Lucy's mail has arrived again this week, and this week she's in a party mood. She says the team is going to "party like it's 2999" when the game goes final. In the game itself you'll be able to hold all different kinds of parties, from weddings to anniversaries or even birthdays. Since parties are all about social interactions, Lucy's advice is not to bring Sims who don't like each other to the party. Also, you must bring enough Sims to make a good party: "expect only modest social success if you include fewer than three guests at your party. As they say - two's company, three's a crowd, but four or more is a par-tay!" There will of course be objects which will help you throw a good party. Think of some food (buffet table probably), balloons and birthday or wedding cakes. One final piece of advice is to keep open fire to a minimum at your parties...

Included are 3 screenshots of the game, but also some snapshots of the best Sims from the Create-A-Lucy/Jonathan/Tim contest. All of them are shown below. Go to the "Read More" part for the entire e-mail.

Party Screenshots:


Contest Winners:

"Greetings, Sims Fans!

"We're inching ever closer to completing the game, and you can really feel a change in the office atmosphere. We're all crunching pretty hard right now, but the mood feels more festive by the moment, and you can bet that when the game goes final we're gonna party like it’s 2999! And come September 17th, we hope you'll join in the party as well, The Sims 2 style!

"That's right - in The Sims 2, you'll be able plan the party of your dreams! Whether it's a quiet get-together at home, a heavy metal head banger, or a dignified and structured social gathering to commemorate a Birthday, Wedding, or Anniversary, we've got the right party for ya!

"Just like in real life, the type of party you have and the people you invite are crucial to its success. Parties are all about positive social interactions, so it's generally a bad idea to throw together Sims that don't get along. It's possible to throw a party just for your Sim and a guest, but expect only modest social success if you include fewer than three guests at your party. As they say - two's company, three's a crowd, but four or more is a par-tay!

"Naturally, the amenities that you make available go a long way to ensuring a successful party-going experience for your guests. In The Sims 2, there are a variety of different objects which can help get the party started. We don't want to give too much away, but it's always good to remember that everyone loves food, and balloons are always fun. And if the occasion calls for it, a wedding or birthday cake can really set the mood effectively.

"So, there you have it, Party People - a great little primer on tearing the roof off the sucka in The Sims 2. Just remember - try to keep open flames to a minimum at your party. You don't want your fete to come to a screeching halt when some poor Sim notices that the roof, the roof, the roof is on fire!

"Party On!

"We don't need no water!"
Lucy Bradshaw
"Sims 2 Executive Producer and Social Gadfly Extraordinaire

"P.S. In case you're one of the legions of people that created Sims of myself, Jonathan Knight, and Tim LeTourneau, we thank you! All three of us have always secretly longed for an army of clones willing to do our darkest bidding, and it seems we're well on our way to living our dreams! Of course, everyone who participated did a great job, but there were a few entries that we thought really shined."