Sims News

Greetings Everyone,

Well as you all now know, there was a lot of news last week on the The Sims 2 Nightlife. E3 was a huge success, and The Sims 2 was everywhere. On Nintendo Gamecube, Gameboy Advance and DS, Sony PS2 and PSP, Microsoft Xbox, and of course, the one that is near and dear to all of us, the PC. Electronic Arts had a huge 360 degree theatre where a video of The Sims 2 played – it was truly amazing to see. Will Wright was also there showing off his next project, Spore. It was a great show for Maxis.

In case you've been disconnected from the internet for the last week, I'll give you run down of what people got to see in The Sims 2 Nightlife demo:

§ Downtown: Cool locations like "The Hub," I built the demo lot myself. Dancing, dining, DJ Booth, bar, etc...
§ Dating and Attraction: "Scope Out" the room to find the Sims your Sim thinks are the most attractive, find out what their Turn Ons and Turn Offs are, then ask them for a date.
§ Cars: Yeah, finally!!! After 5 years, they finally can own them. Park them in the driveway, build a garage, and choose their color. No more missing the carpool.

Oh, and Mrs. Crumplebottom moved into the neighborhood too.

I know there is a lot of stuff on the E3 demo already posted on a variety of sites, and you may have even seen me talking my way through the demo as well. But that's only a small part of what's in The Sims 2 Nightlife, so I thought I would share a few other things that I'm really excited about, and I think you will be too. I popped into the Pleasant house to take a few screens. Check out the rugs and the neighbors. Hope you like what you see.

Talk to you soon.

Tim

E3 Traveler

To see what the stars have in store for your Sims (and you!) take a look at what The Sims 2 Nightlife astrologer forecasts in your near future.

What's In Your Future?

June Horoscope

Spring is here and love is in the air. To see what the stars have in store for your Sims (and you!) take a look at what The Sims 2 Nightlife astrologer forecasts in your near future.

Taurus
A mysterious stranger approaches you in an unusual social setting downtown. How? Where? We're not sure. Better hit all the hot spots in town and see what shakes down. We suggest starting at that trendy new lounge followed by a visit to the bistro.

Gemini
Can't make up your mind about which love prospect to pursue? Make your move and see if you have what it takes to turn them on, or if they simply turn you off. Then take it up a notch and go on a date with each other to see how you click. You might find that the decision is easier than you thought it'd be.

Cancer
You've been neglecting your friends in favor of a new love. Enough. Plan a girls' or guys' night out-the popular new nightclub looks promising. After a wild night on the prowl with your buddies you'll be wondering why you ever ditched them.

Leo
You're dying to show off your new wheels. Driving to work just isn't affording your car with the attention it-and you-deserve. Why not use it to take a date out on the town. Your stylish new car in a flashy color won't go unappreciated.

Virgo
Yes, another night at home doing your housework can hurt. Pull yourself out of your compulsive cleaning rut and go out for some sexy slow dancing or exchange longing looks with an unknown Sim across the dance floor.

Libra
Take time this month to rev up your wardrobe and see if you can't kick your dating prospects into high gear.

Scorpio
Too many loves, too little time? If anyone can juggle it, you can. But beware of running into last night's love while out slow dancing with your new heartthrob.

Sagittarius
Your popularity soars this month. Is it that hot new outfit, your ten-pin prowess at the lanes, or your perfectly executed dip kiss? Try them all to see which one seals the deal.

Capricorn
Even a shy Capricorn has to let go once in a while. Treat a friend to a tasty meal at the French Bistro where you just might meet that special Sim.

Aquarius
Always style-savvy and the star of the social scene, beware of instilling jealousy in a close friend who has eyes for one of your many admirers.

Pisces
Sure you're a great friend, but live it up a little this month. Let your chronically brokenhearted friend cry on someone else's shoulder while you hit the town for a wild night out.

Aries
You may think you're in the driver's seat, but is your love life going anywhere? Rekindle that spark with a romantic session in your cutie's car.

"This is a feature for the fans, something they've wanted for so long, and the team is just psyched to give it to them."

Read The Interview

The Sims 2 Nightlife Q&A: Cars Added to The Sims 2

Senior producer Tim LeTourneau reveals an all-new feature in this upcoming expansion pack.

Nightlife will be the second expansion pack for the highly popular life-simulator sequel, The Sims 2. And as we've just been informed, not only will the new expansion let everyone's favorite little computer people have a night on the town, but it will also let them jump into drivable automobiles. Senior producer Tim LeTourneau explains.

GameSpot: Tell us about why drivable cars were added to The Sims 2: Nightlife. Was it due to player demand, or was it a specific feature the team really felt was necessary for the expansion?

Tim LeTourneau: Both. This is a feature that Sims players have been requesting for five years, so we have always wanted to add them. Then you design an expansion pack about "getting your sims out of the house and out on the town." It's just a natural thing to include.

GS: Tell us about the role of drivable cars in the expansion. What can cars do, and what can't they do?

TL: Well these are Sims cars obviously. I don't want anyone to think we've made The Sims 2: Need for Speed, though wouldn't that be cool (imagine Mortimer Goth as a high-speed racer through SimCity!).

The cars really provide a time convenience, and saving time is what Sims players are always trying to do. Sims don't have to worry about missing the carpool anymore, and they don't have to wait for a cab either.

But the real power of cars is in storytelling by the player. They are such an important part of our own daily existence; they make the sims seem even more like us, which is always a design goal. The more that players can relate to the world of the Sims, the more we have done our job right.

GS: How will cars affect other aspects of gameplay? Will sims purchase more-expensive cars as they get better jobs? Will there be an actual professional driver career path? Any new practice skills associated with driving? Will driving a better car increase your sims' social standing or make your sims more attractive to other sims?

TL: Obviously not all cars are created equal, so yeah, more funds mean you can buy better models. We haven't added a driving skill, but as you can imagine, there is a lot of territory we can cover with cars, and like so many other features in the game, future expansions may provide even more to do with them.

For Nightlife, the car you drive definitely can affect how attractive you are to certain sims.

GS: What kind of customization options will be available?

TL: Customization isn't just about the cars themselves. You can select from different models and color choices. But you can also build garages and long driveways, so they also provide a whole new way for players to design and build houses--which for a lot of our players is their main focus of the game.

GS: Finally, is there anything else you'd like to add about the expansion's cars, or about Nightlife, or The Sims 2, in general?

TL: Cars are cool! I know that sounds lame, but the first time I saw a Sim leave his front door, walk to the driveway, hop in the front seat, back out onto the street, and then take off, I knew we had done something so right. This is a feature for the fans, something they've wanted for so long, and the team is just psyched to give it to them.

Of course there is a lot more to say about The Sims 2 and The Sims 2 Nightlife, but with E3 just a day away, I want there to be a few surprises revealed there.

GS: Thanks, Tim.

May 30th is the deadline to enter The Sims 2 Student Life Movie Contest with USC School of Cinema-Television! The Winner could possibly win $5000!

Read the Details