Even though we already saw it coming, EA officially announced today that console-owning Sims fans can look forward to The Sims 3 hitting the PS3, 360, Wii, and DS this fall. The console version will feature the ability for players to unlock “Karma Powers” for instant control and unleash them on their Sims. Players can help their Sim “get lucky,” bless them with “instant beauty” or be deviant and curse them with an “epic fail.” But EA advises that players use these powers wisely as they may have unexpected results and karma may “come back to bite”. Additionally, each version will contain special features such as the PS3 and Xbox 360’s online content sharing tools, the Wii’s exclusive beach town, and the ability to draw homes for your Sims on the DS.

Here’s a more detailed description of each from the press release:

PS3/360

Rich, immersive gameplay is complimented with a seamlessly integrated exchange system on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms where gamers will be more connected than ever before as they design, build, and share their creations and download content from other players around the world without ever leaving the game. Facing short and long term challenges, players will reap rewards and trophies and can even share achievements with friends by connecting to Facebook.

NINTENDO WII

Exclusive to the Wii version, players will be able to enjoy an all-new beach town with unique residents, traits, careers and lifetime wishes. For the first time ever, players can enjoy The Sims 3 with friends by going head to head in the new “Life Moments” game to earn rewards. Finally, players will also enjoy several adventure quests, as the game will challenge them to explore their town and discover the secrets therein.

NINTENDO DS

Never before seen on Nintendo DS, players can use the stylus to build their Sims’ homes with tools, draw walls and floors, and customize virtually everything from décor objects, textures, and more. Players will use the stylus to sculpt their Sims’ facial features, choose hair styles and clothing, and dictate personalities in the most robust Create a Sim yet for a handheld game. In “Story Mode,” players will control multiple Sims within a family and enjoy life’s special moments. For the first time ever on the Nintendo DS, players can enjoy a complete life simulation as they guide their Sims through completing challenges to unlock additional items, new buildings and landmarks, and more.

That’s all for now, but we’ll keep you posted on further details as they emerge.

Kotaku reports this morning that The Sims 3 will be making its way to both consoles and handheld gaming systems sometime in Q3 2010. This according to EA’s financial results report, which listed the undoubtedly temporary title “The Sims 3 on Console Title” within its forecast.

The game is expected to hit pretty much every platform, but we’ll keep you posted on the details once things get all “official” like.

Source

Not quite satisfied with controlling your virtual self in The Sims 3? Well, no worries, the Beta for The Sims 3 Create A World Tool has been released and empowers gamers to not only develop their characters, but the world around them as well. Best of all, you can share your creations with the rest of the Sims community online.

Here’s what the new tool delivers followed up by a more detailed desription and word of the new Sims 3 Store.

FEATURES

· Design Entire Worlds – Players can choose terrain patterns, vegetation and neighborhood accents like water towers and lighthouses, then place lots and roads to create something totally unique.

· Players Choice – Players can start with a blank canvas, or modify the terrains that formed the basis of Sunset Valley or Riverview.

· For Advanced Designers – Those with design skills can bring creativity to life by creating and importing designs from Photoshop and other programs into their world.

· Trees Galore! – Combine objects and items from The Sims 3 World Adventures expansion pack or items from The Sims 3 Store to create a one of a kind landscape.

· Share with the World – Created worlds can be shared and downloaded through The Sims 3 Exchange. Sims players will now have additional worlds to choose from beyond the extra town of Riverview, which has been downloaded 2MM times.

DESCRIPTION

The Sims 3 Create a World Tool – BETA is a robust tool for avid Sims players that want to expand their gameplay experience and create an entire world. Players can build anything from mesas, mountains, and waterfalls to their favorite The Sims 2 neighborhood, their own home town, or even the Moon! A walk-through guide is located here to help players get started creating their own worlds. Now The Sims 3 players can be game designers and take their creativity to a whole new level.

Also available for download today on www.TheSims3.com, players can update their copy of The Sims 3 and for the first time ever, shop from The Sims 3 Store right inside their game with Shop Mode. As items are purchased, they will be added to the player’s catalog, while the game is running. Players can browse the full The Sims 3 Store catalog directly from their game and purchase exclusive furniture, décor, hair, and clothing – without ever closing the game. The Game Update will also provide further updates to The Sims 3 and The Sims 3 World Adventures such as an uninstaller for the Mac, some support for recovering saved games and much more.

Interested in checking out any of the above? Just hit up The Sims3.com for more.

If you miss the heady days of arena rock and think any band worth its salt needs at least eight lead vocalists, then it might be time for you to pick up a Bang Camaro album. The Boston-based hard rock band has spent the last few years gaining ground in the music scene thanks, in no small part, to their songs winding up in video games such as Guitar Hero 2, Rock Band / Rock Band 2, and Madden NFL 10.

We sat down with founding members Bryn Bennett and Alex Necochea to discuss the state of indie rock, having their music featured in some of the biggest video games ever, and what it takes to make it in the post-iTunes music biz.

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Well that didn’t take very long did it? EA has announced The Sims 3 World Adventures, the inevitable first expansion to The Sims 3, will be hitting shelves worldwide November 16, 2009.

General Manager of The Sims, Scott Evans, stated in EA’s press release that: “Players will be able to take their Sims on the adventure of a lifetime and explore lands outside of Sunset Valley and Riverview, pursue thrilling new life destinies in locations around the world inspired by famous destinations, and immerse themselves in the open-ended gameplay where they’ll discover new cities in China, France, and Egypt, and share new stories.”

In the expansion the player’s Sims will be able to “search for secret treasures, learn new skills and chase down new personal opportunities, meet new Sims with unique personalities” along being able to film or photograph everything your Sim does in game to share with friend.

On top of that (oh yes there’s more) players will receive 1000 SimPoints to use in The Sims 3 Store and exclusive online content available at launch.

But don’t fret iPhone and iPod Touch users, your expansion will be coming in early 2010 so you can take your Sims to China (or wherever the hell ya wanna go) anytime!

You can check out first images from the expansion right here.

Rouse the Fire Worm, its time for another edition of EpicBattleCry! In this week’s skirmish we take a look at the recent news of an Uncharted film in development, the quiet launch of Battlefield Heroes, EA’s new deal with Dr. Pepper, and the surprise acquisition of Id Software by Bethesda’s parent company.

In the main course this week, we mull over EA’s decision to merge BioWare and Mythic into a single entity and ponder whether this will create some real competition for Blizzard and WoW. Next up, we examine the recent news that Chinatown Wars is headed for the PSP and debate if Sony’s handheld can serve up a real challenge to the DS in 2010.

The Battle Cry of the Week goes to Hulu for blocking access from the PS3, Mass Effect for DLC that should have been out six months ago, Max Payne 3 for changing everything that made the series good, and The Last Guardian for reminding us that games can be more than simple shoot-’em-ups.

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EA and Dr. Pepper are teaming up to deliver exclusive premium content on select EA titles throughout 2010 with codes found on more than 500 million Dr Pepper products. The collaboration is designed to offer consumers premium content that “enhances the gaming experience” while delivering the sugar high and caffeine blast that fuels the hearts and souls of gamers.

The first title checking in to see the Dr. is The Sims 3 where codes from specially marked Dr Pepper packages will unlock exclusive premium downloadable content that may include one-of-a-kind beach party items or “all the elements of a perfect fall tailgating party”.

Odd.

Anyway, you can read the full press release after the jump if you’re interested…Doctor’s note not required.
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The long awaited The Sims 3 doesn’t drop for another two weeks, but those with knowledge of torrents and other P2P file sharing services can be playing it now. The game began popping up on popular P2P clients recently and has been confirmed through several reliable sources to be a full working copy of the game.

This is the very reason computer game sales are at an all-time low and developers are migrating the more profitable console sector. We at the ‘Axe, in the best interest of PC gamers everywhere, would like to say “Shame on you” nefarious thieves!