EA Announces Plans for The URBZ; Sims In The City!Entertainment Editors/Business Editors/High-Tech Writers E3Expo 2004 REDWOOD CITY Redwood City, city (1990 pop. 66,072), seat of San Mateo co., W Calif., on San Francisco Bay; inc. 1868. Manufactures include commmunications, electrical, electronic, and medical equipment. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2004 Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS ERTS Electronic Arts, Inc. (stock symbol) ERTS Earth Resources Technology Satellite (US NASA) ERTS Embedded Real Time Systems ERTS Enhanced Remote Transit Shed ) today announced that The URBZ (*working title) is in development for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, the Nintendo GameCube The Nintendo GameCube (GCN) is Nintendo's fourth home video game console, belonging to the sixth generation era. The system itself is the most compact and least expensive, next to the Dreamcast, of the sixth generation era consoles. (TM), and the Nintendo Game Boy(R) Advance. For the first time, Sims are living in the city where reputation (rep) is everything. Players will custom-create these new Sims, called Urbz, by customizing their unique style and building their status to become the biggest "player" in the city. The URBZ will be unveiled to industry insiders on May 12-14 at the Electronic Entertainment Exposition in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . The URBZ is scheduled to be released simultaneously on all platforms in the fall of 2004. "We're taking The Sims on console franchise in a dramatic new direction. Now that Sims are in the city they are now known as Urbz, they have a bold new look and style," said Sinjin Bain, Vice President and Executive Producer of the game at EA's Maxis(TM) studio. "For the first time, players will control Urbz at every moment of gameplay
Gameplay includes all player experiences during the interaction with game systems, especially formal games. Proper use is coupled with reference to "what the player does". , while they are on the job, earning their street rep, or exploring a city that is alive 24/7." About the console versions Players will take their Urbz to work and be challenged by bosses at locations like the Sushi Bar Noun 1. sushi bar - a bar where sushi is served bar - a counter where you can obtain food or drink; "he bought a hot dog and a coke at the bar" , Chop Shop, or Bootleg Fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to , Inc. Success brings the player well-earned promotions and gets them access to power socials to help them influence other Urbz. The fast-paced lifestyles in The URBZ is evident in gameplay including job challenges based on a direct-control mechanic for job objects, skill-building objects, and power social interactions. The URBZ is built on an all-new graphics engine that recreates the essence of living in a vibrant city with distinct districts inhabited by Urbz with unique lifestyles. The game's style captures the pulse of the action-packed downtown, ritzy ritz·y adj. ritz·i·er, ritz·i·est Informal Elegant; fancy. [After the Ritz hotels, established by César Ritz (1850-1918), Swiss hotelier. shopping districts, Bohemian artist workshops, and a gritty subway station. Players create their Urbz using a new character customization engine to show off attitude and unique style, as well as signature "bling" such as tattoos and nose rings. Players build relationships to increase their rep, influence other Urbz, and gain access to city districts, jobs, and lifestyles. Gaining access to all districts in the city, being able to live in any district, live any lifestyle, and become the biggest "player" in the city is the ultimate goal. The URBZ will support the Sony EyeToy(TM). Players will download their image into the game with the Sony EyeToy and as their rep grows; their image or their Urbz image will begin to be reflected in the game. About the Game Boy(R) Advance version The Game Boy Advance version of The URBZ is the sequel to EA's #1 GameBoy Advance game of 2003 and is being developed by EA's Maxis studio in conjunction with Griptonite Games Griptonite Games is a developer of handheld video games located in Kirkland, Washington. They are a subsidiary of Amaze Entertainment, a division of Foundation 9 Entertainment. While earlier games bear the Griptonite logo, Griptonite's newer games bear the Amaze Entertainment logo. , an Amaze Entertainment Amaze Entertainment is a video game developer for several video game platforms, with headquarters located in Kirkland, Washington. Amaze has acquired many smaller studios, and it was announced on November 14th, 2006 that Amaze itself was acquired by Foundation 9. Studio. Players will hit the big city and work to increase the reputation of their Urbz to gain access to the hottest spots in town. Players start out in a city on the brink of ruin. After getting fired from their job, they'll stumble upon Daddy BigBucks' devious plot to take over the city. Players are challenged to thwart his evil schemes, while building their rep to become the biggest "player" in the city. Players gain access to new vehicles like a hover craft to explore 25 brand new locations including Urbania, Sim Quarter, and the Bayou where they will interact with residents, master eight lively mini-games such as Moogoo Monkey Madness and Motocross motocross Form of motorcycle racing in which cyclists compete on a closed course marked out over natural or simulated rough terrain. Courses vary widely but must be 1.5–5 km (1–3 mi) in length, with steep inclines, hairpin turns, and mud. Mayhem, unlock new Xizzle motive power ups, and collect over 120 new objects. Players will link two GameBoy Advance systems together in the Multiplayer Cafe and play head-to-head mini-games, unlock new features, and trade rare items. About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California Redwood City is a suburb located on the San Francisco Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Redwood City is the county seat of San Mateo County. As of the 2005 census, the city had a total population of 76,000. , is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of $2.5 billion for fiscal 2003. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM), and EA SPORTS BIG(TM). EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com. Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES, EA SPORTS BIG, Maxis, and The Sims are trademarks, or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. PlayStation is a registered trademark and EyeToy is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo GameCube and GameBoy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo. Microsoft and Xbox are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation (company) Microsoft Corporation - The biggest supplier of operating systems and other software for IBM PC compatibles. Software products include MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, Microsoft Access, LAN Manager, MS Client, SQL Server, Open Data Base Connectivity (ODBC), MS Mail, in the U.S. and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
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