Fans of the popular SIMS videdogame series may enrich the lives of their Sims with the addition of an animal companion. Electronic Arts announced SIMS 2, is going to the dogs and for that matter, to the cats, guinea pigs and birds too. The company is releasing The Sims 2 Pets on current generation console systems, handheld platforms and as a PC expansion pack. THE SIMS 2 PETS will build on the THE SIMS 2 experience that allows players to create and control digital characters throughout their lives while determining the outcome of their relationships and choosing their destiny.
Not only will players have the opportunity to choose from a variety of existing breeds, and hot designer mixes, they also be able to personally design their new friend with the create-a-Pet feature. Fans may create their ideal pet by choosing their body shape, unique markings, even their pets personalities. With so many different animals to choose from, unpredictable experiences could occur.
Players will also be able to teach their pet new tricks, take them for a romp in the park, outfit them with new pet accessories and give them a job. Sims pets will require care and training. A neglected cat with an urge to scratch might claw up the new couch and leaving a dog unattended near a freshly planted flower bed grows trouble.
THE SIMS 2 PETS captures the magic between pets and their owners, said exec producer Rod Humble. A dog gnawing at his chew toy, a cat jumping at a dangled feather, a toddler stroking the chest of a big dog who sits by patiently even a frisky dog getting caught rolling around in the trash. These special moments all come to life through the lifelike animations and artwork of THE SIMS 2 PETS. There is something delightful about your Sim, a little pet person, having a pet of their own. PETS allows players to tell more stories with their Sims and helps create more emergent anecdotes within the game.
THE SIMS 2 PETS will be available on the PlayStation2, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, and as a PC expansion pack that builds on the original THE SIMS 2 PC game experience in fall 2006. A version for the PSP will follow.
THE SIMS 2 PETS offers classic Sims open-ended gameplay. Players create and control digital characters over a lifetime, setting their goals in life from popularity and romance, to fortune and family.
They also can share unique pet unlocks, using special codes to share unlockable pet accessories, fur types or markings with other THE SIMS 2 PETS players.
Fans may create a designer breed, including popular hybrid breeds like the Labradoodle, Puggle and Schnoodle. Plus they may be registered to appear in Create-A-Pet as a unique pedigree.
Skilled pets can earn a living from three career tracks show business, security and service and work their way up through five job levels.
SIMS players may take their pet for a romp at any of the nearby park areas, or head to the Central Town Park, which is a favorite of pet owners. While there, watch the pets play well with others while Sims can meet others and socialize with fellow animal lovers.
Unique to Nintendo DS* Manage a Pet Care Center: Pamper, preen, and nurse all the neighborhood pets at your new Pet Care Center that you create and customize.
* How Much Is That Doggie in the Window? In a pet store that you own and operate, you can help other Sims pick out the perfect pet. Earn extra Simoleans by selling the pet products that include the latest pet fashions and accessories!
Unique to Game Boy Advance* Give Your Sim a Career in Pet Care: Take care of the towns pets by being a veterinarian, a worldclass pet trainer and more. Players can even choose from a variety of cat and dogs to adopt as their very own. Whether they are healing pets or just taking them for a stroll, there is always something to do in the pet-friendly town of Barkersville.
* Toys, treats and tricks!: Sims can teach their pets cool and amazing tricks and then compete in the World Championships to be the best in show!
The ESRB Rating:RP-T (Rating Pending Teen. THE SIMS 2 PETS for PC requires THE SIMS 2 or THE SIMS 2 SPECIAL DVD Edition for PC to play.
The Sims franchise celebrated its fifth anniversary in February. The game skyrocketed to the top of the charts when it began shipping to stores in February 2000 and quickly become a universal gaming and cultural phenomenon. THE SIMS PC-based product and expansion packs were the best selling PC games of 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. Translated into 17 different languages, THE SIMS has inspired seven top-selling expansion packs. THE SIMS 2 shipped in September 2004 with sales already topping five million units worldwide, it was the bestselling PC game of 2004. THE SIMS 2 UNIVERSITY shipped in March 2005, THE SIMS 2 NIGHTLIFE shipped in September 2005, THE SIMS 2 OPEN FOR BUSINESS shipped in February 2006. Combined sales for the franchise are approximately 70 million units life-to-date. For more information on THE SIMS 2, visit www.thesims2.com and for more information on THE SIMS franchise titles, visit www.thesims.com
Electronic Arts (www.ea.com, headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS, EA, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies.
