EA Announces The Sims 3 Seasons

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Break out your umbrellas and prepare for the storm, The Sims™ 3 Seasons Expansion Pack* is coming this holiday! The Maxis Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that The Sims 3 Seasons Expansion Pack for PC/Mac will launch worldwide November 2012. Packed full of fun for every season, the latest offering from The Sims Studio introduces all-new activities, seasonal festivals and celebrations, dramatic weather effects and more, allowing players to transform their Sims’ worlds with the change of each season as they play with life…and the weather.

“Since the launch of The Sims 3, Seasons has been one of the most highly-requested themes by our players. The seasonal changes in this game offer incredible realism, simulating nature in a way that is unprecedented for The Sims.”

“The Sims 3 Seasons offers players not only the opportunity to interact with weather, but also the ability to really get into the mood of each season and tell meaningful stories with their Sims,” said Ryan Vaughan, Producer, The Sims. “Since the launch of The Sims 3, Seasons has been one of the most highly-requested themes by our players. The seasonal changes in this game offer incredible realism, simulating nature in a way that is unprecedented for The Sims.”

For the first time in The Sims PC/Mac franchise, players can take their Sims for a swim in the ocean, exploring a previously unreachable part of the world as they cool down on a hot summer day or take the polar bear plunge by venturing into wintry waters. Sims can also build skills by scoring a winning goal during a soccer shoot-out or catching some air on the half pipe during a snowboarding session. Whether taking a plunge from the diving board, setting off dazzling fireworks, carving a jack-o’-lantern or building an intimate igloo, players will find an abundance of activities to keep them engaged throughout the year.

Players will revel in the spirit of each season with unique seasonal celebrations and events that bring Sims together. Sims can snuggle up with their crush and get crowned the king or queen of the spring dance, visit the face-painting booth at the summer festival, bob for apples beside a pumpkin patch at the fall festival or head to the snowball fight arena for an epic wintertime battle. The Sims 3 Seasons also introduces new food, fashions and décor items such as French fries, a tanning booth, mistletoe, umbrellas, snow boots and wetsuits, further enhancing the experience and fun of each season.

In The Sims 3 Seasons, transformative weather effects will capture the beauty and power of nature, from blooming flowers and fresh spring rain to changing autumn leaves and snowstorms that will turn the world into a winter wonderland. Sims will react to the changes in climate and weather in surprising and hilarious ways, whether getting a zebra-striped tan, catching a cold or getting struck by lightning.

Players who pre-order** The Sims 3 Seasons Expansion Pack will receive the Limited Edition which includes the exclusive Ice Lounge community lot, a sleek social club that can be placed in any world from The Sims 3 and is available in all seasons. This all-new venue includes 12 brand new objects made entirely of ice that can be used to build out an elegant, icy abode.

The Sims 3 Seasons is rated “T” for Teen and is currently available for pre-order online and across retailers in North America. For more information, please visit the official website at www.thesims.com/seasons, “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Press assets for The Sims 3 Seasons can be found at www.info.ea.com.

*Requires The Sims 3 for PC/Mac to play.

**SEE FINAL PRODUCT DETAILS, EULA AND CONTENT PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY AT www.ea.com/1/product-eulas IF AND WHEN AVAILABLE.

About The Sims

For more than a decade, The Sims™ has entertained millions of people across the globe and has made an indelible footprint on the interactive world. A world-renowned interactive entertainment phenomenon, The Sims has sold more than 150 million units to date and continues to enhance its rich multi-platform portfolio with offerings that inspire creativity and reach one of the broadest audiences in gaming. The Sims evolves its magnetic appeal by delivering gameplay experiences that are current, compelling and above all, entertaining. A microcosm of society, The Sims gives players the ability to play with life by creating and controlling virtual lives and telling meaningful stories. Hundreds of millions of players’ creations have been shared and downloaded by one of the most active player communities in the world and the viral appeal of The Sims is further evidenced by its 30 million fans across global social networks. With a variety of unique gameplay themes, engaging content and collaborations with top brands and artists, there is something for everyone to love in The Sims and to play anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice. For more information about The Sims, visit www.thesims.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and social networks. EA has more than 220 million registered players and operates in 75 countries.

In fiscal 2012, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.1 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster brands such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield™ and Mass Effect™. More information about EA is available at http://info.ea.com.

The Sims and Need for Speed are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Mass Effect is a trademark of EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. Battlefield is a trademark of EA Digital Illusions CE AB. John Madden, NFL and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission.