'The Sims' coming to PS2

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By Fennec Fox

(IDG) -- Electronic Arts officially announced the PlayStation 2 version of "The Sims" this week, a complete 3D remake of Will Wright's original PC god sim. Co-developed by Maxis and Edge of Reality, the PS2 Sims will make its debut at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this Wednesday. It's set to hit stores this fall.

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"The #1 selling PC game of all time is coming to the number one console, giving players a new way to fall in love with 'The Sims,'" said Sims design director Michael Perry. "We've completely redesigned the controls and added new game play creating a brand new way to experience the game."

The PlayStation 2 version of "The Sims" will be more level-based than the original, but the game's still mostly open-ended. You'll get to guide a Sim (or Sims) through the great game of life, choosing a career, building a house and collecting all sorts of neat stuff along the way. Your Sims can be customized to an incredible extent, changing everything from clothing to hairstyles and accessories. There are also cartloads of fun new objects to unlock, including a teppanyaki table and bug zapper.

The chief new feature is the two-player mode, letting you compete for popularity points or cooperate for fun, running Sims into each other and seeing what happens. Some new toys and games, including strip poker, are possible only with two humans in front of the TV.