The Sims: Makin' Magic details

Electronic Arts has today released new gameplay information on The Sims: Makin' Magic, which, according to today's press release, will be the final expansion pack for The Sims. As its title suggests, the expansion will grant players' sims magical powers and will also introduce a cast of quirky new characters and more than 150 new items to the game.

"With mystical talents, players can cast magical spells to improve the love lives of their sims, wreak havoc on visiting neighbors, or put an end to tedious chores," said Jonathan Knight, producer at EA's Maxis studio. "The Sims: Makin' Magic will let players dive into and discover a world of magic with no boundaries."

Spells in the game will allow players to perform household duties with a minimum of effort, transform everyday objects into helpful minions, hypnotize other sims, and even turn problem neighbors into frogs. Each of the spells will have its own backfire effect that comes into play if they're not executed correctly, though--examples include toad plagues, snakes, and lightning strikes.

New characters in The Sims: Makin' Magic will include a snake charmer, a gypsy, and ghosts. Players will also be able to conjure up their own characters with spells capable of turning garden gnomes into gardeners and lawn flamingos into entertaining hostesses.

Not all of the new content in the expansion pack will have a magic theme, and among the more traditional content, players will find an all-new Mediterranean kitchen set complete with refrigerator, sink, stove, dishwasher, and tea set. A new baker's oven will allow players to make their own breads, pies, and cakes, while an option for sims to grow their own vines and harvest grapes should make for some interesting drinks at parties.

The Sims: Makin' Magic is currently scheduled for release in time for Halloween. For more information, check out our previous coverage of the expansion.