Award-Winning Gameplay and Technology from EA's Best-Selling Franchise
Maximized for Console and Handheld Players with All-New
Platform-Specific Features
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Apr 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced
that the critically-acclaimed The Sims(TM) 3 is in development for
the PlayStation(R) 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360(R) video game
and entertainment system, the Wii(TM) and Nintendo DS(TM), and will be
available this fall. Millions embraced the launch of The Sims 3
on the PC/Mac last summer making it the biggest PC launch in EA's
history and going on to become the #1 best-selling PC title in 2009*.
The groundbreaking The Sims franchise has continued to gain
momentum, remaining a worldwide cultural touchstone for its enormous and
growing fan base.
"We're bringing players the best console and handheld game for The
Sims franchise to date and are excited to offer a unique experience
for all types of gamers on their platform of choice," explained Sam
Player, Executive Producer at EA. "Building on the unique traits system,
living open neighborhood, lifetime wishes, and endless customization
options, we've tailored each platform of The Sims 3 with
exclusive features to allow for even more control, creativity, and
connectivity."
In The Sims 3 for console and handheld, players will be able to
create Sims with unique personalities, fulfill their desires...or not, and
control their lives within a living neighborhood. Additionally, all-new
features make it easier than ever to mess with life as players can
unlock the ultimate "Karma Powers" for instant control and unleash them
on their Sims. Players can help their Sim "get lucky," bless them with
"instant beauty" or be deviant and curse them with an "epic fail." But
players should use these powers wisely--they may have unexpected results
and karma may come back to bite.
Rich, immersive gameplay is complimented with a seamlessly integrated
exchange system on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms where gamers
will be more connected than ever before as they design, build, and share
their creations and download content from other players around the world
without ever leaving the game.** Facing short and long term challenges,
players will reap rewards and trophies and can even share achievements
with friends by connecting to Facebook**.
Exclusive to the Wii version, players will be able to enjoy an all-new
beach town with unique residents, traits, careers and lifetime wishes.
For the first time ever, players can enjoy The Sims 3 with
friends by going head to head in the new "Life Moments" game to earn
rewards. Finally, players will also enjoy several adventure quests, as
the game will challenge them to explore their town and discover the
secrets therein.
Never before seen on Nintendo DS, players can use the stylus to build
their Sims' homes with tools, draw walls and floors, and customize
virtually everything from décor objects, textures, and more. Players
will use the stylus to sculpt their Sims' facial features, choose hair
styles and clothing, and dictate personalities in the most robust Create
a Sim yet for a handheld game. In "Story Mode," players will control
multiple Sims within a family and enjoy life's special moments. For the
first time ever on the Nintendo DS, players can enjoy a complete life
simulation as they guide their Sims through completing challenges to
unlock additional items, new buildings and landmarks, and more.
"The Sims series continues to be one of the most successful
videogames of all time by providing universally appealing content and
focusing on the player's imagination, emergent gameplay mechanics, and
the innate humor evident in the virtual world of The Sims," said
Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio. "We're building
on this foundation and applying new features that will make for a
robust, deep and rewarding gameplay experience. I'm extremely
proud of the game that the team is making and can't wait to bring these
exciting new features like 'Karma Powers' to life and get them into
players' hands."
The Sims 3 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS
is developed by The Sims Studio and has not yet rated by the
ESRB. For more information about The Sims 3, please go to www.TheSims3.com.
The Sims 3 is also available for PC, Mac, iPhone(R), iPod touch(R)
and mobile devices. To download artwork, please visit www.info.ea.com.
* In North America and Europe according to NPD data, Chart-track UK, Gfk
France, Gfk Spain, Gfk-MCC Germany and EA internal estimate.
** INTERNET CONNECTION, EA Online Account, and registration with
single-use serial code enclosed with new, full retail purchase of The
Sims 3 for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 required.
PlayStation(R)Network/Xbox LIVE(R) account required and separate fees may
apply. Some features subject to availability through PlayStation Network
and/or Xbox LIVE. Registration is limited to one EA Account per serial
code and is non-transferable once used. You must be 13+ to register. EA
Online Terms & Conditions found at www.ea.com.
About The Sims
The Sims(TM), the groundbreaking franchise that allows players to
create and live a virtual, simulated life on a computer, celebrates its
ten year anniversary in 2010 with an impressive more than 125 million
units sold since its launch in February 2000. Now translated into 22
different languages and available in 60 different countries, The Sims
has quickly become a universal gaming and cultural phenomenon. Since its
June 2009 launch, The Sims 3 has sold more than 5 million copies
worldwide to date and was the #1 best-selling PC title for 2009 in North
America and Europe. Fan intensity is evidenced through the 130 million
downloads of player created content including: Sims, houses, stories and
more. The Sims 3 community site, www.thesims3.com,
welcomes up to four million unique visitors monthly, handles 300 content
downloads every minute and more than 2 million uploads have been made to
date, including 20 movies each hour. The Sims 3 YouTube Channel
is within the top 10 most viewed sponsored channels of all time with
more than 29 million video views. Visit The Sims 3 official
website to see what the players are creating at www.TheSims3.com
or the official YouTube Channel for The Sims at http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSims.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is
a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in
1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive
software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless
devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under
four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA MobileTM
and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of
$4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies.
EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com.
More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can
be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile, POGO, and The Sims are trademarks of
Electronic Arts Inc. "PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, and Xbox 360 are trademarks
of the Microsoft group of companies. Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks
of Nintendo. Mac, iPhone, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.
SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc.
EA Play Label
Brooke Bauguess, 310-754-7312 (Senior PR Manager)
bbauguess@ea.com
Angie Newman, 650-628-2877 (PR Manager)
anewman@ea.com
Copyright Business Wire 2010