Sims 2 to love the Nightlife this fall

As Sims-mad gamers begin to scoop copies of The Sims 2: University off store shelves, they are getting an unexpected glimpse of the future of the series. On the back of the game's CD case is an advertisement (pictured) proclaiming "Bring on the Night" and showing the next installment in the multiplatinum series.

"Send your Sims out for a night on the town in The Sims 2 Nightlife Expansion Pack," reads the ad. "Will they stay out late on a romantic dinner or dance 'til dawn at a nightclub? Find out what else the night has to offer starting Fall 2005." The box also noted that the expansion would require the original Sims 2 to play.

Next to the ad copy is the first in-game image from Sims 2 Nightlife, a picture of a young couple out on what appears to be a date. On the right is a spiked-haired, nattily dressed man taking the hand of an attractive young woman. Besides a jeweled belt and a skimpy red cocktail dress, the woman has some more unorthodox accessories--vampire teeth.

However, it remains unclear if the image means Nightlife players can expect to attend an undead "blood rave" à la Blade or whether it simply means the game adds awful dentistry to the Sims mix. That's because Electronic Arts is still not officially acknowledging the expansion's existence. "There has been no official press announcement about anything," was the only response an EA rep would give as of press time.

GameSpot will have more details on the Sims 2 Nightlife as its autumn release date approaches.