IGN did an interesting interview about the game, which included many tidbits of information. New content available from the EA store may only be available for download if you purchase the expansions pack.  This would be an interesting twist against piracy.  Perhaps, if the expansion were not registered to your account, content that can only operate if an expansion is enabled would be useless.

The two schools of thought would be that it is either another moneymaking swindle, and completely unfair of EA to force us to purchase expansions in order to enjoy downloadable content, or a brilliant anti-piracy chess move that will eventually be overcome anyway.

Either way, the new expansion poses an interesting question for disabled gamers.  The idea behind the expansions is to experience things that you could in real life.  However, many disabled gamers will never have the opportunity to attend far off places with little accessibility such as China, Egypt, and/or France.

But is that something you are looking for in a casual game?

As a disabled gamer, I will welcome the opportunity to play around in environments that I might never get to experience.  This is the same theory behind places like the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas.  Sometimes, simulating an environment to get just a small taste may be enough to quench your thirst, and for Sims players experiencing life through virtual means is a window into the world.

Capitalizing on what works

Indeed, one thing the EA does well is capitalize on what works.  Using their new opportunities system, EA has found a way to introduce quests.  Your Sim will be given opportunities such as unlocking keys, which will lead to another opportunity to unlock a treasure chest with that key.  Although, I applaud the way they are introducing a system which has worked very well in World of Warcraft, it will be interesting to see if casual gamers are as enamored as hard-core raiders with chasing a virtual carrot.

In addition, EA is harping on their storytelling sound bites by advertising that Sims will be able to teach their Chef French recipes and show their scientists the Egyptian ruins.  If you enjoy creating detailed storylines for your Sims then you should be very happy with this next upcoming expansion.

One redeeming quality of the Sims is its friendliness to disabled gamers.  The Sims offers various speeds of play, no need for close captioning, mostly colorblind friendly interface, and fully mouseable interactions.  Sims 3 has all of the markings of an accessible game.  The new expansion may allow some disabled gamers to participate in things that they may not otherwise have a chance to experience.  For some, that will be well worth the price of another expansion.

For more details, here is the following press release from EA:

EA REVEALS THE SIMS 3 WORLD ADVENTURES
First Expansion Pack to Global Phenomenon - The Sims 3

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., August 3, 2009 - The Sims are off on an adventure to famous destinations around the world! The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that The Sims^TM 3 World Adventures, the first expansion pack* to the #1 best-selling PC and MAC game in June 2009**, The Sims 3, is in development and will ship to retailers worldwide the week of November 16, 2009.

"We're thrilled with the global success of The Sims 3 over these last few months and are looking forward to expanding on the gameplay experience with one of the most robust expansion packs to The Sims yet," said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims at EA. "Players will be able to take their Sims on the adventure of a lifetime and explore lands outside of Sunset Valley and Riverview, pursue thrilling new life destinies in locations around the world inspired by famous destinations, and immerse themselves in the open-ended gameplay where they'll discover new cities in China, France and Egypt and share new stories."

Players can take their Sims on new journeys to famous real-world inspired destinations around the globe for the first time ever and seek out new adventures. While exploring the landmarks of an exotic city, there is no telling what the Sims will find. From mastering martial arts in Shang Simla, China, discovering rich culture and famous landmarks on a romantic getaway to Champs Les Sims, France or exploring the depths of ancient tombs in Al Simhara, Egypt, players can take their Sims on a journey that will change their Sims' lives. Players can accept challenges to search for secret treasures, learn new skills and chase down new personal opportunities, meet new Sims with unique personalities, share their culture and bring them home, discover new styles on their travels, and share everything they encounter on their adventures with the world through personal photographs, movies, and stories. Additionally, players will receive 1,000 SimPoints to be used online in The Sims 3 Store*** for the PC/MAC versions of the game. Exclusive online content, available only for the expansion pack at launch, will be revealed soon.

The Sims 3 World Adventures will also be available for feature phones, the iPhone^TM and iPod touch® in early 2010 from EA Mobile^TM. These versions will have customized mobile gameplay features which will be revealed in the coming months. For information on carrier availability and pricing for all EA Mobile games, please visit www.eamobile.com.

For more information about The Sims 3 World Adventures or The Sims 3, please visit www.TheSims3.com. Developed by The Sims Studio, The Sims 3 World Adventures has not yet been rated by PEGi. To download artwork, please visit www.electronicarts.co.uk/press

*Requires The Sims 3 for PC/MAC to play.
**According to NPD data.
**INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED, see product pack or digital distribution rules for details

Comments (3)

Bearfoot

August 07, 2009

Votes: +0

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And pirates will have it cracked within a month or two as usual.

Par for the course.

Sjepper

September 23, 2009

Votes: -1

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a month say like a day :S

RobbyFredxxx

September 26, 2009

Votes: -2

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Probably before it even launches, just like with the original game.

I got the Sims 3 about a week before it launched.

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