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Sims 4 gameplay walkthrough reveals Premium membership
EA and Maxis have a new trailer for The Sims 4, and it contains at least one surprise; though maybe not the sort of surprise you're happy to see. During the 20-minute gameplay walkthrough - which you can check out below the break - we see a the image above, which advertises a "Premium" membership for The Sims 4. In case you're having difficulty reading the screencap, here's the text: "The Sims 4 Premium. Save on new packs with early access and exclusive items. Become a Premium member to get early access to three new packs, with exclusive items. Your Sims can throw a spooky costume party, camp in the great outdoors, and toast to the new year in style." The Battlefield series has had Premium memberships for awhile now, and there have historically been Premium editions of Sims games, but a membership would be a first for series - if it comes to fruition, that is. Ryan Vaughan, producer on the game, states at the beginning of the gameplay demonstration that everything seen is unfinished and thus, subject to change before release. To see the full trailer, click that handy "Continue Reading" button.
The Sims 4 will lack toddler life stage, death by pool at launch
Sims series producer Ryan Vaughan has revealed new details about the upcoming burn-the-house-down-when-you-try-to-make-spaghetti simulator, The Sims 4. Unfortunately, this new information brings to light what won't be in the game. In The Sims 4, human larvae will metamorphose quickly, as the "Toddler" life stage that was first introduced in The Sims 2 will not be part of the game when it launches this September. Swimming pools have also not made the cut, meaning that ... wait, swimming pools won't be available at launch? But how will we murde- ... entertain our guests if there's no pool from which to remove a ladder? "While we recognize that some of you will be disappointed that pools and toddlers won't be available when The Sims 4 Base Game launches in September, you should know that we're building an incredibly strong foundation that is capable of fulfilling every one of your desires in the years to come," Vaughan wrote. "Disappointed" is certainly the word: one Sims fan has created a Change.org petition, which as of writing has nearly 7,000 signatures. [Image: EA]
The Sims 4 ships for PC in fall 2014
The Sims 4 will launch worldwide for PC platforms in the fall of next year, Electronic Arts announced today. Developed by EA Maxis' The Sims Studio, The Sims 4 ups the series' surrealist life-simulation ante with more lifelike Sims and a new creation-focused player toolkit. An Origin-exclusive Digital Deluxe version is up for pre-order at The Sims 4's official website, offering players bonus "Life of the Party" and "Up All Night" content packs when the game premieres next year.
The Sims 3 saves won't carry over to The Sims 4
The Sims 3 players must sever ties with their current relationships and start anew in The Sims 4, as EA says save files will not transfer between games. "We have brand new technology driving the game so unfortunately none of that carries over," producer Ryan Vaughan tells Videogamer. "Especially with the new tools: It's a whole new way of building your Sims and building your families so it doesn't carry over." No families or content from The Sims 3 are compatible with The Sims 4, but Vaughn hopes that players will be able to quickly recreate their favorite loved ones within the new editing tools detailed in the video above. "With the new tools, they're really tactile and creative, and I think people are going to be able to recreate their families really quickly," he says. This could potentially be a big issue for players who have stuck with the game since 2009 and formed a close bond with their Sims, or for those who have purchased the numerous add-ons issued by EA over the years. The Sims 4 was announced in early May for PC and Mac, with a vague launch window of 2014. The latest game, which includes a full single-player offline component, once again tasks players with managing the lives of virtual people within a simulated community.
EA: The Sims 4 is a 'single-player offline experience'
An announcement for The Sims 4 confirms the game will include a single-player component playable offline. With SimCity's tumultuous launch fresh on the brain, the news of offline gameplay is undoubtedly welcomed by fans. Not much else is said about the upcoming sequel in the press release, other than a promise of "new and intuitive tools" with which players can connect with their Sims. There will also be some kind of sharing functionality. The Sims 4 was announced earlier today and is currently in development at The Sims Studio at EA's Redwood City headquarters. The Sims 4 will launch on PC and Mac in 2014.
The Sims 3: Late Night Expansion takes your Sim out on the town this fall
Looking for a virtual metropolis in which your Sim can par-tay down? EA just announced the next expansion for The Sims 3, called the "Late Night Expansion." The add-on will include an "active downtown scene" where players can "become a local celebrity, member of a music band, mixologist, director, and more." You can also apparently become a vampire, but if the announcement trailer past the break is any indication, you'll just loiter around a lot of alleys. We imagine it's kinda like being a teenager ... forever. The Sims 3: Late Night Expansion launches this fall. %Gallery-97857%
