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Live from the EA Site:
The Seasons patch that we pulled last week has been fixed and the new version is available for download. Update your game with the newly patched PATCH!
Get the patch here (again)
EA has just posted a new Seasons Patch which addresses many more issues some have had with the game.
Issues addressed include excessive reactions to weather changes, fixes for levitating kids and sinking pets, less spontaneous combustion and lightening kills - and many others. Click the link above for all the info.
1up.com is the first to review the new Seasons expansion. It doesn’t say much we didn’t already know, but you might want to read it anyway.
Forget World of WarCraft — once you fall prey to Sims 2 addiction, you’re not likely to get much else done. Did you want to take a shower today? Take the dog for a walk? Spend some time with your significant other? Too bad! You’ll have your hands full doing the virtual equivalent of these things with your needy Sims, who — thanks to the new Seasons expansion — can now run outside to catch anything from fireflies to a cold.
Maxis/EA has announced the creation of a new website specifically for the Wii version (now also to come out on the Nintendo DS) of their Sims franchise. Mysims.com features information and screenshots about the upcoming game release. Sounding (and looking) more like Animal Crossing (sans animals) or Harvest Moon than a sims game, this is meant to appeal to a new audience. Personally I’ll pass on this one and wait until the fall expansion - and stick to my Animal Crossing. I don’t need a simified version of it.
Transforming the traditional Sims gameplay for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms, MySims moves the player to a delightful but disorganized town where — thanks to the easy and unique controls — they can re-shape everything and make it their own. The town is rundown, but the player can make it much more dynamic. Using a selection of building blocks, unique patterns and engaging creativity tools, players can design furniture and appliances, architect new homes and businesses, and re-define the entire MySims landscape!
The chat transcript is up for those who want to see it or were unable to attend the live chat. Here are some interesting gems from the chat
Guest (Feb 15, 2007 4:33:09 PM)
Will the seasons change with a click of a button, or will they change gradually, ? If I start in summer time with a family and play them as they grow and age, will the seasons change with the family?MaxoidHunter! (Feb 15, 2007 4:33:09 PM)
They progress naturally, with 5 Sim days per season. The only clicking you do is to set which seasons you want to occur in each of your neighborhoods. (The seasons chooser.) Eg: Fall, Fall, Winter, Spring, then repeat.BBighead986 (Feb 15, 2007 4:33:45 PM)
Hi, It’s great to see you, Maxis! So, there probably is one question that a lot of us want to know. What is the ‘low-down’ on these ‘green people’ we see in gardens and such?MaxoidLittleL (Feb 15, 2007 4:33:45 PM)
The green Sim is a new Plant Sim. If you’re not careful when gardening your Sim might become a plant sim. it’s a whole new way to play the game, much like vampires or zombies were.tabnick90 (Feb 15, 2007 4:38:00 PM)
Can you die by being struck by lighting or from frostbite or anything new?MaxoidLittleL (Feb 15, 2007 4:38:00 PM)
You can freeze to death and overheat. You can also be struck by lightning if you’re not careful. Too many trees on your lot will bring more lightning during heavy rain storms.sloulou (Feb 15, 2007 4:38:12 PM)
oh, love the idea of leftovers! so do they have a certain number of days before the food goes bad or do leftovers always stay fresh in the fridge?MaxoidHunter! (Feb 15, 2007 4:38:12 PM)
leftovers are invincible!
You can read the complete chat transcript here
As per the official site, the sims 2 seasons designer walkthrough video is now available! You can view it here
As you’ve heard, there are two new stuff packs coming up. Although there has yet to be any sort of official announcement from EA/Maxis, I can confirm that the “Celebration Stuff” pack is currently available for pre-ordering instore at EB Games. Please note that EB Games (as well as Gamestop) is also currently offering a pre-order bonus item of a blue dress as seen here
According to the official site, Maxis/EA are hosting an official chat for the upcoming Seasons expansion on February 15th at 2:30pm PST. This will be an informational chat which will include information in regards to the new expansion, what it will have/add to gameplay and many interesting facts. When the time comes, you can join the chat via this page
Thanks to callum91 for the following:
osimbr.net has pictures of the Seasons retail box. You can also find some new seasons videos here on youtube
The next stuff pack will be called “Celebration Stuff” read about it at gamespot and see it listed at amazon.com
As we already knew, elmundo.es gives us even more confirmation in regards to the sims 3 being in development and more sims 2 expansions to come.
I’m sure there will be lots more information to come as Life Stories has just been released, Seasons is about to be released and there’s many exciting things coming along soon!
Okay, the official site updated today with some info regarding the upcoming expansion.
There are going to be pre-order gifts once again, they are as follows:
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Pre-order from the EA Store and receive the special Bathing Suit download for your game. Pre-order now and get free shipping**! Use code S2SEASONFS when you order.
Pre-order from GameStop and receive the exclusive Raincoat download for your game!
Pre-order from Amazon and receive the special Bathing Suit download for your game!
Pre-order from EB Games and receive the exclusive Raincoat download for your game!
But this time they’re not only giving away pre-order bonuses - there’s ones to be had when the game ships! Shipping date is currently listed as February 27th.
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The exclusive Swingset download will be available through Best Buy when this game ships
The exclusive Garden Trellis download will be available through Target when this game ships
See the information/pictures for yourself
There are also a few new screenshots and last, but not least - a video trailer!
Yesterday, the next EP was officially announced on the Sims2.com along with a very colourful seasons ad on the front page!
Experiencing all four seasons for the first time - from seasonal activities to all-new outerwear for unpredictable weather - is guaranteed to provide a whole new level of excitement for your Sims! Not only will your Sims experience the seasons changing in winter, spring, summer and fall, but each season will deliver unique benefits, impacting your Sims relationships, mood, skills, careers and more. And be sure to dress your Sims appropriately for the weather — freezing, sunburn and other unexpected weather effects can occur!
While the article is fairly short and doesn’t cover much that we didn’t already know, it’s worth a mention.
New activities such as building snowmen, ice skating, and playing games like Marco Polo in the pool have been added, and a fresh new wardrobe including summer dresses and ear muffs will keep Sims looking sharp.
As was announced with the release of Pets, the next EP for Sims 2 is Seasons. I got a sneak peek at Maxis and actually got to play the game. After the tour, we went to a large room that had computers along the walls, and a central seating area with two large screens in the front. We were treated to an introduction of the expansion on the big screens. And then we got to play!
Seasons gives the Sims more fun and varied interactions at home; unlike many of the other EPs, your Sims don’t have to go to a different location for most of the new activities. Each season brings new outdoor options, and I had a great time exploring, there was a lot to see.
There are additions to the summer activities our Sims already enjoy – including new rounded pool edges and pool walls, a slide, and a game to play in the pool. Have fun playing catch, throwing water balloons, or chasing fireflies. Beware of sunburn!
Now Sims can garden – year round with a greenhouse, if you wish. There are plots where various vegetables can be grown, and then put into the refrigerator for future consumption. Plant fruit trees, and then create energy drinks and other potions with the fruits of your labors.
Sims can also head over to the lake and go fishing, and bring some tasty fish back to add to the food choices in the fridge. The more they fish, the better they’ll get at it, earning fishing badges. Mmmmm, fresh grilled fish.
Enough of the fair-weather activities, winter brings it’s own fun with snowmen, snowball fights, snow angels, ice skating, and if you’re lucky, a visit from a new npc. The Sims will automatically bundle up in their new outdoor wear as they go in and out of their homes. When snow falls, it slowly accumulates in layers on things – not just on the ground (where you Sims might find themselves up to their knees in snow), but also on fence posts and other surfaces. This behavior will work for both Maxis content and custom content, with no changes required! Thanks to the team for thinking about our custom content!
This EP also includes 6 new careers, so if your Sims are looking for some new jobs, they’ll be very happy. The careers are: Journalism, Education, Gamer, Adventure, Music, and Law. Each career also has its own career reward item, so go for the gold.
(The Seasons EP is expected to ship Feb 27, 2007.)
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See Our Gallery for More Screenshots and Info from Seasons
Read Part 2 below for more gameplay details
This is part 2 of our article on the Seasons Expansion Pack.
For those of you who want even more details about the gameplay, here you go!
The pattern for the seasons can be set for a particular neighborhood, so if you want to create a constant winter wonderland, or mimic the weather of California with spring, summer, summer, fall, or have a tropical island where it’s only spring and summer, it’s your choice. Not all the weather is nice – while the Sims will love jumping in puddles, there’s also the danger of lightening strikes, and I have heard that there’s also hail.
Your lots can end up with different seasons on them because of gameplay timing, but when you go to your lot, the lots around it will look correct for the season that is current to that lot. So if it’s winter, all around you will see winter, etc. In addition to changing trees, the game uses overall color of the sky and lighting to create the mood the season; spring has more of a bright green to it, fall is more orange in tone.
What the Sims are wearing will matter; the classification is simplified so as to be compatible with all the custom clothing we’ve created. For instance, swimwear and underwear are assumed to not offer much protection from the cold. There is a new category of clothing – outerwear, and the Sims will automatically change as they go in and out of their homes during cool weather. (this option can be turned off). One of the effects of this change is that a Sim can go out in the snow under-dressed and freeze and need to be revived.
With the clothing change comes an option many have been wishing for: Hairstyles can be individually customized based on the outfit the Sim is wearing – so they can have their hair up for formal occasions, wear a warm hat with their outerwear, and have bed-hair in their pajamas, and so on.
To allow your Sims more time in the great outdoors, their needs decay more slowly while they are outside. This means less bathroom runs in the middle of play. They will also get special boosts during certain seasons – friendship in the summer, skill building in the fall, family in winter, and romance in spring.
There are more features that players have been wishing for: Click on the mailbox to pay all the bills. You will also find new furniture, including a new country kitchen set with sweet accessories. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and taken out by all ages, and then further leftovers can be put back into the fridge. How nice to be able to prepare a big meal and then have the leftovers to quickly access at another time.
There are other surprises that await you in the Seasons EP, including a new breed of Sim, which you’ll find snapshots of in our gallery. I will admit when I first heard about Seasons, I was not sure how much “weather” would have to offer. Everyone had fun playing with the game, and even though I tried, I was not able to fully explore every season that day. Seasons is simply fun. The Seasons EP is expected to ship Feb 27, 2007.
Discuss this on our forums
See Our Gallery for More Screenshots and Info from Seasons
