News:October 2010
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Game Update for 1.17/2.12/3.8/4.5/5.2
POSTED ON 29/10/10 14:15
To install this update, please start your game and use the “Updates” tab in your Launcher.       

This game update includes:       

Base Game Updates       

  • Players can now suppress Opportunities by selecting the Opportunities Suppression check box in the Game Options menu. This means players can still get opportunities through interactions, but no opportunities will be automatically directed towards the player.
  • The game can now detect downloaded content and use these objects in Sims’ dreams, opportunities, etc.
  • Live Mode  

    • Sims can now form groups with one or more other Sims to stay linked to each other while out and about in the world.
    • Players can now set lights purchased from Buy Mode as a “black light.”
  • Create a Sim  

    • Players can now adjust a Sim’s muscle definition and breast size.
    • New Sims can now have an Astrological Sign assigned.
  • Build/Buy Mode  

    • Players can now use the Platform Tool to create stages and other elevated spaces.
    • Half Walls can now be created and placed on lots.
    • Urinals can now be purchased and placed in addition to toilets!
    • Using new rounded corners and size adjustments, players now have more control over the shapes and sizes of swimming pools.
    • Swimming pools are no longer restricted to being built on the ground floor. They can now be built on multiple other levels of a structure.
    • Players can now create fountains on Residential and Community lots throughout the world by using the Fountain Tool.
  • Edit Town  

    • Players can now place the Public Sounds wall stereo on Community Lots to set and play continuous music throughout a community lot.
  • Additional bug fixes to existing features

World Adventures

  • Additional bug fixes and polish to existing features

Ambitions

  • Additional bug fixes and polish to existing features
Before installing an Update for The Sims 3, an Expansion Pack, or a Stuff Pack, it is a good idea to run through the following checklist to ensure your game continues to work smoothly.

If you have any questions about the below steps, please visit the Technical Support forum on the official Sims 3 community found at this URL: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/forums/show/10.page

Step 1: Disable Custom Content

Custom Content is all Sims content that did not come from an official The Sims 3 Update, The Sims 3 Store, Expansion Pack, or Stuff Pack. Custom Content is created by 3rd Party Developers that are not regulated by Electronic Arts or The Sims 3 Development Team and may not work with new updates. Custom Content may cause the game to behave unexpectedly or not function entirely.

To disable your custom content, undo whatever you did to install this content to get your game back into an unmodified state. If you placed it in a Sims 3 directory folder, move it to a new folder that is outside your Sims 3 file directory. Your Sims 3 file directory can be found using the paths listed below:

Windows File Directory: C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3

Mac File Directory: User/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims/

Once you have installed the official update you may re-enable your custom content. If you experience problems, disable it again until the 3rd party developer updates their content to work with the official Update, Expansion Pack, or Stuff Pack.

Step 2: Back Up your Save Files

It’s always a good precaution to back up your save files before installing an Expansion Pack, Update, or Stuff Pack. To do this, copy the “.sims3” folders found in the Saves folder onto your desktop or another file directory.

Your Sims 3 Saves folder can be found using the paths listed below:

Windows File Directory: C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Saves

Mac File Directory: User/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims/Saves

After the Update is installed, run the game to verify your saves still function correctly.

Step 3: Let the Update Complete Entirely

Updates can sometimes be rather large and may take a while to download and install completely. Cancelling the update before it has completed may cause unexpected problems, so it is always best to let it finish entirely. Do not close the Launcher until you have confirmed the update is completely installed, as this will cancel the update.

UK Community Hands-on Events - The Sims 3 on Console and Late Night!
POSTED ON 21/10/10 16:10
We're happy to announce that we'll be taking The Sims On Tour around the UK from Tuesday 26th to Friday 29th October! If you can visit on one of the days below, you'll be able to play the new games and perhaps win a few prizes into the bargain..

For more information, check out our event schedule on our local UK Facebook page below.

Would be great to see you there!

-The Sims UK Team-


**


Tuesday 26th October - *London, 12-6pm*

The Sims 3 Console / Late Night Community Hands-on - *London* | Facebook

Wednesday 27th October - *Manchester, 12-6pm*


The Sims 3 Console / Late Night Community Hands-on - *Manchester* | Facebook


Thursday 28th October - *Edinburgh, 12-6pm*

The Sims 3 Console / Late Night Community Hands-on - *Edinburgh* | Facebook


Friday 29th October - *Cardiff, 12-6pm* - TBC

The Sims 3 Console / Late Night Community Hands-on - *Cardiff* | Facebook
The Sims 3 Late Night - Producer's Blog on Vampire gameplay
POSTED ON 21/10/10 15:05

Let’s get a few things clear – Vampires in The Sims 3 Late Night do not twinkle, sparkle, or cry. Vampire men look like men and vampire women, well, they’re clearly girls. When in daylight they smoulder with fire and are in deep trouble as they should be. They aren’t “beautiful” in the eyes of silly, adolescent girls.


Phew. I feel better now.


We designed vampires to be awesome, cunning, and incredibly powerful. We want vampires to provide an entirely new way to play as a Sim and to tell a compelling story of the night. We also wanted them to be, ahem, night and day different from the vampires of The Sims 2 Nightlife. Those vampires seemed like they belonged in a 1920s horror movie. The Sims 3 Late Night vampires bring the allure of the night into the 21st century.


Vampires have several powers that set them apart from Sims. They are able to learn skills twice as quickly as normal Sims. They are stronger, smarter, and more creative—and it shows. Vampires also run incredibly quickly, so fast that it creates a blur effect. They can also read minds and force Sims to think of them which, when meeting new Sims,  helps them quickly build relationship levels.


But that’s not all!

 

Click to enlarge


Vampires can drink from other Sims to replenish their thirst. This is a consensual act and so is less predatory than a vampire’s other abilities. If they don’t have anyone with whom they are close, they can grow Plasma Fruit, which vegetarian vampires prefer, or raid the hospital for plasma packs. Be wary of the law, however!


Assuming your vampire Sims wish to be prolific and spread the powers, other Sims throughout the neighbourhood can be turned. After the transformation takes hold, new vampires become more pale, their eyes glow, sunlight will punish them, and their teeth grow noticeably sharper. A lot good, a little bad. Ultimately, it’s just the price you pay for a longer, more powerful life!


My favorite vampire ability is the hunt. Vampires can not only drink from other Sims, but they can scan their heat to find the Sims with the tastiest plasma. The best places to hunt are popular venues like the current hot spot nightclub as they are filled with potential targets.


 

Click to enlarge

As your vampire begins the hunt, every Sim at the scene begins to glow, as if covered with a heat scanner. One by one your vampire narrows down the selection, choosing their victim. Once one is found, they are added to your vampire’s relationship panel and a Map Tag is added to them. This way, no matter where they go in town, your vampire can find them.


Then, the hunt is on! Using abilities like “Read Mind” and “Think of Me” your vampire is able to expedite the relationship gain. These are just a few tactics in a vampire’s arsenal.


What will you do with your vampires? Personally, I prefer the vampire bassist. The night definitely belongs to vampires in The Sims 3 Late Night and the possibilities are many. Go forth with fangs out and drink!



Global Facebook Count Down Event
POSTED ON 18/10/10 22:07
Just one week left until The Sims 3 comes to console and Late Night launches! Join us on our global Facebook page for our Count Down Event. Can we reach 1.7 Million fans by then? Invite your friends to “Like” our page to celebrate the launch of these games!


Join us here
Just Arrived - New Sets at The Sims 3 Store!
POSTED ON 07/10/10 01:09
Animals are Abound in October, be sure to check out the all-new Animals Abound Playground Bed + Bath Sets today!

Are your Sims Front Row and Centre? Take center stage with the Front Row Centre Bedroom + Wretched Threads sets, with rockin’ clothing and furniture like this, the neighbours are bound to stare.

If Glitter and Glam is more your style, then check out the Glitter and Glam Bedroom set, because your Sims deserve only the finest!

For a community treat, be sure to get the FREE Kalliopi's Gift set - A very special set inspired by a very special friend of The Sims.

Start Shopping!