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News Archive - January, 2007
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Sunday 7 January 2007
Pets Reviews
Written at 00:37 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
First of all a happy new year from the Sims Zone. We hope you had some nice holidays, and are ready for another year of Sims. We are, and after a little break we're back again with the news.

Since Pets was released on various platforms in the last quarter of last year many websites have taken the chance to play one or more versions of the game. With thanks to GameRankings we have a fairly complete list of reviews per platform. The PC version is generally well accepted, with the biggest problem being the difficulties in managing the Sims' needs with all the time constraints already on their daily life. The same problem goes for the console version, but they also have some control issues, as well as a limited neighborhood size. The handheld versions are less popular, and especially the PSP version is criticised for the long loading times interrupting the gameplay a lot. The DS version is too much of a vet simulator and not so much a Sims game, the graphics (especially of the pets) aren't great, and the sound keeps repeating itself. There's only one review of the GBA version, in which the game is described as fun, but it lacks personality. The game is good, but not because of the pets. Read on to find the entire list of review ordered by platform.
 
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Holiday Tune, Sim Page Theme
Written at 06:20 by ChEeTaH - 1 comment.
Just before the holidays Maxis updated the official site with some holiday features. Although a little late now, there's a holiday greeting MP3 file. Listen to some Maxoids wishing you merry christmas on a Simlish tune. Also new is that on the Sim Pages you can now select a holiday theme. The Sim pages have been upgraded in general, now allowing you to drag pods around, easily show or hide them, and more. They will soon also undergo a name change from "MySim Page" to just "Sim Page". Go to your own Sim Page to change your theme and edit your account. Note that for everybody the theme has been reset, and you may need to choose your favourite theme again by going to your page. More details are in a recently sent message from the web team.
 
Sims 2 Backgrounds for MySpace
Written at 06:20 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
If you have a MySpace site you can now give it a Sims 2 look. There are two backgrounds for you to choose from, which you can use on your profile. Intstructions on how to use the backgrounds are on the official site's MySpace Codes page. You can also make MaxoidMonkey your friend.
 
Will Wright in the Colbert Report
Written at 06:21 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
A little while ago Will Wright, creator of the Sims and Spore, was a guest at Comedy Central's Colbert Report. In the interview he talked a little bit about Spore, and even more about the Sims. Wright told how the Sims is a game playing a universe in ours, and that the game can also be educational. In part 2 he also talked a little bit about Superstar, and being famous in the Sims world. About Spore he explained the basics of the game, the evolution and wars between gods. He also mentioned how his inspiration comes from books, and how Sims can read books as well. You can check out part 1 and part 2 of the interview.
 
NGamer Sims for Wii Preview
Written at 06:22 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
A few days ago website ComputerAndVideoGames posted an article from NGamer about the Sims on Nintendo's Wii. They start off by saying it's the Sims in a more Japanese style, and much like Animal crossing the game will let you build the entire world. Not just your own home, but also the businesses and homes for other residents. The preview says there won't be a pre-built communal area like in previous Sims games. EA Japan makes full use of the remote pointer, that will replicate the PC's mouse control. You can also create your own Sims of course, and like the Mii creation (for the Wii), it's mostly about clothes and body shape. You won't really be able to recreate yourself, but using the Mii of your profile doesn't seem to be possible. Despite limited customisation on the faces, they do express the thought of a Sim, better than a meter bar or thought bubble. Development plans also mentioned online options (perhaps visiting other towns) and DS connectivity. More details can be found in the full preview.
 
The Sims Stories Pack Shots, Pre-order
Written at 06:22 by ChEeTaH - 1 comment.
A month ago the Sims Stories was announced, and in the meantime box shots for all three titles (Life Stories, Pet Stories and Castaway Stories) have been published by the official French site. Online shop Amazon also has the American Life Stories pack shot, as well as a release date of 6 February. In Europe it'll probably be out a little later, as Amazon UK gives 9 February as release date. You can pre-order the game in our shop through Amazon as well, for £24.99 or $36.99. Finally, on the official site you can see three small box arts of all three Stories games. We've put the images of interest below.
The Sims Life Stories The Sims Pet Stories (French) The Sims Castaway Stories (French) The Sims Stories (All pack shots)
 
Blogging Maxoids
Written at 06:23 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
It's been a while since we told you what's new on the blogs of Maxoids. Several people have updated their blogs again, giving some inside information about what's going on at the Sims Division. There are also a few personal creations from Maxoids, so you can enjoy new sims and houses. Read on for all the blog updates since last time.
 
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Race Car Set Downloads
Written at 06:24 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
Like Sam Player already mentioned in his blog there are a few new official objects to download from the Exchange. It's a full race car set, nice for in a boy's bedroom or so. There's a Vrooom! Dining Chair, a Vrooom! Desk, the "Speedway" Table Lamp by Zoom Arts, Flags of Victory, the Tire Stack by Autohaus Autobahn and finally the Vrooom! Sleep System. All downloads were hidden in Glamour Life Stuff and uncovered by ModTheSims2. A couple of the matching items, namely a Toy box, Dresser, Armoire and Rug, are not on the official website as they require Glamour Life Stuff or later. They will all be included in Seasons, the upcoming expansion. The delay in the publishing of these items on the official site is mostly due to the patches for Pets being in the make, as well as Seasons, all of which got a higher priority than posting these downloads.
 
Pets Patches
Written at 06:24 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
As briefly mentioned in the Maxoid blogs already, EA has released a patch for the Body Shop version in The Sims 2 Pets for PC. A compatibility issue made the program incompatible with content created with earlier versions of the Body Shop. The issue has now been solved, and a fix can be found through the news page.

Besides that a patch that will solve gameplay issues with Pets will be released soon. This patch was announced in a message sent to all members of the official site. It'll be released early this year, though it's not sure when exactly it'll be out. When it is, we'll let you know.
 
Latimer Hall - Vacant Possession
Written at 06:46 by Andy - 0 comments.

Latimer Hall has recently become vacant following the collapse of the DeLatimer Motor Company ™. With an attractive garden at the rear including a lattice gazebo with attractive mosaic flooring and an arched bridge crossing a stream running through the plot, part of the interior of this mansion does need some renovation but this property does have a lot of potential as either a home or business venue.

For more details about this property, please click on Latimer Hall or to find out about other residential properties, please click on Residential Properties

 

Wednesday 10 January 2007
Life Stories Screens Leaked
Written at 01:26 by ChEeTaH - 2 comments.
Although there's no press release announcement of The Sims Life Stories yet, just an information page, some screenshots of the upcoming Life Stories have already leaked. The screenshots probably show Riley and Vince, as described on the about page, as well as one Create A Sim screenshot. As you can see some objects from Sims 2 expansions are included, like the Nightlife bowling alley or the University guitar. The images were posted by the Czech thesims2.cz fan site (unofficial), and supposedly come from EA. The (European) release date of 9 February is also mentioned by the website. Below are all 13 screenshots posted by the fansite.
The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots The Sims Life Stories Screenshots
 
Seasons Fansite Previews
Written at 01:51 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
Besides The Sims Zone (see our exclusive preview) many other fan sites, as well as some official community managers, were invited to see Seasons at EA's headquarters. Most of them have posted their own preview of the expansion pack. So without further ado, here's a list of other previews of the Sims 2 Seasons:
 

Thursday 11 January 2007
New Community Manager for Sims Division
Written at 15:07 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
Over the years several people have had the chance to be community manager at EA's Sims Division, or Maxis for that matter, communicating to fans and fan sites (including this one) of the Sims games. In June it was announced MaxoidMel took the position. She has now announced she's stepping down as community manager to move towards the audio department of EA, since her degree and background are in that field. There she'll be working as an audio specialist for the Sims 2 expansion pack team. She'll be "the person that helps the game design and animation folks figure out what audio can go where and then places it in the game, after the sound designers make it. Nerdy fun." Since she's still with the Sims Division she'll keep her official site's profile and stick to blogging when she can. As of Friday, until a new community manager is hired MaxoidGoonter will do Mel's old job, while MaxoidDano and MaxoidDrea will still be on the official BBS too. From here we wish Mel good luck and all the best in her new position. See MaxoidMel's announcement for details and discussions.
 

Saturday 13 January 2007
New Seasons Screenshots
Written at 22:58 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
At the official site EA has released 7 new screenshots of the upcoming Seasons expansion pack for the Sims 2. They show some of the winter activities that can be done in the cold and especially snowy season. That includes freezing outside. Just click the thumbnails below to see the full size versions of the screenshots.

The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons
 

Tuesday 16 January 2007
Seasons Artworks
Written at 23:30 by ChEeTaH - 2 comments.
EA has released 6 new artworks of the Sims 2 Seasons, the new Sims 2 expansion pack that will be released next month. They show some of the new objects in the pack: a greenhouse, the juicer, the ice skating rink, the pool slide and finally the wishing well. There's also an artwork of a Sim with some fireflies. Of course we've collected them all and they're right below this article for your viewing pleasure. Just click the little thumbnails to see the large versions.

The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons
 

Wednesday 17 January 2007
Official Life Stories Announcement - Preview Soon!
Written at 00:50 by ChEeTaH - 3 comments.
Today Electronic Arts officially announced the Sims Life Stories for PC and laptops. In the press release of the standalone game the stories of Riley Harlow and Vincent Moore are described as being of a romantic flavour. Riley might ditch Beau number one for Beau number two, and possibly even have kids with the second one. Vincent on the other hand is a successful entrepreneur, but a hopeless romantic. The story will be about him finding the love of his life. Of course there's also the open free-play mode. Read on for more details and lots of graphics.
 
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Friday 19 January 2007
Blood Donor Community Showcase
Written at 16:39 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
On the official site a new community showcase has started. Downloads made by fans of the Sims, placed on the official site's Exchange will be ranked by Maxoids, and the best of them will be highlighted on a special page next month. Since January is National Blood Donor month in the US, the theme of the community showcase is about vampires or goths. If you have made a Sim or Lot inspired by vampires or goths, make sure it's up on the exchange and it has "National Blood Donor Month" in the description. Existing downloads already on the exchange can also participate. After uploading your creation, make sure you notify Maxis by posting a link in the BBS in the Sims thread or the Lot thread. Also see the previous two showcases for more information, as well as both BBS threads for the current showcase. You have until the end of this month to promote your download. The 10 best Sims and 10 best lots will make it to the showcase page.
 
Seasons Trailer and Screenshots
Written at 17:00 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.
Over on the official site a new trailer and two new screenshots of the Sims 2 Seasons, the upcoming fifth expansion pack for the Sims 2, have been published. The trailer goes through all four seasons, from Winter to Spring, Summer and Fall. Several new activities and possibilities of each season are highlighted, from making snowmen, ice skating, fishing, jumping or sliding in the pool, gardening and harvesting. New items like the pool slide, the greenhouse, wishing well, scarecrow, mountain rainbow trout and the new country furniture set also get a chance to display themselves in the video of 1:48 minutes. Check out the videos page on the official site for more details. The two new screenshots are below, just click the thumbnails to get them in full.
The Sims 2 Seasons The Sims 2 Seasons
 

Saturday 20 January 2007
Playboy Bunny Bedroom Set
Written at 04:43 by MissWendy - 0 comments.



A fun bedroom set for your Sims home or college dorm room. This set includes The double and single bed, endtable, 2 beddings, a wall and a carpet.

Click here if you'd like to see this set and also more of my creations. I hope you like them.

 

Friday 26 January 2007
Aldo's Restaurant
Written at 05:32 by Andy - 3 comments.

Aldo's Restaurant rates in the Top 20 of Italian restaurants in Simgland. Aldo Capone set up this restaurant in Simpleton about 20 years ago and it has been run by "the family" ever since. With three luxurious areas to dine in, this is definitely somewhere to visit for people with a taste for classic architecture or fine cuisine.

For more details about this property, please click on Aldo's Restaurant , to find out about other community properties, please click on Community Properties or to see more of my work, please check out Andy