August 20, 2008 5:37 AM PDT

'Sims 3' coming on February 20

Posted by Caroline McCarthy
  • Font size
  • Print

Electronic Arts has announced that the third installation of The Sims, that game that rivals World of Warcraft in the "I got so addicted my boss almost fired me" department, will be debuting on February 20, 2009.

(Credit: EA)

That's a worldwide release date for both in-store purchases and digital downloads. EA has famously devoted an entire division (or "label") to the blockbuster Sims franchise, in which players create their own families of virtual characters (or "sims") and let their lives unfold. The game was designed by Will Wright, whose new game Spore is hitting stores next month.

New to The Sims 3 are more advanced customization features (including personality traits like kleptomania, paranoia, and clumsiness) and smarter "neighborhoods" that can more extensively affect the outcome of the game.

In addition to The Sims 3, EA will also be releasing a "collector's edition" with a number of bonus features--including an in-game Italian sports car.

Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline.
Recent posts from Gaming and Culture
Audio slideshow: Star pitcher goes through the motion capture
Microsoft's Massive ratchets up in-game ads
Tim Lincecum, motion capture star
Wikia Search having problems
From Cy Young to video game fame
'Changing the Game' book shows how games can help business
Report: Redstone to sell Midway Games stake
Ares rocket development updates posted to iTunes
Add a Comment (Log in or register) 5 comments
by Seanathome August 20, 2008 8:05 AM PDT
Oooh, I can't wait!! :) I'm totally gonna get the "Special Edition" for the exclusive plumbbob USB drive... ;)
Reply to this comment
by Willie Winkie August 20, 2008 12:35 PM PDT
I'm gonna wait for the cracked version on Pirate Bay.
by i_am_still_wade August 20, 2008 12:25 PM PDT
My only problem with the Sims is the paid expansion packs.
Reply to this comment
by Willie Winkie August 20, 2008 12:41 PM PDT
I'm gonna wait for a cracked version.
Reply to this comment
by mementh August 23, 2008 3:51 PM PDT
Hmmm another sims game... rather then come up with something NEW and inovative EA throws out a new game engine and can make addicts pay again and again and again to buy the expansions that they refuse to include...

glad i got over the sims craze years ago when sims 2 collage or something came out. (Sold my copy to a friend @ work for his wife)
Reply to this comment
advertisement

In the news now

Slowing expectations at a green-tech start-up

Six months ago, biofuels start-up Mascoma had the wind in its sails, as did the rest of the clean-tech sector. Now, the company is treading carefully and scaling back.


With JavaFX, Sun seeks new coders, new revenue

With the launch of JavaFX 1.0, Sun is trying to reclaim Java's strength as a foundation for rich Internet applications. But it's no longer the incumbent.


Tim Lincecum, motion capture star

San Francisco Giants pitcher, who won the Cy Young award last month, dons a motion capture suit for 2K Sports' Major League Baseball 2K9 video game.


About Gaming and Culture

Along with other reporters, CNET News' Daniel Terdiman, uniquely positioned to take you into the middle of another side of technology, chronicles the latest and greatest of the "fun beat," at the tech culture nexus of video games, fire art, Legos, 3D virtual worlds, social networking, aviation, hacked Roombas, and much more.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Gaming and Culture topics

advertisement
advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right