(Console) The Sims 3

Everybody Plays – hands on with The Sims 3 for Nintendo 3DS

Sadly, the Create-A-Sim was as far as we were allowed to get in the demo – and even then it was a stripped down version, as you couldn’t even change the clothes you were wearing, so my very own virtual me was stuck in a horrid green apron for the duration of our ‘play’. The only real feature we were able to make use of was the ability to take a picture of your face and, after it’s been passed through the Sim-making machine, slap EA’s simmed up rendition of it onto some poor unsuspecting Sim. It’s not as terrifying as it sounds, as, rather than simply using your photo as the Sim’s face, the game just chooses the different facial characteristics it thinks best represent your face – with somewhat mixed results. Although it worked reasonably well for me, even if I did end up with lips Angelina Jolie would have been proud of, it kind of broke for Ian, with the game not even slightly changing the pre-set Sim after several attempts at taking photos, despite him having fairly long hair, (and looking a lot more rugged – Ian) than the default Sim. Maybe it was just the light, or maybe EA are conforming to stereotypes, and putting some sort of sex-lock on the game so that men can’t play it, in some crazy attempt to take over the gaming world with an army of female Sims.

full preview at Everybody Plays

2/7/11 – New screens from The Sims 3 for 3DS

Andriasang reported a few details on the Japanese version of The Sims 3 for Nintendo 3DS, as well as showing off a number of new screens. Japanese gamers can look forward to picking the game up on March 24th for ¥4,980.

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New DLC: Ultra Lounge Kids/Teen Set for Sims 3 on Console

SimCookie pointed out that there is new download-able content (DLC) available for The Sims 3 on Console (in this case, Xbox 360). The two sets are additions to the Ultra Lounge Set – Teen and Kid’s bedrooms. You can download them thru the Xbox Marketplace. At the time of this post, it hasn’t been made available on the Playstation Store, but keep checking your games for the latest update as I’m sure it’ll be there soon!

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Nothing says I’ve got more style than years like these ultra-hip bedroom sets. From high-tech fabrics and floral mirrors, to bunny clocks and robots on the wall, there is something for every boy and girl in this collection of fashionable furniture.

Ultra Lounge Kids Bedroom Pack – 1200 Microsoft Points

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Too cool for school? You bet. Too cool for the rest of the house? Yep. This teenage haven has personality, spunk, and way too much style for its own good. Best of all this bedroom set has its very own TV for the teen who wants to watch their favorite shows in their own style.

Ultra Lounge Teens Set – 800 Microsoft Points

EA to bring Kinect support to The Sims 3?

Kinectaku, an Xbox 360 fansite which is dedicated to Microsoft’s Kinect, found some interesting web domains that were bought by Microsoft.  Amongst the few, two stood out: SimsKinect.com and TheSimsKinect.com.  It’s strange seeing how the domains were not bought by EA – but when it comes to offering two products – The Sims and Kinect, I wouldn’t even begin to guess who would have top pics – I’m guessing Microsoft.

Either way – this could mean two possible things – that we’ll be seeing future Sims games with Kinect support, or we may see an update which will allow Kinect to work with The Sims 3.  Whichever route EA decides on, we’ll be sure to report on it!

SimCookie – The Sims 3 for 3DS video demonstration

I really want to check out the actual 3D in this game, sadly we can’t experience it behind the computer, we need to view the actual console to get the full experience.  It does look a lot better than Sims 3 for DS though.  With it being available for the launch of the 3DS, I can pretty much say this will sell extremely well.  Smart move, EA.  Video found by SimCookie

GameSpot – Hands on with The Sims 3 for 3DS

Again, we’ve seen only a character creation screen thus far, and only for the cosmetic options–the personality creation section was locked. As you might expect, you select options from the touch-screen menu on the lower screen–hairstyle, for example–and see those options appear on the upper screen in 3D on the character model. Other features can be adjusted by moving the cursor with the stylus across a set of axes on the lower screen, simultaneously altering nose size and shape, for instance.

The key gimmick is in the face-making section, in which you can take a photograph with the 3DS’s front- or back-facing camera and then have the game automatically create a sim face that approximates your own. You can adjust the result if you like, maybe to edge it closer to a perfect copy of your own mug–lighting conditions seemed to strongly influence the skin colour assigned to your sim, but general face shape seemed to be picked up quite accurately. As a feature, it’s a lot like the 3DS’s own Mii Maker–the photo-based automatic Mii generator shown off at the showcase conference.

GameSpot – The Sims 3 for 3DS Hands-on (via Sims Nieuws)

IGN – Torturing your Sims in 3D

Back to the torture. No doubt many of you enjoy, as I do, making your Sims’ life miserable. I know, I know, plenty of you like to do what normal, sane folks do and actively try to make your Sims’ lives wholesome and complete… but not me. EA has added a new concept, called Karma Powers, to Sims 3, which allows you to summon butterflies, create earthquakes or generate lightning. Within short order, I had shocked my character, detonated the oven and caused a massive earthquake. Glorious. The slight catch to this is you have to accumulate “points” to spend on Karma Powers, but that’s neither here nor there. I’ll make sure my Sim has a decent house in order to bring it crashing around him. No problem.

preview here

The Sims 3 for Nintendo 3DS cover art

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Via Cidade dos Sims and Sims Vicio

Nintendo 3DS Upcoming Games preview

The following video from Joystiq has a very brief segment of The Sims 3 for the Nintendo 3DS near the 3:30 mark.  Thanks to Skyline for sending this my way!

The Sims 3 for 3DS – Fact Sheet

The fact sheet has arrived for The Sims 3 for 3DS which gives us a little more insight on the game:

Product Description

For the first time ever, enjoy a complete life simulation experience in 3D on handheld with The SimsTM 3 for the Nintendo 3DSTM. From the creators of the world’s most popular life simulator franchise*, The Sims 3 is now maximized for a fully 3D world.

Create Sims, the characters unique to The Sims franchise, with unique personalities, fulfill their desires and control their lives within a living neighborhood. Unlock new Karma Powers with Karma Points and unleash amazing effects on your Sims. As you guide your Sims through life, build relationships and experience different careers like Criminal, Athlete or Musician to unlock new items, outfits and various rewards. Share your Sims with other 3DS owners using the Nintendo StreetPass.

Key Features

  • First Complete Life Simulation from The Sims franchise on the Nintendo 3DS! Create any Sim you can imagine and control their lives.  Control multiple Sims within your household and enjoy life’s special moments as you interact with their world.
  • Build a Sim With Your Own Likeness! Use the 3DS camera to capture your own likeness and create yourself as a Sim. With the stylus, you can sculpt your Sims’ facial features, choose their hair styles and clothing and dictate their personalities.
  • Trade your Sims with your friends! Through Nintendo StreetPass, trade your Sims with other 3DS owners!
  • Travel to Different Zones with Your Sims! These zones will be unique destinations for your Sims and will contain community features and buildable lots for your Sims’ homes.
  • Unlock all-new Karma Powers. Wield the ultimate control over your Sims by interacting directly with the 3DS handheld.   Blow into the handheld to unleash tranquil butterflies on your Sims or shake to trigger an earthquake. It all depends on how many Karma Points you have!