EA is launching a significant upgrade to the Sims 2 weather system -- and you're paying for it! Yes, here comes yet another irresistable taxation to expand on one the best machinima engines ever disguised as a game. Instead of being stuck in a perpetual Groundhog Day simulator, your fake family can actually experience the joys and burdens of mother nature on your PC. This actually sounds pretty clever ... and her once milky legs now look fabulous. Hit the jump for the full press release.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – (December 12, 2006) – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that fans of the popular video game franchise, The Sims™ 2, will now be able to head outdoors for year-round fun with their Sims. The Sims™ 2 Seasons will be available as a PC expansion pack* and will build on the celebrated The Sims 2 experience that allows players to create and control virtual characters throughout their lives while determining the outcome of their relationships and choosing their destiny. The Sims 2 Seasons introduces all new ways for your Sims to enjoy spring, summer, autumn & winter!

Experiencing all four seasons for the first time – from seasonal activities to all-new outerwear for unpredictable weather – is guaranteed to provide a whole new level of excitement for your Sims! Not only will your Sims experience the seasons changing in spring, summer, autumn and winter, but each season will deliver unique benefits, impacting your Sims relationships, mood, skills, careers and more. And be sure to dress your Sims appropriately for the weather -- freezing, sunburn and other unexpected weather effects can occur!

Whether you’re strengthening family ties in winter, letting romance bloom in spring, deepening the bonds of friendship in summer, or fast-tracking your career in autumn, the seasons have a whole new impact on your Sims’ lives throughout the year! Avoid the heat; take a dip in the pool and play Marco Polo! Go skating on an ice rink; have snowball fights, build snowmen or make snow angels. Each season unfolds differently delivering stunning visuals of weather effects and seasonal changes including snow, rain, hail, lightning and more ensuring a unique gameplay experience for many seasons to come. Show Off Your Sims’ Green Fingers; make your garden blossom and reap the rewards! And as an added bonus, crops that harvest at the peak time can produce varying juices that reap special benefits, from love potions and energy boosts to cold fighters and smart juices! Time to drink up!

“The Sims 2 Seasons really delivers what the players have been asking for – a unique gaming experience offering new seasonal, outdoor activities that players can engage in. And because each season unfolds differently, spring, summer autumn and winter will look different than the year before, guaranteeing a fresh experience each season,” said Vice President and Studio Head of The Sims Division, Rod Humble. “From fishing with Dad on a cool lake to catching fireflies on a warm summer night – these are the great moments in life we remember either from growing up with our parents or growing up with our kids. The wonderful gardening system adds another layer of player creativity and nurturing which is the perfect compliment to the base game. ”

The Sims 2 Seasons will be in store in Europe on 2nd March 2007 as a PC expansion pack* that builds on the original The Sims 2 PC game experience.

KEY FEATURES

Benefit from Each Season—Each season impacts your Sims’ relationships, moods, and more!

Share New activities— New group activities in every season your Sims and their family and friends! Build snowmen, splash in the pool, play catch, ice skate, and more.

Reap the Fruits of Your Sims’ Labors—Harvest fruits and veggies all year round and blend love potions, energy drinks, health boosters and more.

Update Their Wardrobes—Dress your Sims in seasonal outfits like winter coats, gloves, ear muffs, raincoats, summer dresses, and more.

Master New Talents—Show off your Sims’ green fingers! Join the Gardening Club for friendship and tips on how to make your garden blossom, and reap the rewards! Catch fresh Fish to grill on the barbeque—but beware of unexpected catches!

Explore 6 New Careers - Do your Sims yearn to be an adventurer or gamer? Perhaps they’d rather explore music, law, journalism, or education? Fun reward objects like the Heavy Metal Guitar await your Sims with each new career path.

Enhanced Visual Effects - Dramatic and detailed weather effects bring a brand new visual experience to The Sims 2 universe! Snowstorms, thundershowers, lightning bolts and deadly hailstones, all spectacularly rendered to occur in both existing and new The Sims 2 neighborhoods!

Product Specifications
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts Redwood Shores
Ship Date: US: February 27th, 2006
Europe: February 23:
• PC expansion pack*
Category: Simulation/Strategy
PEGI Rating: 12+

*The Sims™ 2 Seasons for PC requires The Sims™ 2 or The Sims™ 2 Special DVD Edition for PC to play