"This exclusive trailer gives you a taste of what The Sims 2 University is all about."
News
Please note I'm currently working on the new site. I didn't want to take the site offline though, so you can still visit it. However me working on the site while it's still online means a lot of the pages will appear wonky. But not to worry, it won't take too long. 
11 Feb 2005 - 22:00
10 Feb 2005 - 22:40
This week it's exactly five years ago that the first Sims game ("The Sims") was in stores. We need to celebrate this of course on the Sims site!
By participating with the contest on this website, you could win an exclusive "Complete collection of The Sims" edition, signed by Tim LeTourneau!
The winner of the contest is:
Wieke from Gieten!
Congratulations! We'll send you the exclusive Simbox signed by Tim LeTourneau as soon as possible!
10 Feb 2005 - 22:20
"Those of us who studied Econ 101 by playing quarters know that there's more to higher learning than libraries and study groups. We asked University Senior Producer Tim LeTourneau why we should pledge EA..."
The Sims 2 University
By Andrew Pfister
We talk up the Senior Producer of the game.
It has begun. The first of presumably many expansion packs for The Sims 2 sends the kids off to college, where they must fend for themselves and get their way through four years of lousy teaching assistants, underage house parties, and sloppy roommmates. But when they return home with a degree and the fast track to a new career, it'll all be worth it.
Those of us who studied Econ 101 by playing quarters know that there's more to higher learning than libraries and study groups. We asked University Senior Producer Tim LeTourneau why we should pledge EA...
1UP: Is University based on any particular college or just the typical "college" lifestyle?
LeTourneau: Just typical college life and lifestyle. We wanted to allow players to create their own college fantasy so left it as open ended as we possibly could.
1UP: Does the sim family have to take out a sim loan to pay for sim university?
LeTourneau: Nah, the student is able to work to get scholarships to pay for expenses. School itself is subsidized, so all teens can go. For the first time, Sims will be able to take on campus jobs such as working as a barista in a local coffee shop, become a tutor, join a band to receive tips, etc.
1UP: Can you design your own dorm room or apartment
LeTourneau: You can definitely buy furniture and change the wallpaper, etc... You will not be able to change the walls though, those are set. Just like in real life, in The Sims 2 University, does not allow you to move the existing walls and dorms. However, you can still go in the game and build your own dorm if you'd like. We keep it open for all kinds of players. However, you can decorate your dorm room however you want with over 125 new objects in The Sims 2 University and thousands of different ways if you use the design mode to customize your room.
1UP: What are the majors?
LeTourneau: There are 11 total, including History, Mathematics, Drama, Art, etc...
1UP: What kind of jobs can a college sim take?
LeTourneau: Your Sims can find a variety of ways to earn extra cash. They can work as a barista at the coffee shop, or a personal trainer at the gym. They can tutor other students, or perform in a band. They can even take over of the cafeteria staff.
1UP: Can the sim flunk out if he or she does poorly?
LeTourneau: Absolutely. Poor grades gets you on academic probation. Another bad semester and you're out.
1UP: What kinds of wants and fears, related to college life, does the Sim develop?
LeTourneau: Well there are many tied to the new objects and interactions in the game. They also have wants related to academics, like "Write Term Paper," or "Make Dean's List."
1UP: Can a Sim's college career last for more than four years?
LeTourneau: Not really. College is made up of 4 years. If you have to repeat semesters because of academic probation it could be longer, but in general it is four years.
1UP: If a Sim graduates, does that change the career choices and income he or she earns?
LeTourneau: Yep. There are four new careers that are unlocked when you earn a degree, in addition you can start the other careers at a higher level with a degree.
1UP: Will any of the following be included?
- A Scarface and/or Che Guevara poster?
LeTourneau: No.
- Grateful Dead and/or Phish t-shirts?
LeTourneau: No, though there are rock posters.
- Kraft mac & cheese/instant ramen?
LeTourneau: Ramen of course; we already have Mac and Cheese (generic brand though).
- Bringing laundry home to parents?
LeTourneau: No laundry.
- Annoying roommates?
LeTourneau: Well definitely annoying housemates.
- Student protests?
LeTourneau: No protests, the Sims live in an idyllic world.
- A crusty old dean?
LeTourneau: Crusty professors.
- Nerds?
LeTourneau: Only if you play your Sims that way.
10 Feb 2005 - 22:10
Want to see the new University Pool Table in action? Check out this new movie!
10 Feb 2005 - 22:00
Want to see how your Sims might celebrate Valentines Day in The Sims 2 University? Find out in the Expansion Pack area!
7 Feb 2005 - 22:10
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Sims! Happy Birthday to you! And many more....!
The Sims Franchise Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary and Continues to Break Records
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2005--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) today announced that the award winning computer game franchise, The Sims(TM), will celebrate its fifth anniversary this month. The very first The Sims(TM) videogame for the PC began shipping to stores this week in February 2000 and took the nation by storm by becoming the #1 selling PC game in four out of the last five years. Since 2000, the franchise has spawned 7 expansion packs, been translated into over 17 languages and has sold more than 54 million units worldwide. In September 2004, the next-generation sequel The Sims 2 quickly became the fastest-selling PC game. In just five months, sales have already reached over 4.5 million units worldwide. The first expansion pack for this award-winning game, The Sims(TM) 2 University, will be in stores March 1, 2005 and will allow players to send their Sims to college and experience the ultimate on-campus fantasy.
"The Sims changed the way people play videogames and also changed the kinds of people who play videogames," said Bing Gordon, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Electronic Arts. "The Sims 2 and its expansion packs will continue to deliver what Sims fans everywhere want -- new content, fun and innovation, because The Sims franchise is still just beginning," Gordon added.
The Sims Five Year Highlights:
- The Sims franchise has shipped over 52 million units worldwide, including more than 16 million units of the original product, The Sims. Since the launch in 2000, The Sims franchise shipped 7 expansion packs and a deluxe, console, and online version. The Sims has been translated into more than 17 languages and is sold worldwide.
- The next generation of The Sims launched in September 2004 with The Sims 2 and has sales already topping 4.5 million units worldwide. The Sims 2 will ship its first expansion pack, The Sims 2 University, in March 2005.
- The Urbz: Sims in the City, a spin-off to The Sims, brought Sims to the city for the first time. It shipped for console and handheld game systems in the fall of 2004 and continues to sell well worldwide.
- According to The NPD Group, The Sims original product is the number one selling PC game in North America and The Sims 2 is the number one selling PC game of 2004 in North America.
- The Sims 2 received over 20 editors' choice awards, perfect review scores and over 35 magazine covers worldwide. Most recently, The Sims 2 received the award for the Best Simulation Game at the 2005 D.I.C.E. Awards in Las Vegas by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.
- The Sims 2 players have created over 125,000 Sims & Houses for their Sims, and uploaded these to www.thesims2.com to share with other players. The player-made Sims & Houses have been downloaded by over 5 million unique visitors from around the globe. In addition, players have used The Sims 2 moviemaking feature to film their Sims' lives and create their own movies. Over 4,000 movies have been created since the launch of the game in September 2004.
The creator of The Sims, Will Wright, has been honored with many accolades for his outstanding achievement in his trade and was inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in February 2002, joining such industry legends as Sid Meier and Shigeru Miyamoto. Wright has also been included in Entertainment Weekly's "It List" of "the 100 most creative people in entertainment," Time Digital's "Digital 50," a listing of "the most important people shaping technology today." In 2002, he was listed as number 35 on Entertainment Weekly's Power List and in 2003 was featured in Game Informer's "Top 10 Developer List of 2003."
For more information about The Sims 2 and The Sims 2 University, visit http://www.thesims2.com.
7 Feb 2005 - 22:00
Who can make 4 grilled cheese sandwiches and eat them the fastest? Find out which team is watching their carbs in the latest episode of The Strangerhood.
4 Feb 2005 - 22:20
February 14 it's that time of the year again, time to let your (secret) love know how special they are. You can do this in many ways: give them flowers, a tasty box of chocolates... or send a Sims Valentine's greet!
The fun part of a Sims Valentine's greeting, is that you can win something with it too! The coolest Valentine's greeting will be rewarded with an exclusive Sims mouse. We'll also give out three Sims pencil cases.
Wondering what you have to do in order to win? Create a really nice e-card from The Sims and the Valentine's Day theme. You can do this by using existing images, or using images from your own game. The card should be 800x600 pixels wide.
Once the card is finished, you can send this to Wedstrijd@DeSims2.nl. Don't forget to enter your forum name, your real name and your address!You have to send in your card before February 11 at 5pm (GMT+1).
You will be able to send the four e-cards from this website, and as a special bonus, the winning card will be added to the special Sims screensaver!
For more information about the Sims screensaver go here.
4 Feb 2005 - 22:10
The Sims community has a new gift for you, an exclusive screensaver!
Very soon you will be able to download an exclusive Sims screensaver on the Sims community. This screensaver will turn your computer in a Valentine's mood. The screensaver will also promote The Sims 2 University, and it will contain some never before seen screenshots.
After Valentine's Day, the fun continues! The screensaver will be automatically renewed, with new animations and screenshots. So you'll never know when you'll be surprised, when you startup the screensaver!
The screensaver also keeps you up to date of the newest actions and facts on the Sims site, to make sure you'll never miss out on anything again!
4 Feb 2005 - 22:00
The winners have been announced for The Sims 2 New Beginnings Movie Contest! Congratulations to Aprylhalbrooks14 for creating the winning film, "New You"!