Consoling Sims

Not surprising news, surely, but EA has finally given us more news on the console versions of Sims 3. The Sims franchise is not only known for its landmark PC title, but also for frequent console ports which each release. As the series has grown, so have the aims and designs, and the newest iterations seem to be even more cued into the particular platforms it will be using, and are playing to particular playing styles.

A common thread indicated is that of 'Karma Powers,' by which a player can bless or curse a Sim with luck, 'instant beauty,' or 'epic fail.' It seems they want a precariously balanced karmic system that rewards wise behavior; as they state, "But players should use these powers wisely--they may have unexpected results and karma may come back to bite."

For the Wii, there will be a new beach town players will be allowed to explore--an exclusive for that console. It promises friendly interactions with other players, though it is yet to be made clear whether or not this is online-only or local-friendly. During these matches, one can engage in "Life Moments," for which there will be rewards. Perhaps something that will catch the eye of gamers who prefer the more guided Sims approach is that this version will include adventure quests that task you with specific exploration goals and challenges.

The DS seems to be speaking to those who lean more toward the creation end of the spectrum. Using the stylus, one can design houses, touch up walls and floors, redesign textures, and even sculpt the Sims' faces (within reason, I hope). Similar to the Wii, challenges will exist to unlock further objects, landmarks, et cetera, as one controls a family through their lives.

The sharing and community aspects are headed to both the Xbox 360 and PS3, whereby one can design, build, and create content other players may then download. There is also an indicated Facebook sharing aspect, though whether this reaches further beyond what is already capable is unclear at this time. The catch? "Registration is limited to one EA Account per serial code and is non-transferable once used." Whether or not this is also true of trophies and achievements is yet to be revealed, though the entire online portion of the press release is primarily just an indication that it will exist. Otherwise, the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will likely look more akin to the PC version.

All four versions are in development right now and slated for a Fall release. Anyone who wanted the game, but was barred by the earlier PC requirement planning on them? A particular console catch your eye? I may look into it for the DS, particularly as I enjoy gaming while I'm traveling. Of course, multiplayer Sims sounds like it could make for some amusing fun, depending on how it is handled.