Misc news

[maniac19642003]

Press release
EA sent out a press release with the news that Sims 3 is here! Read it here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/EAs-Highly-Anticipated-Launch-bw-15409890.html

New screen shots
Gamespot posted a bunch of new screen shots here: http://e3.gamespot.com/image_viewer.html?sid=6210688&tag=gs_pc

Prima Guide
Prima has posted a large part of their Sims 3 E-guide on their site. 24 Pages of several different chapters can be checked out.
Get it here: http://www.primagames.com/features/sims3/

[Jasumi]

I wonder how much EA payed these sites for their positive reviews.


Sims 3 is a failure. Someone needs to say it.

[MaryH]

Right now, on the Sims 3 official site, the players are not a happy bunch of campers. There are numerous reports of bugs, crashes, failure to launch and just plain stupid stuff.

Yes, I think it was a very rough launch. EA has a lot to answer for in this game.

A failure? Perhaps if EA does not address the problems the game causes the players. If the players get good and pissed, they will warn off others, and the mutiny will spread.

EA had better jump the gun on this one before it blows up in their faces. For one, they can turn all the CC they're charging for to "free."

They can replace at no cost to the buyer any and all copies of the game.
They can bring out the patches yesterday.

Then they can start working on the problems in the game itself.

Yes, it is indeed a great promotion. Buy a game for $50 or more and get absolutely insane trying to install or play it.

[roerzman]

I'm afraid that mutiny is to late, the ship is about to dock. The masses were so taken in by all the glamour and glitter that they lined up by their hundreds of thousands to get a  taste of it. Rest assured EA. has a whole room full additions and trinkets to throw at the disappointed masses to ensure they keep coming back for more.
And so the sims 3 merry go round begins.

[maniac19642003]

Free items in store
A couple of free items have shown up in the Sims 3 store. Most of these come in the form of a Lord Sponge theme. But there are also a few Fanta objects and a new car.
'Eques' from the Sims 3 forums listed all free items here: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/2110.page

More reviews
A few more Sims 3 reviews have shown up:
- Gamestar.de: 90% http://www.gamestar.de/test/strategie/lebenssimulation/1956384/die_sims_3.html

- Gametrailers: 9/10 http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=9210

- NZ gamer: 9/10 http://nzgamer.com/pc/reviews/895/the-sims-3.html

- Game planet: 9/10 http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/games/156995.The-Sims-3/reviews/133202.The-Sims-3/

- Gamer.nl: 9/10 http://www.gamer.nl/doc/51939/The-Sims-3

- D+Padmagazine: 4.5/5 http://www.dpadmagazine.com/2009/06/03/the-sims-3/

- Meristation: 8.5/10 http://www.meristation.com/v3/des_analisis.php?pic=PC&idj=cw47cfa1be3c9da&id=cw4a22dc390079e

- 1Up.com: B+ (83%) http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3174568&p=1

[maniac19642003]

Graphic settings
Pcgameshardware.com posted a cool article about the graphic options in The Sims 3. They look at all the possible options and how it impacts the performance. Interesting is that setting a certain minor option lower (like the draw distance), gives a big boost in performance while lowering others do nothing at all.
Check the article here: http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,687057/The-Sims-3-In-game-tuning-and-comparison-shots/Practice/

Interview
Fragland had a small interview with Sims 3 producer Melanie Lam here: http://www.fragland.net/specials/The-Sims-3-interview-with-producer-Melanie-Lam/236/

[maniac19642003]

1Up guide
Game news site 1Up.com started a big guide on Sims 3. It's still work in progress but there are a few pages finished already.
Check it here: http://mycheats.1up.com/view/section/3166827/22673/the_sims_3/pc


IGN guide
IGN as well has started such a guide. One part is completed; A so called bug report guide.
Check it out here: http://guides.ign.com/guides/802129/page_2.html

[Chaavik]

Those three links do not work. Check them again to make sure they actually do load and not hang up on us trying to see the info about the controversial information about possible Sims 3 EPs.

[maniac19642003]

I just double checked them from snootysims and they work so I'll post them again now.

EP1: http://www.take2.co.za/games-the-sims-3-ep1-pc-dvd-rom-4277032.html
EP2: http://www.take2.co.za/games-the-sims-3-ep2-pc-dvd-rom-4277083.html
SP1: http://www.take2.co.za/games-the-sims-3-sp1-pc-dvd-rom-4277036.html

[Chaavik]

There isn't any relevant information from those three links connected to the potential Sims 3 EPs. I looked and didn't see what they are about. No images or descriptions.

But thanks for letting us know anyway!

[amberfaye]

Ok all I learned from thos links is that MAYBE in November we will have an EP for tjhis game.
In the mean time, Im still waiting on a freakin patch from EA. Hello, EA? Fix this crap!

[maniac19642003]

Sims 3 horror movie
Another update from theSims3.com is a new scary Sims 3 trailer.
Watch it here: http://www.thesims3.com/game.html?param=videos

Grants house
This house was shown in one of the Sims 3 trailers and now you can play with it yourself. TheSims3.com has placed this house on the Exchange including its 3 inhabitants.
Get it here: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=429107

[caffeinated.joy]

Mark, I really appreciate you bringing us all the information you do, but I've asked you once already to not post multiple Misc. News topics. Please just stick to one. Topics merged.

[maniac19642003]

I forgot I had one here already Joy or this would have been there earlier when I posted.

[maniac19642003]

The Sims3 Store has updated with a completely new set called the "Ultra Lounge" set. Get 50 items for 19 dollars. Or, if you're unlucky and need to buy them in Euros, the price is 23 Euros ($32,-).
There are also a few new hairstyles and clothes, which of course are not in this set.

As you may have noticed, I'm not that excited about this store and though as a news reporter I need to stay objective, I believe these prices are totally ridiculous.
But anyway, check it out here: http://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?categoryId=11488&scategoryId=12037&pcategoryId=12036&index=0&productId=OFB-SIM3:17693




It's confirmed; The first Sims 3 expansion pack will be here in November. On a French gaming site, the following title was found: The Sims 3: Destination Aventure.
Note that there's no official statement from EA about this pack yet, but is expected very soon.
Check the site here: http://www.jeuxvideopc.com/jeux/44896-les-sims-3-destination-aventure.php