The Sims 3: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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{{Infobox video game
| image = Sims3cover.jpg
| caption = 2009–2010 box art
| developer = [[Maxis]] Redwood Shores{{efn|PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 version developed by [[Edge of Reality]]. Wii version developed by [[Behaviour Interactive|Artificial Mind & Movement]]. Mobile versions developed by [[EA Mobile]], while the Nintendo DS version was developed by [[Exient Entertainment]].}}<br /><!-- NOTE: Maxis is based at EA's Redwood Shores campus. At the time that The Sims 3 was being developed, Maxis fell without the Play Label organization. The previous references to EA Redwood Shores refer to a different development studio that also happens to be based at the Redwood Shores campus. -->
| publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]
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| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
'''''The Sims 3''''' is a 2009 [[lifesocial simulation video game]] developed by the Redwood Shores studio of [[Maxis]], and published by [[Electronic Arts]]. Part of ''[[The Sims]]'' series, it is the sequel to ''[[The Sims 2]]''. It was released on June 2, 2009, for Mac OS X, [[Microsoft Windows]], [[MacOS]], and smartphonemobile versions. Console versions were released for [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]], and [[Nintendo DS]] in October 2010 and a month later for [[Wii]]. The [[Windows Phone]] version was released on October 15, 2010. A [[Nintendo 3DS]] version, released on March 27, 2011, was one of the platform's launch titles.
The game follows the same premises as its predecessors ''[[The Sims (video game)|The Sims]]'' and ''The Sims 2'' and is based around a [[Life simulation game|life simulation]] where the player controls the actions and fates of its characters, the ''Sims'', as well as their houses and neighborhoods. ''The Sims 3'' expands on previous games in having an [[open world]] system, where neighborhoods are completely open for the sims to move around without any [[loading screen]]s. A new design tool, the Create-a-Style tool, was also introduced. Create-a-Style allows for clothing, hair, as well as most objects and walls/floors to be visually customized, with several textures and materials available to use. Custom designs can also be saved for later use.
''The Sims 3'' was a commercial success, selling 1.4 million copies in its first week. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, with an 86/100 score from aggregator [[Metacritic]] indicating "generally favorable" reviews. The game has sold over ten million copies worldwide since its 2009 release with over seven million PC copies, making it one of the [[best-selling PC games]] of all time. ''The Sims 3'' has additionallygame received [[Expansion packs for The Sims 3|eleven expansion packs]] and nine "stuff packs". A sequel, ''[[The Sims 4]]'', was released in September 2014 for PC.
== Gameplay ==
As in previous games of the franchise, in ''The Sims 3'' players control their own Sims' activities and relationships. The gameplay is open-ended and does not have a defined goal. The Sims live in neighborhoods, now being officially referred to as worlds, which can be customized, allowing the player to create their houses, community lots, and Sims, although many of these come with the core game. These worlds are now seamless, allowing all Sims to move around freely without any loading screen in between lots, as happened in the previous games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dean |first=Grace |date=2022-09-06 |title=Which is better out of The Sims 3 or The Sims 4? |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/sims-3-vs-sims-4-better-differences/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=GamesRadar+}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Creswell |first=Jacob |date=2021-04-01 |title=The Sims 3's Open World Was Too Ambitious for Its Time |url=https://www.cbr.com/sims-3-open-world/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=CBR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=Jordan |date=2022-12-20 |title=10 Harsh Realities Of Playing The Sims 3 Again |url=https://screenrant.com/the-sims-3-replay-harsh-realities/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref>
The neighborhood includes community lots which can be leisure lots (parks, markets, gyms, and movie theaters) and job lots (town hall, hospital, and businesses). Since the neighborhood is open, the game includes the "Story Progression" mechanic, which allows all Sims in the neighborhood to autonomously continue their lives without the player ever controlling them. This helps to advance the story of the whole neighborhood instead of only the active playing units. Sims live for a set duration of time that is adjustable by the player and advancesadvance through several life stages (baby, toddler, child, teen, young adult, adult, and elder).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Sims 3 Aging, Lifespan, and Stages of the Life Cycle |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/aging.php |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide}}</ref> Sims can die of [[old age]] or they can die prematurely from causes such as fire, starvation, drowning, and electrocution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=The Sims 3 Death Guide: Causes of Death & Killing Sims |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/death.php |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide}}</ref>
The primary world in thebase game is Sunset Valleycomes (inwith the console version, the main world isSunset MoonlightValley Bay), whileand an additional world called Riverview can be obtained for free from The Sims 3 Store website. All expansion packs to date (except ''[[The Sims 3: Generations|Generations]]'' and ''[[The Sims 3: Seasons|Seasons]]'') have included a world,<ref>{{cite web |date=2011 |title=Sims 3 Generations gets Adult Material |url=http://www.gamekudos.com/news/4058-sims-3-generations-gets-adult-material |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123191718/http://www.gamekudos.com/news/4058-sims-3-generations-gets-adult-material |archive-date=2013-01-23 |access-date=2011-08-23 |website=GameKudos.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=The Sims 3 Seasons Expansion Pack |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/seasons/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide}}</ref> and additional worlds can be bought at The Sims 3 Store for SimPoints. Additionally, Sunset Valley and a few of the other worlds available have some degree of connection to the storyline set up by ''[[The Sims (video game)|The Sims]]'' and ''[[The Sims 2]]''. In-game Sunset Valley is stated to be the same town as the default neighborhood in ''The Sims'', and Pleasantview from ''The Sims 2'', although set twenty-five and fifty years earlier, respectively. Several pre-made characters from other ''Sim'' games appear throughout ''The Sims 3''{{'}}s worlds, many of them in younger form.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DelGreco |first=Marina |date=2021-02-16 |title=How Every Sims Game Fits on the Timeline |url=https://gamerant.com/every-sims-game-timeline-families-storylines/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Game Rant}}</ref>
Career opportunities like working overtime or completing tasks can yield a pay raise, cash bonus, or relationship boost. Challenges occur randomly based on each Sim's lifestyle, like relationships, skills, and jobs. Skill opportunities are the requests by your Sim's neighbors or community members for Sims to solve problems using their acquired skills for cash or relationship rewards. The new Wishes reward system replaces the Wants and Fears system in its predecessor, ''The Sims 2''. Fulfilling a Sim's wishes contributes to the Sim's Lifetime Happiness score, allowing players to purchase Lifetime Rewards for the cost of those Lifetime Happiness points.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=The Sims 3 Lifetime Wish Guide for All Expansions |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/lifetimewishes/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide}}</ref> The game introduces a big change in terms of customization with the "Create-a-Style" tool. In this way, every object or piece of clothing in the game is completely customizable in terms of color (which can be picked from a [[color wheel]]), material (plastic, stone, fabric, wood, and so on) or design pattern.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blackburn |first=Norma |date=2014-08-17 |title=The Sims 3 Create-a-Style: Make Custom Paterns and Colors |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/create-a-style.php |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide}}</ref>
=== Create-a-Sim ===
[[File:Sims 3 Create-a-Sim.jpg|thumb|Create-a-Sim tool in ''The Sims 3'']]
''The Sims 3'' introduces many more character customization options than its predecessor ''[[The Sims 2]]''. Like the previous game, the player can customize age, body build, skin color, hairstyles, clothing, and personality. A new life stage is included between adolescence and adulthood: young adulthood. This stage was introduced in ''The Sims 2'' ''University'' only during the university period, but is now theaccessible main life stage for thefrom gameCreate-a-Sim. Additional options were added in expansions and updates, such as tattoos, breast size, and muscle definition. ''The Sims 3'' offers a wider range of skin tones than its predecessors, ranging from realistic light and dark skin tones to fantasy green and purple colors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Jon |date=2011-10-25 |title=Creating Sims − The Sims 3 Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/the-sims-3/Creating_Sims |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=IGN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blackburn |first=Norma |date=2012 |title=The Sims 3 Create-a-Sim Guide |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/create-a-sim/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide}}</ref>
The game builds upon a new personality system. As opposed to previous games, where personalities consisted of sliders, and a limited set of personality points to distribute among them, ''The Sims 3'' introduces a trait system: adult Sims can have up to five personality traits to pick from a list. These traits can be mental, physical, social, or influenced by lifestyle and jobs. The traits will determine different actions the Sims can make, as well as behaviors and wishes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=The Sims 3 Traits List and Hidden Traits |url=https://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/traits/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Carl's The Sims 3 Guide}}</ref>
=== Skills ===
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== Development ==
Electronic Arts announced ''The Sims 3'' on March 19, 2008.<ref name="actiontrip-site">{{cite web | last = Paul | first = Ure | title = The Sims 3 Announced | publisher = Action Trip.com | date = March 19, 2008 | url = http://www.actiontrip.com/news/the-sims-3-announced-screens/031908_9 | access-date = April 5, 2009 | url-status = deadusurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131002120848/http://www.actiontrip.com/news/the-sims-3-announced-screens/031908_9 | archive-date = October 2, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> On January 15, 2009, Maxis invited "some of the best" custom content creators to their campus at Redwood Shores where they were hosting a Creator's Camp. Creators have been invited to spend the week exploring and creating content like Sims, houses, and customized content. The creators' work was used to pre-populate The Sims 3 Exchange. On May 8, 2009, Maxis announced that ''The Sims 3'' had [[Gold release#Production or live release|gone gold]], meaning that the game had finished beta testing stage and was off for manufacturing ahead of its June 2009 release. On May 15, 2009, Maxis released several online interactive teaser experiences on ''The Sims 3'' website, including SimFriend, which allows users to choose a virtual Sim Friend who would email them throughout the day; SimSocial, which allows users to create their own Sim online, and have an adventure with them; and SimSidekick, which allows users to surf the web with a sim. Two weeks before the game was scheduled to be released, an unauthorized copy of the [[digital distribution]] version of the game leaked onto the Internet.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sims 3 leaked to torrent sites weeks before retail release |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/05/sims-3-leaked-to-torrent-sites-weeks-before-retail-release/ |author=Ben Kuchera |publisher=Ars Technica |date=May 18, 2009 |access-date=May 18, 2009 |archive-date=September 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912161927/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/05/sims-3-leaked-to-torrent-sites-weeks-before-retail-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Maxis later commented that the leak was a "buggy, pre-final" version. Maxissusceptible statedto crashes, and that more than half of the game iswas missing and is susceptible to crashes or worse.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/05/23/0523gamepiracy.html|title=Video game pirates swoop on 'The Sims 3'|last=Satariano|first=Adam|date=May 23, 2009|work=Bloomberg News|access-date=May 23, 2009|archive-date=May 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527081852/http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/other/05/23/0523gamepiracy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Reportedly, the title saw higher [[copyright infringement]] rates than that of the most torrented game of 2008, ''[[Spore (2008 video game)|Spore]]'', also developed by Maxis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2009/05/30/sims_3_piracy_rates_higher_than_spore |title='Sims 3' piracy rates higher than 'Spore' |publisher=Afterdawn.com |date=May 30, 2009 |access-date=June 30, 2009 |archive-date=October 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014092435/http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2009/05/30/sims_3_piracy_rates_higher_than_spore |url-status=live }}</ref>
Maxis relied on user feedback from previous games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2462117/sims-3-producers-advice-to-devs-screw-up-a-lot-developer-pop-quiz-10/|title='Sims 3' Producer's Advice To Devs: Screw Up A Lot -- Developer Pop Quiz #10|work=MTV News|access-date=2017-11-18|language=en|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030404/http://www.mtv.com/news/2462117/sims-3-producers-advice-to-devs-screw-up-a-lot-developer-pop-quiz-10/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In order to create the animations inmake the game's so theyanimations look believable but goofy, theythe team shot real life references of people doing tasks in outrageous ways until satisfied with the outcome.<ref name="auto">{{cite AV media|author=@TheSims|title=The Sims 3 – Behind the Scenes|date=2008-08-28|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouH0G6-wK9g |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/ouH0G6-wK9g |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|access-date=2017-11-18|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Each character in the game was specifically created by the developers to have their own life story, wishes, dreams, and personalities. The developers spend a lot of time trying to get the world to feel seamless and the characters to feel real.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/features/i133344/The-Sims-3-How-does-it-all-work/|title=The Sims 3: How does it all work?|work=Gameplanet|access-date=2017-11-18|language=en|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031621/https://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/features/i133344/The-Sims-3-How-does-it-all-work/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kotaku.com/a-sims-fan-theory-that-gets-pretty-dark-1641330321|title=A Sims Fan Theory That Gets Pretty Dark|last=Hernandez|first=Patricia|work=Kotaku|access-date=2017-11-18|language=en-US|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033144/https://kotaku.com/a-sims-fan-theory-that-gets-pretty-dark-1641330321|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Marketing ===
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== Ports ==
=== SmartphoneMobile ===
[[File:Iphone-sim3-screenshot.jpg|thumb|A player editing a Sim in Create-a-Sim (smartphonemobile version)]]
A now discontinuedmobile version of ''The Sims 3'' was released on [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Bada]], [[Symbian]], [[BlackBerry OS]], and [[Windows Phone]] on June 2, 2009. It was also released for [[N-Gage (service)|N-Gage 2.0]] on July 14 of the same year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mundy |first=Jon |date=July 15, 2009 |title=''The Sims 3'' out now on N-Gage |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-sims-3-n-gage/the-sims-3-out-now-on-n-gage/ |access-date=March 15, 2024 |website=[[Pocket Gamer]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=4006|title=Exclusive GDC10 Leak: Sims 3 for Nintendo DS|date=2010-03-13|publisher=N-Sider.com|access-date=2010-03-13|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050223/http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=4006|url-status=live}}</ref> The iPhone game works similar to that of the PC version. In Create-a-Sim, instead of Lifetime Wishes, there are personas. Personas decide which lifetime wishes your sim will have, as a persona is the largest factor in a Sim's personality. Sims start out with a small house. The house can be expanded every five sim days if the player can afford it.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Sims 3 on iTunes App Store|website=[[iTunes]]|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-sims-3/id317904170?mt=8|access-date=September 16, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115235124/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-sims-3/id317904170?mt=8|url-status=live}}</ref> There are four careers in the town: biology, politics, business, and culinary. As in the PC version, Sims can also learn skills. There are nearly 75 wishes in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/989/989265p1.html |title=The Sims 3 iPhone Review – iPhone Review at IGN |access-date=April 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817063901/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/989/989265p1.html |archive-date=August 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> When all of them are fulfilled, Sims unlock the criminal career and have the ability to purchase a car. In some events, such as appliances breaking down, the player must play a minigame to solve or do the action. The game was updated on November 30, 2010, to add support for the Retina display of newer devices.
A standalone expansion pack for the iOS version, ''World Adventures'', was released on April 2, 2010. ''World Adventures'' adds tombs, new challenges, personas, and careers, new places to explore (Egypt, China, and France), clothes and new furniture. A second standalone expansion pack, ''Ambitions'', was released on September 16, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheatsguru.com/iphone/the_sims_3_ambitions/walkthrough/2167118.htm|title=Walkthrough – Sims 3 Ambitions for iPhone / iPod Touch Career Guide Walkthrough for The Sims 3 Ambitions IPhone|website=CheatsGuru.com
|access-date=April 18, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419111841/http://www.cheatsguru.com/iphone/the_sims_3_ambitions/walkthrough/2167118.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Ambitions'' added new skills (firefighting, painting, parenting and sports), new community buildings, and the ability to have children. On November 6, 2009, EA announced the release of a vampire theme pack for the iPhone. The pack included Live it or Wear it Sets with Vampires and Werewolves, Castle and Campus Life themes. "Live it" sets contain car, furniture, decoration, wallpaper, and flooring.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 19, 2009|url=http://www.thesims3.com/community/news.html?selMonth=10&selYear=2009|title=News and Events – Community – The Sims 3|website=The Sims 3|access-date=April 18, 2017|archive-date=April 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419104943/http://www.thesims3.com/community/news.html?selMonth=10&selYear=2009|url-status=live}}</ref> "Wear it" sets contain clothing, new CAS options, and hair styles.
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=== Sales ===
EA reported that in its first week, ''The Sims 3'' sold 1.4 million copies.<ref>{{cite news|title='Sims 3' sells 1.4 million in first week|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31194133|access-date=September 24, 2013|newspaper=[[NBC News]]|date=June 9, 2009|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927143948/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/31194133/ns/technology_and_science-games/t/sims-sells-million-copies-first-week/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to EA, this was the most successful PC game launch the company had had to date.<ref>{{Cite news | title = ''The Sims'' 3 Sells 1.4 Million Units in First Week | author = Chris Remo | url = http://gamasutra.com/view/news/23980 | work = Gamasutra | date = June 9, 2009 | access-date = July 30, 2012 | archive-date = October 1, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131001182432/http://gamasutra.com/view/news/23980 | url-status = dead }}</ref> According to retail data trackers Gfk Australia, ''The Sims 3'' has been the top selling game in Australia from release until June 30, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://au.gamespot.com/news/aussie-game-charts-june-15-21-6212813 |title=Aussie game charts: June 15–21 |access-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001182436/http://au.gamespot.com/news/aussie-game-charts-june-15-21-6212813 |archive-date=October 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Since''The itsSims release3'' inended 2009, as the year''s best selling PC game worldwide,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2010 |title=EA: The Sims 3'' becameTop-Selling PC Game Worldwide In 2009 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/ea-i-the-sims-3-i-top-selling-pc-game-worldwide-in-2009 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}</ref> and since its release has become one of the [[best-selling PC games]] of all time, having sold over ten million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/116/1160047p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411204523/http://pc.ign.com/articles/116/1160047p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2011 |title=The Sims Live Life to the Fullest in EA's The Sims 3 Generations Expansion Pack – PC News at IGN |publisher=Pc.ign.com |access-date=September 18, 2011}}</ref>
== Notes ==
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* {{IMDb title}}
{{The Sims (series)}}
{{Sim series|all=yes}}
{{authority control}}
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[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Steve Jablonsky]]
[[Category:Video games with alternative versions]]
[[Category:Video games with custom soundtrack support]]
[[Category:Video games with gender-selectable protagonists]]