The Sims ring in the New Year

Although early US sales figures for The Sims Online must be a disappointment to EA execs whose pockets have been so amply lined by the franchise over the last couple of years, it hasn't stopped the publisher celebrating the New Year by hosting more than 5,000 parties in its newly birthed massively multiplayer world.

According to reports, as many as half a million virtual Sim kisses occurred at the stroke of midnight, with Maxis Studio GM Luc Barthelet describing The Sims Online as "one of the most happening places to socialise and celebrate this New Year's Eve".

EA is hoping to lure more players into the fray by giving them something to do on major holidays.