Hi Simmers!
The release of The Sims 3 World Adventures is quickly approaching! So we wanted to take a moment to let you know about a Game Update to The Sims 3 that will be available globally from November 17th and give information on future Game Updates we’ll be working on for you.
The Sims 3 is constantly evolving and the development team is always working to provide necessary upgrades to your games. These could include updates due to driver or software changes we want to support, or it can mean full new features for you to enjoy! Game Updates can also provide you with the newest game code to ensure that you can properly use any official content you have downloaded and that you can continue to share the content you have created online.
Different from previous The Sims titles, Game Updates can contain full new features. For example, from November 17th there will be an update available to you even if you only own The Sims 3. When you update your game, you will get to select new features made available from The Sims 3 World Adventures such as pagoda roofs and basements, without needing to purchase the entire game. Keeping your game up to date will make it easier to continue sharing your content and creations with everyone.
Game Updates can come at any time and may contain whole new features, enhancements to existing features, new features available on the store or exchange – really they could be anything. When we release a Game Update we will continue to inform you of the content it will contain. You will know when there is an update available by checking the Game Updates button in the Game Launcher screen. You can set these Game Updates to be automatically installed or manually controlled through the Game Launcher.
Stay tuned for specific details on the Game Update coming from November 17th including everything it will provide.
Thanks.
The Sims 3 Development Team
source:
http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/sims-3/851813-game-updates-you.html
Comments
Regardless, I'm getting the whole darn EP cause I LOVE travel and geography and stuff!
Ha! They have actuelly. Even though its good that they're being generous (Assuming these updates are free) But you won't believe the amount of people I have heard saying they are only buying it for basements and new roofs etc. :P
I can't wait though to see what other things they can add, because they will be able to add new gameplay features in between EPs, so it could really keep the game fresh.
When there are features like this in EPs that people may want, but don't want the entire EP, doing this makes it so EA will end up getting less money.
I suppose it really only could mean one of 5 things:
1. They want to give more incentive for people to buy Sims 3.
2. They want to be nice and give it out so that even people who don't want the whole EP can have little bits to enjoy.
3. They want to give people a small taste of World Adventures, so that they will want the rest of the features as well.
4. They planned on having basements and roof customization since the beginning of Sims 3, and were going to release this feature anyway.
5. They will release small features with every EP they create.
I doubt it. It wouldn't surprise me if most of the naysayers will end up getting the EP eventually. There hasn't been one EP that hasn't added something I value and contributed overall to my TS2 game. I couldn't imagine being limited to only Sunset Valley or Riverview for another six months without something new to do or new content.
I think it's a good move on EA's part anyway for giving people incentive to buy the game instead of pirate it.
Exchange downloads have had no limitations so far in terms of store content. When i download a house with a chair i havn't paid for...i don't get the chair, but i still get the house! I wouldn't want my lot downloads limited because those lots didn't use a foundation to create a basement.
This move keeps the exchange open to all who have the base game. Brilliant in my opinion
If this patch includes customisable fences/stairs, i'd be giddy to the point of wetting myself :P
No, that's not necessarily it. They said that in the Create-A-World, if you put things in that are unique to Expansion Packs (such as the Eiffel Tower), the game is smart-- it will replace it with something generic. Granted, there is nothing generic for basements, but roofs can be replaced.
Plus, this quote may be the main reason why they're doing it, and they made it this way on purpose to actually increase sales in a savvy way:
This method is like dangling a carrot in front of the mule to get it moving, or leaving a trail of candy (tasters, if you will) to entice the desired results by encouraging people to buy the whole box (EP) with the expectation that even more tasty goodness will satiate their taste buds rather than the few small crumbs that have been scattered to the wind for their fallacious benefit, here and there.
It’s highly possible that EA knows objects alone aren't enough to truly enhance the game, nor will objects and new materials make it any more interesting to those who are already bored with it. Small patches will not fill this void either, since they are mainly small corrections and slight teasers if given the chance. The actual gameplay enhancements that complement those new objects, new abilities and interactions, etc... are what a new EP should deliver – the revival of the game with new gameplay, is what the EP should be about.
As long as EA delivers in the latter, along with new objects of course, they will most likely not lose any sales from those who've adapted well to TS3 and want more out of it. As for those who didn't adapt well though... well, they were already lost.