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111. The Sims 2 @ PSP Info
Written on Sunday 24 April 2005 at 14:24 by
ChEeTaH -
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The Sims 2 for PSP is, besides several other console versions, also in development. After discussing the other versions (except for mobile phones)
GameSpot has also posted a preview of the Sims 2 for PSP. Virginia McArthur talks about the game (again) in a video interview, which is summarised by GameSpot. She tells that the game will be set in Strangetown, like the other handheld counterparts. However, the story is quite different. You'll start off with a Sim whose car has broken down near Strangetown. After socialising a bit with a mechanic, Oscar, he fixes your car while you're in a curio shop. There, with a set of tarot cards, your goals and aspirations will be determined. You can of course go back and do it again if you don't like the outcome. A little bit of what happened to Bella Goth in the PC game will also be unveiled. You'll move into her house (that she leaves), but the house will have to be fixed up a lot despite the maid's attention. When you get back, everything is gone - the car and the garage... That's where the game really starts.
You can go to five different neighborhoods with a map, where you'll need to socialise. There will be characters from the PC version but also some new and unique ones in the neighborhood. You can throw party and so invite some Sims to move in and become roommates. As possible on the PC, you'll be able to customise those Sims to your likings. Two players of the PSP version can also join the game over the wireless capabilities, and socialise to get extra points. You can also copy characters over this way, and trade objects and such. Audio capabilities will also be used to the max, using all Simlish features from the PC and a brand new soundtrack.
Read the
preview for more information, or see the
video interview to get the word from Virginia straight away. You can also check out the first three
screenshots below.
112. The Sims 2 for Console Looked at
Written on Saturday 23 April 2005 at 00:56 by
ChEeTaH -
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Yesterday there was an
interview with Virginia McArthur about the Sims 2 on the GBA and DS. Today,
GameSpot is continuing their coverage, by posting a new article about the Sims 2 on the big consoles - PlayStation 2, XBox and GameCube. In a video interview with producer Scott Amos, he talks about the aspiration and the new food systems in the console version of the game. It's also said that the game will feature a more rich Create-A-Sim mode than on the PC, with options to morph shape the face and body, but also to create new clothes by unlocking items, and combining them in the create-a-fashion mode. As for the food, you have 60 ingredients of which you can combine up to 4 at a time. These will create your own power ups, as the food will affect moods or other things. The aspiration you pick at the start determines a bit in which way the story will develop, though - quite like the Sims Bustin' Out - you can go in whatever order you like. As mentioned earlier as well, you can play the game with two players in split-screen mode, and so play the game side-by-side. Direct control works there too.
The game is set to be released in fall 2005, along with the handheld versions. Tomorrow GameSpot will cover the PSP edition of the game. For now, there are two new artworks and a sketch from the console version to be admired by clicking the thumbnails below. You can read GameSpot's
preview or see the
video for more details.
113. First Look at The Sims 2 GBA/DS [Update]
Written on Thursday 21 April 2005 at 14:20 by
ChEeTaH -
1 comment.
Virginia McArthur, producer of the handheld versions of the Sims 2, has sat down with
GameSpot and given a video interview which the gaming site has now posted. In it, some information regarding the GameBoy Advance (GBA) and Dual Screen (DS) versions is given. Both games will be set in Strangetown, although at different places there. The GBA version plays at the set of a TV show, where you have to complete 20 episodes. The player is the star of the show, and by fulfilling your needs and satisfying the aspiration (which can change in every episode) you can get high ratings from the Goths. If the rating is high enough, you can unlock new objects and episodes. The game is less linear than its predecessors as you can complete the levels in any order you like. You can also trade unlocked items with other players using GBA-GBA connectivity, so you don't have to uinlock everything yourself.
The DS version is very different, in that it's completely 3D and instead of at a TV show set, it's located in a two-room hotel. Your goal is to manage that hotel, and to make all visitors happy. There will also be three bosses refusing to leave the hotel, until they are completely satisfied. You are given a lot of freedom, and thus you can expand the hotel with new rooms including lounges and art galleries. Paintings for the art gallery can be played in the touch screen, whereas music that plays in the lounges can be recorded using the built-in microphone of the DS. You can also play that music in any other hotel room, and so drive your residents mad. As with the GBA versions, items can be traded.
Both titles will not be as linear as previous versions. There is an underlying storyline, but you're totally free as to whether you follow it, or just go out and socialise. Gamespot has promised some more information regarding the version for the big consoles for later this week. For now you can check out the
preview, to which a
video is attached. That video can be watched for free with a GameSpot Basic account. The screens below were also posted, one for the GBA and three (quite low quality ones) for the DS.
[Update 22 April, 22:40] As you can see below, the DS images have been reuploaded by Gamespot and now they're in good quality. We've replaced them here too. Thanks to
Fabian for the tip.
114. April Fools Video
Written on Tuesday 5 April 2005 at 21:45 by
ChEeTaH -
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April Fools day has been past us for a few days, but there's still one thing about that day.
GameSpy posted a video that shows the pranks of the Sims 2 University. In true April Fools style it shows you some buzzing, bubbling, excess water, and more.
Check out the video for the details.
115. University (P)reviews
Written on Sunday 27 February 2005 at 03:42 by
ChEeTaH -
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A few articles of the Sims 2 University have been written. They include three articles from series, as well as the first review. Read on for the details.
Read More!
116. University Screenshots and TV Commercial
Written on Sunday 27 February 2005 at 03:08 by
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Two official sites have posted several new screenshots this weekend. The first six come from the
American site, while the other four are from the
German one. New on the shots are some arcade games, which haven't been showed before. You can also see a prank in action: putting soap in the fountain. Other than that, you can see the band and gym objects again. Click the thumbnails below to see the large versions.
Besides the screenshots, the Maxis has also published the TV commercial for the first expansion pack as download. It's in a similar style as the commercial for the Sims 2 itself, and probably the last one for the Sims made by SEE (read
earlier news). You can find the download,
QuickTime required, on the
University Videos page.
117. SimDay
Written on Friday 18 February 2005 at 03:24 by
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This week's SimDay brings both old and new things. The old things are IGN's
review and
developer interview. The
trailer with two bands competing against each other has also been posted on the official site now, under the
videos section. If you haven't seen it yet, you can go there to download it.
New is that
KillerSims is celebrating its fifth birthday this month. To celebrate this event, they are having a competition with which you can win the Sims 2 University, the first expansion pack of the Sims 2. It's a Fan-Salute contest as they've held before. You can find all the details about it at
KillerSims. Finally there are also three new wallpapers in University-style. If you want to see those three - or you want to download them - head over to the
Wallpapers page.
118. Developer Interview
Written on Wednesday 16 February 2005 at 21:36 by
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Games site
IGN has posted a developer interview of 8 minutes, in which Tim LeTourneau, Senior producer of the Sims 2 University, shows the first expansion. Although there's no new information in it - everything has been told before already - it does show elements of the game that haven't been seen before. You can see the campus, a party, the career rewards in action, dorms, and a lot more. To view (or download) the video, head over to IGN's
media page, and look for the Developer Commentary video.
119. New University Trailer
Written on Thursday 10 February 2005 at 23:04 by
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The Sims 2 University is less than a month away, and you've already seen some
screenshots this SimDay. But there's more:
GameSpot has posted a new video, that shows off the band objects in the game. You can check out a band doing good and one doing bad. If you want to see that, and how some instruments magically change colours, then head over to the
media page at GameSpot to stream the video, or download it if you have a GameSpot Complete account. A free GameSpot Basic account is required to view (stream) the video.
120. SimDay: Valentine's on its way
Written on Thursday 10 February 2005 at 22:58 by
ChEeTaH -
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It's SimDay again, and Maxis comes with several new things. The first are four romantic screenshots, all for Valentine's day. You can see those below or on the
screenshots section on the official site. There's also an
old video of the Sims 2 University, in which you see some students play some pool. If you haven't seen it yet or want to see it again, head over to the official
video page. And finally there's another interview, this time with Tim LeTourneau on
1UP.com. Although most of the information is old, a few new things are mentioned. For example some specific new wants and fears:
"Well there are many tied to the new objects and interactions in the game. They also have wants related to academics, like 'Write Term Paper,' or 'Make Dean's List.'"
Tim also answers
no a few specific items and features that 1Up would like to see in the game, including Scarface posters, Grateful Dead or Phising T-Shirts, student protests or bringing laundry home to parents. Read the
complete interview for the exact details.