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!
News
24 May 2005 - 23:00
23 May 2005 - 23:00
Tim LeTourneau demonstrates The Sims 2 Nightlife at E3.
19 May 2005 - 23:00
"Naturally, the new expansion adds plenty of new toys to the mix, but it also brings loads of new gameplay elements as well."
E3 2005: The Sims 2: Nightlife
Ribaldry!
Ah, Sims. Will their ribald antics never end? Not apparently, considering the upcoming Sims 2 expansion, Nightlife. Naturally, the new expansion adds plenty of new toys to the mix, but it also brings loads of new gameplay elements as well. The Sims can now venture out, in groups even, to a new downtown area. Here they can visit nightclubs, karaoke bars, bowling alleys and all the fun places adults go after dark.
The biggest gameplay addition is the dating game. Massively expanding on the existing attraction and relationship models, the new dating mechanic is a whole new game in itself. Since Lee is a pleasure seeking Sim, he's the perfect one to showcase these new options.
After scoping out the room, Lee notices two girls that he's interested in. He steps away from the bar and douses himself with cologne. Heading over to the first girl, he selects the "pick up" option and begins to talk to her. She rejects his advances but, undeterred, he moves on to the second girl. The fact that she's dancing with another guy doesn't seem to dissuade him at all. This new girl notices his cologne as well but unlike that first target, actually seems to respond favorably to it.
The dating game itself actually starts once he asks her for a date and she accepts. A new meter appears in the upper right corner of the screen. When the date goes well, the needle moves to the right; when it goes bad, it moves left. Fulfilling either daters' wants and avoiding their fears makes it a more positive date. The more you succeed on the date, the longer the date lasts.
After taking a turn on the new electro dance sphere (a rotating ball that tests the Sim's body), Lee contemplates going to a restaurant. A quick check of the atmosphere there reveals one couple making out in a booth and another couple fighting. Figuring that the fighting couple might dampen their desire, Lee decides to stay at the club.
A new interaction opens up that allows the two to slow dance with each other. During the dance, Lee takes a chance and moves his hands lower onto the girl's butt. She seems to like it and the two lean in for a kiss.
Then, as usually happens in life, something tries to spoil it all. In this case, that "something," is Mrs. Crumplebottom from The Sims: Hot Date. The old prude starts swatting Lee around and scolding him for making out in public. This little interruption can't stop the considerable momentum the daters have built up and the date ends with Lee offering to drive the girl home in his brand new car!
That's right, Sims can buy cars now. Cars are useful not only for late night trysts but also for general getting around. Sims can even use the cars to get to and from work. Better still, Sims can celebrate their new, vehicular-powered freedom by actually going in late.
18 May 2005 - 23:20
A new The Sims 2 Nightlife Video has been released in the Nightlife area!
18 May 2005 - 23:10
New screenshots have been added to The Sims 2 Nightlife area!
18 May 2005 - 23:00
This video was created for E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo our biggest convention of the year. This year we have a 360 degree video that was created using The Sims 2, The Sims 2 University & The Sims 2 Nightlife.
17 May 2005 - 23:10
Which 10 Sims have won the Style contest, and have a chance to win the contest and have their outfit included in the eventual expanion The Sims 2 Nightlife?
The winners of this contest are:
- Patricia M. from Delft
- Anita van D. from Wanssum
- Corinne A. from Den Haag
- Leonie ten B. from Boxmeer
- Marloes S. from Rijswijk
- Nina R.
- Danny S. from Den Haag
- Rianne de R. from Apeldoorn
- Geertje B. from 's Gravenzande
- Danielle S.
Winners: Congratulations!
The winning outfits can be seen in the Sims screensaver. We'll also offer the outfits as downloads soon.
Don't have the screensaver yet? You can download it here.
All winners have won a copy of "The Sims 2 Nightlife", signed by the entire team at Maxis! This prize will be on its way once the game is in stores.
Besides this prize, there is a chance one of the outfits will be picked to be included in the next expansion pack.
17 May 2005 - 23:00
Today EA Benelux released the Dutch logo for The Sims 2 Nightlife.
13 May 2005 - 23:00
After more than 2 years of being involved with the Sims Community, Anja decided to quit being moderator and co-mayor.
Dear Simmers,
I discovered the Sims Community in December 2002. The forum was opened early 2003 and it was a very small and nice community. In March 2003 I started as a moderator, together with Nita.
The community has grown incredibly fast, more members and moderators. The mayor decided to do something else, so Nita and I took over some of his work. Overall, it has been really cozy and the members were really helpful towards each other.
From Monday May 16, 2005 I will quit being a moderator and mayor. I just graduated from college and bought a house. I will spend a lot of my free time enjoying those things. I also miss being able to just enjoy the Sims Community and playing Sims. And of course I would like to enjoy real life a little more.
The community is a tight group and the moderators are also. I will not be able to visit the community as often anymore and I will sure miss you all dearly.
A big hug,
Anja
Electronic Arts would like to thank Anja for her hard work and devotion as a moderator and co-mayor of the Sims Community.
9 May 2005 - 23:00
Get to know the site moderators! We have some fabulous moderators on the site who help other simmers in need, keep things running smoothly, moderate the boards, and help enforce the rules that Maxis has set up. Meet our SimMaster of the Month, SimMasterKat!
SimMaster of the Month: May 2005
Get to know the site moderators! The Sims 2 community is large and growing. We have some fabulous moderators on the site who help other simmers in need, keep things running smoothly, moderate the boards, and help enforce the rules that Maxis has set up. Our SimMasters are players just like you. Each month we'll be asking one of our SimMasters some questions so you can get to know them better.
This month we talk to May's SimMaster of the month, the helpful and hilarious SimMasterKat!
Hi SimMasterKat. How long have you been a SimMaster?
Since December 3rd, 2003
When did you start playing The Sims?
Late 2000 but I didn't go onto the BBS until sometime 2001 - it was scary and I didn't know what buttons to press.
What is your favorite part of the Sims 2?
I love so much of the game it's really hard to narrow it down. I used to build more than I played generally with TS1 but now I'm more an all rounder. I love the customizable options and Bodyshop. Oh, and I love the new build bits too 
What is your favorite thing about being a SimMaster?
Pretty much what I loved about being on the BBS before. Chatting to people, helping out where I can and having a giggle. There are some cracking people on the boards.
What is one thing you've learned from being a SimMaster?
Patience, and to not take things personally.
What's your favorite weapon in a food fight?
Rock cakes made to my grandmother's recipe, take out a bull elephant with those babies!
Any advice or tips for your fellow Simmers?
Use search. You can often get the answers a lot quicker that way. Boring I know, but someone's already done the whole sunscreen thing 
These are the best general tips I've ever had:
- Dip your carpet slippers in egg and roll them in bread crumbs. Bake in the oven until golden brown and then tell your friends you're wearing Findus Crispy pancakes.
- For a cheap alternative to chewing gum why not cover an elastic band with toothpaste.
Thanks for Chatting with us SimMasterKat!