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For those of you who don’t know, the Sims Online is undergoing a revolution. Having been left standing for the last few years with little to no input, EA are at last re-shaping the game, and the world of multiplayer gaming as we know it. Sound like hyperbole? Perhaps, perhaps not; check out their latest addition to the online gaming experience: AvatarBook.

Facebook made flesh

So what is Avatarbook? Well, the clue is in the name. What is one of the largest social networking websites on the planet at the moment? That’s right -– Facebook. With over 58 million users, Facebook is the primary reason that many of us log on in the morning. But, as we all know, it has its limitations. As do online games.

One problem with online games is that they can be too divorced from reality -– you have your online friends, and your real-world friends, and the two remain firmly divided. Ditto Facebook -– your user-circle is limited by who you already know, and it’s hard to get to know people outside of that circle on a one-to-one basis without sharing all your private data or being introduced by a friend of a friend.

All that is set to change, with a new application that could change our networking community forever. When Linden Labs made Linden Dollars (the currency of the hugely popular game Second Life) exchangeable for real-world currency, they opened up the world of online gaming by bringing it into the real world. Now EA want to do the same thing, by allowing users of the Sims Online to link their Avatars’ accounts to their Facebook profiles.

Sharing Information

Avatarbook has two faces — the in-game version and the Facebook version. In-game you can use it much like Facebook, in that you can find other Avatars and view their limited profiles. For friends the full profiles are visible, with walls for people to write on and updatable status. Your profile will also show if your lot is open or not, and the application an be used to quickly make your way around EA Land as you jump from friend to friend.

In Facebook, the application shows your Avatar’s details (unless you have chosen a private setting) and picture, and whether or not you are logged on to the game. This is a useful way for players to find out who is online without having to log in themselves. You can also invite other users of Facebook who are not already Sims Online players to download the application and see your Avatar profile — a move that EA hopes will attract more people to the game.

For the time being, then, the bulk of information that can be shared is Avatar-related. Their skills, properties and friends can all be viewed, and their Wall. The identity of the real-life person behind the Avatar is kept private, at least for now.

Privacy

Privacy is a major issue as far as EA are concerned, so at the moment Avatarbook is fairly limited in how much information can be shared. In the Sims game you can add people to your friends list, which will provide them with a link to your Facebook profile rather than making a direct link, though that is set to change as the application grows. Also, nobody in EA Land (the Sims Online world where the application will be available) will have access to your real name – you will be searchable only by your Avatar’s name. EA have stated that they intend to allow players to lower their privacy settings so that more information can be shared, but at the moment they’re playing it safe.

The Future

This application obviously shows great potential, and it is something that EA are going to continue to develop as they gain feedback from users. The Sims Online game is going through a revolution at the moment, with their free trial set to become permanent free play in the very near future (with limited gameplay for non-payers, much like in Second Life). For years now Second Life has been leading the pack in terms of innovation and social interactivity, but if EA keeps this up then we could be looking at a new contender for the crown. After all, they did come up with the two most popular games of all time (Sims and Sims 2), so some would say that this is less of a surprise than a belated homecoming. Certainly one to watch, at any rate.

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The Sims 2: Open for Business (PC, 2006) $4.00

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The Sims Medieval Mac and Windows PC game, 2011 I ship fast $10.00

The Sims 2: Apartment Pets (Nintendo DS, 2008) $4.00

New The Sims 3: High End Loft Stuff (PC, 2010) Great Item Even Better Price! $8.00

The Sims House Party + Prima Guide PC CD game add-on! $1.99

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Sims Medieval: Prima Official Game Guide by Prima Games (2011, Paperback) $4.99

The Sims: expansion packs bundle $19.99

The Sims 3 – Pre-Played $19.99 The virtual world of the Sims gets even more realistic with this installment that takes the franchise into 3D! Create millions of Sims and enjoy remarkable freedom to shape their personalities and control their destinies. Make them nervous, romantic, loudmouthed, phobic, evil – it’s up to you! Decide if your Sims’ dreams will come true, then toss them a lucky break – or an unfortunate turn of events. Give your Sim a place to call home and explore the living neighborhood around it. With the 3DS StreetPass feature, your Sim can automatically walk into other nearby Sim worlds or welcome other nearby Sims into yours.

The Sims 3: Pets – Pre-Played $19.99 Experience life on four legs as you explore The Sims’ world through the eyes of a dog or cat! Play as your Sims’ new animal companion and decide: will you be fun and friendly or will you be more pest than pet? Dig, chase, find collectibles, learn skills like hunting, and more. Go outside and play or just go on the rug. Dogs can even help their owners land a date! Use career opportunities to move up the pet pecking order (who knew there was a dog and cat underworld?). Travel the town with your owner, sniff out discoveries, find treasure, and enjoy other exciting Sims adventures.

The Sims 3 $39.99 Physical product is both Mac and PC compatible. The direct download available on this page is PC compatible only. The freedom of The Sims 3 will inspire you with endless creative possibilities and amuse you with unexpected moments of surprise and mischief! Create over a million unique Sims and control their lives. Customize everything from their appearances, to their personalities and even the home of their dreams. Then, send your Sims out to explore new locations around town and to meet other Sims in the neighborhood. Go online to download exclusive content and show off your own creations to the world. With all-new quick challenges and rewarding game play, The Sims 3 gives you the freedom to choose whether (or not!) to fulfill your Sims? destinies and make their wishes come true. Create any Sim you can imagine and give them unique personalities!. Fine-tune your Sims? appearances and personalities. Will your Sims be Evil, Romantic, Paranoid, Kleptomaniacs, or more. You choose the traits to create completely unique Sims. Control your Sims? destinies.. Choose whether or not to fulfill your Sims? destinies by making their wishes come true. Will your Sims be Rock Stars, World Leaders, Expert Thieves , or more ? it?s is up to you. Customize everything!. Build the ultimate dream house for your Sims. Infinite customization possibilities for their clothing, furnishings, even their car. Explore new locations!. Take your Sims to meet friends in the park, go on a date at the bistro, visit neighbors? homes, or even converse with less-than-savory characters in the graveyard. Connect, share and shop!. Go online to make movies, show off your creations, download exclusive content and more.

The Sims 2 Double Deluxe $19.99 Classic The Sims 2 Gameplay. Create unique Sims with personalities and life goals. Fulfill their dreams and build their ultimate home as you design their world. The Sims 2 Nightlife Expansion Pack. Send your Sims on an epic night out. Hit the downtown hot spots, play the dating game with your Sims, and live the Pleasure Life Aspiration. The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff Pack. Host the social event of the season. Must-have stuff to throw the ultimate weddings, birthday parties, and fiestas for your Sims.