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141. The Sims 2 for Console Looked at

Written on Saturday 23 April 2005 at 00:56 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

Yesterday there was an interview with Virginia McArthur about the Sims 2 on the GBA and DS. Today, GameSpot is continuing their coverage, by posting a new article about the Sims 2 on the big consoles - PlayStation 2, XBox and GameCube. In a video interview with producer Scott Amos, he talks about the aspiration and the new food systems in the console version of the game. It's also said that the game will feature a more rich Create-A-Sim mode than on the PC, with options to morph shape the face and body, but also to create new clothes by unlocking items, and combining them in the create-a-fashion mode. As for the food, you have 60 ingredients of which you can combine up to 4 at a time. These will create your own power ups, as the food will affect moods or other things. The aspiration you pick at the start determines a bit in which way the story will develop, though - quite like the Sims Bustin' Out - you can go in whatever order you like. As mentioned earlier as well, you can play the game with two players in split-screen mode, and so play the game side-by-side. Direct control works there too.

The game is set to be released in fall 2005, along with the handheld versions. Tomorrow GameSpot will cover the PSP edition of the game. For now, there are two new artworks and a sketch from the console version to be admired by clicking the thumbnails below. You can read GameSpot's preview or see the video for more details.

142. First Look at The Sims 2 GBA/DS [Update]

Written on Thursday 21 April 2005 at 14:20 by ChEeTaH - 1 comment.

Virginia McArthur, producer of the handheld versions of the Sims 2, has sat down with GameSpot and given a video interview which the gaming site has now posted. In it, some information regarding the GameBoy Advance (GBA) and Dual Screen (DS) versions is given. Both games will be set in Strangetown, although at different places there. The GBA version plays at the set of a TV show, where you have to complete 20 episodes. The player is the star of the show, and by fulfilling your needs and satisfying the aspiration (which can change in every episode) you can get high ratings from the Goths. If the rating is high enough, you can unlock new objects and episodes. The game is less linear than its predecessors as you can complete the levels in any order you like. You can also trade unlocked items with other players using GBA-GBA connectivity, so you don't have to uinlock everything yourself.

The DS version is very different, in that it's completely 3D and instead of at a TV show set, it's located in a two-room hotel. Your goal is to manage that hotel, and to make all visitors happy. There will also be three bosses refusing to leave the hotel, until they are completely satisfied. You are given a lot of freedom, and thus you can expand the hotel with new rooms including lounges and art galleries. Paintings for the art gallery can be played in the touch screen, whereas music that plays in the lounges can be recorded using the built-in microphone of the DS. You can also play that music in any other hotel room, and so drive your residents mad. As with the GBA versions, items can be traded.

Both titles will not be as linear as previous versions. There is an underlying storyline, but you're totally free as to whether you follow it, or just go out and socialise. Gamespot has promised some more information regarding the version for the big consoles for later this week. For now you can check out the preview, to which a video is attached. That video can be watched for free with a GameSpot Basic account. The screens below were also posted, one for the GBA and three (quite low quality ones) for the DS.

[Update 22 April, 22:40] As you can see below, the DS images have been reuploaded by Gamespot and now they're in good quality. We've replaced them here too. Thanks to Fabian for the tip.

143. The Sims 2 @ Consoles Announced

Written on Tuesday 19 April 2005 at 23:50 by ChEeTaH - 1 comment.

After the articles earlier today, EA has officially announced the Sims 2 for the consoles. The earlier mentioned direct control, as well as wants and fears, fully customizable content and the storylines for the handheld versions (including PSP, from the looks of it). Real new information hasn't been given, though you can read the press release for more info. Also see our previous newspost for a lot more details.

144. The Sims 2 Heads to Consoles

Written on Tuesday 19 April 2005 at 14:25 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

After the Sims, Bustin' Out and the Urbz, Maxis is developing a new edition of the Sims franchise for consoles and handhelds. After the PC version sold over 4.5 million copies, the Sims 2 will make its transfer to the other systems later this year. The game is in development for the current generation consoles (Playstation 2, XBox, GameCube), handhelds (GBA, Nintendo DS and Playstation Portable), and even mobile phones. As with the previous versions, the console edition will differ quite a lot from the handheld ones. An official announcement is yet to be released, but IGN already has the scoop.

Compared to previous verions on the GBA, The Sims 2 won't be too much different from Bustin' Out of the Urbz. Gameplay will be very similar: mission-based, but of course with new graphics. On the GBA it will be possible to trade unlocked episodes by connecting two GBAs to each other. GBA-GameCube connectivity will most likely not be brought back. A small interview with Maxis regarding this version can be found at IGN.

The Sims 2 on Nintendo DS will be 3D, and features like the touch screen will be used. Dual link between the DS and GBA editions are not yet definite. More of that can be seen at another interview. It's not unlikely the PSP version will be similar to the DS version rather than the GBA version, though not much information about that has been given.

The console version will feature graphics similar to the PC version, as well as some of the assets. Just copying it entirely to the consoles is not possible, so the console version will differ from the PC. Characters will have developed slightly further, e.g. you can find an alien abductor in Strangetown. The console will feature 60 characters, 35 of which are from the Sims 2 and University, and the remaining 25 are unique to the console editions.

A major feature is the Direct Control you can have over your Sims, controlling them directly through a third-person view. As soon as you get near enough to an object, you'll be able to have your Sim interact with it. Other than that, you don't have to wait for the game to figure out the path - you'll be able to determine it yourself. Customization will be possible through CAS, but creating objects (to which extend is not mentioned) will also be possible. A two-player split screen will be back again as well.

The food system will be new as well. Rather than just getting a fridge that has all meals, you'll have several ingredients which you can combine the way you like. Some ingredients will have to be bought, others have to be harvested. There will also be some potions, which can be combined and create many different effects. Motives will be limited to six, but will also play a secondary role in the game. The primary objective is to get in the game, and explore it. The new social system is one thing to explore. Sims will show how they feel about another, through the way they stand.

Finally, just as with the Urbz, the PS2 version will have EyeToy and HDD support, whereas the XBox will feature hi-res HDTV graphics. The GameCube will get some extra content on it. A lot more can be found in the interview IGN held with Scot Amos.

This title most likely renders the Urbz 2 rumours to be false. More of the Sims 2 will be shown at the E3 next month. For now there are already some screenshots which you can see below - three from the GBA version, three from the Nintendo DS and one screenshot and two artworks of the big consoles' version. Click the thumbnails below to see larger versions of all of them.

145. Nightlife at E3

Written on Tuesday 12 April 2005 at 14:02 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

The E3 (Electonic Entertainment Expo) is closing in on us again, with just over a month to go now. Shwo areas at the biggest exposition for game developers and publishers in the world have been sold out much quicker than ever before, which makes this to be a promising edition. Especially for fans of Maxis, as Spore, Will Wright next game, has already been said to be at the E3. Besides that, IGN has revealed the second expansion pack for the Sims 2, Nightlife, will also be shown on the E3. It's not sure whether a new edition of the console game will be announced any time soon, to be shown at the E3, but unconfirmed rumours of the Urbz 2 do exist. IGN's list of games to be shown at E3 - games that have definitely been confirmed that is - can be seen at the Big E3 List 2005. That list is updated daily, so more games will be added in the near future, until the E3 starts at 17 May. The Conferences are from 17-19 May this year, while the actual expo is held from 18-20 May.

146. Spore also on XBox 2

Written on Tuesday 5 April 2005 at 22:25 by ChEeTaH - 2 comments.

Over at Gaming Steve the webmaster has given some inside info regarding Spore. In a thread at his forum, he says Spore is in development for both PC and XBox 2, a next generation console. It's not sure if it's in development for the Playstation 3 either or not. He also says almost the entire Maxis team is working on it, but considering there are also two teams for Sims 2 expansions, that seems unlikely. Thanks to Planet Spore for the info.

147. Spore Info and Images

Written on Tuesday 15 March 2005 at 13:23 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

Over the weekend a lot of new Spore information has been posted, and even some pictures taken during the presentation were published. There are several articles at 1Up.com, ShackNews, IGN and GameSpy, after the first info of the presentation came out. All the information comes from Wright's presentation at the Game Developers Conference 2005 in San Francisco. The several stages the game will take the player through are described and named. Look inside for info - and screens. Read More!

148. Looking Back at Five Year Sims

Written on Thursday 3 March 2005 at 22:47 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

It's been five years since the first Sims game was released, and became a major success. 7 Expansions, a sequel (with one expansion so far) and 3 console games further, GameSpy looks back on those years with several developers and producers of the games. Character designers, producers, animators, and other Maxis employees tell about their experience developing whatever titles they've worked on. If you want to look back as well, read the article.

149. Will Wright Interview

Written on Thursday 10 February 2005 at 22:44 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

Spanish site MeriStation has posted an interview with Will Wright. In the interview he talks about why he's at a presentation of the Nintendo DS. That was first and foremost to promote the Urbz on the DS, but also to hold a lecture about Will's vision on the evolution of games. Wright's been in the industry since he created Raid on Bungeling Bay in 1985, and he's seen games develop and improve over the years. The DS is a jump forward again with the new features, and Will hopes that the platform will give videogames more variety that's necessary in the industry. The platform should attract both adults and youngsters, as it's easily accessible. Even people who aren't usually able to enter the complex world of videogames but are more easily hooked to games like Snake or Solitaire are able to use the DS and play games on it. Wright also comments on Nintendo that it has the capacity to innovate, and that they are very eager to create something different. But there's a lot more he has to say... Read More!

150. Sims 5 Years - Some Highlights

Written on Tuesday 8 February 2005 at 15:21 by ChEeTaH - 0 comments.

We already reported that the Sims was 5 years old already this week. EA has issued a press release with the same information, including some highlights of 5 year Sims. The franchise has sold over 54 million units in total, which includes the Sims 1 and its seven expansions, the console games and the Sims 2. The last one has, in about 5 months, already been sold more than 4.5 million times. 16 Million copies of the original game, the Sims 1, were sold over the past 5 years, which makes it the best sold PC game in North America, and the Sims 2 was the best selling PC game there in 2004 according to the NPD group. The sequel has already received 20 editor's choice awards, perfect review scores and over 35 magazine covers worldwide. The exchange is a success too, with over 125,000 Sims and houses created and uploaded, which have been downloaded by 5 million unique visitors. Besides that there have been 4,000 movies already since the launch of the game in September. Wright's entrance in the AIAS Hall of Fame early 2002. But that's not all Wright has achieved since the Sims:

"Wright has also been included in Entertainment Weekly's 'It List' of 'the 100 most creative people in entertainment,' Time Digital's 'Digital 50,' a listing of 'the most important people shaping technology today.' In 2002, he was listed as number 35 on Entertainment Weekly's Power List and in 2003 was featured in Game Informer's 'Top 10 Developer List of 2003.'"

For more details, check out the press release.