The irony with the word “player” in this post is just mind-blowing. Anyways, 4Players (German site) posted a very long interview with The Sims 3 for Console’s Executive Producer, Sam Player. Infinitesims was kind enough to offer the article in English.

Once the The Sims 3 was released, it seemed only a matter of time until a console version would be released, but would it hold up the interactive soap opera on the console. Although they rely on known natural mechanisms, but adds the so-called karma forces as a new element. We were able to get an interview with Sam Player, Executive Producer for The Sims 3 Console.

4Players: What is your role on The Sims 3 Console Development?

Sam Player: I’m the executive producer for The Sims 3 on consoles and handheld platforms. I have been  a part of  the Sims Studio since 2006 and I worked on The Sims 2 Expansions Stuff packs for the first two years in the development.
Then I changed direction and worked on SimAnimals for Wii and DS.

4Players: Based on the E3 presentation, the Sims 3 formula seemsto be a good move for console. And on top of it, it will be improved significantly with the so-called karma forces. Can you explain what these forces of karma, how they work, and help the players with their Sims – or wreck havoc?

Sam Player: Each platform has its own set of Karma forces. Some are available in all versions, some are only exclusive to the specific platforms. All provide a lot of fun, but one of my favorite activities in the HD versions (Wii and PS3), is the use of “Epic Fail” Karma force against a neighboring sim,. To see how miserable and unhappy, it makes the sim, is a classic moment. In return, you can get a Sim, who had bad luck lately, with the “Giant Jackpot” take some money to the poor or make it with “Get Lucky” to the enviable types in the neighborhood, so that everything he starts automatically is a success in its wake. This is very satisfactory and gives an even stronger sense, to control the story. Of course I would never do anything to harm my Sims, but those who delight in ‘evil’ such things may have to be to enjoy the “Fire Storm” or “Quake Maker.

4Players: How do you get these powers?

Sam Player are: On each platform, the Karma forces have a slightly different set up, but the basic principle behind it: The more you successful you are in the game, the more karma forces you can unlock it. Additionally, you can get buy Karma forces on the karma points, you get access to when you meet the lifetime wishes of the Sims, which is acquired in the Challenge Shop or with which can be obtained at the end of each day at the “Hour of Reckoning” (hour of reckoning, NB .’s note will be rewarded).

4Players: What do you not think will be introduced with the forces a form of “cheating”, which is removed from the path of PC-Sims, which is a satirical image of the “real” life sitcom, where you sit in the director’s chair?

Sam Player: We still have the feeling that the player is the director. Karma forces will offer the player a director only tools in hand to tell the different stories. In fact, the forces of karma is not always available and rewards for a certain style of play only. The game will not allow that you can always and everywhere use your powers. In addition, they can go back in time during the hour of reckoning if it is decided by the games AI.

4Players: What else is there to elements in the console versions, which also are new to players who know the PC version already inside and out?

Sam Player: In the Wii version, there will be two new careers (and extreme sports
“The Wii version includes exclusive content such as a brand new city on the beach.”
Tourism), exclusive of personality characteristics as well as a four-player mini-game. The DS has something that we call “magic moments”: Here are specific milestones of the Sims with nice new animations celebrated – in addition it is the first adult “neighborhood Simulation”, which we present on the DS.

4Players: With the Karma forces is added a great new element. Are there any content that did not make it from the PC to consoles? In the E3 presentation in June it looked as as if you could no longer walk freely around the city.

Sam Player: You can definitely run free on all platforms through the city. On Wii it’s all seamlessly even possible. There are no load times once you are in the city. On the DS there is a short loading time, if you leave the house, but you can then wander around in the city. On the HD platforms, the city is divided into small sections, among which one with a short load time.

4Players: What differences are there between the console platforms, including with regard to the forces of karma?

Sam Player: On PS3 and 360 is the theme of “connectivity” very important to us. Only in these versions, players can connect with each other and share their creations with other Sims fans around the world and other players to download content – thanks to the integrated exchange system completely seamless to the Sims experience
“You can make a Sim with” Get Lucky “to the enviable types in the neighborhood.”
involved. You will see both short-and long-term challenges and can earn rewards and achievements 360 and PlayStation Trophies. [Note: This service is dependent on the availability within the PlayStation Network and / or Xbox Live.]

4Players: And on Wii?

Sam Player: The Wii version offers exclusive content such as a brand new city on the beach, with new residents, properties, careers, weather, Karma forces and life wishes. There is also an exclusive direct control mechanism: players can send Nunchuk joystick control their Sim directly through the city. The Wii controller is perfect for such a system. The city is also home to some areas that you are not yet able to see in a Sims game. Sims can live on houseboats or in tree houses and we have built several activities such as kite-surfing, that do not exist on the PC. There will also be a multiplayer game in the Wii version, on the happy social players: They will compete in this new “life-Momente’ mode against three of his friends where they bet each other for decisions that they to important milestones in the life stories to tell of their Sims – where they earn points and other rewards. All this is of course spiced with Sims-typical elements such as humor and irreverence.

4Players: What to expect on the DS?

Sam Player: The DS is our first truly open sandbox game experience on the handheld. We are very proud to offer a compact life experience for the “Travelling Player”. Our “Create-A-Sim” editor is unique on the DS when it comes to personalization options – it even includes more clothing options and objects as the predecessor on the PC! For the first time on the DS you can control multiple sims in a household the buildings or structures with floors and walls to change by using the stylus as a paintbrush. Of course, players can continue their home with decorative objects, textures and more change.

4Players: Will there be a system-wide sharing of content or you will be limited to the particular platform?

Sam Player: The exchange is exclusive for each platform. Xbox 360 gamers will be able to share content with other Xbox 360 players. PS3 players will only exchange with other PS3 players.

4Players: With the newly announced “The Sims Medieval,” does the franchise on PC in new directions. Can you imagine anything in this form on consoles, such as “The Sims Western” where karma forces influence the results at the poker table?

Sam Player: Currently, our focus is 100 percent sure, the potential of The Sims 3 consoles for the best possible potential.

4Players: Thank you for your time and good luck with The Sims 3!

The Whole Article in; German – English (at InfiniteSims)

Source: InfiniteSims