Cutesy Sims migrate to PC
Yes, yes, I know it’s a Sims game and you’ve all probably stopped reading there… but MySims is different and, if you’ve played the Wii or DS versions, you’ll have a good idea of just how much MySims moves away from the traditional alternate life gameplay of the Sims.MySims is a far more structured, story driven game that offers up a variety of missions to the player, which makes it more accessible and engaging… and even a hardened PC gamer like me was drawn into a world of planting trees, collecting flowers and generally helping out the townsfolk. And before you ask, I’m totally comfortable with this… after all, Viva Pinata on the Xbox 360 is a game that on the face of it should appeal to kids only, but how many adults are still loving that one?
Click for larger imageAnyhoo, the PC version of MySims is on the way and EA have released a load of info about the new features players will be able to enjoy: In MySims you can create original characters, build a town, grow a community and discover a world of your own. Start by personalising the appearance of your MySims from head to toe and go on to unlock cool new items as you befriend and build relationships with your neighbours. Make your creations unique when you design your own homes, shops, restaurants and more in this fun, open-ended game. All that you need is a little creativity and some help from the locals!
Now on the PC with new online features and characters! Have fun with friends safely in a shared online game space and discover surprises and wonders in your newly created town with the MySims you love and a new cast of characters! Now in MySims, made for the PC, you can find all the fun of the first game plus new online features and all-new characters to spark your creativity. Safely chat, interact and play games like Tag and Hide-and-Seek with your online buddies. Construct buildings and create objects to use cooperatively with up to seven friends that are online with you. Like trading cards, share your creations with your friends in-game, as well as outside the game via email or instant message so that others can enjoy them in their own MySims town. The choice to play online is yours, so you can decide to play as a single-player or expand your experience by playing with friends in an online neighborhood.
Click for larger imageNow I’m all for a safe online environment for my kids to play online but after the experience we had with Habbo Hotel I’m particularly keen on knowing what online controls EA will have in place for MySims… I’ve made the call and as soon as they get back to me I’ll let you now. From the look of the screenshots, it could well be that you’re limited to choosing responses from pre-written dropdowns and emoticon style actions. If not, then EA should maybe think about some sort of parental gateway maybe, perhaps a non-charging credit card system as proof of age of the adult? Of course, this still leaves the system open for abuse but to my mind the burden of responsibility still rests firmly on the parents’ shoulders, no matter how many safeguards a developer introduces.
Click for larger imageFor now, have a gander at the screenies and wonder, as I did, how a mature gamer such as myself could get sucked into a world as cutesy as this…
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