The Sims 2 Body Shop Tool Released

KIEDIS writes "As the release date for The Sims follow-up approaches you can go download The Sims 2 Body Shop from the official website. This tool allows you to create your own Sims and custom content for the game, before it actually comes out. We still don't know the date of release for The Sims 2 but at least EA/Maxis is giving signs of it getting closer." EA is also hosting a Sims 2 Body Shop Showcase which shows off over 700 Sims. Update: 05/12 20:56 GMT by S : GameSpot are indicating The Sims 2 will debut on September 17th for PC, according to sources at E3.

Comments

Replacing expansion packs?

[Golgafrinchan]

... create your own Sims and custom content for the game, before it actually comes out...

I don't get it. It sounds like this lessens the need for expansion packs if players can create add-ons themselves. I think it's great, but how does this help EA profit?

This is interesting.

[hal2814]

It's not often that you see a game editor come out before the actual game. Granted all you can edit here is people, but I think it's a good way to drum up enthusiasm over the Sims 2. My wife is an avid Sims gamer and I'm sure if I told her about this (which I won't ;)), she'd download it in a heartbeat.

People Who Make People

[MiceHead]

Items within their showcase seem to fall into three categories; the ordinary beautiful, the not-so-beautiful, but interesting caricatures, and the horribly deformed experimental. Fans of the comic Preacher might find one, in particular, familiar.

But what's most interesting is that people give them little stories:

The Nehibore of the SIM Family. She's old. She's mean and she hates kids.

This is one of those teacher who looks like a really boring woman, but if you take away the glasses and gives her another haircut, shes a really sexy top model!

He and his sister Mara are inseperable and very much alike...being that they are twins. But he really looks up to his older sister...and likes to copy her by wearing his PJ's all day (when he's home).

She loves hanging out in her room giving herself makeovers and watching movies in her undies...with popcorn....ahhh the life of a girl.

Loves walks by the beach and loves kids. She just needs a husband and she's set.

I've been told that people live out fantasies through their sims, but I didn't believe it until I saw these profiles. This seems so similar to the play of children with dolls; I have to wonder if people would express themselves more if given the chance. (Such things are frowned upon in general. Even among geeks, there's a limit to the amount of doofiness someone can display -- Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt! (mpeg).) While the story tidbits written by these Sims players are simplistic -- they sound like kids' fantasies now -- I think they'll improve, given time. Maybe they'll even become interesting in their own right. And for that, I will argue that video games can be great.

Can't wait for the game itself

[advocate_one]

to come out... cos then the price should drop for all the existing addons and bundles... "The Sims" is one game where the price has remained high for a really long time... I think just about every other game from that period is now to be found on budget labels or the bargain bin...

just goes to show how well designed the original is