EA "evaluating" Sims 3 release date

By Tom Bramwell Published 26 January, 2009

20th Feb launch looking unlikely.

Electronic Arts has said it is "evaluating the launch window" for The Sims 3 after European retailers were told to expect a delay last week.

The publisher had previously announced that the game would be released on 20th February.

However, last week several retailers in Eastern Europe relisted the game as "first half 2009". UK retailers - including online giants Amazon and Play - still carry the 20th February target, but EA issued the following statement:

"We are evaluating the launch window. The game looks great and in the near future we'll have more information."

So we wouldn't bank on being able to play it on 20th February.

Last week, EA chief executive John Riccitiello told the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences that his next priority was, "Helping make The Sims 3 a huge success."

Given the huge success of The Sims 2 and its expansions, it's no surprise EA wants to get the third game's launch right. Check out our gamepage for The Sims 3 to see how developer Maxis has got on up to now.

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About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (14) 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • KreyAtiv #1 3 years ago

    That's a shame was really looking forward to the game in February.
    I don't know why they are "evaluating the launch window" for, not like there is much games to compete with it.
    Hopefully they don't delay it too long.

  • iokthemonkey #2 3 years ago

    Probably to give them more time to perfect their latest anti-piracy system and ensuring nobody who pays for the game can actually play it.

  • redneon Verified Programmer, SUMO Digital #3 3 years ago

    Hmm. Sims 3 or Street Fighter IV. Such a tough decision.

  • penhalion #4 3 years ago

    If EA are still evaluating then I vote for Never as a possible release date.

  • ChaK #5 3 years ago

    It's not like they already sold some pre-order boxes for the 20th....


    Oh wait
    Edited by 1 at 26/01/09 @ 11:49

  • mister_moo #6 3 years ago

    Anyone know if this is due out on the consoles? And when?

  • the_dudefather #7 3 years ago

    @ChaK

    FRAUD ACTIONS!!!!!1111ONEONE

  • crazyhorse174 #8 3 years ago

    If EA are still evaluating then I vote for Never as a possible release date.

    +1 for that. Most pointless series of games ever.

    Why? Well although I appreciate that games are meant as a bit of escapism, escaping into a game where I can have a shit or go to work isnt exactly appealing to me...

  • PierrePressure #9 3 years ago

    Oh no! My girlfriend is going to be devastated!

  • Peew971 #10 3 years ago

    @mister_moo: If you are really interested in The Sims games, always go for PC. The console versions are half-arsed, dumbed-down version that are nowhere near what the game actually is. And that comes from a console player.

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #11 3 years ago

    @ redneon

    I'd rather have Sims 3. I've just never been into fighting games. Oh, apart from Body Blows on the Amiga. I loved that. It's still the only fighting game I've ever completed.

    /shrugs.

  • Mizuzas #12 3 years ago

    It would be huge mistake to delay the release date. The release date (20 February) is good because younger players have winter holidays, and it will sell better. If the game is ready (not counting the launch window), and there is still few weeks time to make it before it have to go gold, I don't see a reason to delay.

    If it gets delayed, I think that new release date would be end of May, because the Summer is next holiday coming up. Thumbs up that it's not gonna happen, because I was already planned to buy the game for a birthday present to one person, but if it gets delayed, that plan is ruined.

  • KreyAtiv #13 3 years ago

    I quite enjoy the Sims games on the PC.
    Would much rather play them than say watch Celebrity Big Brother or the regular Big Brother programs.
    Where else can you have the handyman come in to fix the trash compactor and get electrocuted, then have death come in, reap the soul then use your bathroom after he gets a call on his mobile phone??
    Then have the electrified ghost of the handyman haunt the Sim living there?
    The addition of Vampires from the Night Life expansion pack was quite good. Just befriend one and convince them to turn you and you can max out all your stats before taking the antidote.
    Although never got that far. Did seem that they forgot that the sun would burn them to a crisp and just insist on getting up out of their coffin to go to the bathroom or get something to eat. Even though there were no windows for the sun to shine in through it didn't seem to matter. Hopefully they fix that in Sims 3.
    I will agree though that it can get a bit boring at times even if you plan to make a whole community of Vampires.
    Also making a haunted house was a lot easier in the first Sims. Just place the Sim(s) inside, remove the door. Place the fireplace in there, make them light it and just place lots of stuff around it and see who survives. The survivor has the fun job of cleaning up all the ashes before you try and finish them off. The next tenant has the fun of cleaning that up and then living with the ghosts.
    Couldn't do that in Sims 2, they seemed to appear outside of the house even with the door removed which spoiled it a bit.
    I hope in Sims 3 there'll be very little loading screens as it is supposed to be "open". Not much fun in Sims 2 having to sit through the loading screen when you just wanted to get to the shops or clubs.



  • haacandrome #14 3 years ago

    NOOOOOOOOOO! WHY?! WHY WOULD EA DO THIS TO ME?! 104 days I've been waiting, 100 & 4 !!! I guess I'll return back to my hole now and continue to oggle the Sims :(