Right now we're somewhere in the middle between the worldwide release dates of The Sims 3. Yesterday it was released in the US and various other parts of the world, and shops worldwide are selling the game - in some cases a few days early - already. Large parts of Europe will have to wait until tomorrow or Friday (including the UK) until the official release. Altogether the launch of perhaps EA's biggest PC game of the year is in full swing.
Not all has gone well for EA with the Sims 3, as an almost final version of the game was leaked 2 weeks ago. The final version was also leaked just before the weekend. It has already been downloaded so often that according to some sources it's well in the running for becoming this year's most pirated game. More problems hit EA when the official community website was found to be open as well, which lasted several hours.
Nevertheless EA is probably expecting to cash in now, after a huge marketing campaign. The official site is open, people are playing the game, sharing on the exchange, and more. Besides the release on the PC and Mac, there is also a mobile version for iPhone and iPod Touch. The game will be released in 60 countries, translated to 22 languages. Read on for EA's full press release regarding this big release.
EA's Highly Anticipated Launch of The Sims 3 is Here!
The Wait is Over - Join The New World of The Sims Today
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jun 02, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) - Let There Be Sims™! The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that The Sims™ 3, the next generation of the global cultural phenomenon and best-selling PC franchise of all time, is at retail nationwide and available for digital download today for the PC and Mac, and will be in stores worldwide in 60 countries and in 22 languages this week. The Sims 3 is also available today for download from the Apple App Store for iPhone™ and iPod® touch.
"The day is here and we can't wait to see what kind of stories the players will tell, movies they'll make, homes they'll build and everything they'll share using The Sims 3," said Ben Bell, Executive Producer of The Sims 3 at EA. "Now you can create any Sim you can imagine. For the first time ever, you can explore a seamless, open neighborhood and give your Sims real personality traits. Sims fans and new gamers alike will have something to love in The Sims 3."
In The Sims 3 you can create lifelike Sims with a unique personality and take them anywhere in the neighborhood. The powerful Create-a-Sim tool allows you to create Sims that are more realistic than ever. Select from dozens of personality traits such as brave, artistic, kleptomaniac, clumsy, paranoid and romantic. With Create-a-Sim, you can create a limitless number of truly unique Sims. The Sims 3 allows for infinite possibilities to design the interior and exterior of your Sims' surroundings using the Create-a-Style feature. Additionally, you can enjoy the challenge of short-term and long-term goals and then reap the rewards! Based on personality traits, skills and career choices, your Sims have short and long term Wishes that provide constant, fun challenges and so many things to do and achieve. You have the ultimate freedom to choose whether to fulfill their destiny, giving them lifetime happiness and rewards or not!
Register your copy of The Sims 3 for PC and Mac at www.TheSims3.com to enjoy the robust online and community features unique to your game including an all-new town called Riverview that you can download for no additional charge once you register. You will also gain access to 1,000 SimPoints to purchase items from The Sims 3 Store including exclusive outfits, hairstyles, furniture, home décor, and architectural items to customize your Sims appearance and houses in all-new ways. Visit the Store each month for new, never-seen-before themed items. Additionally, be the director of your Sims' movies by capturing clips during your gameplay, visiting the official site, and editing the soundtrack, story, and transitions, then share it with the world! These easily accessible tools inspire creativity and allow you to share your masterpieces with your friends and other players on The Sims 3 official website, personal blogs, or any social media network. See what you can create with The Sims 3.
The Sims 3 is the first The Sims game experience for iPhone and iPod touch. Full 3D Sims environments that take unique advantage of the innovative Multi-Touch user interface and accelerometer in the devices give players the opportunity to experience The Sims in a whole new way, anywhere, anytime. The Sims 3 is available globally from Apple's App Store on iPhone and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
