EA Announces The Sims 3 will Invade Consoles and Handheld this Fall

The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. today announced that the critically-acclaimed The Sims 3 is in development for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, the Wii and Nintendo DS, and will be available this fall. Millions embraced the launch of The Sims 3 on the PC/Mac last summer making it the biggest PC launch in EA’s history and going on to become to the #1 best-selling PC title in 2009. The groundbreaking The Sims franchise has continued to gain momentum, remaining a worldwide cultural touchstone for its enormous and growing fan base.

“We’re bringing players the best console and handheld game for The Sims franchise to date and are excited to offer a unique experience for all types of gamers on their platform of choice,” explained Sam Player, Executive Producer at EA. “Building on the unique traits system, living open neighborhood, lifetime wishes, and endless customization options, we’ve tailored each platform of The Sims 3 with exclusive features to allow for even more control, creativity, and connectivity.”

In The Sims 3 for console and handheld, players will be able to create Sims with unique personalities, fulfill their desires…or not, and control their lives within a living neighborhood. Additionally, all-new features make it easier than ever to mess with life as players can unlock the ultimate “Karma Powers” for instant control and unleash them on their Sims. Players can help their Sim “get lucky,” bless them with “instant beauty” or be deviant and curse them with an “epic fail.” But players should use these powers wisely—they may have unexpected results and karma may come back to bite.

Rich, immersive gameplay is complimented with a seamlessly integrated exchange system on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms, gamers will be more connected than ever before as they design, build, and share their creations and download content from other players around the world without ever leaving the game. Facing short and long term challenges, players will reap rewards and trophies and can even share achievements with friends by connecting to Facebook.

Exclusive to the Wii version, players will be able to enjoy an all-new beach town with unique residents, traits, careers and lifetime wishes. For the first time ever, players can enjoy The Sims 3 with friends by going head to head in the new “Life Moments” game to earn rewards. Finally, players will also enjoy several adventure quests, as the game will challenge them to explore their town and discover the secrets therein.

Never before seen on Nintendo DS, players can use the stylus to build their Sims’ homes with tools, draw walls and floors, and customize virtually everything from décor objects, textures, and more. Players will use the stylus to sculpt their Sims’ facial features, choose hair styles and clothing, and dictate personalities in the most robust Create a Sim yet for a handheld game. In Story Mode, players will control multiple Sims within a family and enjoy life’s special moments. For the first time ever on the Nintendo DS, players can enjoy a complete life simulation as they guide their Sims through completing challenges to unlock additional items, new buildings and landmarks, and more.

“The Sims series’ continues to be one of the most successful videogames of all time by providing universally appealing content and focusing on the player’s imagination, emergent gameplay mechanics, and the innate humor evident in the virtual world of The Sims,” said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio. “We’re building on this foundation and applying new features that will make for a robust, deep and rewarding gameplay experience. I’m extremely proud of the game that the team is making and can’t wait to bring these exciting new features like Karma Powers to life and get them into players’ hands.”

The Sims 3 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS is developed by The Sims Studio and has not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information about The Sims 3, please go to www.TheSims3.com. The Sims 3 is also available for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod touch and mobile devices.