Sims 3 adding pets

The Sims franchise is known for its quick-hitting and numerous expansions. Keeping with tradition, just a week after the Generations pack was released for the Sims 3, publisher Electronic Arts has announced the next add-on for the series.

Due out at a to-be-determined date as an expansion to the PC and Mac versions of The Sims 3 will be The Sims 3: Pets (debut trailer below). The animal-themed expansion lets gamers "create, customize, and control" over one hundred types of dogs and cats. What's more, the expansion is, according to EA, the "biggest undertaking in our franchise's history."

In addition to the PC expansion, The Sims 3: Pets will arrive at retail for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and 3DS. The Xbox 360 iteration will connect with Microsoft's Kinect technology, allowing gamers the ability to control their pets and sims via voice commands.

The 3DS version of The Sims 3: Pets also boasts unique features. Gamers playing on Nintendo's new portable can use the system's pedometer to earn karma points in the game. Additionally, the 3DS version of the game lets players gift animals to other Sims players using the StreetPass functionality.

The Sims 3: Pets is currently in development at The Sims Studio. For more on the core title it is based on, check out GameSpot's review of The Sims 3.