I’ve been wondering about the details of The Sims 3 Pets Limited Edition, thankfully SimGuruGraham (known as SimGuruSemedi at the Sims 3 forum) answered them all. Looks like I’m going to have to end up making multiple purchases again (luckily there is Ebay and they usually print plenty of copies so I can pick them up further down the road when they are dirt cheap!)
Hi Sims fans! I was really hoping to get this to you sooner, but it has been a bit of a crazy week for me both in and out of the office. Thanks for being patient
The announcement of The Sims 3 Pets has generated a lot of excitement within the community, as well as many questions about the Limited Edition version that I want to help answer with the latest news I can share. The Limited Edition will certainly include the most compelling content that we’ve offered in a preorder before. Our team here at The Sims Studio wants to create the absolute best features possible that players want to use in their game.
For players who choose to purchase the Limited Edition, they’ll be getting a cool venue for their Sims to visit that we feel is a great reason to preorder. The Pet Store venue will be a place for Sims to go to purchase objects for their pet to use, it is not where you get the pets themselves. Alternatively, if you prefer to wait for reviews or buy the game on sale, you won’t be missing out – you’ll simply buy your pet objects from the catalog instead.
As developers, we’re very fortunate to have such a vocal group of fans who are so willing to share their thoughts and opinions with us. We’re confident that we’re developing an outstanding expansion pack that everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy. We’re very excited to be developing Pets for the fans that have been so passionate in asking for it.
Thanks for your support,
Graham – Sims 3 ProducerContinue reading for the questions and answers
Questions & AnswersQ: What is included with The Sims 3 Pets Limited Edition?
A: The Limited Edition comes with…
• A pre-built Pet Store lot that you can place in any Sims 3 world.
• A cash register that enables you to set a community lot in your world to the Pet Store venue type, allowing you to build your own Pet Stores.
• A number of bonus objects that we look forward to talking more about in the future.Q: Does the Limited Edition cost more than the standard edition?
A: No, the Limited Edition is the same price as the standard edition.Q: Is the Pet Store a rabbithole?
A: No, the Pet Store is a fully interactive venue on a community lot. You can see your Sims inside it, and there will be a cash register and a cashier you can purchase pet-related objects from. This also allows you to build your own Pet Store that’s limited only by your creativity!Q: If I don’t purchase the Limited Edition, is there an alternative Pet Store in the game, such as a rabbithole Pet Store?
A: No, the only way to get the Pet Store is by purchasing the Limited Edition. There is no other version of the Pet Store in the standard edition of the game.Q: If I don’t get the Limited Edition with the Pet Store, will I not be able to get Pets for my Sims?
A: Don’t worry; you’ll definitely still be able to get pets! While we haven’t yet announced many of the features that you’ll get with The Sims 3 Pets, the Pet Store is an alternative way to access content in the game. But, there will be a number of different ways to get pets and to buy objects for your pets. Keep watching for future announcements about what’s in the game!Q: Can I share a Pet Store lot, or a world that contains a Pet Store with a player who does not have The Sims 3 Pets Limited Edition?
A: Yes, you can share Pet Stores or worlds with Pet Stores on the Exchange with any other Sims 3 player. If that player does not have the Limited Edition content, than any Pet Store lot will automatically change to a “No Visitors Allowed” type community lot, and will no longer function as a Pet Store.Q: Can I share a save game file that has a Pet Store in the world with a player who does not have The Sims 3 Pets Limited Edition?
A: Yes, you can freely share save files. If your Sim was actively using the Pet Store and the new player does not have access to that content, their Sim will reset on the lot upon loading the save file.Q: I’ve heard about 10 extra breeds of pets; do those only come with the Limited Edition as well?
A: The ten extra breeds are featured in the console version of The Sims 3 Pets; they are not available in the PC expansion pack.Q: What regions will the Limited Edition be available in for purchase?
A: We have not yet finalized all regions that the Limited Edition will be sold in, and will continue to add more regions as we work with our retail partners. Please continue to check the EA Origin website, or your favorite retailer’s website to see if they’ve updated with the Limited Edition offer.Q: I’ve noticed the EA Origin site in my region mentions the Limited Edition, does that mean it’s confirmed as being available in my entire region?
A: The Limited Edition will be available on a per-retailer basis. If you preorder from a retailer that lists the Limited Edition content, you can expect to receive a Limited Edition copy of the game.Q: When can I expect to know if the Limited Edition is for sale in my region?
A: Stay tuned for future announcements as we work with our retail partners to bring the Limited Edition to more regions. If you preorder and the Limited Edition is offered by that retailer at a later date, you will automatically be switched to the Limited Edition.Q: If I preordered The Sims 3 Pets and the retailer did not mention the Limited Edition, but later decided to sell the Limited Edition, do I need to cancel my preorder?
A: No. Once the Limited Edition is announced by a retailer, all existing preorders will automatically get the Limited Edition.Q: How do I know if I’m preordering the Limited Edition? The retailer’s website just calls it The Sims 3 Pets.
A: The title may not necessarily designate the Limited Edition. If the retailer lists the Limited Edition content in the information for the game, then they are offering the Limited Edition for sale.Q: Will the Limited Edition be available for both Mac and PC?
A: Yes, both Mac and PC will have access to Limited Edition content.Q: Will the Limited Edition be available for digital downloads and on a disc?
A: Yes, both digital downloads and retail discs will come as Limited Editions.Q: Is the Limited Edition exclusive to EA’s Origin service?
A: No. Although we’d love for you to try out our new Origin service, it is not exclusive to Origin. The availability of the Limited Edition will be on a per retailer basis if they choose to offer it to their customers. Please continue to check their websites and express your desire to purchase the Limited Edition to your preferred retailer.Q: Will my favorite retailer be selling the Limited Edition?
A: It is up to individual retailers if they decide to sell the Limited Edition. Please check your favorite retailer’s website to see if they mention the Limited Edition content. If you don’t see the Limited Edition content listed, let them know that you would like them to offer the Limited Edition for sale.Q: Do I have to purchase online to get the Limited Edition?
A: No. The Limited Edition will be available both online and in physical retail stores.Q: When purchasing from a retail store, how do I know if I’m getting a Limited Edition?
A: The box will state on the outside if it’s the Limited Edition.Q: Do I have to preorder to get the Limited Edition?
A: Preordering is the best way to guarantee getting the Limited Edition.Q: After purchasing the Limited Edition, how do I access the additional content that comes with it?
A: The Limited Edition will come with instructions on how to obtain the Pet Store for your game.Q: If I select a slower shipping service, or purchase a copy of the Limited Edition from a participating retailer after day one, will I still be able to access the additional content?
A: If you purchase a Limited Edition you won’t be required to access the content on day one.Q: I’ve heard about a Special Edition that’s priced higher than the Limited Edition, what is this?
A: In certain regions, when we ship a new expansion pack we also offer a version that’s bundled with The Sims 3 base game as a way to encourage new players to try the game.Q: What does the Pet Store look like?
A: Like this!
I still find one question unanswered:
Why is there a standard and limited version? Why not put everything from the limited version into the standard version, if they will cost the same amount?
This sounds completely ridiculous to me. Did I miss the explanation Graham’s post? Graham himself admits that you might still be able to get the limited edition even if you don’t pre-order, so the whole thing is a silly marketing ploy designed to get simmer crazed about buying the game in advance instead of allowing them time to wait for the review before purchasing.
NOT customer friendly.
At least EA aren’t being total idiots and at least providing us with the Limited Edition at the same price as the normal edition.
It still annoys me, but that’s capitalism for you.
the real reason for a Limited Edition, besides giving some kind of extra incentive for getting it, is to boost sales. It’s not just EA either. A lot of companies do this. Add something extra, you get a Limited Edition. Add something extra and something real cool and rare, you get a collector’s edition.
Well it would have been ridiculous if they wanted more money for a pets store… but you never know with EA.
Why are people so uppity over this limited edition thing? It’s not like EA is going to waste money making different disc versions. The standard edition will have the limited crap in it, it just won’t have the code insert paper on how to unlock it. Pes will unlock it all with awesome mod or the codes will be shared. Everyone needs to chill.
So basically this letter from Graham is telling us loyal, long-time fans to STFU and GTFO. Great.
The bizarre thing about this is that the Sims games seem to be a franchise with a really long tail, in terms of sales.
This tactic will net a HUGE rush of sales for the limited edition, but probably also create far more interest in buying second hand in the long run, posing a mild threat (but not, I suppose, a huge one) to that long tail effect.
The benefit of this plan is murky. It seems to generate more ill-will toward EA (like they need THAT) from consumers, create a serious appetite to only buy this title second hand rather than new, and net… …what… …a small number more preorders?
But aren’t the drawn out sales one of the advantages of this franchise?
What’s the benefit for EA here? Increased hostility from their already fatigued customers?
Q: Is the Pet Store a rabbithole?
A: No, the Pet Store is a fully interactive venue on a community lot. You can see your Sims inside it, and there will be a cash register and a cashier you can purchase pet-related objects from. This also allows you to build your own Pet Store that’s limited only by your creativity!
Does this mean that those without the Limited Edition can’t build Pet Stores that work? It sounds like you need this cash register to build your own pet stores!
People are uppity because it’s a kick in the teeth for those of us who have been playing (and supporting) this game since 2000. Considering that it is increasingly prudent to wait for reviews/patches/3rd party fixes to drop before putting down the cash, for EA to suggest that we are idiots if we wait instead of handing over our hard-earned cash now just reeks of desperation on their part.
Gone are the days where developers and publishers can be trusted to deliver a quality product that I wouldn’t hesitate pre-ordering. These days I am far more cautious, and this pre-ordering crap needs to be killed off, fast.
From what I’ve seen of the last few EPs, none of them have been worth the £5 price hike and after Late Night (whose bugs have still not been fixed), I learned it was better to wait for prices to drop to something resembling sensible levels.
The pet store in a limited edition is stupid. I mean, the title of this EP is PETS, without a pet store, where is PETS coming from. I know they will have a way for us to have pets, but that’s ridiculous that there is no Pet Store from a Pets EP…
So maybe it is a kick in the face but if you’re still paying EA for their crap then that’s entirely your issue.
I would still like them to fix it so that the Pet Store appears in the community buildings after you’ve downloaded the Atomic-Aged pet items from the TS3 Pets LE code in the case…