The Sims 3 full online feature set

EAUK_Adroit · 30-04-2009, 05:07 PM

Second Town and Robust Online Capabilities To Deliver Comprehensive Community Experience

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 30, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced the robust online and community offerings to The Sims™ 3 PC and Mac game, the highly-anticipated flagship game from the best-selling PC franchise The Sims. In addition to the town included in the game, a second town, Riverview will be available for download from The Sims 3 product website at launch. TheSims3.com also will allow players to create and share their own movies, manage their online content and purchase additional in-game content. The game is set to launch on the PC, Mac, iPhone™, iPod® touch and mobile devices June 5, 2009

“With such a vibrant and active community as The Sims has, we wanted to build even further on the already immense offline experience, by offering players additional functionality, content and tools available online through the game,” said Ben Bell, Executive Producer of The Sims 3. “One example of the many online tools we’ve added to the game is the Create a Movie tool. Within the game, players can easily set up the camera angle they want, capture in-game footage, play director and producer and then post their movies online to show off to the world.”

Key Online Elements Include:

The Sims 3 Store: Included with purchase of the game is £6 worth of SimPoints, which players receive when they first register their game online at TheSims3.com. They can use their SimPoints towards downloading exclusive in-game items from The Sims 3 Store, to customize their game. For additional items, players can purchase bundles of 500, 1000 and 2000 SimPoints in $USD, EUR, GBP and other major international currencies using a variety of payment methods including international and national credit cards, PayPal, and EA cash cards (in North America only). Whether it’s the must-have new outfit or the latest style of plaid furniture, players have the opportunity to further customize and populate their Sims world with additional items.
Game Launcher: The Game Launcher is the key entry point for players into TheSims3.com community. This hub page connects players to both the Store and the Exchange, and provides them with news and information about game updates. Players can keep track of their downloads, uploads, installs, game updates and their media portfolio that includes the videos and photos they can capture while playing the game. The Game Launcher also alerts players to new content in the store, localized game and store promotions along with relevant updates to the Store and cool new content from the community.
TheSims3.Com Site: With the launch of the game on June 5, the marketing website at TheSims3.com will be replaced with the full community and product site for the game. The site will not only connect players, encourage new ways to be creative in the game, and offer personally relevant information for each user, it also will serve as the hub site where players can share their content with other members, and embed them on social networking sites and blogs.

Key Site Features:

The Exchange: Building off of The Sims 2 Exchange’s success of more than 100M downloads, The Sims 3 Exchange highlights featured items, most popular downloads, powerful search and browser capabilities, along with giving players the ability to see what other players are recommending.
Create a Movie and Create a Story: New easily accessible tools inspire creativity and allow players to create movies and stories and then show them off or share them with friends. Players can show off their Movies with the Create a Movie Tool by embedding them on external sites or with an email link back to their Movie on TheSims3.com.
My Page and My Studio: The Sims 3 product site will allow players to maintain their profile pages on their My Page section as well as offering them the new My Studio section to manage all their creations – Movies, stories, Exchange objects. My Page is also a blog space where players can post news, customize it with a personal avatar, track favorites and more. Users can make friends with other The Sims 3 players and share their content across a number of social network sites.

*INTERNET CONNECTION required. See product pack or digital distribution rules for details.

TheDarkChrisMan · 30-04-2009, 05:11 PM

Awesomeeeeee :P I'm gonna love seeing all the extra downloaded content. Hopefully, there won't be stuff packs this time, u just download the software online!

EAUK_Adroit · 30-04-2009, 05:13 PM

The Sims Store Screens

groovybluedog · 30-04-2009, 05:14 PM

Good Signiture Picture!

groovybluedog · 30-04-2009, 05:14 PM

good pictures

The_Hess · 30-04-2009, 05:14 PM

i'd rather have the stuff packs cos ea's online store is a con.

BernBlack · 30-04-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Hess

i'd rather have the stuff packs cos ea's online store is a con.

Agreed.
Though, tbh, I think the stuff packs are a con too. Not enough for my money... I can download CC of the same quality for free.

The_Hess · 30-04-2009, 05:19 PM

yeah, never bothered with them, people will probably be able to add mods anyway so thats free content from someone who knows what people really want

NicolaJane · 30-04-2009, 05:29 PM

Yay! The Sims 3 store will be open to UK finally!

AllyPally202 · 30-04-2009, 05:40 PM

how many points is £6 worth?

great article!! Thanks

pollyncuts · 30-04-2009, 05:44 PM

Sounds good, I'm just looking forward to having another Neighbourhood, and wondering whether it'll be filled with lots of sim families.

I never have brought anything online for sims 2, I think i may for sims 3

SIMply_Divine · 30-04-2009, 05:44 PM

As long as they don't stop the EPs & SPs... I'll be a happy simmer.

I don't like it when we don't get a choice!

thesimling · 30-04-2009, 06:02 PM

I am not familiar to TS2 Store Beta, but I think £1 = 100 or 1000 Sim Points (not sure). I think it's a con. I hope they will release stuff packs WITH all the items of The Sims 3 Store, otherwise it'll be a big waste. I will be spending the six pounds I have!

Roo · 30-04-2009, 06:09 PM

I reserve judgement on this until I see what the store has to offer & how much things will cost.

Dienamickz · 30-04-2009, 06:37 PM

meh u still get it free with the colectors edition so i guess its an extra £6 on the ea store

RDeckmaster · 30-04-2009, 07:41 PM

Sorry I have placed this in the wrong topic first.

This is what gamespot says. EA details The Sims 3 Store - News at GameSpot

When the life-simulator launches, those who register the game through TheSims3.com will automatically receive $10 in the virtual SimPoints currency, which can be spent on items ranging from in-game furniture to clothing. Players will be able to purchase additional SimPoints in denominations of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 point packages. According to EA, 1,000 SimPoints will cost $10, plus applicable tax.

Does this mean we receive 1,000 SimPoints when we register the game or just 10??

SarahLulu87 · 30-04-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDeckmaster

Sorry I have placed this in the wrong topic first.

This is what gamespot says. EA details The Sims 3 Store - News at GameSpot

When the life-simulator launches, those who register the game through TheSims3.com will automatically receive $10 in the virtual SimPoints currency, which can be spent on items ranging from in-game furniture to clothing. Players will be able to purchase additional SimPoints in denominations of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 point packages. According to EA, 1,000 SimPoints will cost $10, plus applicable tax.

Does this mean we receive 1,000 SimPoints when we register the game or just 10??

It says that you will get $10 worth of Simpoints =) I don't think anyone knows exactly how many points that translates into. So you might get 1000 points if that's how many you get for $10.

Jan_831 · 30-04-2009, 08:19 PM

Thanks for posting.
If it works as it does now with The Sims 2 EA Store, $10.00 = 1000 Sim Points. The items vary from 100 - 325 Sim points per item. Some are cheaper, but they are older items from various EP's and Stuff Packs. Almost everything in the store is from either a Stuff Pack or an EP. Some of the items are things you can't get in either one, but there are not many of those.
I also hope that we have a choice and that they continue to offer EP's and Stuff Packs that we can purchase through a regular retailer. I have browsed The Sim 2 Store in the past and find it to be much more expensive than purchasing a stuff pack or an EP, but that is just my opinion. I also do not like having to download the items through the EA Download Manager and not having the items on a DVD.

ArisSims3 · 30-04-2009, 10:30 PM

i like those pics

RDeckmaster · 30-04-2009, 11:15 PM

Thank you for the explanation Jan and Sarah.

Soulfire777 · 01-05-2009, 12:05 AM

I bought all TS2 EPs, but I never thought the "stuff packs" were a good value and only ever bought one of those (which I was disappointed with).

I seriously hope they don't stop making full EPs and shift to an online only purchase by-the-item model. =/

Jan_831 · 01-05-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDeckmaster

Thank you for the explanation Jan and Sarah.

You're welcome.

simsuk · 01-05-2009, 01:33 AM

Congrats again everyone who won, bring back some good sims 3 stories

SimsFreak158 · 01-05-2009, 02:16 AM

So I have a question so the The sims 3 is Kind of like spore?

lucybeth · 01-05-2009, 02:51 AM

Correct me If 'm wrong but, I'm not exactly happy that we have to pay for this custom content online. I understand we get $10 free credit points when we register, but I think downloads should be free. Surely, with all the profit EA will make from sales when the game is released they can manage to pay for keeping the custom content site up and running without a profit. I just dont see the logic either that if people like you and myself make content for example; a green spotty couch; why we would upload it to the TS3 custom content page and other players download it do they have to pay for that and EA makes a profit? Or is there a section where player made content is completly free such as characters/patterns etc. and the speciffically made EA content cost money.

I'm not having a whinge I just don't think it's fair to charge fellow simmers money using paypal, credit cards etc. for something that we have already paid nearly $100.00 in the first place. I'm not a parent, but If I was I'd be concerned that my child playing the sims was getting lured into using my credit card to purchase these items that should really be free for everyone.

However, I think the online custom content uploading/downloading from the sims 3 community is an excellent idea, but should be free. What are your thoughts?

30-04-2009, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
EAUK_Adroit Community Representative Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Age: 22 Gender: Male Posts: 23,441	The Sims 3 full online feature set Second Town and Robust Online Capabilities To Deliver Comprehensive Community Experience REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 30, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced the robust online and community offerings to The Sims™ 3 PC and Mac game, the highly-anticipated flagship game from the best-selling PC franchise The Sims. In addition to the town included in the game, a second town, Riverview will be available for download from The Sims 3 product website at launch. TheSims3.com also will allow players to create and share their own movies, manage their online content and purchase additional in-game content. The game is set to launch on the PC, Mac, iPhone™, iPod® touch and mobile devices June 5, 2009 “With such a vibrant and active community as The Sims has, we wanted to build even further on the already immense offline experience, by offering players additional functionality, content and tools available online through the game,” said Ben Bell, Executive Producer of The Sims 3. “One example of the many online tools we’ve added to the game is the Create a Movie tool. Within the game, players can easily set up the camera angle they want, capture in-game footage, play director and producer and then post their movies online to show off to the world.” Key Online Elements Include: The Sims 3 Store: Included with purchase of the game is £6 worth of SimPoints, which players receive when they first register their game online at TheSims3.com. They can use their SimPoints towards downloading exclusive in-game items from The Sims 3 Store, to customize their game. For additional items, players can purchase bundles of 500, 1000 and 2000 SimPoints in $USD, EUR, GBP and other major international currencies using a variety of payment methods including international and national credit cards, PayPal, and EA cash cards (in North America only). Whether it’s the must-have new outfit or the latest style of plaid furniture, players have the opportunity to further customize and populate their Sims world with additional items. Game Launcher: The Game Launcher is the key entry point for players into TheSims3.com community. This hub page connects players to both the Store and the Exchange, and provides them with news and information about game updates. Players can keep track of their downloads, uploads, installs, game updates and their media portfolio that includes the videos and photos they can capture while playing the game. The Game Launcher also alerts players to new content in the store, localized game and store promotions along with relevant updates to the Store and cool new content from the community. TheSims3.Com Site: With the launch of the game on June 5, the marketing website at TheSims3.com will be replaced with the full community and product site for the game. The site will not only connect players, encourage new ways to be creative in the game, and offer personally relevant information for each user, it also will serve as the hub site where players can share their content with other members, and embed them on social networking sites and blogs. Key Site Features: The Exchange: Building off of The Sims 2 Exchange’s success of more than 100M downloads, The Sims 3 Exchange highlights featured items, most popular downloads, powerful search and browser capabilities, along with giving players the ability to see what other players are recommending. Create a Movie and Create a Story: New easily accessible tools inspire creativity and allow players to create movies and stories and then show them off or share them with friends. Players can show off their Movies with the Create a Movie Tool by embedding them on external sites or with an email link back to their Movie on TheSims3.com. My Page and My Studio: The Sims 3 product site will allow players to maintain their profile pages on their My Page section as well as offering them the new My Studio section to manage all their creations – Movies, stories, Exchange objects. My Page is also a blog space where players can post news, customize it with a personal avatar, track favorites and more. Users can make friends with other The Sims 3 players and share their content across a number of social network sites. INTERNET CONNECTION required. See product pack or digital distribution rules for details. __________________ Adroit* Community Representative Electronic Arts Currently playing: FIFA 10 and Need For Speed: Shift Looking forward to: Left 4 Dead 2 PSN: EAUK_Adroit \|\| Gamertag: EAUK Adroit

30-04-2009, 05:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheDarkChrisMan Rookie Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London, UK Age: 21 Gender: Male Posts: 165	Awesomeeeeee :P I'm gonna love seeing all the extra downloaded content. Hopefully, there won't be stuff packs this time, u just download the software online! __________________

30-04-2009, 05:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
EAUK_Adroit Community Representative Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Age: 22 Gender: Male Posts: 23,441	The Sims Store Screens __________________ Adroit Community Representative Electronic Arts Currently playing: FIFA 10 and Need For Speed: Shift Looking forward to: Left 4 Dead 2 PSN: EAUK_Adroit \|\| Gamertag: EAUK Adroit

30-04-2009, 05:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
groovybluedog Forum Guru Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: poole Gender: Male Posts: 1,665 Blog Entries: 1	Good Signiture Picture! __________________ Do you have trouble with the sims? Just want advice? Go to www.t-s-forum.tk and chat 121 with a customer support rep, for free! (TSF is the sims forum)

30-04-2009, 05:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
groovybluedog Forum Guru Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: poole Gender: Male Posts: 1,665 Blog Entries: 1	good pictures __________________ Do you have trouble with the sims? Just want advice? Go to www.t-s-forum.tk and chat 121 with a customer support rep, for free! (TSF is the sims forum)

30-04-2009, 05:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
The_Hess Rookie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Near Glasgow Age: 19 Gender: Male Posts: 95	i'd rather have the stuff packs cos ea's online store is a con.

30-04-2009, 05:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
The_Hess Rookie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Near Glasgow Age: 19 Gender: Male Posts: 95	yeah, never bothered with them, people will probably be able to add mods anyway so thats free content from someone who knows what people really want

30-04-2009, 05:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
NicolaJane Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: England, UK Age: 20 Gender: Female Posts: 587	Yay! The Sims 3 store will be open to UK finally! __________________

30-04-2009, 05:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
AllyPally202 Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cardiff, UK Age: 14 Gender: Female Posts: 255	how many points is £6 worth? great article!! Thanks __________________ My Camera Should Come Today Not that i'm waiting by the doorstep or anything

30-04-2009, 05:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
pollyncuts Forum Junkie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Norfolk ^o^ Age: 28 Gender: Female Posts: 2,572	Sounds good, I'm just looking forward to having another Neighbourhood, and wondering whether it'll be filled with lots of sim families. I never have brought anything online for sims 2, I think i may for sims 3 __________________ Doggysnaps

30-04-2009, 05:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
SIMply_Divine Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Riverview, UK Age: 23 Posts: 535	As long as they don't stop the EPs & SPs... I'll be a happy simmer. I don't like it when we don't get a choice!

30-04-2009, 06:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
thesimling Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Space, Universe 2.09, Milky Way, Earth. Gender: Male Posts: 947 Blog Entries: 3	I am not familiar to TS2 Store Beta, but I think £1 = 100 or 1000 Sim Points (not sure). I think it's a con. I hope they will release stuff packs WITH all the items of The Sims 3 Store, otherwise it'll be a big waste. I will be spending the six pounds I have! __________________ I'm The Simling. I am a small Simaniac - I am concentrated, you could say !

30-04-2009, 06:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
Roo Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Extracting sunlight from cucumbers. Gender: Male Posts: 3,385	I reserve judgement on this until I see what the store has to offer & how much things will cost. __________________ (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") Binky free Coco -x-

30-04-2009, 06:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
Dienamickz Forum Guru Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Belvedere London Age: 19 Gender: Male Posts: 1,132 Blog Entries: 1	meh u still get it free with the colectors edition so i guess its an extra £6 on the ea store

30-04-2009, 07:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
RDeckmaster Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 512	Sorry I have placed this in the wrong topic first. This is what gamespot says. EA details The Sims 3 Store - News at GameSpot When the life-simulator launches, those who register the game through TheSims3.com will automatically receive $10 in the virtual SimPoints currency, which can be spent on items ranging from in-game furniture to clothing. Players will be able to purchase additional SimPoints in denominations of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 point packages. According to EA, 1,000 SimPoints will cost $10, plus applicable tax. Does this mean we receive 1,000 SimPoints when we register the game or just 10??

30-04-2009, 08:19 PM	#18 (permalink)
Jan_831 Forum Guru Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 2,413	Thanks for posting. If it works as it does now with The Sims 2 EA Store, $10.00 = 1000 Sim Points. The items vary from 100 - 325 Sim points per item. Some are cheaper, but they are older items from various EP's and Stuff Packs. Almost everything in the store is from either a Stuff Pack or an EP. Some of the items are things you can't get in either one, but there are not many of those. I also hope that we have a choice and that they continue to offer EP's and Stuff Packs that we can purchase through a regular retailer. I have browsed The Sim 2 Store in the past and find it to be much more expensive than purchasing a stuff pack or an EP, but that is just my opinion. I also do not like having to download the items through the EA Download Manager and not having the items on a DVD. __________________ For the past is past and can never return; the future we know not; only today can be called our own

30-04-2009, 10:30 PM	#19 (permalink)
ArisSims3 Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cyprus Age: 17 Gender: Male Posts: 814	i like those pics __________________ AяisCυllєn™

30-04-2009, 11:15 PM	#20 (permalink)
RDeckmaster Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 512	Thank you for the explanation Jan and Sarah.

01-05-2009, 12:05 AM	#21 (permalink)
Soulfire777 Forum Guru Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,245	I bought all TS2 EPs, but I never thought the "stuff packs" were a good value and only ever bought one of those (which I was disappointed with). I seriously hope they don't stop making full EPs and shift to an online only purchase by-the-item model. =/

01-05-2009, 01:33 AM	#23 (permalink)
simsuk Rookie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 376	Congrats again everyone who won, bring back some good sims 3 stories

01-05-2009, 02:16 AM	#24 (permalink)
SimsFreak158 Rookie Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: On the computer in my Sims House Gender: Male Posts: 400 Blog Entries: 1	So I have a question so the The sims 3 is Kind of like spore? __________________ SimsFreak158 Has Officially Come Back Here Is My Page ADD ME http://www.thesims3.com/mypage/Simsfreak159

01-05-2009, 02:51 AM	#25 (permalink)
lucybeth Rookie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Australia Gender: Female Posts: 48	More Profit? Correct me If 'm wrong but, I'm not exactly happy that we have to pay for this custom content online. I understand we get $10 free credit points when we register, but I think downloads should be free. Surely, with all the profit EA will make from sales when the game is released they can manage to pay for keeping the custom content site up and running without a profit. I just dont see the logic either that if people like you and myself make content for example; a green spotty couch; why we would upload it to the TS3 custom content page and other players download it do they have to pay for that and EA makes a profit? Or is there a section where player made content is completly free such as characters/patterns etc. and the speciffically made EA content cost money. I'm not having a whinge I just don't think it's fair to charge fellow simmers money using paypal, credit cards etc. for something that we have already paid nearly $100.00 in the first place. I'm not a parent, but If I was I'd be concerned that my child playing the sims was getting lured into using my credit card to purchase these items that should really be free for everyone. However, I think the online custom content uploading/downloading from the sims 3 community is an excellent idea, but should be free. What are your thoughts?