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The Simprentice
6 Mar 2006 - 22:00

Catch the final installment of The Simprentice.

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The SimPrentice: Part 3

By Dave 'Fargo' Kosak

With The Sims 2: Open for Business hitting stores next week, GameSpy wraps up its look into the cutthroat world of Sim-Entrepreneurs.

In our continuing effort to stay on top of everything happening in the Sims world, over the past two months GameSpy has been chronicling the secret life of Grubbs, a Sim-businessman out to take over the world by running a hairstyling joint in his parents' garage. Part 1 of the SimPrentice looked at how he got his business started, while Part 2 examined the different types of businesses Sims can run. Today? Building a business on an empty lot, managing employees, and award-winning killer robot guitarists.

The Sims 2 Open For Business

Fargo: Well Grubbs, the expansion pack is almost here, which means your time is up. Do you have a successful business yet? Your parents' garage is empty but for the remains of what looks like a keg party.

Grubbs: My career has only just begun, friend. I've taken my salon on the road, and I've moved the whole business to a community lot.

Fargo: Wow, how does that work?

The Sims 2 Open for Business
Grubbs: Big Time.

Grubbs: I just picked up the phone, clicked on "Real Estate," and then picked an empty lot to buy. Starting a business on a community lot costs some serious coin -- it's a couple thousand simoleons for an empty field of grass, and then you've got to build your building. It's like buying a house all over again.

Fargo: That's pretty hardcore. Your business must be pretty successful for you to be able to throw down like that.

Grubbs: Well, I've got serious business savvy, and a financial secret that's the envy of real estate tycoons on either coast.

Fargo: What's that?

Grubbs: Money from Grandma!

Fargo: Okay, so let me see this community lot. Whoa! Grubbs, this place is huge. I wouldn't have thought a hair saloon would need two floors.

Grubbs: Well, to be fair, it's a two-story open atrium above the sweet stereo I bought. I went a little nuts with the new building tools.

Fargo: What are the new building tools?

Grubbs: For one thing, you can now build elevators. And awnings! And there's a new kind of foundation, one that you can put inside of individual rooms, so you can have a split-level sort of house. I built a stage. It was all part of my masterful business concept.

Fargo: A stage? What's this masterful business concept?

Grubbs: The idea is, you come to my boutique, and you have a drink, then you get your hair cut while my friends wail away at your face on their guitars.

Fargo: I should note that you need the Sims University expansion to play guitars. I should also note that that's a stupid idea.

Grubbs: So stupid... it just might work!

Fargo: No, just the regular kind of stupid.

Hiring Rats for the Race...

Fargo: [Stepping inside] Although I have to hand it to you, Grubbs. There's certainly a crowd in here. I can barely hear over the music -- those guys in the corner look like they're at a rave.

Grubbs: That's how my customers like to roll.

Fargo: And you've got people standing behind each of your salon chairs -- you actually have employees now?

Grubbs: I'm The Man, and like most Men, I let other people do all the work nowadays. To hire people, you can click on the phone to see all the available Sims and pick people with the appropriate skills.

Fargo: That sounds like a smart thing to do.

Grubbs: Or, you can just hire all your friends. Which is what I did.

Fargo: Do they have any useful talents?

The Sims 2 Open For Business
You can hire qualified Sims for different positions.
Or, you can give jobs to all the dudes in your band.

Grubbs: Nah, they all majored in Philosophy, too. But check this out: when you hire people, you get to assign their work uniform! You can choose how they dress and everything. And you know what that means.

Fargo: I don't... and I'm afraid to ask.

Grubbs: Mandatory mullets!

Fargo: That's a little-

Grubbs: Even on the girls!

Fargo: Who's this chatty guy over here, next to the bubble machine?

Grubbs: That's Bennie. He's the key to my success. See? He's got a gold sales talent badge. He can sell a haircut to a bald man. Anyways, to get him working sales, all I had to do was walk up, click on him, click "Management," and then "Assign." You can assign Sims to work the register, work at salon chairs, restock the shelves...

Fargo: Look at him go. Sims walk in, and they stare at the chair wondering if they should get a haircut, and then Benny swoops in like a shark --

Grubbs: Do sharks swoop?

Fargo: -- and he chats them up until their sales bar goes all the way up, and then they sit in the chair. He's amazing. What happens if customers get a bad haircut?

Grubbs: Benny sells them another one.

Fargo: Your answer to a bad haircut... is to sell them another one!?

Grubbs: Benny is that good.

Robophobia...

Fargo: Now, I've been meaning to ask you about -- WHOA, what the hell is that thing?

Grubbs: Oh, him! That's Dr. Clinkyhead. He's not a real doctor, that's just what I named him. But he is a real robot.

Fargo: How did you get a robot?

Grubbs: If you get a gold badge in the Robot-Building talent, you can create one of these babies for the low-low price of 3,000 simoleons. Robots are just like Sims in that they have their own wants and needs and goals in life. And they can do anything a Sim can do, which includes pillow fights. I've hired Dr. Clinkyhead here to clean up my boutique, which he's great at, because all robots start out with max skill in cleaning and mechanics. He gets paid just like any other employee, despite the obvious limitations.

Fargo: What limitations?

Grubbs: No mullet.

Fargo: What else can robots do?

The Sims 2 Open For Business
What Asimov failed to predict
is that all robots really want to party.

Grubbs: Well, they start out with a gold badge in toymaking. So you can put him right to work. And they never age!

Fargo: There are shades of Millennium Man here.

Grubbs: Robots don't have to eat, but they like to have fun, which is why I let him play the drums whenever he gets a break. You just have to be careful with robots that you don't [mumbles something.]

Fargo: That you don't what? What happens with robots?

Grubbs: [Mumbles something] go psycho [mumbles] destroy all the humans. It happens. You gotta make sure to keep his mood up. WHOA! LOOK OUT!

Fargo: [Diving under a table] Mad robot! MAD ROBOT!

Grubbs: No, not the robot, that guy by the door. See the guy? By the door?

Fargo: Who, there? That's just a normal guy. Benny's talking to him ... and just sold him ... one of those plastic pink flamingoes. Wow, Benny IS good.

Grubbs: He looks like a normal customer, but every so often you can see him scribbling in a notebook. He's one of them.

Fargo: ...a spy!

Grubbs: No dumbass. You think this is a game? He's a reviewer. Every so often a Sim comes in to review your business. If he has a good experience, you can get a good review in the paper, which will send more customers your way. If he has a really good experience, you'll win the coveted "Best of the Best" award, which you can hang on your wall. That drives MAD business, yo.

Fargo: Ohh. So what's your strategy for winning this guy over?

Grubbs: First, we keep him away from Dr. Clinkyhead, just in case.

Fargo: What else?

Grubbs: Second, I use my influence to convince my hot cashier to make out with him.

Fargo: I take back everything I've ever said, Grubbs. You truly are a master businessman. Look at how far you've come!

Grubbs: I'm like The Donald. But this is my real hair.

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"Suffer Well" with Depeche Mode
2 Mar 2006 - 22:10

Depeche Mode step into the game in this machinima video for their hit single "Suffer Well"

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Last October, Depeche Mode released their first album since 2001's two million-selling Exciter. "I really felt, before we started this album, that there was unfinished business," says Dave Gahan of their 11th studio album, Playing The Angel. And so it is that the world's foremost subversive electronic pop group have reconvened to, as the singer puts it, "make the best record we can." They just can't shake the disease.

Playing The Angel is an astonishingly fresh, exuberant release from the band who have, over 25 years, sold upwards of 50 million records worldwide and amassed a staggering 38 hit singles in the UK and no fewer than 13 Top 10 albums. And yet they sound like a new group, not one halfway through their third decade together. "Precious", the first single, is quintessential Mode, all cyber pulse and glorious chorus. "The Sinner In Me" perfectly balances the organic and synthetic, and climaxes, as do most of the tracks, with staccato blasts of noise and FX. On "Suffer Well" Dave's voice is more powerful than ever. "Macrovision", sung by Martin Gore, is hi-tech pop with an enormous hook. "John The Revelator" is one of many potential hit singles. "I Want It All" is one of the slower tracks with its minor-key menace, like trip hop from hell. "A Pain That I'm Used To" kicks off what would have been Side 2 in fine, furious style with its savage bursts of guitar.

The title for the album was taken, according to Fletch, from the lyric of a track called "The Darkest Star". The LP was recorded in Santa Barbara, New York and London. Recording began in January 2005 in California, with producer Ben Hillier at the helm providing a sense of challenge. "You have to work hard at reinventing yourself," admits Dave, "so you have to choose new people who push you." Playing The Angel is faster-paced than the last two Mode albums, heightening the sense of urgency and vibrancy. Ben's fondness for analogue synths over digital ones helped shape the sound.

It is also the first Depeche album to feature Dave Gahan credits - three of the tracks ("I Want It All", "Suffer Well" and "Nothing's Impossible") were written by the singer, who was encouraged by the reaction to his debut solo album Paper Monsters (2003). Martin was responsible for the remaining nine tracks. As usual, he was unflinching in his depiction of the dark side of the human condition. In fact, he jokes, the back cover of the LP sleeve may well feature the subtitle: Pain And Suffering In Various Tempos. "Dave said I've made a 25-year career out of one subject. I disagree: it's two!"

When asked what the broad, overarching themes of this record are, Martin smiles: "Anything that appeals to really dysfunctional people." It would be wrong, however, to dismiss Depeche Mode as harvesters of sorrow. "I never see our music as over-dark. There's always an element of hope. And I hope that comes over in the music."

A sense of optimism, of renewed vigor, of pleasure at what they've achieved, can be discerned from Playing The Angel. It's also obvious from the sheer delight Dave, Martin and Andy feel at being back with Depeche Mode, on the eve of the release of a brilliant album and a mammoth, sell-out world tour that confirms the enormity of their global audience.

Dave counts his blessings that he's still actually here to do this. "That we've achieved so much in 25 years, and survived so much... Of all the bands, this is the one I'd have put money on not still being around!" he laughs. "I see ourselves alongside U2 and R.E.M. more than any of the bands we came up with, although really we don't fit in and we never have, and I've come to embrace that - there's no one like Depeche Mode. I might have lost some of my drive in the mid-'90s, but now I've got it back. It's better being in Depeche Mode now than it has been for 15 years."

The full album tracklisting for 'Playing The Angel' is: The Darkest Star, Macrovision, John The Revelator, I Want It All, The Sinner In Me, Precious, Suffer Well, A Pain That I'm Used To, Nothing's Impossible, Damaged People, Lilian and Introspectre.

The new single 'Precious' was released digitally on August 22 (October 11 CD Maxi), followed by the album 'Playing the Angel' on Mute/Sire/Reprise Records Oct 18th.

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Six Steps To Start Your Business!
2 Mar 2006 - 22:00

Have your hot copy of Open For Business in your hands but don't know where to start? Read these simple steps to start your business and you'll be on your way.

Read the tutorial

Six Quick & Simple Steps to Start your Sims Business!

The Sims 2 Open for Business - Electrono Ticket MachineWork From Home!
The easiest way to go into business is to purchase an Electrono Ticket Machine for an existing residential lot. If your Sim's home is a favorite stop on the neighborhood circuit, reap a financial benefit by charging folks for the privilege of visiting. Use a phone or computer and choose START A HOME BUSINESS. Begin by setting the ticket price low and concentrate on gaining Customer Loyalty and Business Perks. Your Sim won't make a lot of money, but the loyalty and perks will pay off as the business grows.
The Sims 2 Open for Business - Polish Your TalentsPolish Your Talents
Gaining talent levels can take some time. Purchase a crafting station (flowers, robots, or toys) for your Sim's home lot and start crafting. To help fund their new hobby, set up a cash register in the driveway and sell the fruits of their labors. This has a greater benefit than selling directly to the catalog because it helps your Sim build Customer Loyalty and earn Business Perks.
The Sims 2 Open for Business - Bluewater VillageBuy in Bluewater Village
If you'd like to own one of the brand-new Bluewater Village businesses right away, choose one of the new Sim families that come with The Sims 2 Open for Business. These families are already on solid financial footing, which will allow you to purchase a pre-established community business lot without any undue economic hardship.
The Sims 2 Open for Business - Rags to RichesFrom Rags to Riches
When you purchase a community business lot with a newly-created Sim, you start off with only 20,000 Simoleons to spend on setting up shop and putting a roof over your Sim's head. To make the most out of your Simoleons, create the cheapest possible home, so there's enough money left over to buy a community lot. With a little frugality and lot of hard work, your Sim will be on their way to becoming a self-made millionaire in no time!
The Sims 2 Open for Business - Real EstateThere's Real Money in Real Estate
Once a community lot has been purchased, the owner can put the deed up for sale. If your Sim has enough capital, they can buy a cheap business, concentrate on improving its value, and then sell it for a tidy profit after a couple of days. Buy low, sell high!
The Sims 2 Open for Business - Hone your skillsFinal Tip
When running a business, it's easier to sell cheaper items, but you have to sell a lot more to generate profit to live on. This creates a bigger burden on restocking and register. Selling expensive stuff, on the other hand, takes longer for each sale. A key strategy here is to sell cheap stuff to build up your sales badge and business perks, than switch to expensive stuff later.
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Open For Business Ships
28 Feb 2006 - 22:20

Ready to get down to business? EA ships The Sims 2 Open For Business to store shelves today.

See Press Release

Open For Business Ships

READY TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS? EA SHIPS THE SIMS 2 OPEN FOR BUSINESS TO STORE SHELVES TODAY

Fans of The Sims 2 Can Build on their Entertainment Experience by Putting their Sims to Work

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.- February 28, 2006 - Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) shipped The Sims™ 2 Open for Business, the heavily anticipated expansion pack for the best-selling PC game, The Sims™ 2 to retailers around the globe today.

The Sims 2 Open for Business builds on The Sims 2 experience, which allows players to create and control characters called Sims. Now, players who own The Sims 2 can install The Sims 2 Open for Business expansion pack to access a whole new type of gameplay that takes Sims out of their homes, and allows them to flourish at their dream business.

The Sims 2 Open for Business encourages fans to create virtually any kind of business for their Sims, from a trendy clothing boutique alongside a hip beauty salon, to a bustling restaurant chain selling blooming floral bouquets. The Sims 2 Open for Business puts players at the center of their professional ambitions, allowing them to build a business from the ground up while playing an integral role in the commercial focus. Players will be able to design the floor plan and sales display, hire and fire employees, and set prices on merchandise they create or purchase for sale. With more than 125 new items and all new gameplay elements to choose from, the business possibilities are endless.

The entrepreneurial focus of The Sims 2 Open for Business was among the most requested themes by fans of The Sims 2. According to Senior Producer, Don Laabs, "The Sims 2 Open for Business opens a limitless world of new gameplay for Sims fans. The game includes all the tools players will need to create businesses that reflect their unique personalities, be they buttoned-down professionals, or wacky worker bees who explore the limits of the workplace. This is one of the most open-ended expansion packs we have created and we encourage fans to discover their irreverent, quirky business personalities."

The Sims 2 Open for Business will ship under the EA™ brand and is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB. Budding entrepreneurs and Sims fans alike can find The Sims 2 Open for Business on store shelves March 2, 2006 in North America and Europe. The Sims 2 is required to play The Sims 2 Open for Business

For more information on The Sims 2 and The Sims 2 Open for Business, visit http://www.thesims2.com.

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New Screens and Videos
28 Feb 2006 - 22:10

Can't wait to get Open For Business? Check out these new screens and videos until your game arrives.

Screenshots
Videos











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New Fansite Kit
28 Feb 2006 - 22:00

Start an Open For Business Fansite with the new fansite kit!

Download The Fansite Kit

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Open For Business Tips
27 Feb 2006 - 22:00

Check out a sample of The Sims 2 Open For Business Prima strategy guide for free here on the site.

Read the guide

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New Theme For MySim Pages
23 Feb 2006 - 22:00

Get your MySim page ready for the Open For Business release with a new theme.

Customize your Page

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New Mascot Kit Screens
22 Feb 2006 - 22:10

Pre-order The Sims 2 Open For Business and get access to an exclusive Sims mascot outfit and accompanying life-size sculpture to display outside your Sims store! Check out the new screens of the mascot kit.

Pre-Order Now

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New Video
22 Feb 2006 - 22:00

Check out the new Open For Business Video.

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