DESCRIPTION

The Sims Online combines the life development simulation of Maxis' hugely popular Sims games with the virtual community interaction of persistent world multiplayer gaming. Groups of players from across the country can join together in large, online Sim neighborhoods for all manner of character development and social relations.

Though this game's graphics and interface will be familiar to Sims veterans, Sims Online players take a much more direct role in guiding their characters actions, acting more as a puppeteer than a parent. Instead of watching over the interactions of a family or neighborhood, players take the role of a single Sim character, to interact in a community of thousands.

Many objects and activities introduced in the single-player Sims games are present in this online version, but they are now more effective when multiple players are using them. Characters can still play chess to improve their logic skill, for example, but they'll improve much more quickly if there are several other Sims in the room playing chess at the same time.

Some new objects and activities allow Sims to earn money, and certain mini-games offer especially big returns for coordinated group play. Simoleans usually go to support and improve a character's house, where residents control who can visit and what goes on. Home owners receive a small payment for each visitor that drops in, so many players choose to join together as roommates, allowing them to pool their resources and develop bigger, better, more attractive houses.

This December 2003 "New and Improved" Sims Online offers players new animations and social interactions, lots of new clothing and appearance options, and more multiplayer mini-game employment opportunities. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide