During August 19-23, Germany will be home to the 2009 GamesCom event which will showcase the upcoming games and (perhaps) announcing new ones! A few of our Sim fansites will be attending, bringing forth the latest news (mostly in German but I’ll try to link them thru translators) on MySims Agents, Spore Hero, Spore Hero Arena, SimAnimals Africa and even The Sims 3 World Adventures! As always, this post will constantly be updated throughout the days with articles, videos and images from the event – so keep checking back!
Sim/Spore fansites who are attending:
- EA @ GC – official Site
- SimTimes
- SimFans.de
- SimWay (and SimOperations)
- SimsExchange
- Sims 3 Nieuws
- Alien Bommel (and their YouTube Profile)
The latest updates:
- 8/29/09 – SimWay’s images and review posted for SimAnimals Africa
- 8/28/09 – SimWay’s video report of the World Adventures presentation has been added
- 8/27/09 – Two pictures posted from SimAnimals Africa thanks to SimOperations
- 8/27/09 – Link to SimWay’s report added for World Adventures
- 8/26/09 – Article from One Last Continue posted to the World Adventures section
- 8/26/09 – Added link to One Last Continue’s MySims Agents preview
- 8/25/09 – Added 2 videos from the World Adventures presentation – thanks SimsDomination!
- 8/24/09 – Added link for SimFans.de article about MySims Agents
- 8/24/09 – SimTime’s full preview has been added to the World Adventures article section
- 8/24/09 – Video Part #3 of SimFans.de report added to World Adventures videos section
- 8/24/09 – Added SimFans.de Special GamesCom 2009 Coverage – Ep. 3
- 8/23/09 – Link to SimTime’s pictures at GamesCom 09′ added in the World Adventures image section
- 8/23/09 – 2 SimAnimals Africa gameplay videos sent in by reader ‘MFG Keven. S.’
- 8/23/09 – Added a very rough translated french article from JeuxVideo on World Adventures
- 8/23/09 – Linked to Sims 3 Nieuw’s writeup on the World Adventures presentation
- 8/23/09 – Part #3 of SimFans.de report added to World Adventures articles section
- 8/22/09 – Slideshow #2 on SimAnimals Africa added to videos section, created by Alien Bommel thanks BricaSims!
- 8/22/09 – World Adventures presentation video was added, thanks to EA
- 8/22/09 – Stefanie Heinzmann performs live on stage at GamesCom, singing a song in simlish (look, a stuffed donkey on the drums!)
- 8/22/09 – Added 2 video recordings of the World Adventures event, courtesy of SimFans.de
- 8/22/09 – Linked to SimFans.de day #2 report about The Sims 3 World Adventures
- 8/22/09 – Added link to GameSpot‘s writeup from the World Adventures presentation
- 8/22/09 – Tossed in SimOperation‘s special preview of World Adventures with some info
- 8/22/09 – Stefanie Heinzmann performs one of her songs in Simlish at GamesCom 2009 – added to World Adventures videos!
- 8/21/09 – Added a slideshow video showing off SimAnimals Africa, created by the talented Alien Bommel!
- 8/21/09 – View 22 new SimAnimal Africa pictures thanks to SimWay!
- 8/21/09 – More information from SimWay on The Sims 3 World Adventures
- 8/21/09 – 11 World Adventures screens linked to, check them out at SimTimes!
- 8/21/09 – 14 images of MySims Agents, 41 images of SimAnimals, and 84 images of World Adventures can be viewed at SimsExchange!
- 8/21/09 – Added link to YourEMGN‘s writeup for World Adventures
- 8/21/09 – Link to a translated french article about World Adventures from GameKult published
- 8/21/09 – Added SimFans.de Special GamesCom 2009 Coverage – Ep. 2
- 8/21/09 – Added original Sims 3 trailer shown at GamesCom in the World Adventures video section, provide by SimFans.de
- 8/21/09 – Added translated article of World Adventures information from SimFans.de
- 8/21/09 – Added link to SimWay‘s info from the World Adventures presentation in Articles section
- 8/21/09 – Added link to SimTime’s Twitter page, reporting from the Sims 3 World Adventures presentation
- 8/20/09 – Added SimFans.de Special GamesCom 2009 Coverage – Ep. 1
- 8/20/09 – Better cover picture for World Adventures from SimTimes
- 8/20/09 – Added image (rough) of the German cover for The Sims 3 World Adventures (by SimFans.de)
- 8/19/09 – Added link to GameSpot’s hands on with Spore Hero Arena
- 8/19/09 – Added IGN’s Spore Hero GamesCom 2009 hands-on preview
- 8/19/09 – Added misc. EA conference/booth images to the SimAnimals Africa and The Sims 3 WA sections
- 8/19/09 – Added image of EA’s booth in the Sims 3 World Adventures image section
- 8/19/09 – Added 14 pics of MySims Agents from SimTimes
- 8/19/09 – 12 images from Spore Hero/Spore Hero Arena have been added from GameSpot
- 8/19/09 – Added 4 gameplay videos from GameSpot of Spore Hero wii
- 8/18/09 – Posted article from IGN’s hands on with Spore Hero Arena
- 8/18/09 – Added link to Sims 3 Nieuws screens from the World Adventures trailer
- 8/18/09 – Link to Sims True Life (with many images of the EA Press event) added
- 8/18/09 – Added images from SimGalaxy‘s capture
- 8/18/09 – Added video of ‘The Sims 3 World Adventures presentation from EA’s press conference
- 8/18/09 – Added render from The Sims 3 World Adventures
- 8/18/09 – Added images from The Sims 3 World Adventures GamesCom presentation
- 8/18/09 – Added link to IGN’s first look article for The Sims 3 World Adventures
- 8/18/09 – Added press release info for artists performing in The Sims 3 World Adventures
- 8/18/09 – The Sims 3 World Adventures Trailer added
- 8/18/09 – Post created
SimFans.de exclusive GamesCom 2009 special coverage
Articles/Interviews on The Sims 3 World Adventures
In France, you can learn from the pressed juice. It will therefore be a juice machine, this is traditionally decorated. You can decide for themselves the composition of your nectar. Adds the ingredients simply an inventory of the nectar of your machine. Now your Sim needs to get to work, for now must be the mixture of fruits and vegetables may also be crushed. Here is asked to simlischer work. After everything is fine crushed the device must be boosted erstmal. Depending on the skill level of your Sims can create different juices. The juice quality is dependent on the skill level of your Sims. The bookstore can also be bought new recipes, you have the opportunity to designate your selbsterstellen nectar, store and sell. The longer the nectar ripens, the better it is, and probably more expensive.
SimWay’s impressions from The Sims 3 World Adventures (translated roughly from German to English)
Maxis were able to tell me that they have also added several different stories to this release for each region, something that has only been featured in the Sims 2 adventure spin-offs previously. By accepting challenges from NPC’s you’ll get access to the bigger locations, an example being a scenario where a Sim was able to enter the Pyramids, go down into the catacombs inside and look for treasure. Whilst in these locations you will also come across traps and puzzles, which shockingly I was told have the potential to be fatal for your Sims. During the demonstration I was shown a trap embedded in a floor which shoots fire at your Sim, who then has to jump in a bath of water to become more resistant to fire. Strangely during this presentation I was also shown an Egyptian mummy, you can take into your family in a manner similar to adding a ghost. Mummy babies do I hear you ask? Possibly, but those Mummies can also curse your Sim which will no doubt lead to some amusing situations. Like the old classic eighties title ‘Oh Mummy’ the rooms which you haven’t explored will appear as completely dark so you won’t know what’s coming around that darkened bend in the corridor. The treasures you find on your Sim adventures will have some history about how old they are as well as other functions within the game.
When the tourists by Sunset Valley and take pictures of wild running through the area, your Sims can only laugh, because they want to be a real photographer. Using a new camera object, they succeed too. Using the new camera your Sims can make professional photos. The best thing is that the camera will recognize what you shoot. The result is then many new opportunities. So we should shoot for example, five sites and recognizes the game, when we get Pyramids, Sphinx, the Eiffel Tower and in front of the lens. Photographing we we a grown woman, a grown man and a child at the same time, the game recognizes that we have just shot a family photo. Photographing the two of us fighting Sims, classifies the game as the photo Action photo. In order to employ the players again strengthened with the surroundings and discover where the pictures can be taken.
Continue reading SimTime’s full report on World Adventures (translated from German to English)
The second big piece of this extension is just the next adventure. In different places of exploration, it will help to move our Sim dangerous traps and thus to demonstrate reflection. For example, to access a series of tombs, our adventurer was courageously spend a wall of flames. Alongside this terrible trap is a fountain. By Sim plunge into the fountain, it emerges wet and can pass the firewall fingers in the nose. Tests of this type, Destination Adventure should count package. Like a Lara Croft speaking Simlish, it will sometimes push blocks, push switches, etc., etc.. Beyond the adventure side, our favorite Sims should get some interesting new skills (we talked about teleportation and combat as it happens), and of course, new objects. New towns should also provide their share of novelties, with typical places (the bazaar in Egypt for example), and adventures specific to each country. In France, for example, exploration will be minor has promised the developer. We therefore await the end of the year for the pudding.
Roughly translated french article about World Adventures provided by JeuxVideo
- All ages are allowed to go on vacation, even babies and toddlers so you don’t have to leave them home
- Even though babies and toddlers can come on vacation, the parents will still need to carry their children on their arms while exploring the lands
- We are still not able to create new neighborhoods
- There are 3 new traits (more info on that below these points)
- As you probably know you can see a snake charmer on one of the Sims 3 WA screenshots. Our Sims are able to learn that as well;
- When your Sims go on vacation not only will the opportunities be saved, also the neighborhood will freeze time until your Sims come back. So you can leave some family members at home
- Even though there might be great opportunities with this expansion, like adding new lands in the feature, that is something they are not thinking of yet. At this moment they are focused on finishing World Adventures
- Another fun fact: when you visit a tomb with family members you could make a good team. You could have a family of 5 members and give them all another room to explore. Not only can you empty a tomb very quickly this way, but it’s also a fun family activity!
- As far as I know there are 2 new foods created especially made in the theme of the lands. I think I heard Azure saying the Sims can make French waffles now and collect different kind of new grapes. Or where the waffles from China? I’m not sure anymore, but it’s a fact there are new foods especially made for the countries.
The 3 new traits are:
- Discipline; comes in handy when you would like to train martial arts
- Photographers eye; comes in handy if you would like to train photography
- Adventures; this will give your Sim more wishes to go on adventure
Read more from this excellent writeup of The Sims 3 World Adventures at Sims 3 Nieuws!
There are still a few months until the release date and we could only get an insight into the Egyptian tourist destination. About France and China, we could obtain only a few details from developers, because the game is still in development. But what has been already experienced is very interesting and the whole new adventure gameplay that has almost already a roleplaying character to delight and many fans. The inclusion of places that are inspired by the real countries which are new to the Sims. The first The Sims 3 expansion pack seems to be very comprehensive and satisfying the urge to discover the fans. With new objects from the three thematic areas (China, France, Egypt) can be determined also set great Asian living at home and the Townhouses feature will delight the farmer. The first details are very interesting and we are excited about the next few months, then be released more information about France and China.
Chaz Mc Danger can not continue and there needs to choose a different path. But there barred him flames that shoot out of the ground path. But he is an “adventurous”, and thus has one of the three new traits, which brings him benefits on his adventures. So he ventures through the flames and then catches fire. Luckily, located near a well. Quickly, he jumps in there to delete the fire. When he dived, he can see something under water. Driven by his curiosity, he takes a deep breath and dives deeper and deeper and deeper. At the bottom, he discovered a switch. This he operated. As Chaz reappears opens a secret door that allows him a way around the flames. “Sometimes you can dive into a fountain and emerge feeling a connection to another well, in another room, again,” said Azure. In the next room is a locked door. Chaz dares the chest, which stands next to this door to open. It is a stone in half-moon shape. He discovers a fitting counterpart to the wall, is using the crescent, which is thus revealed as a key, and the door opens. He continues to reach deeper into the pyramid and found a large room with many cabinets and a sarcophagus. In hopes of finding more coins and other treasures, it opens a chest to the other and find some coins, gold and other strange objects, whose meaning he only has yet to fathom.
But then something unexpected happened. The sarcophagus is opened, an angry mummy appears and roars around. Chaz needs they probably have awakened. As the mummy is angry at our adventurer, she takes him. Because he is losing the battle against the strong mummy, he is cursed. If it within the next 14 days is not a cure, he becomes a mummy …
SimFans – Adventures Travel, report #2 (translated from German to English)
As anyone who’s played The Sims 3 will know, the animation is beautifully presented, and half the fun of the game is seeing how the characters respond to what you do. When our character was set on fire by a trap, he jumped into the water to put out the flames, finding a secret tunnel in the process. When he puts his hand into a mysterious hole looking for treasure, he became covered in bugs and jumped around trying to shake them off. And when he opens up a sarcophagus and reveals a mummy, it chased him around and put a curse on him.
GameSpot’s ‘The Sims 3 World Adventures’ impressions from GamesCom 2009
New objects and vehicles are added into World Adventures. New vehicles added include a scooter which can be used like other cars. Another small point is that the expansion pack is compatible with the Windows 7 operating system, and like the base game, Mac OS.
Whether in a destination, or back in Sunset Valley/Riverview, sims can build traps and tombs. These can be shared online with the community, much like what is already available.
- If family members will stay at home, the time stopped.
- On vacation, you can get pregnant but the children can not be born there.
- You can invite local people to go home.
- Mummies-You can invite a family.
- Traps, etc. can also be built in Sunset Vally.
- In the sea you can not swim yet.
- The traps and challenges are becoming more severe with time.
- A mixture of The Sims Stories The Sims and 3rd
- There will be new vehicles.
- At every destination, there are bazaars by unique objects can be bought.
- It can not Souvenirs be sent as postcards.
- The photos that you make are automatically recognized by the game, then new Herrausforderungs can be made. Photography is not a skill which can be extended. There will be a new camera.
- Rewards can interfere with the holiday.
- Game is Compatible with Windows 7 and MacOS
Roughly translated from German to English – SimWay presents more World Adventure info
On IGN’s review, they said that mummies were the supernatural creatures in this game. Mummies can awaken from their sarcophagus and curse your sim, causing them to die in two week’s time if they do not perform the proper ritual at the Sphinx. Sims can also become mummies. These would move slower, have limited needs, and have increased strength. It is not known at this time if playable mummies can curse other sims, but mummies die only in fire, and will become mummy-ghost hybrids.
Once inside the depths of the desert, our Sims can include himself as Lara Croft and push / pull certain objects on switch, clear passages collapsed with their trusty pickaxe tempt fate by stuffing his hand into a crevice interesting or directly searching a chest or sarcophagus discovered at the corner of an alleyway. In the purest tradition of the franchise, these actions will have consequences which may be as unpredictable as wacky, and it will not be surprising to see an army of insects bellicose we face arise or a mummy leave his eternal sleep when our curiosity take us too far.
GameKult – Sims 3 World Adventures preview – translated from French
Even today we are here for you on the gamescom.
As we have promised you in the video diary day 1 yesterday, we were now at the first presentation to The Sims 3 travel adventures. Part 1 of our report, you’ll find in this news. The other parts will be posted throughout the day. The full report is now available on gamescom.simfans.de too. Have fun reading!
Today we were at the world’s first press presentation of The Sims 3 travel adventures. EA Producer Azure Abowie showed us the expansion pack, and had many a surprise in store.
The Sim Chaz, which the new trait “adventurer’s”, is the desert of Simhara, one of the three new locations that are inspired by real countries, Egypt, China and France.
Chaz is on an adventure trip and wants to explore a pyramid. But the entrance is closed. It examines the most detailed stone wall, which opens suddenly. Behind them are several rooms and corridors. He enters cautiously, because everywhere could be traps that he sets off for his actions.
- Note: The inside of the pyramid is a regular with walls, as we know it from the building mode, structured labyrinth that is indeed packed with many new objects, but the interior of the pyramid has a negative effect on the atmosphere.
- Under rubble in cabinets, on walls or other objects are gears, switches, keys, or as a hole in the wall. The triggering of these objects triggers something else, such as the opening of a door. What is the white Chaz not before. He fought his way from room to room, taking in every room, he must solve puzzles to move forward.
- Note: The player only sees the space in which the sim is up to date and already “decoded” spaces. Rooms are still undiscovered dims – So you can not see all the rooms in advance of the pyramid.
- Anything you can view, explore it,” said Azure.
- But not only traps are located in the pyramid. Thus Chaz has just coins and gold discovered in a trunk. He can be exchanged for unique items in the three countries. Where and against what he must find out for yourself.
- Tip: Explore with your family places. Turns a family member free of a room can also be another family member go there. Faster you will reach deeper into the interior of the pyramid. Low up to four floors / storeys your Sim can penetrate into the pyramid.
- Azure then showed us a large rock. “This only gets her big rock with some special way, which you can find only in China.” Then you have to return to Egypt, to apply it on the rocks and the road to another branch is free. What is behind it is even more special and more valuable, because it requires more effort, this turn freely.
The first travel adventure presentation is over and we have new information to the first expansion pack.
- There is a new loading screen with the orange airplane animation.
- Even gold and diamonds can be found.
- The pyramids are nicely constructed maze.
- Until now no new music
At the base camp is a job board that has adventures, which are beefed up versions of the opportunity missions you found in The Sims 3; the more complex adventures might consist of a dozen or more tasks chained together. Completion of these adventures unlocks more challenging adventures, raises your visa level, and so on. An example of these adventures might be exploring tombs, of which there are many in Egypt. These tombs might have diabolical traps that must be circumnavigated or be dealt with. For example, fire traps can be tackled by dousing your sim in water (say by jumping into a small pool) before entering them; the soaked nature of your clothes will protect you. Or you might need to move objects around to activate pressure plates in order to open a secret door. Your sims might dig in rubble for artifacts that can help unlock other doors. Or, you might find all the parts to a rare item and reassemble it, thus giving you a nice trophy for that shelf back home.
You’ll also have to search for triggers to reveal hidden doors or stairwells, and this is something that can be used in the regular game when designing houses. That could potentially create all sorts of new adventures in Sunset Valley or Riverview as you could download user-made houses with all sorts of secrets to uncover. Another piece of good news for house designers is a brand-new basement tool that will finally make basement making about a billion times easier than it is currently. With it, you can create basements up to four stories deep that cover the entire breadth of a lot.
IGN – The Sims 3 World Adventures first look at GamesCom 2009
The Sims fans around the world will be rockin’ out to new Simlish music in The Sims™ 3 World Adventures Expansion Pack* for the PC and Mac this later this year. The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that in The Sims 3 World Adventures, players will have their chance to get down, Simlish-style, to artists like GRAMMY award-winner Nelly Furtado, rising star Pixie Lott, German sensation Stefanie Heinzmann, breaking new rock band Matt & Kim, global indie dance rockers Young Punx, and more!
Videos on The Sims 3 World Adventures
Images on The Sims 3 World Adventures
SimsExchange uploaded 84 screens of The Sims 3 World Adventures, check them out!
And here’s another (better) shot from SimTimes!
German cover of The Sims 3 World Adventures taken by Daniel of SimFans.de
From SimGalaxy
From SimsDomination (originally found on ve3d.ign.com)
From the GamesCom 2009 ‘The Sims 3 World Adventures presentation’, compiled by Simprograms
Articles/Interviews on MySims Agents
Placing my oversized man-feet in a pair of kids shoes I can really see the appeal to this game to the younger audience. The puzzles look like really good fun and the characters seem quirky enough to become memorable, and perhaps most of all – entertaining! What surprised me was that the level of detail in the game, including a random jack-in-the-box that had no other purpose than just surprising you when you least expect it! Creative freedom is a nice thing to see in a game like this and it would be great if other teams working on the Nintendo platforms would take notice and follow suit.
Our agent Sam starts in the city. Here starts the story of the career of our young heroes. “I want to be a detective!” Exclaims Sam and has also been equal to the first task. “Who is the true owner of the puppy? Poppy or Morcubus? “. This task we get when we hear the two arguing in the connected underground and offer our help. Both are convinced that the dog belongs to them and our Sam must investigate the indications for the truth to bring to light.
Videos on MySims Agents
Images on MySims Agents
SimsExchange uploaded 14 screens of MySims Agents, check them out!
Articles/Interviews on SimAnimals Africa
In the entire game world, there are scattered tribes of different tasks in the form of an animal which controls it at the time. With this animal then you can take just return it to its master a task. For example, you have to pour an elephant a flower. Unfortunately, I noticed no explanation for the control, especially for beginners would have been good. Nevertheless, it is very easy to understand and navigate. From time to time, it turns freely, other worlds. (I believe it was 6, but I’m not sure) on each game world, there are different discover new animals.
Thus one can control the game in world 1, only elephants and hippos, or zebras, but if you even get into the game world 2 lions or giraffes. Also you can see in the game over 70 different objects. These can then be used either to retain or missions. Every animal has special abilities you can only use this one animal, such as watering, for example, that an elephant absorb water and to plant them. Lions may be involved in the fighting, and much much more …!
Continue reading SimWay’s review (translated roughly to English)
Videos on SimAnimals Africa
SimAnimals Afrika angespielt 2/2 – MyVideo
SimAnimals Afrika angespielt 1/2 – MyVideo
Images on SimAnimals Africa
SimsExchange uploaded 41 screens of SimAnimals Africa, check them out!
Articles/Interviews on Spore Hero/Spore Hero Arena
As you work your way to the champion of each planet, the locals will give you a chance to take on fighting challenges so that you can evolve your character. Usually they involve beating your opponent(s) within a limited time, sometimes with conditions like no charged attacks or no use of bio-powers. You can assign different bio-powers to yourself through the creature creator, which lets you unleash an elemental attack on your opponents when your purple gauge is full during combat. There are several different combat modes, renamed to fit into the Spore universe: Battle Royale, Capture the Egg, King of the Planet, Team Battle, and Epic Creature Survival. You can duke it out with up to four friends locally or even go online to play against a new opponent. A sporepedia is included for those who like keeping track of all the strange creatures that they’ve come across, and you can trade with friends to collect them all.
The overall visual offering in Spore is pretty impressive, though it’s also not going out of its way to be a full-on “stunner” of a game, and that’s understandable considering the amount of assets put towards expanding your creature and having plenty of parts for customization. Even still you’ve got some entertaining animations – creatures move differently based on the amount of legs they have or body size/shape – and some nice visual effects. The worlds are pretty robust from what we’ve seen thus far, and there’s of course a huge amount of variation, with all other creatures made and inspired from the parts you’ve got access to.
For those that played Spore Creatures already on DS you’ll be pleased to know that the experience is entirely 3D this time around, and it certainly makes for a better pocket Spore offering. Creating creatures is extremely easy, using the touch screen for camera manipulation, part movement, and also movement when in the actual game. The game’s story progression also lends itself well to unlockable content – namely new parts for your creature – so as you explore you find new pieces, can then go back to the creature creator and evolve, and then use your new powers against bigger and tougher foes. Each time you find a piece or complete a challenge – be it in the game’s stage-like adventure portions or in the arena battles themselves – you’ll not only have a chance to acquire new pieces but also more DNA points. If we learned anything from Jurassic Park, it’s that Mr. DNA is an important person, and that rings true here as well. You won’t be borrowing code from frogs – at least I haven’t personally come to that part yet – but each collection of more DNA means you can equip those larger pieces you find.
IGN took a look earlier last week at Spore Hero Arena, read on what they have to say!
Videos on Spore Hero/Spore Hero Arena
Images on Spore Hero/Spore Hero Arena
Posted on GameSpot, found by SimsDomination!
Sims 3 Nieuws will be there to.
LOL. I’m excited. Had to intergrate the SimOperations site direct into our main site though.
Nevertheless, btw, you might want to add the press demo is 3:30 BST for your UK visitors
And secondly, I believe SimsExchange is there too =D
–Connor
New article on IGN
http://pc.ign.com/articles/101/1014660p1.html
OMG basement tools
Another piece of good news for house designers is a brand-new basement tool that will finally make basement making about a billion times easier than it is currently. With it, you can create basements up to four stories deep that cover the entire breadth of a lot.