EA brings home Sims 2 Pets

Animal-friendly Sims game will expand on PCs, stand alone on consoles, handhelds; content will differ between platforms.

One of the things Sims fans have been clamoring for in the Sims 2 are pets--and they're not talking about a decorative fish bowl or a rodent spinning in a hamster wheel. The Sims community has been asking for dogs and cats to be included in the life simulator, and Electronic Arts has finally obliged.

The Sims 2 Pets has been officially announced, after being teased at this year's E3. A promotional clip of the game was shown at EA's booth, but information was spotty at best. There was speculation that the game would be an expansion for The Sims 2 PC edition, a stand-alone console game, a booster pack, or even its own spin-off.

Those questions were answered today. The game is coming to the PC as an expansion pack, and in a somewhat surprising move, the game will also be going for a walk on consoles, namely the PlayStation 2, GameCube, PlayStation Portable, DS, and Game Boy Advance. Currently, there are no plans to release an Xbox edition. All versions will ship on October 17, except for the PSP version, which gets let out in November.

Every edition will include "dogs, cats, caged animals, and more," as well as a create-a-pet feature that gives gamers an opportunity to design their own puppy or kitty. Various color schemes, body types, and markings will be available, as well as personalities.

Owners will also be responsible for training their four-legged friends, or risk having cats claw up furniture and dogs make a mess of the house. As players progress through the game, they'll receive codes for unlockable items, such as accessories, pet markings, or fur types, which can be shared with other Sims 2 Pets players.

Several editions of Sims 2 Pets will also carry unique features. The PC expansion will let players create designer breeds and pets to earn some extra Simoleans by working in three career tracks--security, entertainment, and service. On the PS2, PSP, and GameCube, gamers and their pets can travel to the Central Town Park and the Town Center, where they can shop for cat clothes and dog duds. The DS version gives a pet store and a pet care center to players, and owners of the GBA edition can try their hand at being a vet or become a professional pet trainer and compete in a trick contest.

EA has not yet released pricing or rating information for the games. For more on The Sims 2 Pets, check back later for an interview with the franchise's executive producer, Rod Humble.

43 Comments

  • texasfight54

    Posted Aug 14, 2006 5:43 pm PT

    This game is gonna rock, Nightlife has been the worst ep yet, excluding stuff ep's. If you haven't read the transcripts on sims2.com then you should, it's gonna rock.

  • Author_1990

    Posted Jul 30, 2006 7:10 am PT

    Air-Hendrix>

    Uhh... not actually. This is a major expansion pack. It features a new gameplay feature and it will cost a bit more than the Stuff Packs.

    Please get your facts straight.

  • izzygrigg

    Posted Jul 29, 2006 9:38 pm PT

    Look, to all those people who are complaining about it, stop complaining! If you don't like it dont go on the forum.

  • magnolio369

    Posted Jul 29, 2006 2:20 pm PT

    i just hope its alot different from the sims unleashed!

  • Zion_7

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 3:02 pm PT

    I mean, If you dont like the idea, Maxis isnt imposing you to buy it, so you should just say "good for the poeple who like this stuff" If I worked at maxis I would do the same thing they are, and I'd be rich, everyone would, for that matter.

  • Kaizerblade

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 2:22 pm PT

    Why normal pets? I want an alligator and three monkeys...

    Don't ask why...

  • shreng

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 12:20 pm PT

    why ea never stop putting stupid new expansion packs on a two years old game???? why can't they just make a new game thats is not sooooooooo lame?????

  • mnm_enterprises

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 10:13 am PT

    My girlfriend will be so stoked.......she will die if it gets pushed back.

  • grave_rob

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 9:10 am PT

    my girlfriend will be stoked...i will proceed to NOT CARE

  • R3last

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 8:49 am PT

    Yes they could have put it all in one expansion, but this is EA the money hungry, developer overworking, roster update for $60 company. It doesn't surprise me that they add a new "expansion pack," every few months. The game is popular and keeps their pockets lined.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 2:28 am PT

    I can't wait for this awesome expansion pack to be released

  • jackie_demon

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 1:27 am PT

    Looks awesom, ive been waiting for another pets game on the sims, ever since The Sims 2 came. Im getting it on PSP, is The Sims 2 good on PSP? cos if it is, ill probably not get it and just wait for The Sims 2: Pets to come out. Its no an expansion pack on the PSP, so u dont need the original one for it,, or do u???

  • jackie_demon

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 1:23 am PT

    Looks awesome, I've been waiting for a new Sims pet game ever since The Sims 2 came out. I'm gonna get it on PSP, shame it comes out later tho . Is The Sims 2 good on PSP?

  • Air-Hendrix

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 12:42 am PT

    This is just gonna be another Stuff pack. DO NOT GET IT! It's just gonna be a waste of money man.

  • mogry

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:42 pm PT

    Another pack again?.. Why not wait a year and bring all 5000 expansion packs out at once. IN ONE GAME?!?

  • moomanpen

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 8:20 pm PT

    yeah it's finally here i came to the site every day and checked finally thank you Will wright

  • Travis281

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 5:03 pm PT

    This is going to be a great expansion pack, but really, the core of this should have already been implemented into the original sims 2 game. They shouldn't be praised for accomplishments they've already achieved in the sims 1.

    I am glad it's coming out though, sounds like a lot of fun. Everyone loved Nintendogs, right.

  • gamespy123

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 4:02 pm PT

    So, it makes sense to say that the console versions (PS2, GC, PSP, etc.) will not be expansions, but rather separate games? The PC version will be an expansion? Because, the PSP version looks really good and I'm looking forward to it. It's a sad shame that PSP-versions usually get out later.

  • cesarotromundo

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 3:26 pm PT

    YAY! i want my dogs and cats right now!

  • ozzy35

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 1:54 pm PT

    i just got off of the sims 2 site and it stated that it will be released on Oct. 17, 06 so i am preordering mine after this! Sweet!!!

  • zero_simoleans

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:38 pm PT

    why doesn't maxis let us buy an apartment complex and then rent out rooms to other sims?

    I would buy that..

    this?

    I;m not going to buy a pet expansion...

  • BurntToast

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:52 am PT

    Seeing that The Sims: Unleashed was probably the most popular title... it's about time.

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:50 am PT

    this sounds....uh....different....who really knows how good it will do

  • Romanticide

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:32 am PT

    lol Ps2 xD
    where everyone lives in a flat. EA never learn, theyll just port anything no matter how much they have to tone it down.

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:49 am PT

    Sounds like an excellent expansion pack to an already incredible game.

  • Zaxex

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:41 am PT

    Sounds like a great game a pain how they make so many expansions so a big fan of the sims has to buy about 8 games per series.

    How they went from sims to sims2 is a giant acheivement i hope this game does the same from the "Unleashed" expansion pack from Sims.

  • sasuke55

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:27 am PT

    Sweet I like Sims although I don't have SIMS2 yet. I will say this they need to come up with fresh expansions for the game.

  • shizwill03

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:19 am PT

    I smiled and did a dramatic gasp at this news.

    Can't wait!!!

  • Unknown_Legend

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:18 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • taytizzle

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:06 am PT

    To Relset: The Sims 2 came out in like 2004. It makes sense that they're on their 4th expansion pack.

    Yes!!! I love Maxis! EA is terrible, though!

  • relset

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:00 am PT

    there is already 3 sims 2 expansions..ugh

  • metroidlink1030

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:48 am PT

    This actually sounds pretty interesting. The Sims needs a new twist; the game's become more and more boring since Sims 2 came out. The expansions for that game are just....bleh. With the DS's touch screen, this seems like it will mix a bit of Nintendogs with the already addicting Sims experience. Cool!

  • thorsen-ink GameSpot staff member

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:38 am PT

    Wow, as if recreating a simulated mudnane existence wasn't boring enough, now you can enjoy a simulation of picking up your dog's hot steamers up off the sidewalk. The EXCITEMENT--CATCH IT!

  • bored88

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:35 am PT

    Didn't they have this exaxt same expansion for the original sims?

  • Orague

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:19 am PT

    why sim alot of sim why not Battlefield and need for speed i hate the sim

  • Shuzen

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:19 am PT

    yeah am going to get it for the ps2

  • 1vgfan

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:18 am PT

    pc i can understand...itll never last on the consoles though.

  • DarthLad

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:15 am PT

    i hate my computer! this piece of crap can't play the sims without slowing down and it's memory capacity sucks! wish i could get all the sims 2 games

  • TraiklinX3

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:15 am PT

    Im suprised it took them this long to release it.

    The Sims: Unleashed seemed to be one of the most popular Sims add-ons since it brought pets into the game, I was suprised Sims 2 didn't have it by default (I know, EA & Maxis, gotta milk our asses for all their worth with "Add-Ons" instead of a complete game, It's going to be interesting to see how many "Add-ons" spore get's)

  • mark_unix

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:09 am PT

    grabs shotgun kills EA executive for more lame games.

  • GunstarBlue7

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:08 am PT

    Nice. I Can't wait for this.

  • blackIceJoe

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:06 am PT

    Well this will be better then the last game for the Sims.Even though it was nothing new just toys and stuff. That one really did not add any thing to the game.That being the The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff. Its good to see a new change.I am also going to go out on a stretch and say the PC one will do better then the console versions.Seeing as how other console game's of the Sims have done in the past.But maybe this game will change that only time will tell.

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