| _______________ | 1 |  | New Interview - Talking Simlish with Gabriella Cilmi | | *TheSims2.com* (http://thesims2.ea.com/) published an interview today with UK-based Aussie songstress Gabriella Cilmi who sang a simlish version of *Sweet About Me* in the Apartment Life expansion.* Here’s a snippet of the interview:
*What in-game scenario do you thing the Simlish version of ‘Sweet About Me’ would make a good soundtrack for?*
It just sounds so fun, I imagine it playing in a bar. It’d be the perfect soundtrack for going on dates and playing footsies beneath the table. Or just going out and having fun! I’d like to hear it if I was getting my Sim to play pool… can you play pool in Sims? I’m sure you can!
*What other songs would you most like to hear in Simlish?*
‘Time Is Running Out’ by Muse or ‘Whole Lotta Love’ by Led Zeppelin - that’d be outrageous!
*Continue reading* (http://thesims2.ea.com/community/interview_gc.php) | | Fri, 10 October 2008, 22:00 | |
| _______________ | 2 |  | SimCity for iPhones - screens | | A few new screens appeared yesterday of SimCity for iPhones.* Should hit the iTunes store sometime next month.* Head on over to *IGN (http://media.wireless.ign.com/articles/917/917723/imgs_1.html?RSSwhen2008-10-08_170000&RSSid=917723) *to view them.
Image: http://media.ign.com/thumb/259/2595530/simcity-iphone-screens-20081008050346802_thumb_ign.jpg (http://media.wireless.ign.com/articles/917/917723/imgs_1.html?RSSwhen2008-10-08_170000&RSSid=917723) Image: http://media.ign.com/thumb/259/2595529/simcity-iphone-screens-20081008050345645_thumb_ign.jpg (http://media.wireless.ign.com/articles/917/917723/imgs_1.html?RSSwhen2008-10-08_170000&RSSid=917723) Image: http://media.ign.com/thumb/259/2595528/simcity-iphone-screens-20081008050344177_thumb_ign.jpg (http://media.wireless.ign.com/articles/917/917723/imgs_1.html?RSSwhen2008-10-08_170000&RSSid=917723)
Thanks *InfiniteSims* (http://www.infinitesims.com)! | | Fri, 10 October 2008, 22:00 | |
| _______________ | 3 | | [TheSims2.com] Talking Simlish with Gabriella Cilmi | | We chatted with UK-based Aussie songstress Gabriella Cilmi about recording "Sweet About Me" in Simlish! :: Read the Interview (http://thesims2.ea.com/community/interview_gc.php)
More... (http://thesims2.ea.com/community/interview_gc.php) | | Fri, 10 October 2008, 15:40 | |
| _______________ | 4 | | New renders/screens for The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff pack | | *TheSims2.com* (http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sp9_index.php) has published their information page for the next pack in the series, *The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff*.* Head on over there to check out the new screens and renders!
Image: http://thesims2.ea.com/images/about/sp9_screenshots/screenshot_8_sm.jpg (http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sp9_screenshots.php) Image: http://thesims2.ea.com/images/about/sp9_screenshots/screenshot_7_sm.jpg (http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sp9_screenshots.php) Image: http://thesims2.ea.com/images/about/sp9_screenshots/screenshot_1_sm.jpg (http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sp9_screenshots.php) Image: http://thesims2.ea.com/images/about/sp9_objrenders/screenshot_6_sm.jpg (http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sp9_renders.php) Image: http://thesims2.ea.com/images/about/sp9_objrenders/screenshot_10_sm.jpg (http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sp9_renders.php) Image: http://thesims2.ea.com/images/about/sp9_objrenders/screenshot_11_sm.jpg (http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sp9_renders.php) Image: http://thesims2.ea.com/images/about/sp9_objrenders/screenshot_16_sm.jpg (http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sp9_renders.php) Image: http://thesims2.ea.com/images/about/sp9_objrenders/screenshot_5_sm.jpg (http://thesims2.ea.com/about/sp9_renders.php) | | Thu, 9 October 2008, 23:41 | |
| _______________ | 5 | | [TheSims2.com] MySims Kingdom Pre-Order | | MySims Kingdom is now available for pre-order on the Wii and DS!:: Reserve your copy today! (http://eastore.ea.com/DRHM/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayProductSearchResultsPage&SiteID=ea&Locale=en_US&CallingPageID=ProductSearchResultsPage&Env=BASE&keywords=kingdom&btn_search.x=0&btn_search.y=0&btn_search=Search)
More... (http://eastore.ea.com/store/ea/DisplayHomePage) | | Thu, 9 October 2008, 10:10 | |
| _______________ | 6 | | PocketGamer - SimCity Creator DS review | | Why is SimCity Creator so brilliant? Back in the day, ‘god games’ like Powermonger and SimCity used to be about as user-friendly as typhoid. There were innumerable variables which, invariably, you couldn’t distinguish from each other. Nothing seemed to happen for ages. There were lots and lots of spreadsheets to furrow your brow over. Nothing seemed to happen, and then, everything seemed to happen. The game would usually end with you voluntarily unleashing an earthquake/ tornado/ towering inferno on your civilisation just to put the damn thing out of its misery.
SimCity Creator, on the other hand, is as welcoming as a particularly cute rescue puppy. Key is the challenge mode. Here you’re tasked with developing your civilisation - Santhony City, seing as you asked - throughout crucial periods of history. In the Neolithic age this means overseeing the transformation of hunter-gatherers to farmers. In the Renaissance, it means harnessing revolutionary ideas while banging up loads of revolutionary types. In post-war Asia it means reconstructing and modernising a society still haunted by the traumas of global conflict. It sounds high-fallutin’, but it’s really just SimCity meets Quantum Leap (ask your granddad). Or Bill and Ted’s Awesome Reconstruction Adventure (ask your dad).
*Read the whole review at PocketGamer* (http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/SimCity+Creator/review.asp?c=9342) | | Thu, 9 October 2008, 9:00 | |
| _______________ | 7 | | NPD PC Chart for the week ending on September 27 | | Spore takes the throne to reclaim it’s No. 1 position for this week’s NPD results for PC gaming.* For other related Maxis games, Apartment Life checks in at the 5th position while the Sims 2 Double Deluxe is still coming in strong at No. 8.
1. Spore
2. Warhammer Online: Age Of Reckoning
3. Civilization IV: Colonization Expansion Pack
4. Crysis: Warhead
5. The Sims 2 Apartment Life Expansion Pack
6. World Of Warcraft: Battle Chest
7. World Of Warcraft
8. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe
9. Lego Batman
10. World Of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Expansion Pack
Courtesy of *VooDoo Extreme* (http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/42035/Top-10-Best-Selling-PC-Games-of-the-Week). | | Wed, 8 October 2008, 5:30 | |
| _______________ | 8 | | CrispyGamer - SimCity Creator Wii review | | A portion of the review:
I’m angry. I’m angry because I really like SimCity Creator. If I didn’t like it so much, I wouldn’t be angry. If it didn’t work well on the Nintendo Wii, or if it was just a sloppy money-grab console port, or if the old-school SimCity gameplay didn’t hold up very well, I’d be all, like, “Yeah, whatever.” I’d shrug and Fry it and move on. But none of those is the case. Instead, this is a potentially great game — let me say that again: great game — and one of the best things to happen to city-builders in a long time. So, yes, I’m angry.
*Continue on* (http://www.crispygamer.com/gamereviews/2008-10-06/simcity-creator-wii.aspx) | | Mon, 6 October 2008, 22:32 | |
| _______________ | 9 | | Email Promo for SimCity Creator | | Image: http://www.simprograms.com/images/games/SimCityCreatorPromo.jpg
Thanks *GoNintendo* (http://gonintendo.com/?p=58257#comments)! | | Mon, 6 October 2008, 14:12 | | |
| _______________ | 11 | | The Sims Zone covers The Sims 2 Apartment Life | | One of my favorite Sims website - *The Sims Zone* (http://www.thesimszone.co.uk/) published a review for the latest expansion pack: The Sims 2 Apartment Life.* Head on over their to read their thoughts:
When I heard about Apartment Life being the final expansion pack for The Sims 2, I looked forward to it with interest. I had been after having my sims live in apartment buildings for a long time. When Nightlife came out, I thought that would be the ideal opportunity to introduce it. Well, it has taken another three years and apartment living is now a reality as the expansion pack is here.
With a lot of people looking forward to it, can such an expansion pack meet with those expectations?
This indepth review will tell you whether we think Apartment Life is a penthouse paradise or flatshare from hell.
*Read the review* (http://www.thesimszone.co.uk/editorials/index.php?ID=72) | | Thu, 2 October 2008, 12:48 | |
| _______________ | 12 | | 2 new pics and 4 renders for The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff | | I can always count on *InfiniteSims* (http://www.infinitesims.com/) being up-to-date on the latest pictures for Sims games.* They have uploaded 2 new pictures as well as 4 object renders for the upcoming The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff pack.* Head on over to their site to check them out!
Image: http://www.simprograms.com/images/games/sims2_mansion&gardenstuff_1.jpg (http://www.infinitesims.com/) | | Thu, 2 October 2008, 12:48 | |
| _______________ | 13 | | The Sims 2 Apartment Life patch has been released | | I wouldn’t be doing my true job if I didn’t tell you that Maxis has put out a new patch for Apartment Life.* Normally, I would suggest those to download it right away but with their previous attempts of patching their games, I would say keep an eye on their official Sims 2 forum for a few days.* It’s always a good idea to see what problems occur that other people are experiencing with the new patch.
But to keep you on your toes, here is what this patch is suppose to fix:
* Bathtubs from The Sims 2 Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff can now be tinkered with.
* All badges now take the same amount of time to acquire as they did in The Sims 2 Open for Business.
* Lots now reset when an entire family moves in with another family
* Switching between a pet and a Sim during a magical fire no longer improperly disables the Rewards panel.
* All versions of Jewelry Rack from The Sims 2 Bon Voyage will now be available
* Sims can now ask neighbors they have good relationships with to watch their children when leaving the lot
* Cauldron now has 'resume' option for interrupted spells
* Witch's hats no longer become the default hairstyle when a Sim witch ages.
* Sims may now invite their apartment neighbors to house and sports parties
* Teens in neighboring apartments will no longer briefly appear both in the car and in their room when asked to sneak out.
* Gameplay will no longer get stuck when a witch goes to the magic world while on a blind date
* Maids and Butlers will now make the Murphy Bed and Heart Bed if they are messy.
* Roommates can now gain hobby enthusiasm
* Toy Dog will no longer get stuck in 'Play With' animation
* Occupied apartment lots can now be moved in neighborhood view
* The nanny will no longer stop working if a toddler falls asleep in a pet bed
* Lots saved while the NPC witch is present will still have the witch when loaded again.
* Sims can no longer be let into neighboring apartments while Freeze Time is in effect.
* In Thai, spellbook now properly shows alignment.
* Sims who use Vivificus Zombiae no longer end up with wants and fears as if they had a relationship with themselves.
* Cars placed on unoccupied apartment lots now remain when a Sim moves in
* Apartment neighbors of pre-made families are now hidden properly.
* Downtown Community lots Similar Sights Sculpture Park and Lulu Lounge no longer are overlapped by buildings
* Maxing out physiology knowledge no longer makes gaining all other skills much easier.
* Typos in item descriptions fixed
* In Traditional Chinese, while selecting “Spell: Save from Death,? Sim's name is now properly displayed.
* Apartment Mailboxes now behave properly when Sim attempts to retrieve a Love Letter
* Hand of Darkness Floor Lamp now takes less time to create.
* Correct thought bubbles now appear while Sim is reading a genre book without The Sims 2 FreeTime installed.
* Sims on hotel vacations with their roommate are no longer stranded after their vacation time expires.
* Toddlers and babies are no longer chosen as part of a group when going downtown.
* Wall decoration height adjustment hot keys now match game tips in all languages
* In Polish, build mode music track list is fixed
* Correct Sim names will now be displayed for all Networking Messages
* Conjured servants no longer count against the Sim per household limit
* College Rock now an available radio station without Sims 2 University and Sims 2 Pets installed.
* The lifetime aspiration pop-up window now appears correct in all languages.
* The heads of witches will now look correct after they drop out of college.
* Sims with Body Skills from 1 to 4 are now susceptible to death by Murphy Bed
* Sims will now continue to play the piano until told to stop
* Adult Sims can no longer ask young adults to be roommates.
* There is no longer an error when a Sim returns to their parent's apartment after college.
* Computer in Apartment now behaves properly when Sim is awarded many scholarships
* The landlord will now continue gardening, even if a butler is present
* A nine Sim family can no longer be attained by having twins when there are already seven members
* Sims may now Marry/move-in with their landlords
* Moved in families' apartments will no longer be hidden from view when the occupying family exits them
* Error will no longer occur when player locks in and strands a neighbor in their apartment
* Sims will now properly answer their cell phones and the phones won't disappear from the inventory
* A former landlord that has moved in with a Sim can no longer collect rent
* Freeze Time spell no longer causes errors with Contained Pets
* Chastity Gere will no longer cause an error if married
* Dream Date Flowers/Card can now be placed anywhere on shelves
* Butler will no longer leave the lot with a baby
You can *download this patch* (http://thesims2.ea.com/update/getpatch.php?appVersion=1.16&languageCode=1) at the official Sims 2 site.* I also added a link to it in our *Sims 2 - Patches* (http://www.simprograms.com/?page_id=260) section. | | Thu, 2 October 2008, 12:48 | |
| _______________ | 14 | | The Sims 2 Apartment Life - Kate Perry's official Sims 2 Simlish video for “Hot N Col | | International pop/rock phenom, Katy Perry, who is featured on The Sims 2 Apartment Life soundtrack with her new single “Hot N Cold,? and The Sims today released the Simlish machinima music video for the song. Sung in the unique language of The Sims, Simlish, the video was made using all gameplay footage from The Sims 2 PC Games. This song is taken from her debut, RIAA gold-certified album 'One of the Boys'.
“Being a gamer myself and a big fan of The Sims, I had a blast recording 'Hot N Cold' in Simlish,? Katy Perry said. “The essence of The Sims is all about creativity, community and humor which is also the foundation for making great music, so it's a perfect fit.?
The Sims 2 Apartment Life soundtrack also features International hit artists such as Vanilla Sky from Italy, Ranetki Girls from Russia and Lola, a Hungarian pop star gaining fame and recognition across Europe as well as Artwerk artists Chromeo, Ladytron and Junkie XL. To top it all off, Australian singer and songwriter Gabriella Cilmi sings her hit debut title, “Sweet About Me.?
In The Sims 2 Apartment Life, excitement and surprise await your Sims as they move out of the suburbs and into a brand new busy apartment building! Set your Sims up in an artsy converted loft, swinging studio bachelor pad or posh penthouse with their own butler. Close quarters mean new opportunities or unexpected surprises. And now for the first time, there is the ability to control multiple households so that neighboring Sims can live in happy harmony, or comical conflict. Your Sims can advance their career with the right social network, cope with domestic drama when roommates clash or find true love just down the hall!
The Sims 2 Apartment Life requires The Sims 2 Double Deluxe, The Sims 2 Deluxe, The Sims 2 Special DVD Edition or The Sims 2 Holiday Edition for PC to play.
I uploaded the video to YouTube for those that would like to see it! | | Thu, 2 October 2008, 12:48 | |
| _______________ | 15 | | GameZone - The Sims 2 Apartment Pets (DS) review | | That being said, The Sims 2 (http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r35589.htm#) Apartment Pets did a fair enough job of maintaining my attention, at least, for an hour or so. Initially I was instructed to conjure up a Sim character using the slightly limited customization options. I first had to choose the gender. The top screen displayed sketchy renders of both a male and female Sim. After choosing, I proceeded to choose a face, hair, and clothing. Ok, so maybe more emphasis was placed on the actual environments within Apartment Pets. I booted up the game.
Again with the low scores…Apartment Pets picks up an overal 5.5 from *GameZone* (http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r35589.htm).* I guess this is another game to get when it makes its way into the bargin bin.* Problem is…even though I have a DS, I just never use it.* I’m always on the go so handhelds are perfect…but at the same time when I’m on the go, I’m busy.* I can’t win! | | Thu, 2 October 2008, 12:48 | |
