Some might have to wait to pick up the game tomorrow, but the game should start hitting shelves today.

The Sims leave the comfortable suburbs for the hustle and bustle of apartment life.

August 26, 2008 – The Sims, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) Label, shipped The Sims 2 Apartment Life for the PC, and The Sims 2 Apartment Pets exclusively for the Nintendo DS to retail outlets nationwide. In both releases, players leave suburbia for the action and excitement of apartment life. The eighth expansion pack for The Sims 2 franchise, The Sims 2 Apartment Life delivers the drama and fun of apartment living as they move into a brand new building, explore their new neighborhood, mingle in coffee shops, meet new friends and much more. In The Sims 2 Apartment Pets, life in the apartment becomes a lot less lonely as a friendly, furry or fine-feathered friend offers companionship and delivers happiness and joy to Sims. Both titles shipped to retail outlets in North America, European and Asia-Pacific regions and are available now!

The Sims 2 Apartment Life Expansion Pack* for the PC

The Sims steps out of the suburbs and into a brand new busy apartment building with a whole new kind of experience that delivers the drama of close quarters living! In The Sims 2 Apartment Life, players can control multiple households and create their own living dynamic from happy harmony to comical conflict. New social networks and character types, including artsy bohemians, sports jocks, gadget-loving techies and edgy gearheads spice up the Sims’ life. Additionally, a new reputation meter, allows Sims to build up the respect they deserve from other Sims to be the most admired — or least-desired — Sims in the neighborhood. The better the reputation, the easier it is for Sims to find the right friends to help them achieve their goals.

Players can make their Sims’ space look great in The Sims 2 Apartment Life! Five new building types — ranging from converted lofts to roomy and posh studios or luxury apartments with their own butler — add to the creative and customized adventure. The options for decorating the apartment are numerous as players can choose from a myriad of new decor selections, including spiral staircases and ceilings.

The Sims 2 Apartment Pets for Nintendo DS

In The Sims 2 Apartment Pets on the Nintendo DS, players care for a variety of local pets including loveable cats and dogs, slithery snakes, hamsters, colorful birds and cuddly rabbits to make sure they receive the right treatment so that they stay happy, healthy and well groomed. Simoleans earned can be used to furnish the perfect apartment and buy fun pet accessories like hats, shoes and toys. Additionally, players can use the Nintendo DS touch screen and stylus to play cool mini-games and unlock new objects for their Sim and their pets.

Also shipping is The Sims 2 Apartment Life Limited Collection — a great value to get your apartment life started. The set includes The Sims 2 Apartment Life and The Sims 2 Double Deluxe which consists of The Sims 2, The Sims 2 Nightlife Expansion Pack, The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff and a video DVD with a host of tips and tricks.

Product Specifications

Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts Redwood Shores
Platform: The Sims 2 Apartment Life: PC / PC Expansion Pack*
Platform: The Sims 2 Apartment Pets: Nintendo DS
Ship Date: US: August 26, 2008 and European and Asia-Pacific Regions: August 22, 2008
Category: Simulation/Strategy
ESRB Rating: The Sims 2 Apartment Pets is rated E with descriptor of Comic Mischief; The Sims 2 Apartment Life is rated T with descriptors of Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence.
PEGI Rating: The Sims 2 Apartment Pets is rated 3+; The Sims 2 Apartment Life is rated 12+

* Requires The Sims 2 Double Deluxe, The Sims 2 Deluxe, The Sims 2 Special DVD Edition, or The Sims 2 Holiday Edition for PC to play.

About The Sims

The Sims franchise celebrates an impressive over 100 million units sold since its launch in February 2000. Now translated into 22 different languages in 60 different countries, The Sims has quickly become a universal gaming and cultural phenomenon. For the latest information about The Sims and to check out the hottest creations for The Sims 2 made by our community members, please visit www.thesims2.com. To stay up-to-date on The Sims 3 news and information, check out www.thesims3.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS, EA, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO. In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com.