Issue 116	Tuesday 14th August 2012

Welcome to my News Email, bringing you all the latest news, website updates and poll results from Danny's The Sims Website

Latest Updates

Five new preview links, six new screenshots and two new videos added to “The Sims 3 / Expansion Packs / The Sims 3 Supernatural” page

“The Sims 3 / Expansion Packs / The Sims 3 Seasons” page added with information, first five screenshots, first two videos and first three preview links

Latest News

Another expansion pack is announced, plus more Supernatural details, another live broadcast announcement and more

New Blog Entries Explain Witches And Vampires In Supernatural

Two new blog entries about The Sims 3 Supernatural have been posted on TheSims3.com, one explaining witches, the other vampires:

Vampires also have some fun new social interactions to make them feel more mesmerizing and intense. I like Warn Away as it’s great for telling the story of forbidden vampire love. Intimidate is another one of my favorites. It’s a way to scare other Sims, but not all Sims are so easy to push around. Some people think it’s cool to be intimidated by a vampire; others are more willing to take intimidation as in invitation to fight. Have you ever sent your vampire out for a quick bite, only to be rejected by your chosen victim? With Hypnotic Gaze your vampire can convince strangers that being bitten seems like a great idea.

> “Witches and Vampires, pt 1″ at TheSims3.com
> “Witches and Vampires, pt 2″ at TheSims3.com

Gamerlive.TV Gets An Interview With Supernatural Developer

Gamerlive.TV has posted a video interview with The Sims 3 Supernatural developer Aaron Conners:

The Sims 3 Seasons Announced

If you’re longing for a The Sims 3 weather expansion, but thought the announcement of Supernatural meant there wouldn’t be one this year, then good news: The Sims 3 Seasons has been announced for release this November — yep, for the first time ever, three expansion packs are being released in the same year:

Play with the change of seasons! With The Sims 3 Seasons Expansion Pack, you can let your Sims swim in the ocean on a hot summer day, bob for apples in the autumn leaves, test their snowboarding skill on the half pipe or welcome spring showers with a walk in the rain and a colorful umbrella. All-new activities, like soccer, and big seasonal festivals and celebrations bring the spirit of each season to life. Your Sims can pucker up at the kissing booth at the spring festival or see what Halloween surprises await in the haunted house. Dress for the weather with seasonal fashions ranging from raincoats to snow gear. With new foods, décor and weather effects, your Sims can enjoy the bounty and beauty of the ever-changing seasons and play with life like never before!

Here’s the announce trailer:

You can read the key features and view five screenshots on the new game page.
> The Sims 3 Seasons

There are details of the limited edition version at the bottom of the page on TheSims.com.
> “The Sims™ 3 Seasons Limited Edition” at TheSims.com (UK)

The US version of the trailer (above) confirms it will be available there on 13th November, while the UK version of the trailer confirms a UK release date of 16th November.

Source: “The Sims 3 Seasons Announce Trailer” on YouTube

Supernatural And Seasons Gamescom Live Broadcast Announced

EA has announced another live broadcast for The Sims 3 Supernatural and The Sims 3 Seasons. It will be broadcast from Gamescom tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3 pm UTC, which is 4 pm BST and 8 am PDT:

Ben Bell, Executive Producer, and King Choi, Product Manager, will update you on the latest news, game features and offer you a chance to ask your questions live. We will take a deeper look at witches and vampires for The Sims 3 Supernatural in the newest game demo and then go into The Sims 3 Seasons, offering you a look at a variety of fun features that come with the change of seasons!

> “The Sims 3 Supernatural & The Sims 3 Seasons @ gamescom” at Origin.com

GamesRadar Lists 10 Reasons Why The Sims’ World Is Better Than The Real World

GamesRadar has posted a feature listing their 10 reasons why The Sims’ world is better than the real world:

There’s an encouraging 0% unemployment rate

Getting a job is one of the worst parts of being a human being. In The Sims, you can skip the crushing disappointment of unanswered applications and nerve-wracking interviews. If you want a career, simply pick up a newspaper or log onto your computer and chose the job of your liking. Professional athlete? Astronaut? Ghost hunter? No problem. Even self-employment is as simple as registering for your preferred trade and collecting a weekly stipend.

> “10 reasons why The Sims’ world is better than the real world” at GamesRadar

Supernatural Soundtrack Confirmed

The Simlish songs that will form The Sims 3 Supernatural’s soundtrack have been confirmed, including tracks from such artists as “Austra”, “Ladytron” and “Vampire Twins”.
> “What Music Would a Supernatural Listen to?” at TheSims3.com

Poll Results: What type of supernatural Sim are you most looking forward to creating in The Sims 3 Supernatural?

The results are in and more than half of you are most looking forward to creating fairies, with werewolf the next most popular answer at 18.18%, and vampire and witch finishing with a draw at 12.12% each. Here's the results:

Vampire:

12.12%

Werewolf:

18.18%

Fairy:

51.52%

Witch:

12.12%

I'm not looking forward to creating any of 'em:

6.06%

I haven’t launched a new poll yet as I can’t think of one.

The Sims 3 Is The Number One “Wait, it’s already 3AM?!” Game — GamesRadar

GamesRadar has ranked The Sims 3 number one in their top seven “Wait, it’s already 3AM?!” games:

The Sims isn’t a life simulator – that’s not what makes it so addicting. Though it’s true that you can play through an entire being’s existence from birth to marriage to death in one day, it’s deeper than just “playing life.” There’s something primal, something instinctual that makes it feel alright to spend an entire day playing The Sims 3 instead of doing anything else. Human nature dictates that it’s our job to create life and to perpetuate our species, and that’s what The Sims does. That’s what it really simulates.

> “The Top 7… ‘Wait, it’s already 3AM?!’ games” at GamesRadar

IGN Gives Us Some Extra Seasons Details

IGN has posted some “first details” of The Sims 3 Seasons:

Likely in an effort to be as inclusive to as much of the gigantic Sims audience as possible, the holidays included in The Sims 3: Seasons won’t be named after those in real-life. “The world of The Sims is a lot like ours, but with some pretty funny and amusing differences. Sims can go trick-or-treating on Spooky Day, or host a gift exchange party on Snow Flake Day. A good old-fashioned Hot Dog Eating Contest on Leisure Day happens to be one of my favorites,” says [associate producer Ryan] Vaughan.

> “The Sims 3: Seasons First Details and Announcement” at IGN

New Blog Post Explains What Happens During A Full Moon In Supernatural

A new blog entry has been posted on TheSims3.com which explains what happens during a full moon in The Sims 3 Supernatural:

The night of a full moon is a special event in Moonlight Falls, both feared and celebrated. As the moon rises forebodingly over the mountains, strange things will start to happen around the town…and even pets will be able to sense it. For fairies and witches, this special evening is particularly favored as it boosts their powers and happiness. Some ordinary Sims will embrace the eerie light of the moon, allowing its lunatic glow to consume them for the night and alter their personalities.

> “What Came First, the Lycan or the Moon?” at TheSims3.com

Lead Producer Introduces Seasons In New Blog Post

The Sims 3 Seasons lead producer Ryan Vaughan has posted a blog entry on TheSims3.com introducing the expansion, plus some questions and answers:

For the first time ever, your Sims can celebrate the change of the seasons with other Sims at the brand new festival lot. Any world that you’re playing in (except for the vacation worlds in The Sims 3 World Adventures) will feature a unique festival during each season, complete with loads of fun new objects and events for your Sims to partake in. Sims can get into the spirit of summer by competing in a hot dog eating contest, or embrace the essence of fall by carving a pumpkin and touring the haunted house!

> “Welcome to The Sims 3 Seasons” at TheSims3.com

Seasons Producer Introduces Spring In New Blog Post

The Sims 3 Seasons associate producer Charles Murakami has posted a new blog entry on TheSims3.com introducing spring:

In additional to weather, colors also play a large part in seeing the changing seasons. Through the thick of winter snowstorms, spring is welcomed with a fresh burst of color. The trees will start to re-grow their leaves, and you’ll see our new collectable wild flowers sprouting throughout the town. Sims can pick and gather these wildflowers to add an extra pop of color to their homes. Although be warned, they may be susceptible to seasonal allergies. Don’t worry though, a quick trip to the hospital to get an allergy shot will clear your Sims’ symptoms quickly.

> “April Showers Bring May Flowers in The Sims 3 Seasons!” at TheSims3.com

Second Supernatural Live Chat Now Available To Watch On-Demand, Also Features Seasons

The live chat for The Sims 3 Supernatural that took place recently is now available to watch on-demand, and it includes a first look at the newly-announced The Sims 3 Seasons too (it actually starts about eight and a half minutes in, with the Seasons chat starting about 50 and a half minutes in):

Megan Myers Talks Supernatural With Dread Central

Dread Central has posted an exclusive interview with The Sims 3 Supernatural assistant producer Megan Myers:

[Dread Central]: Another important new feature in The Sims 3 Supernatural is magical item and elixir crafting. How deep is this crafting system and what types of items will players be able to create with it? Which enchanted item or elixir would you say is your personal favorite and why?

MEGAN: There are more than 30 different elixirs for Sims to create in The Sims 3 Supernatural,, each with its own unique recipe of ingredients that are required in order to craft it. The effects of the elixirs will vary greatly. From the ability to create an elixir to turn an ordinary Sim into a supernatural Sim or vice-versa, to crafting an elixir that will decrease a Sim’s need to sleep to even an elixir that will cause a Sim to be attacked by bees, The Sims 3 Supernatural has a large variety to choose from.

> “Exclusive Interview: Assistant Producer Megan Myers Talks Sims 3 Supernatural” at Dread Central

GamesRadar Explains Six Things They Love About Supernatural

GamesRadar has posted a new feature in which they explain six things they love about The Sims 3 Supernatural:

The full moon brings out the crazies

Though many will ignore the facts and argue the contrary, in the real world, the full moon doesn’t actually have that much of an influence over people. In the world of The Sims 3: Supernatural, however, it has a large effect, causing zombies to crawl out of the ground and all other manners of insanity to occur.

The feature includes six new screenshots, which you can also view on the game page if you prefer.
> “The Sims 3: Supernatural – 6 things we love about the mystic, magical expansion” at GamesRadar
> The Sims 3 Supernatural screenshots

Discuss this news on the website!

Do not contact me using the email address used to send the email, as I never look at that inbox. If you wish to contact me, please use the form or email address here. Danny's The Sims Website is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.