PLAY WITH LIFE - THE SIMS 3 FOR CONSOLES AND HANDHELD

26 October 2010 Australia – May you smile down on your Sims and bless them with good karma or frown upon them and explore your dark side. The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that The Sims™ 3 on PlayStation® 3, Xbox 360® and Nintendo DS™ ships to retail stores worldwide this week, landing on shelves around Australia this Thursday.

With all-new features tailored for each platform including “Karma Powers”, achievement-based gameplay, a seamlessly integrated creation exchange on each of the HD platforms, and the first full life simulation on the Nintendo DS, players now have the opportunity to play with life like never before.

“The Sims fans have been anxiously awaiting the next generation release of console and handheld games for the series, and we’ve been working hard to give them the most robust The Sims experience to date,” said Ben Bell, Executive Producer at EA. “From Karma Powers on all the platforms and the integrated exchange on the HD consoles to the most impressive Create a Sim and customisation capabilities on Nintendo DS, fans will be able to experience everything they’ve come to love on the PC now on their consoles.”

More choices, more control, more powers and more fun than ever before in a console game for The Sims franchise! The Sims 3 combines the freedom of open world life simulation where players can create Sims – the unique characters found in The Sims games - with distinct personalities and fulfill their desires…or not.

On the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms, players can now control their Sims lives with the guided gameplay of an all-new achievement system and then share those achievements with the world through their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

As they complete challenges and collect dozens of achievements they will earn Karma points – all the while deciding the destinies of their Sims. Karma points can be used to unlock and unleash all-new Karma Powers to the grand benefit or wicked detriment of their Sims making it easier than ever to play with life. Players can help their Sim “get lucky,” where everything will go their way for a specific amount of time or hit the giant jackpot to rain money down on their Sims. If players want to take the darker road, they can be deviant and curse their Sims with an “epic fail” and cause a total shut down of all their Sims motives. But players should use these powers wisely—they may have unexpected results and karma may come back to bite.

The game will also be connected to the worldwide community through a seamlessly integrated creation exchange on each of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360** systems. Players can design, build and share creations, or download content from other players around the world – and for the first time ever on the HD platforms – without ever leaving the game.

The Sims 3 for Nintendo DS provides players with the most fulfilling and robust experience to date. Players can use their stylus to build their Sims a home and use tools to draw walls and floors, and customise virtually everything from décor objects, textures and more. Using the stylus, players will also be able to sculpt Sims’ facial features, choose hairstyles and clothing, and dictate personalities in the most complete Create a Sim yet for a handheld game. In “Story Mode,” players will control multiple Sims within a family and enjoy their Sims special moments. For the first time ever on the Nintendo DS, players can enjoy a complete life simulation with a living, breathing town full of Sims as they guide their Sims through completing challenges to unlock additional items, new buildings and landmarks, and more.

Developed by The Sims Studio, The Sims 3 for the Xbox 360, Wii™ and PlayStation 3 is rated M and the Nintendo DS is rated G. The Sims 3 is available nationwide from 28 October 2010. For more information about The Sims 3 on console, please go to http://au.thesims3.com. The Sims 3 is also available for PC, Mac, iPhone®, iPod touch® and mobile devices. To download artwork, please visit www.info.ea.com.

* According to NPD data, Chart-track UK, Gfk France, Gfk Spain, Gfk-MCC Germany and EA internal estimate.
**Internet connection required, Conditions and restrictions apply. See back of pack for details.