CG.biz: Digital shopping is going to be a big element of The Sims 3. Why would someone choose to spend ‘real’ money on something like virtual furniture?

GR: The Sims 3 Store is a great place of us to make weird architectural styles and let our artists go crazy with furniture and clothing. Players who want to tell a different story or expand their experience can go online and pick and choose the items a la carte. Also, to get you started we are giving you 1000 Simpoints, which can be used at The Sims 3 store.

Grant also gives a few more comments – the Sims team has a huge percentage of females on the development team, expanding the game to reach the casual gamer, and even if we’re planning to see a Wii/PS3/Xbox game in the future.

Casual Gaming – INTERVIEW: The Sims 3 associate producer Grant Rodiek