Last night there was the chat with the famous Luc Barthelet about The Sims 2. There were over 500 people in the chat, and due to some technical problems the chat lasted 15 minutes longer than usual too. Unfortunately a lot of people were unable to enter the chat after a while, but over 400 people remained there asking a lot of questions. Even though it was asked a lot, Maxis refrained from answering any questions about release dates of CaSIE or The Sims 2. The remaining questions did leave quite some nice info, of which most was already known or could be guessed. Here are a few of the answers:

"reanimation: will there be bigger resoltuions in the sims 2 ...like 1280x1024"
"Luc Barthelet: Yes"
"bookworm28: Can old people die at different times? Because it would be kind of annoying if all your grandparents died exactly at the same time."
"LB: I agree"
"keymasterkel: In CAS, can you create a "child" (i.e. customize a sim how you want it) and then add the parent AFTER that sim is created? Or must you always create parents first in CAS mode?"
"LB: If you want to use the DNA you need to create the parent first. if you do it the other way they are adopted."
"MaSMeL: in cameraman mode, can a sim still interact with objects or is it purely for cinematics?"
"LB: it is meant to be purely cinematic. but you can switch back and force using tab"
"simsmaster88: Will there be like a meter that tells you how far along in each stage each sim is?"
"LB: yes"
"Godziller101: Can you make something like home movies, that your sims can watch on their tv? Using the cameraman mode, of course."
"LB: I like that idea. The TVs will play any AVI. so you can make movies for your sims"
"zockedi: Will a jealous sim who comes to a wedding beable to cause a scene and interrrupt the wedding? Can a sim get cold feet and change his mind after getting engaged?"
"LB: YES"
"simmy2sky: What else can be done with the couch besides nap and sit, come on Luc tell US!!"
"LB: make out?"
"zockedi: If you create identical twins and give them the same personalities, but give them totally different life experiences, will their personalities end up dramatically different?"
"LB: yes. they will have lifes and that will drive them to be different sims"

Some hidden info, which was sent in a private message and has been published at the BBS (this thread), is that Maxis is working on an exchange which will work for Europeans as well. Of course all this info is only a small selection, and there's a whole lot more to be read. You can do so by clicking here. On another note: many people from Europe have been asking for a more convenient time for the chats, as currently they're being held at midnight. Maxis has not yet responded to that though, but of course we'll keep you updated about all the official chats.