@Arbiter, Do we have early data for Sims 2? I'd be curious to see how closely it's tracking to it's predecessor with the recent news of ludicrous first week sales.
We all figured the sales would be high, but, to be honest, I really didn't expect it to break records... But then again, if any game could - this is probably it.
The Sims 3, the latest in Electronic Arts' blockbuster life simulation franchise, has exceeded 1.4 million PC and Mac sales in its first week on shelves, the publisher said today.
According to EA, that figure represents the strongest PC game launch the company has ever had. The game was developed by the Sims team out of Electronic Arts' Redwood Shores headquarters.
...All told, The Sims 3 seems to offer a tremendous variety of different things for you to get wrapped up in, whether that be advancing along a career path, increasing a skill set, completing a collection, making friends, having romantic relationships, or working toward lifetime goals--and that's assuming you decide to play the game with more of a role-playing focus to try to develop a single character. The Sims 3's expanded character personality system and building tools...
EA’s just confirmed that The Sims 3 has slipped from its planned February 20 release to June 2.“The June launch combined with the break-through game the team is building gives us the perfect runway to create awareness for The Sims 3,” said EA marketing boss Russell Arons.
ERTS could easily delay this product until the economy gets better. Sims 2 expansions are still selling strong. I'm sure Sims 3 will be somewhat timeless. Sims fans will pick it up even in holiday '09 regardless what games are competing then.
According to Edge, Electronic Arts is "evaluating the launch window" of The Sims 3.
Whether that means a formal delay for the next installment in EA's 100 million unit selling franchise is unclear, but its European release looks like it might be in danger of slipping. According to Edge, a number of overseas retailers are now listing the game as shipping in the first half of 2009, with the official Sims 3 site listing a "TBA" release date.
Gamespot has a hands on article on a nearly complete version of the game. Looks to be like the same but MORE from the Sims 2. Still, not the best selling PC game of all time for nothing I suppose.
I still believe 13 million + copies is too high of a forecast. I think a lot of the numbers people are assuming are including expansions. At an abstract level, are people expecting this to outsell Sims 2? Do people think the interest in the Sims franchise is still increasing?
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