Sims 3 Gets Console, Handheld Releases

The Sims franchise has always dominated PC charts, a trend that continued with The Sims 3 last year. Electronic Arts says today it hopes to reach even more players with the title, announcing versions in development for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS. The console and handheld ports of 2009's number one PC title are slated for this fall, EA says. Executive producer Sam Player notes that "we’ve tailored each platform of The Sims 3 with exclusive features to allow for even more control, creativity, and connectivity." According to the announcement -- which comes a few months after initial mention of console versions of the game -- the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will incorporate an integrated exchange system where players can design, share and download game content with one another. The Sims 3 on next-gen consoles also promises Facebook connectivity, according to the announcement; players can post rewards and achievements they earn in the game on consoles to their Facebook profiles. The Wii edition will feature an exclusive beach town, adventure quests, and a two-player head-to-head game called "Life Moments." This also marks the franchise's first "complete life simulation" version on the Nintendo DS, where players can build and draw Sims' homes, as well as design their faces and clothing, using the stylus. Previous DS iterations of the franchise used Sims characters and gameplay but were not fully featured.