14 DAY TRIAL // It has been revealed that Apple's retail stores are the place to be for Sims fans this time around. Visitors can get a hands-on with the latest incarnation of the popular simulation game series, and test the “Create A Sim” feature or sample the “Create A Style” feature that lets them edit a Sim’s attire and hair.
As noted by Electronic Arts, The Sims 3 introduces some exciting new features, such as the ability to choose up to five traits to create individual personalities. Fresh design tools let players customize the appearance of their Sims, while they can manipulate aspects like their Sims' shape and size, facial features, skin tone, hair color and style, eye shape and color, clothing and accessories.
Sims can now literally roam to their neighbors' homes, explore the surroundings, take walks, or simply hang out. The environment can also be customized to great extent using patterns of decor, floor coverings, wall coverings, furniture, etc.
As the folks at Macworld point out, these days, Mac users don't have to wait as EA struggles to release the Mac counterparts of its popular titles months after the Windows version is out. Thanks to a partnership with TransGaming, which uses its Cider technology to port Windows PC titles to Apple platforms, Macintosh fans will also be able to grab The Sims 3 on June 2, the official release date of the game.
However, you can order your own copy as soon as today. To order your copy of The Sims 3 for Mac, visit Apple's online store here, or GameTree Online here, ready to spend $39.95.
The Mac version of The Sims 3 will require an Intel processor, Mac OS X Leopard, 2 GB of RAM, and one of the following graphics cards: ATI X1600 or NVIDIA 7300 GT with 128 MB of Video RAM, or Intel Integrated GMA X3100. At least 6.1 GB of free hard drive space are required to install, with at least 1 GB of additional space for custom content and saved games. PPC Macs, or systems using GMA 950 video cards are not supported.