The Sims 3

The Sims 3 is a 2009 strategic life simulation computer game developed by The Sims Studio and published by Electronic Arts. It is the sequel to the best-selling computer game, The Sims 2. It was first released on June 2, 2009 simultaneously for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. The Sims 3 was released to home consoles on October 26, 2010, for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo DS and later the Wii platform on November 15, 2010.[7] There is also a Nintendo 3DS version under development, which will be in 3D.[8]
It has also been released for mobile phones, such as those running the iOS, Bada OS, Windows Phone 7, webOS, Android, Symbian^3, and Nokia N-Gage platforms. A much simpler version is also available for mobile phones with support for the Java platform.
The Sims 3, an instant success, sold 1.4 million copies in its first week and dominated the sales charts over a month later.[9] Critics issued mostly positive reviews. The Sims 3 gained an 86% score from aggregator Metacritic.[10]
Contents [hide]
1 Gameplay
1.1 Open world
1.2 Skills
1.3 Careers
1.4 Opportunities
1.5 Create-A-Sim
1.6 Build/Buy modes
1.7 Create-A-World
2 Development
2.1 Audio
2.2 Software copy restriction
2.3 Delay
2.4 Marketing
2.5 Release
3 Editions and add-ons
3.1 Editions
3.2 Expansion packs
3.3 Stuff packs
3.4 The Sims 3 Store
4 Reception
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
[edit]Gameplay

The Sims 3 is built upon the same concept as its predecessors. Player controls their own Sims in activities and relationships in a similar manner to real life. The gameplay is open-ended and indefinite.
Sim houses and neighborhoods are entirely in one continuous map. The developers stated, "What you do outside your home now matters as much as what you do within." The game includes an optional feature called "Story Progression", which allows all Sims in the neighborhood to autonomously continue as if the player was controlling them, such as grow up, get married, get jobs and promotions, have children, build or buy their dream house while the player isn't playing.
The Sims 2 used a reward system called Wants and Fears. This is replaced with a new system called Wishes in The Sims 3. Fulfilling a Sim's wish contributes to the Sim's Lifetime Happiness score and mood. Some wishes, such as "Go to the Park", may add little points to their lifetime happiness while "Have A Baby Boy" may add thousands of points. In The Sims 2, Wants and Fears also contributed to a Sim's "Aspiration" meter, roughly analogous to current self-esteem. In The Sims 3, Aspiration is removed entirely, replaced with "Moodlets", which contribute positive or negative values to the original Motivation meter. Moodlets can be inspired by physical events, such as having a good meal or comfort from sitting in a good chair, as well as emotional events like a first kiss or a break-up. Most moodlets last for a set duration, but some negative Moodlets can be cured (such as the one incurred by an urgent need to urinate) and some positive ones rely on the Sim's surroundings and traits.
Sims live for a set duration of time (adjustable by the player) and advance through several stages (baby, toddler, child, teen, young adult, adult, and elder). Sims can die of old age or they can die prematurely from causes such as fire, starvation, drowning, electrocution, (as of the World Adventures expansion pack) The Mummy's curse, (as of the Ambitions expansion pack) a meteor, and (as of the Late Night expansion pack) by thirst (vampires only).
[edit]Open world
On March 19, 2008, EA revealed open world, a new feature, for The Sims 3. Players can explore the world outside their Sims' homes without having to face strenuous loading times. Every house lot is now synchronized with the main neighborhood time. In previous Sims games, the time of day was separate and different for each house lot.
Players can interact with every building and amenity in a city. Although players are unable to see inside of certain commercial buildings (grocer, bookstore, theater, police office, school, etc.), they are able to enter and retain limited control over their Sims' actions while in these locations. The player has complete control in some other commercial buildings - such as the gym, library and the beach house. All occupied residential buildings can be entered in the same manner as a Sims' home, provided that they are not empty or too late at night.[11]
[edit]Skills
There are several skill-dependent abilities, such as advanced social interactions available from high charisma, special songs for guitar players and appliance upgrades (self-cleaning, more TV channels, etc.) for high handiness. Painting, writing and guitar are now different skills, instead of the all-encompassing "creativity" skill of The Sims and The Sims 2. Paintings are now more particular to each Sim, based on their traits. Sims can increase their skills by practicing a skill (e.g. playing the guitar, working in the garden, writing a novel, even flirting, etc.), reading a book about the skill, or taking a class in the skill at a civic building. Sims can begin building their skills as early as their toddler days.[12] While skills do not show up in the meter right away, using skill building objects is rewarded once the toddler grows into a child. Logic can be used to teach children skills that will help them in later life.
[edit]Careers
In The Sims 2, Sims 'disappeared' once they took the carpool to work, and the player had no control of them until they returned, whereas in The Sims 3, each career now takes place in a building in the neighborhood that a Sim travels to. New aspects of careers include self-employment, part-time jobs, overtime, and salary raises. Sims now have a boss to report to. Each career can yield several different rewards and some can be split into several tracks. A new function is that instead of having just skills to advance in a job, Sims also depend on relationships with co-workers and their boss.[13] While at work, the player has a certain level of control over working Sims through 'Options', adjustable settings that dictate how the Sim should go about their work (e.g. take a break, socialize with co-workers, run errands, , etc.), which all come with their set of advantages and disadvantages.
[edit]Opportunities
One of the major new additions to gameplay is Opportunities, tasks that Sims can complete to earn rewards. These challenges occur randomly based on aspects of each Sim's lifestyle, such as relationships, skills and job. Career opportunities such as working overtime or completing special tasks can yield a pay raise, cash bonus, or relationship boost. Skill opportunities are requests by neighbors or community members for Sims to solve problems using their acquired skills for cash or relationship rewards.
[edit]Create-A-Sim
Create-a-Sim (CAS) is the character (Sim) builder, where the polygon 3-D models of Sims can be modified. New features include the ability to change footwear and headwear separately and add facial details. Sliders have replaced prior functions in CAS. For instance, muscular and obesity sliders replace The Sims 2 system of three body types (fit, regular, and overweight). Skin color, voice pitch, hair color, and chin size among other things may also be adjusted on sliders. Tattoos were introduced in the update patches from version 1.12/2.7/3.3.[14]
The original system of percentage bar personality points has been replaced with a system of traits.[15] These traits include moodlets, interactions, and behavior associated with the trait. For example, a Workaholic Sim is not easily stressed by work and enjoys being at work while a Flirty Sim is more successful with their romantic advances and has more romantic interactions than the average Sim.
[edit]Build/Buy modes
The build and buy modes have received their own makeover. The square tile outlines that appeared on the ground in previous Sims games' build and buy modes are now a quarter of their original size to give the player more liberty to place objects where they want.[16] Players can re-color and re-pattern the furniture and other items to specific shades and patterns with the new Create-a-Style and make six story houses with basements.[17]
[edit]Create-A-World
On October 29, 2009, Electronic Arts announced "Create-A-World (CAW)", which is a game world editor that allows players to create their own custom cities from scratch for use within the game.[18] The editor tool is offered to players as a separate download (156MB), and was released on December 16, 2009 as a beta version. EA will offer technical support and updates. Players are able to share their neighborhoods as with other content. The Create A World tool is currently only available for Windows based PCs.[19]
[edit]Development

[hide]System requirements
Requirements
Windows[20]
Operating system Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows 7
CPU Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent
2.0GHz (XP)
2.4GHz (Vista or 7) [If built-in graphics chipsets then 2.6 GHz Pentium D CPU, or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, or equivalent.]
Memory 1 GB (XP)
1.5GB (Vista or 7) [If built-in graphics then add 0.5 GB additional RAM]
Hard drive space 6.1GB or more for extra content
Graphics hardware DirectX 9.0c compatible card with 128 MB RAM (NVIDIA FX 5900/ATI 9500 or better) and support for Pixel Shader 2.0
Sound hardware 100% DirectX 9.0c compatible card
Macintosh
Operating system Mac OS X 10.5.7 Leopard
CPU Intel Core Duo Processor
Memory 2 GB
Hard drive space 6.1GB of free space and 1GB for additional content
Graphics hardware ATI X1600 or NVIDIA 7300 GT with 128 MB RAM or Intel Integrated GMA X3100
Electronic Arts first announced Sims 3 on March 19, 2008.[21] The game was developed at their studio in Redwood Shores, California,[22] whose other titles include Dead Space. On January 15, 2009, EA invited "some of the best" custom content creators to their campus at Redwood Shores where they were hosting a Creator’s Camp. Creators have been invited to spend the week exploring and creating content like Sims, houses and customized content. The Creators' work is used to pre-populate The Sims 3 Exchange.[23] In the seventh expansion pack for The Sims 2, The Sims 2: FreeTime, an event occurs in which a Sim-version of Rod Humble, the head of The Sims franchise, gives the player's Sim family an unopened gift box. When opened, the family gets a computer with The Sims 3 on it. The Sims 3 game cannot be bought in the catalog. Sims can then play The Sims 3 on their computers or console systems. Like all the other games that Sims can play in The Sims 2, The Sims 3 is a looping gameplay video shown on the player's Sim's computer screens when played by a Sim. On July 15, 2008 the first video preview of The Sims 3 appeared on the official website as did seven new screenshots and five Create-A-Sim screens. Four screenshots that appeared on the website and were then taken down soon after, leaked onto the Internet by a member of the community.
Copies of the video game Spore also came packaged with fliers advertising the game, with information stating whole-neighborhood accessibility and endless possibilities on character creation. On October 31, 2008, two teaser trailers were released by Electronic Arts featuring a comical view on the 2008 presidential election in the United States. Candidates John McCain and Barack Obama were included along with respective running mates Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.[24] In the eighth expansion pack of The Sims 2, The Sims 2: Apartment Life, new objects were added including logo posters and framed screenshots. The game was shipped with a code and an Internet address, where the player could download clothing with The Sims 3 logo on it. Another developer walk through was released on November 6, 2008, featuring in-depth previews of the neighborhood and Create-A-Sim.
On March 23, 2009, the look and feel of The Sims 3 was seamlessly threaded throughout the storyline of an episode of The CW series One Tree Hill. On screen, the episode opens in an idealized Sims version of One Tree Hill and then transitions into the real Tree Hill. As this episode plays out, Sims versions of popular One Tree Hill characters are introduced and then morph into the real-life characters, including Dan (Paul Johansson), Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Peyton (Hilarie Burton).[25] The Sims 3 versions of the characters are available for download via CW's official website. On April 19, 2009, Target exclusively released a promotional disc of The Sims 3 that features a Ladytron band poster, The Sims 3 theme song music download, and a $5 off coupon. The main menu includes screensaver downloads, videos, Create-A-Sim, Create-A-House, and much more. There is no actual gameplay involved, but it describes what playing feels like.
On May 8, 2009, EA announced that The Sims 3 had gone gold meaning that the game had finished beta testing stage and was off for manufacturing ahead of its June 2009 Release.[26] On May 15, 2009 EA released some online interactive teaser experiences on The Sims 3 Website, including 'SimFriend', which allows users to choose a virtual Sim Friend who would email them throughout the day. 'SimSocial', which allows users to create their own Sim online, and have an adventure with them. 'SimSidekick', which allows users to surf the web with a sim.[27] Two weeks before the game was scheduled to be released, a pirated version of the digital distribution version[28] of the game leaked onto the Internet.[29] EA later commented the leak was a "buggy, pre-final" version.[30] EA claims that more than half of the game is missing and is susceptible to crashes or worse.[31] Reportedly, the title has seen higher piracy rates than that of the most pirated game of 2008, Spore.[32]
[edit]Audio
The Sims 3 music was composed by Steve Jablonsky. Scores were recorded with the Hollywood Studio Symphony at Newman Scoring Stage at 20th Century Fox.[33]
[edit]Software copy restriction
Some of EA's other recent PC titles, such as Spore and Dead Space, have used a SecuROM copy restriction scheme that requires online and offline authentication and limits the number of times a user can install the game to five. While it was speculated that The Sims 3 would use the same system, on March 26[year needed], executive producer Rod Humble revealed that The Sims 3 uses traditional disk-based copy protection as Sims 2 did, and does not require online authentication to install. A product key is also required.[34] However, SecuROM based restriction is still present within the "Digital Download" version of the title, limiting users to a total of 5 authorizations for 5 different machines via online activation, each of which can be de-authorized online at any time. A legitimate serial key is required to download custom objects and Sims from the official website. This includes custom designs created by other Sims 3 players as well as additional content from EA.
[edit]Delay
On February 3, 2009, it was announced that the release date of The Sims 3 would be delayed from February 20, 2009 to June 2, 2009 in the US, and June 5, 2009 in the UK. John Riccitiello, CEO of EA Redwood Shores, said "In the case of Sims 3, we’re moving this title to June 2 to give us additional time to build the worldwide marketing campaign a title like this deserves".[35] Grant Rodiek, Associate Producer of The Sims 3 said:
The Sims 3 June launch gives more time for tuning and polish and the ability to launch the game on PC and Mac platforms simultaneously. This is a key EA franchise and title and it deserves a bigger bet on the best Sims game EA has made. These last few months will give us a little more time to tune, tweak, and polish the game. Our players have been waiting for something awesome and that’s exactly what we intend to give them.[36]
[edit]Marketing
EA Singapore launched The Sims 3 with a launch party[37] which was held on 2 June 2009 at the new shopping mall Iluma in Singapore. At the event, The Sims 3 T-shirts were available for purchase. In Sydney, Australia on June 4, 2009 a fashion event to show off the freedom and self-expression in The Sims 3 was held by Electronic Arts Australia, and included a performance by Jessica Mauboy.[38]


The Sims 3 Collector's Edition box design with the 2GB flash drive.[39]
[edit]Release
The game was released as both a standard edition and a Collector's Edition. Both the collector's edition and the standard edition of the game comes with a coupon for 1000 Sim Points to spend at The Sims 3 Store.[40] The standard edition contains the first release of the core game, while the Collector's Edition includes the Sims 3 core game, a 2GB The Sims Plumbob USB flash drive (preloaded with wallpapers and screensavers of the game, and the main theme as an MP3 file) with matching Green Carabiner, an exclusive European-styled Sports Car download, a Prima Tips and Hints Guide (not the actual Sims 3 Prima Guide), and Plumbob stickers. Those that pre-ordered the game also got a Vintage Sports Car download, The Sims 3 Neighborhood Poster, and a quick start reference guide.[41] It is still unknown which countries are / will be able to purchase the Collectors' Edition, but this list definitely includes the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Philippines, Israel,[42] India, the Netherlands,[43] South Africa and the UK.[44] Recently however, a Christmas special edition was released in the US and probably more to follow and includes all the stuff in collecters edition. A preview CD with more information about The Sims 3, such as music samples, family descriptions, and career information, was also released. Previous releases of The Sims have rarely been advertised for mobile platforms, although the game is available on the Ovi Store, iOS.[45] On August 3, 2009 EA announced that it will release the first expansion pack, World Adventures, on November 17, where Sims can visit different locations around the globe.[46] While presenting at GDC 2010 in late February, Maxis AI Specialist Richard Evans accidentally shared a folder entitled Sims 3 DS while preparing for his speech. This is the first official sighting of a DS version of the game being in development.[47]
A version of The Sims 3 was released on the iPhone on June 11, 2010.[48]
The Sims 3 was released to home consoles on October 26, 2010, for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo DS and the Wii platform on November 15, 2010. The game was released for Nintendo 3DS on March 25, 2011.