The first one was by GameSpot. They mention how three types of businesses can be ran - retail, pay by service or pay by the hour. What's new is that they also mention that real estate is one of the possibilities. Also, the number of talent badges is given: there will be 7 talents in the game, which all have to do with selling or crafting items. Other than that, the preview repeats a lot of facts.

More informative are probably the 56 screenshots, on which (among other things) all 25 perks are mentioned. TheSims2000127 has made a list of these perks on the BBS (thanks to Hiki for the link). The 25 names are as follows, in each category in order from least expensive (requires the least business points) to most expensive:

• Connections: Notable Reputation, Sterling Reputation, Network, Head for Numbers and Power Network
• Perception:: Assess Mood, Assess Desire, Look for Mark, Convincing Personality, Manipulation
• Cash: LeTourneau Prize, Valued Client Rebate, Chamber of Commerce Prize, Owners Association Award, Will Wright Grant
• Wholesale: Wholesale Discount, Supplier Partnership, Bargain Hunter, Serious Negotiator, Shark of Sharks
• Motivation: Simply Influential, Perk Up, Motivational Speech, Boundless Influence, Rally Forth!

Besides that, the screenshots also show several of the new outfits, and how you can sell items like video games, that already exist in the game. It also seems that the Turns on and Turns off from Nightlife are probably in this edition as well, though the pleasure aspiration isn't. Finally there are also 4 Gameplay Videos to show what the game can do, which can be watched (streamed), as long as you're registered (for free).

When you visit IGN, you'll find a three page hands-on preview of the expansion. It explains that the existing skills are still needed, besides the talent badges. Charisma for example will improve the sales skills, but will also let the Sim gain the sales talent easier. The Mechanical skill has a similar effect when it comes to robot making. For selling items, they say that setting the price to ridiculously cheap will set it at 40% below the wholesale price, and the most expensive setting, ridiculously expensive, puts it at 110% over the wholesale cost. The average price for a makeover in the salon chair is 58 simoleons. Finally they also mention Servo, which will take over the personality of the Sim who activates him or her. Its needs are fun and social, while it also needs to be recharged on its stand every now and again.

IGN posted 14 screenshots of the game, on which you can see the dialog used to hire Sims, or how to purchase a community lot, and other than that some general shops with nothing really new.

Finally, there's the shortest of the three from 1Up. That preview doesn't give any new information over what's been said before, nor any screenshots. The basic features are mentioned though. Read the preview to find out what 1Up has to say.

Written at 14:08 on Saturday, 28 January 2006 by ChEeTaH.