Electronic Arts (EA) on Friday announced that The Sims Life Stories hits store shelves today, at least for the PC — but the company also indicated that a Mac version is coming soon. This isn’t an expansion pack for the blockbuster hit The Sims 2 game — this is an all-new game franchise based on The Sims. The Sims Life Stories is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.
The Sims, in case you’ve missed out on the phenomenon, is a virtual life game in which you take control of simulated people, called Sims, as they go about their daily lives — decorating their homes, helping them find jobs, establishing friendships and relationships, getting pets, all sorts of things — all with the help of a core game and a multitude of expansion packs.
Aspyr Media is the company that EA has partnered with to bring The Sims franchises to the Macintosh. What’s more, Aspyr Media has confirmed with Macworld that The Sims Life Stories is their original development, so it’s no surprise that a Mac version will be forthcoming. More details about the Mac version’s release schedule are expected soon.
The Sims Life Stories are “story driven experiences” featuring specific Sims characters, designed to be laptop-friendly. It’s as if The Sims has been mixed with a nighttime drama like The O.C.
You can follow the lives of two characters — Riley Harlow and Vincent Moore, “two different characters who have reached similar crossroads in their lives.” Players lead the characters through twelve chapters of their stories, through a romantic plot, intrigue and dramatic twists.
EA expects the game appeal to casual gamers — especially the females who make up more than half of the The Sims’ user base — who just want to pop on and play for a bit in between meetings or on the way to work. The Sims Life Stories do not require any other version of The Sims or The Sims expansion packs to play — they’re standalone titles.
EA has also announced plans to release two more games in the series: The Sims Pet Stories and The Sims Castaway Stories. They’re coming in summer 2007 and winter 2008, respectively.