Source: ShackNews
Having released approximately four thousand relatively traditional expansion packs for its colossally sucessful 70 million-selling The Sims franchise on PC, Electronic Arts this week announced a new type of spinoff content for the series: The Sims Stories. Sold individually and not requiring a the full version of The Sims or The Sims 2, games in the The Sims Stories series are designed specifically (though not excluively) for hip young laptop-using gamers, something fairly unusual in PC game development. The games will feature revamped keyboard shortcuts, are designed to run well in a window, have modest system spec requirements, and automatically pause when the laptop is closed.
With over half of The Sims' audience being female, though, here's the real kicker: the first game in the series, The Sims Life Stories, is a romantic comedy. Unlike the main Sims titles, these games actually have a predetermined storyline going on while the player conducts his or her power-tripping voyeuristic activities.
"Everyone loves a good story. The Sims Life Stories gives players two wonderful romantic comedies to enjoy," said EA's The Sims Division studio VP Rod Humble. "For those who are interested in The Sims, The Sims Stories are accessible and fun for everyone." The company's press release goes on to point out that "The Sims celebrates the choices that we make in life" and asks, "What's more familiar than being confused by life and love?"
The Sims Life Stories will be released February 6, with The Sims Pet Stories and The Sims Castaway Stories coming respectively in summer 2007 and winter 2008.
