1/29/10 – Update from Sims 3 Nieuws on the matter (translated roughly to English):

Best fansites,

Since there seems to be quite some confusion about the tool The Sims 3 Sim Creation, I hereby give any explanation.

The Sims 3 Sim Creating is primarily intended for people who look forward to The Sims 3 and CaS can get a sneak preview. In the Netherlands and Belgium CaS exclusive available from EA Store and get back the purchase amount of CaS when you taste it after the full version of The Sims 3 via the EA Store decide to buy.

The decision to CaS only through EA Store is offering a local decision, in other countries, the game may be in the shops. For current players will offer little extra CaS. Unfortunately I have no insight into any differences between CaS and CaS as individual game as it is incorporated in The Sims 3.

The Sims ™ 3 Sim Creating is available from February 4.

Greetings, Anita – Community Manager EA Netherlands.

So basically, EA Netherlands will not carry it in stores, yet other places should have it in stock at retail stores.

An interesting bit of information from Sims 3 Nieuws… Hiki contacted EA Netherlands Community Manager to check in about The Sims 3 Create-A-Sim.  According to her, it turns out that this stand-alone demo will only be offered as a digital download at the EA Store and will not be sold in retail stores.

If this is the case, I’m a bit bummed.  Yeah, it’s a little ridiculous to release a standalone version when the game has been out for half a year…but I wouldn’t mind having it in my collection.

Here’s hoping they’ll change their mind (and price it really, really cheap).

On second thought…why did they design box art for something that won’t be released in retail?  Hiki may end up double checking to see if this applies worldwide or just for the Netherlands and surrounding areas.