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"The Sims 3 World Adventures" First Impressions

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:04:31 +0000

The first expansion for "The Sims 3" should be on shelves across the United States. "The Sims 3 World Adventures" gives us a lot to, well, explore. Even if you didn't like "The Sims 2 Bon Voyage," the vacation themed expansion for the previous Sims game, this one is worth checking out. The goal oriented play the adventures (or opportunities) adds gives vacations a purpose.

Sims check out the adventures board to see which local needs help. Sometimes they need your help to check out a tomb and find a missing item. Other times you need to make friends and find their real opinion about a business. There are more puzzles in the tombs than I expected. Sims really do need to bring along food and a tent. Time flies while on vacation.

Sims who haven't traveled start out on Visa level 1. This gives them only 3 days of vacation time. This is not nearly long enough. Only way to get more time is visit more often to earn Visa points. My Sims may just be going on more vacations than they ever have before. The food, shopping, and tombs will keep me busy at least until the next expansion comes out.

"The Sims 3 World Adventures" Screenshots

"The Sims 3 World Adventures" First Impressions originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 20:04:31.

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EA Plans to Cut 1,500 Jobs & Buys Playfish

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:26:38 +0000

It's been a rough year for us all. It's not getting any easier at Electronic Arts. They plan on cutting 1,500 jobs and downsizing their product lineup. Which lines are going have no been announced. It's safe to say "Madden" and "The Sims" games won't be going anywhere.

The second piece of news is the purchase of Playfish. Facebook users may be familiar with their work. Playfish developed "Restaurant City," "Country Story," and "Pet Society." These are free online games.

EA will make their money through Playfish by selling points used to buy virtual goods. Not a scene that is new to EA. They have opened stores with virtual goods for both "The Sims 2" and "The Sims 3." Plus, add-on packs have been released for the iPod/iPhone version of "The Sims 3." It's a smart move for EA to shift towards microtransactions. Small purchases add up fast. "Restaurant City's" strong following makes it the perfect place to start.

EA Plans to Cut 1,500 Jobs & Buys Playfish originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 14:26:38.

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Worst spin-offs.... "The Sims 2 Ikea Stuff" Makes the List

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:24:00 +0000

I was browsing gaming headlines when Electricpig's new article caught my eye. Ten worst gaming spin-offs as the title, with "The Sims 2 Ikea Stuff" in the blurb. Huh? They couldn't be serious. That was one of my favorite stuff packs. As far as stuff packs go...

"The Sims 2 Ikea Stuff" wouldn't have been top of my list. A casual game based on "The Apprentice" was a big disappointment. The stuff pack is award-winning quality compared to that one. Plus there's the Desperate Housewives game that didn't win many fans either.

Anyone else have a game that was a disappointment to them? Spin-off or not.

ElectricPig - Worst Gaming Spin-Offs
"The Sims 2 Ikea Stuff"

Worst spin-offs.... "The Sims 2 Ikea Stuff" Makes the List originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 12:24:00.

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New "Spore" Game: "Spore Islands" for Facebook

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:10:30 +0000

Just when I thought I had enough Facebook games to keep me busy, EA goes and releases a "Spore" game. "Spore Islands" is a simplistic version of "Spore." It's one stage of the game, made into a Flash game.

You design a creature by picking out a body, legs, eyes, and a mouth. Then after picking attributes (defense, weight, etc), you send your creature into the wild (or an observation) and hope it earns the most points. The observation screen reminds me of Pac-Man. You watch your creature eat or avoid other creatures (computer or ones created by your friends) to eat plants from a top-down view.

"Spore Islands" isn't the best Facebook game, and it surely isn't the worst. None of my friends have joined yet. I'm sure it has to be more watching your creature race around friends, rather than random wild ones.

Play "Spore Island - Facebook

New "Spore" Game: "Spore Islands" for Facebook originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 13:10:30.

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The Sims 3 Create A World Tool

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:37:13 +0000

Options are expected by sim players. Seeing "The Sims 3" come with only one world was disappointing (you can download another at thesims3.com). Come December that will all change. EA is releasing the Create A World tool. The Sims Resource got a preview. They say it looks technical and think only a few will be able to master it.

We will have to wait. It won't be out until sometime in December.

The Sims 3 Create A World Tool originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 08:37:13.

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"The Sims 3" Furniture Downloads

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:21:30 +0000

There isn't an official tool or forum to share brand new objects for "The Sims 3." The Sims Resource, a web site devoted to "The Sims" since its release, developed a program to import and export files. For the unique items, you'll have to visit fan sites. You don't need to download recolors of original objects. Just use the Create-A-Style tool to change colors (accessed through edit button in Build mode).

Which is your favorite to download so far? Furniture, clothes, or hair? For me, it's been clothes. I rotate through clothes often.

"The Sims 3" Furniture Downloads originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 20:21:30.

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"The Sims 3 World Adventures" Bonus Items

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:23:09 +0000

The first expansion for "The Sims 3" is due out November 17th. Less than a month away, kids! To sweeten the expansion, EA is going to give you "new Explorer's Loot content" when you register, plus 1,000 simpoints to use in the store.

What has everyone picked out from the store? Or have you not used your 1,000 points from "The Sims 3." I bought a bookcase. Now I'm thinking about the kid's animal bedroom set.

"The Sims 3 World Adventures" Screenshots - new Grim Reaper Bloopers

"The Sims 3 World Adventures" Bonus Items originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 07:23:09.

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Hot Artists Singing for "The Sims 3 World Adventures"

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:44:23 +0000

EA has a tradition of having popular singers and groups take one of their songs make a Simlish version (the language spoken by Sims). I hadn't heard of the artists in the last few games. I'm happy to report I knew a few of the names on the list. Hopefully you will too. Though, not knowing the artists hasn't stopped me from enjoying the game.

LeAnn Rimes - "You've Ruined Me"
Fefe Dobson - "I Want You"
Katie Melua - "If the lights go out"
Madina Lake - "Lets Get Outta Here"
Manchester Orchestra - "I've Got Friends"
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - "Me + Yr Daughter"
Esme Denters - "Outta Here"
Hot Chelle Rae - "Say"
Audrye Sessions - "Turn Me Off"
Metalkpretty - "Wake Up, Wake Up"
Evan Taubenfeld - "Pumpkin Pie"
Friday Night Boys - "Can't Take That Away"
Cassie Steele - "Summer Nights"
Broken Heart College - "Na Na Na"
Nelly Furtado - "Manos al Aire"
Pixie Lott - "Mama Do"
Stefanie Heinzmann - "No One (Can Ever Change My Mind)"
Matt & Kim - "Daylight"
Young Punx - "Juice and Sim"

Hot Artists Singing for "The Sims 3 World Adventures" originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 12:44:23.

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Sims Everywhere Are Kung Fu Fighting

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:03:25 +0000

Everywhere in "The Sims 3 World Adventures" that is. The expansion, due out in November, has our Sims practicing martial arts in China. EA released a news release today with some of the martial arts interactions.

Train: Sims will train at The Phoenix Academy of Martial Arts in China. Or while they are home Training Dummy, Board Breaker, and books will help them tune their skills.

Practice: Sparring with build new friendships and skills, while earning new belts.

Center: Sims will have the ability to mediate.

Master: Master Martial Artists can summon "magical elements."

Teach: Masters can teach other Sims martial arts.

Sims Everywhere Are Kung Fu Fighting originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 10:03:25.

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New Release: "The Sims 2 Best of Business"

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:54 +0000

Hey "Sims 2" players! EA has another collection pack to complete your collection of expansions and stuff packs. The collection is $19.99 and comes with two stuff packs and one expansion. The packs are: "The Sims 2 H&M Stuff," "The Sims 2 Open for Business," and "The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath Design." This one could be a good one to put on your wish list.

Or for new objects, you could skip the packs and browse "The Sims 2" downloads.

Compare Prices for "The Sims 2 Best of Business Collection

New Release: "The Sims 2 Best of Business" originally appeared on About.com Computer Sim Games on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 09:00:54.

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