Sims News

We have been invited to attend The Sims 3 Pets event in The Netherlands. Today I received a mail containing more information on the exact location and which producers will be there.

The event itself will take place in the Beatrix Building in Utrecht, on Tuesday September 13th from 4:30pm - 7:30pm. Producers George Pigula and Nicola Jenkins will be present.

I'm not sure how much time we'll get to play ourselves, but we'll try obviously. And if we learn anything new, we will write another preview for you all! Also, if allowed this time, we will take pictures! :woot:

Check out The Sims 3 Store's all-new sets today and give your Sims and their environments a fresh new look! Be sure to get into the Halloween spirit early with the FREE Happy Halloween: Gory Goodies Set!

Looking for a new style? Enjoy the eclectic collection of old and new design with the Boho Vintage Women's Collection Set, give your Sims' look an artsy take on vintage fashions. Complement this new style with a set that has an instantly distinguishable character, The Hollywood Regency Den Set, enjoy the sweeping clean lines and shapes of the Regency Style!

Viva Las Vegas! Reminiscent of the casinos from the land of excess, the Viva Las Vegas Living Set is for Sims that crave a décor that matches their fast love for Lady Luck, and games of chance, build your Sims the ultimate game room.

Or, you can select the September 2011 Compilation and get the Hollywood Regency Den, Viva Las Vegas Living, Boho Vintage Women's Collection, and Happy Halloween: Gory Goodies sets at a special price with just one click!

Check Out the New Sets Today!

These are the sets for September in The Sims 3 Store!

I'm a bit late. Got the press release on 30th August but I was really busy with work and the Hidden Springs review.

Now Available For Purchase New Adventure Pack For The Sims Medieval Brings Epic Story, Treasure Hunting, Birds and More!

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gather your doubloons. The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today that The Sims Medieval™: Pirates and Nobles is now available across North America. The Sims Medieval: Pirates and Nobles is an adventure pack to The Sims Medieval*, a new series that places the popular simulated characters from The Sims into the Middle Ages and lets players create heroes, venture on quests and control a kingdom. The adventure pack includes a new storyline, additional quests and one new Kingdom Ambition for players to embark on in their medieval kingdoms.

"We set out to take advantage of the great questing feature of the base game and with The Sims Medieval: Pirates and Nobles tell an epic story complete with adventure, drama romance, a royal wedding, a courtroom scene and more," said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio. "It's a kind of storytelling that you won't see in any other Sims game. On top of that we added some great new features, including treasure hunting, interrogation, and pet parrots and falcons."

Players can unleash their inner swash-buckling pirate or regal noble by creating a new Hero Sim or customizing their existing medieval Sim with new clothing and accessories. They begin the epic adventure by choosing a side — pirate or noble — and then the adventure is up to them for how it plays out. They can battle an enemy in a sword fight or explore the exciting new gameplay feature of treasure hunting. Players will have to find hidden objects and search for desirable rewards that will benefit their Sim's quests. Additionally, players embark on exhilarating quests such as finding the fountain of youth, protecting the kingdom from an evil sorcerer, or engaging in a forbidden love affair. Once the story is finished, they can replay the story choosing different quests and see what ending they'll get the next time around.

New to the adventure pack, The Sims Medieval: Pirates and Nobles bring birds in a variety of colors and species into the medieval world as lovable, or not so lovable, sidekicks. Players can own a falcon or parrot that they can use to hunt, train, feed, or even send on missions. If one finds that they are unhappy with a rival, parrots can also be sent to do some dirty work and attack the Sim for them. Another useful gameplay feature is the interrogation chair. Players who are looking for more information out of a fellow Sim will find the new item quite useful. The interrogation chair can be used to persuade their enemies to spill their deepest secrets and help players move forward in their quests and Kingdom Ambition. With The Sims Medieval: Pirates and Nobles, the new adventures to explore are endless.

The Sims Medieval is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. To download artwork, please visit www.info.ea.com. For more information about The Sims Medieval please visit www.info.ea.com, or the official website at www.piratesandnobles.com.

*Requires The Sims Medieval for PC/Mac to play

I finally finished the Hidden Springs review! It's mostly informative, but that's what some of the visitors asked for so, I hope you enjoy it! Click read more below to start reading!

Recently I got the new Hidden Springs world and I was eager to install and play this new addition to my game! EA had asked me to write a little something about Francesca Vanderburg, so I did! But, there's so much more to write about. That's why I decided to write a (mostly informative) review about the new world! I'll show you all the new families and households, their homes and community lots!

Families & Households

Let's start with the Vanderburg family. Catarina Vanderburg comes from a long line of rich Sims. She married Renauld. Catarina has two children; Sebastian and Francesca. But they are not Renauld's kids. When looking at the family tree, we cannot seem to find the real father. Catarina and Renauld live in a large home. Their home is called Vanderburg Palace. Both Catarina and Renauld have reached the top of the politics career. Son Sebastian who still lives at home, has a job in Law Enforcement. The story in the game is that Catarina wants her kids to live up to the Vanderburg name. However son Sebastian won't move out and won't get a serious relationship, while daughter Francesca "the princess" has run away from home.

Vanderburg Family

Francesca Vanderburg seems to be having some issues with her mom, she has moved out to The Hideout, a small cabin home near the edge of Hidden Springs. Francesca can enjoy her rustic and nature friendly life out there. She is active in the Journalism career.

Francesca Vanderburg

Across the Vanderburg family lives the Cho family. Their estate is called Seaside Mansion and it's bright yellow. Happy colors! Simon Cho is the head of the household. He has a job in the Business career. His wife is called Alisha and she works in the music industry. They have two children. Davy is the oldest, a boy (child) and then there's Minzi, a (toddler) girl.

Cho Family

Near the edge of Hidden Springs lives Louis Swete in his Solitary Haven. Louis works in the Law Enforcement career. He doesn't look so healthy... A bit green and he has a lot of issues, especially with Emmaline Rhoen, one of the neighbors.

Louis Swete

Emmaline Rhoen works in the Medicine career. Emmaline Rhoen is also green and lives in the Rustic Living home. She's a bit crazy, but then, aren't we all?

Emmaline Rhoen

It seems being green is a common thing in a certain area of Hidden Springs, because the Shue family also lives here, and some of these family members are green as well. The Shue family consists of Granny, an elder woman with green skin and grey hair. According to the bio, she never got children of her own, so she adopted a bunch of them; Dany, Carlotta, Star and Gary. They are a happy family at the Shue Place, which is what their house is called. Granny works in the Culinary career.

Shue Family

You'll be able to find the Free Spirit household somewhat up the hill. The Free Spirit household consists of Nicholas Riverhawk, Cassidy Earthsong and Jessica Willow. Nicholas is active in the Journalism career, Cassidy works at the hospital and Willow is in the army. Their home is called Sustainable Oasis. It's a lovely home.

Free Spirit Household

Ryan Anderson is one of the many singles in Hidden Springs. He lives in a nice house up the hill. He works in the journalism career and his place is called Cozy Cabin!

Ryan Anderson

Madeline Moore also lives up the hill. She inherited a lot of money from her grandma, however she already spent most of it. Madeline works in the Science career and she lives in her Naturally Simplistic home. Quite a lovely home too!

Madeline Moore

Hector Mendoza was a child star once. Now he has moved up the hill to live a quiet life in the Woodsmen's Getaway. Hector is active in the Music industry.

Hector Mendoza

Anna Menon is a true style guru, you can spot her a mile away, with her bright outfit. She same goes for her house, which is called the Style Center. Her house is pink. Really pink. Despite the fact that she looks like she's a stylist, she's actually active in the Journalism career.

Anna Menon

Laila Al Fahad has a career in Medicine. She seems like a strong independent woman. She is the personal doctor to the wealthy Sims. Her home is called Classically Lovely.

Laila Al Fahad

The Ruiz family has a strange story. Carly Ruiz, the nanny, was with the children one day and the parents just never returned. It doesn't say who these supposed parents are. Also, when you take a look at the family tree, you will see that Carly Ruiz is actually the mom of kids Emmit Preston (teen boy) and Jake Preston (child boy). Either way, the parents have left them a lovely home called the Perfect Family Home. Carly Ruiz works in the Athletics career.

Ruiz/Preston Family

Pierce Shawkti and his daughter Sidney Shawkti live in the Comfort Central home. Mom's missing, but the two seem to get along without mom just fine. Pierce has an Athletics career and Sidney is still in school.

Shawkti Family

Liam O'Dourke moved from Sunset Valley to Hidden Springs. He looks like a true geek. Or perhaps *dork* is a better term here. Liam works at the Science facility. And he lives in his Just Enough Bungalow.

Liam O'Dourke

The Winterly family is another rich family. Peter Winterly is a Business man, Adele Winterly works in the army and Charles, their son, is still a teen. They supposedly moved to Hidden Springs hoping their sick Charles would recover here. I think moving did the trick. The family lives at Ponderosa Place.

Winterly Family

Gabriella Ornales is a widow, and she works as a politician. Her place is called Traditional Chic.

Gabriella Ornales

The Song family seems a bit odd to me. Andrew Song looks like your average doctor, so nothing weird there. But his wife Jewel... I don't see the match here. Jewel looks so evil! And she has a job in the Crime career. They do seem happy though, in The Treasure Trove.

Song Family

Bert Alto reminded me of the Alto family from Sunset Valley. I'm pretty sure he's related to them! Bert has a criminal career. And he lives in the Charming in Blue home.

Bert Alto

Ian Nali loves sports, and he also has an athletic career. He's looking sassy and sporty with his striped track suit pants. Ian lives at the Bachelor's Paradise. He's still single. Will you find him the perfect partner?

Ian Nali

The girls in the Debutante household have moved in The Fun House. They are frenemies, whatever that means. They have been friends for a long time. Will their friendship survive their choice to move in together? Jenny Lho is in the army. Blake Grayson has a bit of a criminal record...

Debutante Household

The Chesterfield family consists of only men. Dad Bruce is a responsible man and works in the Law Enforcement career. His two teen sons Dennis and Scott are both still in school. They live in the Ultimate Family Retreat.

Chesterfield Family

The Colby family are hard working Sims. Christoff Colby is a Business man and Genevieve Colby works as a Politician. They live in their Newly Arrived Domicile.

Colby Family

The family living in the Craftsman Dream mansion is the Abbot family. Carl Abbot works in the Law Enforcement career. And Maya Abbot is a Business woman.

Abbot Family

The final and perhaps also the funniest family is the Pertridge family. I didn't realize this before I had Hidden Springs, but the Pertridge family is pretty much a fairytale in a modern family. The mother, Lonnie, loves her own children. Astrid and Eunice also love their mother. However Lonnie seems to hate her stepdaughter Ella Carlisle. And lovely daughter Eunice is like her mom, she hates her step sister Ella. Fortunately for Ella, there is one person in that home who likes her, which is Astrid. Astrid doesn't seem to have a problem with anyone. Let's hope for Ella she grows up fast enough so she can move out. Living in a closet isn't that comfortable. In Pristine and Pretty there doesn't seem to be enough room for Cinderella, oops I meant Ella. Lonnie has a Culinary career, as does Ella. I wonder how that's working for them. Astrid is in the Music industry and Eunice is a Criminal Sim.

Pertridge Family

Maybe it's just me. And I don't mean to say anything bad about Hidden Springs, because personally, I love it! But it looks like there are a lot of broken families in Hidden Springs. I just wonder why that is. Anyway, if this bothers you, you could always couple some of the families together, because there are plenty of singles in Hidden Springs! Or you could just add your own families! How will you play? Will you play with the premade families, or would you rather have your own?

Empty Houses

I found 10 empty homes. Some cheap, some expensive. Here is a list of those homes.

• §15.814 - Handcrafted Masterpiece - 9 Cottonwood Courtyard
• §16.065 - Gypsy Hideaway - 19 Willow Lane
• §16.100 - Little Cottage Getaway - 3 Ash Drive
• §37.376 - Country Dream Cottage - 13 Meadow Beach Drive
• §43.318 - Woodland Cabin with Inlaw Unit - 12 Meadow Beach Drive
• §79.375 - Lakeside Villa - 16 Poplar Drive
• §88.199 - Sweet Chateau - 29 Bristecone Way
• §93.581 - Lemon Chateau - 15 Poplar Drive
• §215.027 - Abundant Luxury - 2 Ponderosa Courtyard
• §341.629 - Modern Mansion - 10 Alder Street

Empty Lots

I searched and I think there are 14 empty lots in Hidden Springs. These lots can be turned into homes or community lots. Of course, you could always add more empty lots with the World Editor tool.

• §1800 - 52 Bristlecone Way
• §1800 - 6 Subalpine Circle
• §1800 - 22 Subalpine Circle
• §2400 - 4 Beryl Courtyard
• §2400 - 11 Meadow Beach Drive
• §2400 - 9 Azure Lake Drive
• §2400 - 7 Ponderosa Avenue
• §3200 - 5 Spruce Street
• §3200 - 65 Subalpine Boulevard
• §3200 - 77 Subalpine Boulevard
• §3200 - 19 Alpine Drive
• §3200 - 47 Ruby Courtyard
• §3200 - 9 Sunstone Courtyard
• §8192 - 7 Meadow Beach Drive

Community Lots

There are so many community lots in Hidden Springs! Where to start... I'll do the career buildings first.

• Hidden Springs Town Hall (Politics/Self-Employment)
• Hidden Springs Coliseum (Athletics)
• Center for Naturally Scientific Studies (Science)
• H.S. Center of Defense (Military)
• Fountain Corporation (Business/Journalism)
• Sulis Theater of the Arts (Music)
• Rudolph Vanderburg Memorial Hospital (Medical)
• Honorable Citizens Trading Post (Criminal)
• Hidden Springs Police Department (Law Enforcement/Investigator)
• Angela's Bistro (Culinary)
• The Enchanted Grill (Culinary)
• Alpine Community School (Education)

Here is the most beautiful building in Hidden Springs, the Silver Zephyr Health Spa! Right next door is the Silver Zephyr Poolside Retreat.

More community lots, some with part time jobs. Some are Profession buildings.

• Tuata de Books (Book Store)
• Alvetta's Fresh Produce (Groceries)
• Community Fire Department (Firefighter Profession)
• Barney's Salon and Tattoo (Stylist Profession)
• Whole Body Fitness (Gym)
• Crystal Solarium Rejuvenating Waters (Pool)
• Subalpine Square (Big Park)
• Shady Pines Historical Cemetary
• Eloise C. Vanderburg's Home for Books (Library)
• Landgraab Sell n Swap (Consignment Store)
• Paul A. Wilkes Natural Museum (Art Gallery)
• Grady's Junkstop (Junkyard)
• Han's Tavern & Café (Hangout)
• Redwood Heights Luxury Lodge (Hangout)
• Redwood Peak Viewing Area (Hangout)
• Lars' Disco Tech (Hangout)
• Shoreline Cabin (Hangout)
• Louie Falls (Fishing Spot)
• Meadow Beach (Fishing Spot)
• Beryl Lane Picnic Spot (Big Park)
• Hidden Gardens (Small Park)
• Fairy Folk Park (Small Park)

Hidden Springs

To conclude this review, I just want to show you some screenshots of Hidden Springs itself. Because it really is a beautiful new world!

I would like to thank EA for the opportunity to play with Hidden Springs. This definitely got me playing The Sims 3 again haha. Anyway, I hope this review helps our visitors see what a wonderful new world Hidden Springs is. You can buy Hidden Springs in The Sims 3 Store!