The Sims Mobile Team has just announced that they’ll be releasing a brand new Bubble Blower Event tomorrow, May 17th at 10AM PST!
They’ve also released this screenshot showcasing some of the new items in this event:
SimGuruKate is the new Community Manager for The Sims
SimGuruKate has just made an announcement that she’s the new Global Community Manager for The Sims! Check out her forum post below:
Sul Sul!
My name is SimGuruKate and you may have seen me around the world of The Sims Mobile a bit over the last year. I know it’s been a bit quiet here since SimGuruDrake left. Well, today I am beyond thrilled to share that I have officially joined the team as the new Global Community Manager for The Sims 4. I have been an avid Simmer for the last 18 years, and have met some of my oldest friends through this incredible and passionate Community. I have also been working in the video game industry as a Community Manager for the last 12 years. That means that this job is an absolute dream come true for me as it combines two of my greatest passions.
I am so looking forward to working together with the Development Team to bring a deeper level of communication and excitement to The Sims 4. We have some amazing things coming this year and I cant wait for you to experience it all. The The Sims 4 is far from over, there are still so many more stories to tell.
You can still expect to see me around the world of The Sims Mobile though you may see a new face popup there in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out.
I am so excited for this next adventure and getting to know the community of The Sims 4 even better. It’s going to be a GREAT year!
-SimGuruKate
The Sims 4 Console: New Update Arriving Soon
SimGuruLegacy has just confirmed on Twitter that Sony and Microsoft have just approved a brand new update for The Sims 4 on PS4 and Xbox One.
Considering that there’s 4 Packs planned for release over the next few weeks, this update could extensively upgrade and prepare the game for a new wave of pack releases.
Good news for our console Simmers, our TS4 update has been approved by Sony and Microsoft. We are running our final checks on it, more information to come next week.
— SimGuruLegacy (@SimGuruLegacy) May 11, 2018
The Sims 4 Console: Upcoming 4 Packs and their Release Dates
Just a few days after reporting that 4 The Sims 4 Packs have been registered on ESRB for Xbox One and PS4 they have been removed from the ESRB list.
Today Wog has listed some of these packs excluding the Cats & Dogs Expansion Pack which was featured in the ESRB list. The release dates mentioned also check out considering that they’re not just generic dates aiming at the 15th of every which were leaked previously. This Wog listing mentions release dates that all aim on Tuesday which is when The Sims Team has always released Packs for The Sims 4 Console.
What’s interesting is the fact that we’re going to get 2 Pack releases for May and 2 Pack releases for June. Check out the dates below:
- The Sims 4 Backyard Stuff – May 22nd
- The Sims 4 Toddler Stuff – May 22nd
- The Sims 4 Parenthood Game Pack – June 19th
- The Sims 4 Kids Room Stuff – June 19th
This leak is also confirmed by Amazon.de, which shows Toddler Stuff and Backyard Stuff as the next packs for The Sims 4 Console with the correct release date.
The Sims 4: New Olympus Concept
The Sims Team’s latest collaboration with Google Expedition allows you to explore The Sims Studio and see behind-the-scenes of what it takes to create a Sims game.
In the “Designing for The Sims” category of Google Expedition there’s a small segment about prototyping The Sims 4:
Turning ideas into a playable game is a big leap, and a stepping stone in the middle – a prototype – can prove invaluable. This early prototype allowed for the evaluation of a social system under consideration without requiring other game systems to be functional.
In case you don’t know, “Olympus” was a code name for a Sims 4 prototype built around 2010. The main features for Olympus revolved around a social, multiplayer experience with other players and their Sims.
There’s also a photo of The Sims 4 Olympus provided in Google Expedition in a somewhat low quality:
Win an Ultimate Copy of The Sims 4! (Anniversary Giveaway)
We’re having a HUGE giveaway on Sims Community Social to celebrate our 5th anniversary. The first thing that we’re giving away is a code for The Sims 4 Ultimate which contains The Sims 4 Base Game + ALL Expansion Packs, Game Packs and Stuff Packs.
This code is specially crafted by Electronic Arts for our anniversary giveaway and cannot be found or purchased anywhere else. It contains all the packs released to this date, including My First Pet Stuff Pack which is the last pack released for The Sims 4.
This giveaway ends on May 27th at 8PM CET / 12 PT! There are going to be plenty of more anniversary giveaways so stick around!
Click below to enter the giveaway on Sims Community Social!
The Sims Blog: Take A VR Tour of The Sims Studio with Google Expedition
Via TheSims.com!
Hey, Simmers!
We’re excited to announce that The Sims™ 4 is teaming up with Google Expeditions! In Explore the Maxis Studio: How The Sims Are Made, you’ll uncover the ingredients that make up the secret sauce behind The Sims.
Google Expeditions is a virtual reality teaching tool that lets educators, students, and adventurers lead or join immersive virtual trips all over the world. In this journey through Maxis Studio, you’ll see and understand how the Maxis team brings The Sims 4 to life, from inception to launch, and beyond!
To give you a sneak peek at this exciting VR experience, we asked Stephanie Callegari, a producer at Maxis, to provide a behind-the-scenes look at how Google captured life with The Sims.
Hi, Stephanie! Tell us a little about what you do for The Sims.
I am the lead producer for The Sims 4 Expansion Pack team. I love games and really enjoy creating a game that is so versatile for storytellers, builders, and character creators. At The Sims, I work with designers to kick off our overall vision for the next project. Once we have designs, we collaborate with artists, engineers, and all disciplines to bring the design vision to life. During execution, producers on The Sims make sure the game is fun, and maintains the gameplay and features our players desire.
How did you start your career in video games? What advice would you give someone trying to break into the industry?
I realized in college that what I thought I wanted to do was boring. So every summer, I took an internship to try to figure out what I liked. It was the best advice my big sister gave me! I interned at Sony Pictures Entertainment in creative marketing. I enjoyed it, but really loved the post-production side. Following, I interned at DreamWorks as a production intern and just fell in love with production. Once I finished school and worked a bit, I took a risk and went for an Assistant Producer position here at EA, and I’ve been producing ever since. My advice is if you are a student, get an internship and get some hands-on experience. If you are fresh out of college, work hard, apply, and take a risk if it’s something you think you’ll love.What is Google Expeditions, and how does it work for The Sims?
Google Expeditions is a virtual app to help teachers bring lessons to life. The Sims 4 expedition will be a series of panorama images and lessons we’ve created for students and viewers. Using Google Cardboard, viewers will walk through different facets of what game development is like on The Sims 4. I love this project because we get the chance to reach a different audience. I think there can be misconceptions of what making a game really is like, and instead of just explaining to students and viewers “how to make a game,” we get to show them.
Who will I meet on my Expedition?
In The Sims 4 Expedition, the tour will kick off with Laura Miele, our Chief Studio Officer, and Lyndsay Pearson, The Sims 4 Executive Producer, to briefly introduce Electronic Arts and The Sims. The tour will also introduce you to our designers, artists, animators, audio engineers, gameplay engineers, marketers, and our entire team.How can I try Google Expeditions through my school, or how can I experience The Sims on Google Expeditions?
Google Expeditions is available to anyone to download and install. Expeditions can be group experiences with a guide leading and explorers following along, which are especially useful to educators for taking students on virtual educational journeys. However, you can also go on an expedition by yourself.Getting started is simple! To use Google Expeditions, educators or individuals need to buy an Expeditions kit or build their own. Having a tablet for the group is recommended, and each participant needs a mobile device. For more information, visit https://edu.google.com/expeditions.
We hope this Expedition helps you explore and learn about career opportunities in the games industry. Visit Google Expeditions to get started, and we’ll see you soon, Simmers!
Requirements and benefits of becoming a Game Changer for The Sims
A few days ago EA released online applications for their Game Changers Program to the public. However, many Simmers were left wondering what does this mean for The Sims Community and which type of Sims Creators can apply to the program.
SimGuruKate explained all of this in a series of tweets that we’ve combined into a text below. Find out who’s eligible to apply to the program, how they can do it and what are the benefits from it!
Now that we have an official website about the EA Game Changers program I want to talk a little about what we specifically look for when selecting Game Changers for The Sims and The Sims Mobile.
A lot of people have asked if we only look for creators on YouTube and Twitch. The answer is absolutely not. Do you create Custom Content and have a website? Apply! Do you have an active Tumblr where you share your original content? Apply! Do you have a blog you regularly update? Apply! Or maybe you are a fan site sharing all the latest news for The Sims? Apply! Or maybe you are a primarily a builder who shares your creations on the gallery? Apply!
I also see a lot of people ask if there is a minimum number of Followers/Subscribers you must have to be eligible to apply or selected. We consider channels of all sizes but we do look for individuals who create and share content regularly. We want to see that you are dedicated to regularly creating quality ORIGINAL content. We absolutely know that you have other responsibilities (jobs, school, families, etc.) and that this can sometimes lead to busy moments where you may not be able to create and share as much.
I know some folks are hesitant to apply because they worry that they will be told what content they have to make or they won’t be able to share critical or constructive thoughts or feedback about the game(s). This is absolutely not the case. We want our Game Changers to always be honest with us and their own communities about what they love, like, and the things that they feel can be improved. We so strongly value your integrity and honesty, and greatly consider this when we are selecting individuals to add. How you interact with us (the SimGurus) historically and currently is important, but what is even more important is how you interact with your own community and followers. We want to see you engaging with them in thoughtful and constructive ways.
I also want you to know that your channel (whatever platform it may be on) doesn’t have to be all Sims all the time. Many of our Game Changers, especially those on Twitch, Play and create content for a variety of games. But it is absolutely important that Sims is one of your main titles, and that you intend to continue to create content for the title(s).
Being a Game Changer is definitely a neat opportunity with some cool benefits including early access to upcoming content and even the opportunity to be invited to events like SimsCamp and EA Play. In regards to the events it is important to be transparent. Invites aren’t a guarantee for all Game Changers as spots are often EXTREMELY LIMITED. I absolutely wish everyone could join (oh what a hangout that would be), but alas it’s not yet possible.
So, if you’re interested in applying to be a Game Changer please apply through our new website! Please do this even if you have previously sent us an email. We are definitely planning to expand and add new people throughout the year for both The Sims Mobile and The Sims. The website, once again, is https://www.ea.com/game-changers . Get your application in today!
As for when you will receive a reply if you apply…we add new people on a rolling basis. If we feel you would be a good fit for the program we will send you an invite when a spot opens. If you don’t hear back from us we continue to keep your application on record. Also, if you are already a Game Changer for another EA title and are interested in becoming one for The Sims Mobile or The Sims reach out directly to the Community Manager for the title(s) you currently are part of the program for.
The Sims Mobile: May 9th, 2018 Update Video Overview
We take a look at all the new Build & CAS Items that have been added in The Sims Mobile’s latest update in the video above. Check it out!
The Sims Mobile: New Update! (May 9th, 2018)
The Sims Mobile Team has just released a brand new update for the game. Unlike previous updates which require you to update the game entirely via Google Play / App Store, this update will apply to your game automatically after opening it. It’s around 100MB and will give you the new items and features after re-opening it.
Here’s what’s new in the latest update:
- The High-End Digital Camera Heirloom offer is now available.
- Two new Build-Buy Collections have been added, the Basic Babble set and Green Gardens set!
- Izzy Fabulous has new designs and effects in stock!
- The Glam Pack offer is now available for a limited time, as well as additional FREE makeup and face options for ALL Simmers!
EA has found its Community Manager for The Sims
A few months ago SimGuruDrake left her role as a Community Manager for The Sims to pursue a new opportunity as a CM for another game. Since then EA has put up a job application form, allowing people to apply for the Community Manager rule.
After 3 months, Electronic Arts has finally found its Community Manager for The Sims. EA’s career page for the Global Community Manager for The Sims now tells that the position to apply is no longer open.
We’ve done a double check with our source at EA and we can confirm that the search for a new CM has truly ended. Currently we have no information on who it is or when will the new CM for The Sims be announced, but we’re definitely glad that The Sims for PC is finally going to have its public voice once again.
EA Opens Public Applications for the Game Changers Program
Electronic Arts has just launched a dedicated informations page for their EA Game Changers Program. The Game Changers Program website, which allows creators to participate in all sorts of exclusive events and opportunities was locked for only selected creators chosen by their assigned community managers. Today, anyone with an online presence on social network such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Twitch and more can apply to join the program, giving them access to exclusive assets, early access content and more!
The ability to join the EA Game Changers program is still in Alpha, meaning that it’s still in development and could take a few months to be completely finished and fully expanded.
If you feel like applying for the EA Game Changers Program, check out their applications page. Wonder what the Game Changers Program is all about? The F.A.Q. section of the site will give you all the needed information!
Up to 50% off on certain The Sims 4 Packs for Xbox One
Amazon.com is currently offering a few packs for The Sims 4 on Xbox One for a lower price – up to 50% off!
Down below you can find the list of all the games that are currently on sale. It’s unknown for how long will they be on sale so better act quick!
- The Sims 4 Luxury Party Stuff ($5.99)
- The Sims 4 Perfect Patio Stuff ($5.99)
- The Sims 4 Vintage Glamour Stuff ($5.99)
- The Sims 4 Vampires Game Pack ($11.99)
- The Sims 4 City Living Expansion Pack ($20)
- The Sims 4 Deluxe Party Ediiton ($30)
The Sims 4: “A great deal of more content coming to PC players this year”
Andrew Wilson, CEO for Electronic Arts has shared remarks for the Fiscal Year of 2018, which lasted from April 2017 to April 2018. He talked about the growth of The Sims 4 on both PC and Console and mentioned that there’s a bright future for PC players this year. Check out all the important remarks which mention The Sims below:
- Our Sims community spans across generations and platforms, with more than 80 million active Sims players across PC and mobile in FY18. Our Sims 4 community continues to grow nearly four years after launch, and we have a great deal more content coming to our PC players this year. Alongside the ongoing success of The Sims FreePlay, we’ve had strong early growth in the player base for The Sims Mobile, giving us two games on mobile delivering the breath of experiences that Sims fans are looking for.
- Live services net bookings were up 31% year on year, to $679 million. The increase was driven by Ultimate Team, The Sims 4 and Battlefield 1.
- We expect live services to grow 10% to 15%, led by Ultimate Team, The Sims 4 expansion packs for PC and console versions of the game, and by growth in our subscriptions business.
- With regards to our mobile business, The Sims Mobile launched just before the year started, and we have two games coming in the second half of the year. Thus, we expect our mobile business to grow strongly, of the order of 15-20%, led by The Sims Mobile, FIFA Mobile, Star Wars: Rise to Power, and an unannounced title.
The Sims had over 80 million players in the last 12 months
EA has just released the results for Fiscal Year 2018, which lasted from April 2017 to April 2018. They’ve mentioned plenty of their games, including The Sims, which boasts more than 80 million players who played The Sims games, both on PC and Mobile, in the last 12 months.
- The Sims™ community had more than 80 million Sims players across PC and mobile in fiscal 2018.
Check out their full FY2018 report HERE!
