E3 2011: The Sims 3 Pets Demo Preview

The Sims are expanding again, and this time cats and dogs are raining. While the PC version is a fully compatible expansion, the Xbox 360 version we saw served as a stand-alone adventure. The animals within The Sims 3 Pets were purchased goods like an everyday item, and just as with sims, the pets could be fully customized in appearance, age, and personality.

Using Kinect voice commands, a new born kitten was created with such words as "clueless" and "destructive" for its personality. The species could also be selected among real life breeds, including Siamese cats and German shepherds. Even the fur and snouts could be adjusted. However, it's not just limited to the natural. For those who purchase the limited edition, such skins as the tiger dog could be unlocked. It wasn't just the aesthetics of the pets that could be manipulated. The pets are fully playable and can take actions similar to their masters.

One singing Dalmatian was trained in the art of singing. Along with its equally musical master, the duo headed to the boardwalk to panhandle via song. Another mutt had more of a mean streak and openly destroyed a potted plant in the same beachside shopping district. In another part of town, the tiger dog socialized among its canine cohorts. She was even able to locate a worthy mate and establish romance with a sly nuzzle. Pets not only take on a life of their own, but they are also a true member of the family.

The tiger dog's owner, Tiger Boy, was down on his luck with meeting women. But everyone knows man's best friend is an age-old date magnet. Tiger Boy interacted with his pet and asked her to find him a date. From there, the dog searched around the nearby pub to locate a suitable girl. After being petted and tickled, the tiger dog led the lady to her trampy master. From there, the two humans were able to strike up a conversation and enter a friendship. However, the world of the Sims isn't always so kind, and natural disasters do occur. A meteor then crashed from the sky, obliterated the pub, and killed Tiger Boy, his soul mate, and the helpful dog.

We look forward to more wholesome adventures and the PC version's integration when The Sims 3 Pets arrives on October 25 in North America and October 28 in Europe.