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Just picked up the fact sheet for the iPhone update of SimCity – SimCity Deluxe! Look for it to arrive this summer at the App Store. I wish they made it more clear on whether this is a whole new game or a major update to the existing SimCity that we already have. More than likely we’ll end up having to buy it again…

Product Description
Build and manage your dream city with a newly updated SimCityTM experience for iPhone® & iPod touch®. Designed for dedicated and casual fans, let your inner urban planner run wild.

Key Features

• SimCity gets a Makeover on iPhone/iPod TouchTM
• Improved UI – Larger buttons, better flow and more accessible items have been added to make the user experience as smooth as possible
• Visually Enhanced – Graphics and frame rate have been improved, making this game closer in visual style to SimCity 4
• Modify Terrain with Touch Control -Finger-paint water, land, and trees. Get more power and control over the look of your city’s landscape.
• 7 Scenarios and 7 Bustling Starter Cities – Exciting Scenarios and Starter Cities have been added increasing re-playability of the game
• 4 Distinct Seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) linked to seasonal disasters

Coming off of this morning’s post of an updated SimCity game for the iPhone (SimCity Deluxe) is 5 new pictures from EA!

While surfing on Ebay I came across a listing of a custom Sims 3 Plumbob necklace/earrings set.  Since I doubt we’ll ever see an official version released, we have to rely on custom-made items if it is something that we want.  You can grab the necklace and earrings combo for $5.99 here.  I have to say the earrings are nicely done, but I’m a guy and don’t wear them.  However, I’m a bit disappointed with the necklace.  That I would love to have…but the design seems off… the top part is stretched when in reality it should just be the same length for top/bottom (practically just a bigger version of the earrings would do).  Maybe it can be changed in the next batch and then I’ll grab a set   Don’t let that stop you though, the earrings alone would probably be worth it!

Product Details

• This listing includes 1 pair of plumbob earings and 1 qty of plumbob necklace. This comes as a set and we cannot sell them seperately
• If you are a SIMS fan, you will love to wear these.
• This merchandise is purely for fun and is not official SIMS merchandise.
• This listing is not associated or affiliated with The SIMS 3 or Electronic Arts (EA)
• This does not come in a box and is shipped in zip-lock plastic pouches in an envelope
• Dimensions: Chain Length – 420mm (17″), Plumbob Pendant Height – 30mm (1.18″), Plumbob Earing Height – 20mm (0.79″)

Way to go BricaSims!  They managed to find 9 new screens from The Sims 3 World Adventures slated to arrive in early April, as well as a new gameplay video!

Note:  Until the video is done processing (The Video is not yet available error), please watch it here – http://www.youtube.com/user/BricaSims

Strange, so far we’ve posted about 5 versions of the cover for The Sims 3 Ambitions.  Today, SimGuruDrea commented over at the official Sims 3 forum that the boxart is undergoing changes and that the ones that are floating around are not the final versions.  Personally I do not see anything wrong with what we have, and I’m curious to know what they are revising…Small changes like color swaps, or big changes in terms of using different occupations on the cover?

Hi guys, Just to let you know, that’s actually not the final box art. We’re still working on it

-SimGuruDrea

Have to be honest here….not looking forward to posting more boxarts Thanks to InfiniteSims for the tip!

Reader ‘Gresio‘ passed along a note letting me know that The Sims 3 Ambitions is available for pre-order on the Amazon UK site.  It’s been up there for some time, but I don’t recall posting about it yet for our UK friends.  Not as sweet as the HMV deal that was posted yesterday but I do know not everyone can take that option.  The release date is slated for May 28, a few days earlier than the US release…but to be honest we have no idea if that’s the actual shipping date or when they expect it to be in stock.  We’ll find out soon enough!

Those who use the Digital Download method for their games, the EA Store is holding a Spring Sale on a select number of PC games, marking them 20% off of normal price.  You can grab The Sims 3 High-End Loft Stuff for $15.96 and The Sims 3 World Adventures for $31.96.  Sale ends March 21st.  Huge thanks to Tracy for pointing this out!

SimsDomination is on fire today, found a press release statement that EA will hold a session titled “Inside The Sims 3 – Marketing and Launching 2009’s Best-selling PC Game” at the 2010 MI6 Videogame Marketing Conference on April 1st in San Fransisco.  Make no joke about it, but they’ll also be showcasing The Sims 3 Ambitions, so expect a ton of information on that day (which sucks, because it falls on April Fools Day, so you must be very careful with what you trust).  This year, make a note that I will not be posting anything foolishness so heads up.  I’ll do my best to not fall for any pranks as well.

Highlighted Session for EA’s The Sims 3 Announced for MI6 Videogame Marketing Conference

EA Play Marketing VP to discuss marketing and launching 2009’s best-selling PC Game and showcase The Sims 3 ambitions expansion pack.

March 17, 2010 – LOS ANGELES, CA – MI6, the association dedicated to the success of marketing and promotion professionals in the video game and interactive entertainment community, today announced that John Buchanan, vice president of marketing for the EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), will lead a session titled “Inside The Sims 3 – Marketing and Launching 2009’s Best-selling PC Game,” focusing on the industry-changing The Sims franchise at the 5th Annual Video Game Marketing Conference on April 1, 2010 in San Francisco.

In celebration of The Sims 10th anniversary, this session will be a retrospective with key takeaways from a decade of marketing successes and challenges, and will explain how those experiences have informed the overall marketing of the blockbuster franchise. While the session will look at past campaigns, Buchanan will also showcase the newly announced The Sims 3 Ambitions Expansion pack. For the first time ever, players can control their Sims’ actions and interactions while they’re on the job as they become fearless heroes and ace entrepreneurs pursuing a variety of new paths and impacting their Sims’ lives, community, neighborhood, and how the game is played.

“The Sims franchise has had a profound impact on the industry and popular culture at large, and the marketing of the brand has been exemplary,” said Jonathan Block-Verk, president and CEO of MI6. “The Sims featured session, along with a full day of powerful speakers and content, makes MI6 a can’t-miss event for anyone involved in the marketing and promotion of games.”

In addition to The Sims session, MI6 has announced a high-level panel titled, “Get to Your Point: Game Distribution 2015.” High-profile panelists from some of the most innovative and influential companies in the business will describe their unique points of view on the mechanisms of video game distribution, the business models they see evolving and their roles and relevance within this new world order. Participants in this session include:

• John Marcom, President Future US – Moderator
• David Perry, CEO Co-Founder, Gaikai.com
• Chris Petrovic, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Gamestop Digital Venture
• Christian Svensson, Vice President Strategic Planning & Business Development, Capcom Entertainment
• Andrew Wilson, Senior Vice President Global Online and Worldwide Development, EA SPORTS

The 2010 MI6 Conference theme is “It’s Everybody’s Game Now” and it will take place at the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco on April 1. For more information visit www.mi6conference.com and follow @MI6Gaming on Twitter.

* According to NPD Data

** Requires The Sims 3 for PC/MAC to play.

The Sims 3 Ambitions for PC/Mac has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

About MI6
MI6 is a non-profit association dedicated to maximizing the effectiveness and supporting the success of marketing, promotion and advertising professionals involved in the interactive entertainment community. The MI6 Conference and Awards celebrates marketing excellence overall, while providing an all-inclusive forum for common thought, bond and community. For further information, please visit http://www.mi6conference.com.

Via IGN.com

Finally, thanks to InfiniteSims we now have the US version of the boxart for The Sims 3 Ambitions.  I can’t wait until June 1st to bust some heads – in a spiritual sense, of course!

The official Sims 3 site added an interview with lot creator Ruthless_kk, one of the attendees that went to the Simposium event to preview The Sims 3 World Adventures.  Check out what Ruth had to say below:

How long have you been playing The Sims games?
I have been playing since Sims 2, I think when I started Nightlife, Uni and OFB were all released. I purchased just Sims 2 to see if we would like it.(lol!) and after a week of my daughters and I being totally involved with the game, we went and bought all the EPs that were out.

What got you into building?
I would have started with Sims a lot sooner if I had known I could build! I enjoy architecture and I always loved to build as a kid – Legos, Lincoln Logs, blocks, you name it. Sims just takes it to a whole other level.

We notice many of your lots are Victorian/cottage style – what inspires you to build in these styles?
I guess part of the appeal is the cute factor. I, personally, like houses that are attractive and cute. Moderns can be very dramatic and stylish, but you don’t look at them and say “that’s adorable!” The other appeal is the storybook quality…I was into fairytales as a child and I am drawn to that aesthetic.

Is there a style of building you have yet to try that you would like to try?
At some point, I think I have tried them all, and will continue to do so. I don’t want to limit myself in any way. It just depends on whether or not I have a good idea, regardless of the style.

What was the most challenging lot you have built?
Since you say “lot” I won’t mention my custom world. That was definitely the MOST challenging! As far as lots go, there are a few Victorians that have given me a hard time because I could not get the shape right or I could not easily find a color scheme I liked. The Row House Apartments have to be close to the top of the list. Getting the right balance on the exterior in both shape and color had me pulling out my hair until I hit the right combination.

full interview at The Sims 3 site