The Sims™ 3: An Intimate
Look Behind the Scenes

Q: How was the Game translated from PC and Mac?
A: Early on, we decided to focus on some of the key features that are defining The Sims 3 experience for players: The Living Neighborhood and the more robust Personality Traits System. We also felt that the AI for the non-playable Sims was going to be very important for making both of these features engaging, so we also focused a lot of effort on that aspect of the game. The other Sims in the game are more aware of your actions than ever before on Mobile - they will get jealous if you pursue their romantic interest, kick you out of their house for annoying them too much, come and go from different locations at will, and more.

Q: In your opinion, what is the most exciting feature of the game?
A: My favorite feature is the new Traits System. Choosing the Traits for your new Sims is really fun, and the way the game reveals the traits of the other Sims as you get to know them better is great.

Recently, one of my Sims was trying really hard to flirt with someone, but it wasn't going very well. Then the game revealed that the other Sim had the Shy trait, and I realized that I needed to change my approach a bit. These are fun moments of discovery.

Q: Is The Sims 3 Mobile a Linear or Sandbox Game?
A: The Sims 3 for Mobile and iPhone is definitely more of a Sandbox experience. There are many different ways of approaching the game, and it is open-ended so you can play as long as you want.

From the start of the game, you have access to a Living Neighborhood filled with homes, businesses, and a park with a lake for fishing.

All of the non-playable Sims in the neighborhood have homes, jobs, and schedules to keep, so you'll see them commuting to work and moving throughout the neighborhood, and they may occasionally ask you for favors. You can even track your boss down and ask them him or her for a raise!

The many Wishes or Goals in the game exist primarily to help you discover more aspects of the gameplay, and don't focus you so much that you lose the Sandbox feeling. You are free to play the game as long as you want and at your own pace. You even have the option of ignoring Wishes as they come up, or locking them in.

The Sims also have a degree of autonomy, so that they can fulfill their most basic needs without you needing you to step in, allowing you to focus more on the rest of the game.

Certain aspects of the game extend as you play. The ability to upgrade your house opens up as you fulfill certain criteria. You are also able to choose from additional objects to buy and use in your home over time. And, once you complete all of the goals, there is another reward.

Q: How does the Personality System in The Sims 3 Mobile work?
A: Users will be able to get very creative with the "creation" of their Sims. You can customize their gender, skin tone, hairstyle, clothing, and name. But the heart of Create-A-Sim in The Sims 3 is the new Personality Traits System. There are 6 different Personas to choose from, like Power Seeker, Jerk, Nice Guy, Maniac, and Sleaze. Your Sims long term Wishes are tied to their Persona.

You then get to choose from 17 different Traits; mix and match a set of 5. The Traits include options like No Sense of Humor, Good Sense of Humor, Shy, and Genius.

Certain types of Sims have access to interaction options that others don't. For example, Maniac Sims can fulfill their social needs by talking to trees, and enjoying watching people sleep.

Q: What is a Unique Quality the iPhone Game has the PC Game doesn't?
A: It is The Sims 3 that fits in your pocket!

Q: How is the iPhone Game different from the Mobile Version?
A: The iPhone game is fully 3D while the other Mobile versions are 2D. The iPhone version also has day and night changes; with active lighting...you can see the street lamps come on at night.

The Mobile versions for other devices are also very deep, open-ended, and they share the same basic design. The iPhone has 73 goals total, while the Mobile versions have 75.

Q: How many Careers are there in the Game?
A: There are 5 careers total. Biology, Culinary, Business, and Politics are available from the start of the game. Users can unlock the Criminal Career if they complete all of the Goals and Wishes in the game.

Q: Are there any Surprising Features in The Sims 3?
A: The Living Neighborhood feature is very engaging. I remember seeing it working for the first time. I couldn't wait to dive into the game and get to know the neighbors, pull some pranks, and create some awkward situations!

Q: If someone was going to create a Sim based on you, which Traits would they pick?
A: I could easily see some of the Traits applying to me. I can be absent-minded at times. I really enjoy a good joke, so there's the good sense of humor trait. Couch potato would also work, but the positive side of that is I'm usually a good listener or and make a pretty good audience (unless I'm distracted thinking about something else)!