kingdoms is planned for an October-December release, while Party is scheduled for early 2009. We're pretty sure we can guess what MySims Party is, but Kingdoms? We're hoping for a medieval-themed MySims. Wouldn't it be awesome to design your own cute lil' king and then outfit his castle with tapestries? Yes, it would.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqPlenty of MySims to go around: two new titles announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualeamysimsmysims-kingdommysims-partysimsWed, 13 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA announces lots of Sim-branded casual titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/ea-announces-lots-of-sim-branded-casual-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/ea-announces-lots-of-sim-branded-casual-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/ea-announces-lots-of-sim-branded-casual-titles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


EA's Casual Entertainment division is ready to dilute expand the Sim franchise with a plethora of new titles over the next three years. The company also stated it plans to develop the "next generation" version of The Sims within three years. The MySims franchise -- after selling 3 million units for $100 million in revenue -- will receive two more titles in MySims Kingdom (Q4 '08) and MySims Party (Q1 '09).

More Sims-branded games include SimAnimals and SimCity Creator. SimAnimals is expected by March '09 and SimCity Creator is part of EA's fiscal year 2011, meaning between March 2010 and February 2011. We doubt this is even the end of Sim announcements for this year -- gotta save something for E3.

JoystiqEA announces lots of Sim-branded casual titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsDSeaElectronic-Artsmysims-kingdommysims-partyPS3simanimalssimcity-creatorsimsWiiXbox-360Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Friday Video: MySims is setting us up for months of addiction]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/friday-video-mysims-is-setting-us-up-for-months-of-addiction/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/friday-video-mysims-is-setting-us-up-for-months-of-addiction/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/friday-video-mysims-is-setting-us-up-for-months-of-addiction/#commentsFiled under:



Sure, we could have shown some other E3-centric videos here in our weekly spotlight, but we really wanted an excuse to talk a little more about the fun potential of MySims, which continues to bear a strong (though less anthropomorphic) resemblance to Animal Crossing. We even saw a little guy with a shovel in this trailer. Since there has been no real sign of Animal Crossing for the Wii, this looks ripe to tide us over while we wait. Who knows, we may even (gasp!) like it better.

Also, splashing in a fountain sounds pretty good right about now. Oh, July, July ... how you make us long for December.

Continue reading Friday Video: MySims is setting us up for months of addiction

JoystiqFriday Video: MySims is setting us up for months of addiction originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal crossingAnimalCrossingeaelectronic artsElectronicArtsffvmysimssimssimulationtrailervideoFri, 13 Jul 2007 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New MySims images bring the adorable overload]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/new-mysims-images-bring-the-adorable-overload/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/new-mysims-images-bring-the-adorable-overload/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/20/new-mysims-images-bring-the-adorable-overload/#commentsFiled under:



Cute they may be, but those little Sims are vicious. One can't help but wonder, however, if the little fellow there was singing a raucous round of "You ain't got no ice cream" just before the cone dropped. Then it's not mean to laugh at him. It's karma.

JoystiqNew MySims images bring the adorable overload originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic artsElectronicArtsmysimsscreenssimsWed, 20 Jun 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sims DS screens are dangerously close to Crossing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/sims-ds-screens-are-dangerously-close-to-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/sims-ds-screens-are-dangerously-close-to-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/sims-ds-screens-are-dangerously-close-to-crossing/#commentsFiled under:

We just cannot look at MySims DS screens and see anything other than Animal Crossing. Everything we see of the game just further reinforces the similarity between the two games. These new screenshots are no different.

It's just ... there's the wishing well! And the beach! And the shop! And the little houses, the interior and exterior of which look just like Animal Crossing houses! Maybe if the screens focused on the character editor and not on walkin' around town, we wouldn't get such a strong Crossing vibe. But looking at these ... who could be so shameless? Oh, right.

JoystiqSims DS screens are dangerously close to Crossing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2007 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalanimal crossingAnimalCrossingcrossingdsds liteDsLiteeamysimsnintendonintendo dsNintendoDssimsTue, 29 May 2007 12:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Senior Producer chats up The Sims 2: Pets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/11/senior-producer-chats-up-the-sims-2-pets/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/11/senior-producer-chats-up-the-sims-2-pets/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/11/senior-producer-chats-up-the-sims-2-pets/#commentsFiled under:


Senior Producer Ben Bell recently spoke with GameSpot about the many features EA is implementing into the The Sims 2: Pets for the Wii. Of course, the game will still keep the same classic Sims gameplay everyone is used to. Not only that, but Ben discusses how the Wiimote will improve the already tried-and-true gameplay of the franchise.

Head past the post break to catch the video.

Continue reading Senior Producer chats up The Sims 2: Pets

JoystiqSenior Producer chats up The Sims 2: Pets originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2007 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eanintendonintendowiisimsthesims2petswiiFri, 11 May 2007 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[New listings for The Sims: Castaway Stories on Wii and DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/new-listings-for-the-sims-castaway-stories-on-wii-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/new-listings-for-the-sims-castaway-stories-on-wii-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/new-listings-for-the-sims-castaway-stories-on-wii-and-ds/#commentsFiled under:

The Sims 2: Castaway Stories, the new tropical island-themed entry in the series, may be heading to DS. Gamefly, the online rental service, has the game listed on its site. According to the listing, it's due for an October 11th release.

It's a shame this is coming out in October, as this would make a great summer title. Who wouldn't want to sit on the beach, stylus in one hand, cocktail in the other, designing the perfect holiday island paradise?

The stylus should suit the series perfectly; getting that beach furniture in just the right spot should be a cinch. As well as the usual Sims fare, there will also be a story mode wherein you'll be able to guide your character through life's various challenges; don't be surprised if there's a whole heap of romance in there, too.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqNew listings for The Sims: Castaway Stories on Wii and DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Castaway StoriesCastawayStoriesDSEAEA GamesEaGamesElectronic ArtsElectronicArtsMaxisNintendo DSNintendo WiiNintendoDsNintendoWiiSimsThe SimsTheSimsWiiMon, 07 May 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[New listings for The Sims: Castaway Stories on Wii and DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/05/new-listings-for-the-sims-castaway-stories-on-wii-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/05/new-listings-for-the-sims-castaway-stories-on-wii-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/05/new-listings-for-the-sims-castaway-stories-on-wii-and-ds/#commentsFiled under:

Gamefly has added Wii and DS listings for The Sims 2: Castaway Stories to its website. There's no official confirmation of the title yet from EA, who have only announced it for PC so far. As the title suggests, the game will offer a story mode featuring 'romance and dramatic twists.'

These games could work really well on DS and Wii, particularly if the online/wi-fi aspect is exploited - imagine being able to create and share your avatars - or replays of your characters' most entertaining moments.

Castaway Stories hits the PC in Winter, with DS and Wii versions hopefully arriving shortly after.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqNew listings for The Sims: Castaway Stories on Wii and DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 May 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Castaway StoriesCastawayStoriesdsEAelectronic artsElectronicArtsMaxisnintendoNintendo DSNintendoDssimssimulationThe SimsThe Sims Castaway StoriesTheSimsTheSimsCastawayWiiSat, 05 May 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA unveils Booze Training]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/26/ea-unveils-booze-training/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/26/ea-unveils-booze-training/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/26/ea-unveils-booze-training/#commentsFiled under:


EA is proving that they really are interested in Japanese audiences: not only are they designing MySims with Japanese gamers in mind, but they are making training games. Three of them!

They're all about drinking, too: Bartender DS, about mixing drinks; Sakashou DS, about sake, and Sommelier DS, about wine. The software is designed to help you choose fine beverages and properly store your wines. Sim City DS producer Hiroshi Murakami said that it was his hope that people would spend the 2950 yen on Sommelier DS and then buy good wine instead of going directly to the cheap stuff.

JoystiqEA unveils Booze Training originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bartendereamysimssakashousakesimssommeliertrainingwineThu, 26 Apr 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[We find the fun in MySims DS scans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/we-find-the-fun-in-mysims-ds-scans/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/we-find-the-fun-in-mysims-ds-scans/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/we-find-the-fun-in-mysims-ds-scans/#commentsFiled under: ,



Finally, a look at MySims on DS that looks worth playing. We were starting to get a little sulky, because it looked like all the fun went into the Wii version and we were left with some lackluster Mii knockoffs, but these latest scans from Famitsu show off what DS owners can expect from the upcoming Sims redux. Hit the jump to see the scans, complete with inset screenshots.

Continue reading We find the fun in MySims DS scans

JoystiqWe find the fun in MySims DS scans originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSEAElectronic ArtsElectronicArtsimageMySimsNintendoscanscreensimsThu, 12 Apr 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Where will your Mii go today?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/04/where-will-your-mii-go-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/04/where-will-your-mii-go-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/04/where-will-your-mii-go-today/#commentsFiled under: ,

Well, today your Mii may only cross the Plaza a few times and stop to chat with Walter about bowling and Vietnam, but tomorrow, the sky may be the limit. Shigeru Miyamoto, in a recent interview after GDC, indicated that Nintendo may well craft their own Home-like system, a la the coming PS3 interface. But it's not a matter of copying from Sony; Miyamoto made a great point when he said that the idea of Miis is certainly not new. He referenced other examples of avatars over the years, and also said that he hopes more developers work along these lines.

For Nintendo's future, Miyamoto indicated that they may move in a Sims-type direction, which sounds an awful lot like 'Mii Crossing' to us. But some of the most interesting parts of the interview come when Miyamoto compares the Mii creation experience to game development. Making Miis, he says, is almost like putting the player into the developer's position, and that's something he would like to expand in the future. We're pretty sure we could get behind that as well.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqWhere will your Mii go today? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Animal CrossinAnimalCrossinHomeInterviewMiiMiyamotoNintendoPS3SimsWiiWed, 04 Apr 2007 13:46:00 EST<![CDATA[First screenshots of MySims DS lack fun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/first-screenshots-of-mysims-ds-lack-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/first-screenshots-of-mysims-ds-lack-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/first-screenshots-of-mysims-ds-lack-fun/#commentsFiled under:



Though EA announced MySims for both the Nintendo DS and the Wii, we haven't spotted many previews for the handheld version like we have with the console's. Looking at the screenshots Jeux-France posted earlier today for MySims DS, we're a little worried about where EA plans to take the game.

We understand that MySims will have to be pared down for its portable adaptation, but the limited character customization options on the DS seem bare-bones compared to what we've seen on the Wii. Also, the media released for the Wii's MySims features the cartoonish characters in a range of activities -- hosting parties, playing in fountains, and eating spaghetti dinners at the neighborhood restaurant. These DS screenshots show the Sims strolling through empty streets and exploring lonesome piers. How depressing!

We're hoping that EA won't wait too long to reveal screenshots of MySims DS that better resemble the Wii version's cheerful attitude. As it stands now, the handheld game looks like it has more in common with REM's music video for Everybody Hurts. Jump past the post break for a preview of the bleak neighborhood.

Continue reading First screenshots of MySims DS lack fun

JoystiqFirst screenshots of MySims DS lack fun originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>depressingdseaelectronicartsemptymysimsneighbohoodnintendonintendodsnintendowiisimplesimswiiFri, 30 Mar 2007 11:15:00 EST