EA'S The Sims 2 REACHES 1 MILLION MOBILE DOWNLOADS ACROSS EUROPE IN LESS THAN SEVEN MONTHS
CHERTSEY, UK - 21 September 2006 - Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment software company, today announced that The Sims 2 has reached more than 1 million fans in Europe who have downloaded the game onto their mobiles within the first seven months of release.
Mobiles were brought to life when the bestselling PC game The Sims 2 was made available for download across Europe through a number of operators in December 2005. Within just seven months of launch, the title has proved its universal appeal with 1 million people now enjoying the all time classic on the move.
Featuring completely unique storylines, The Sims 2 lets you customise and take control of your Sims. Players are able to satisfy their Sim's wants, develop their careers and skills and develop relationships with other Sims. The intuitive 'one thumb' gameplay combined with an immersive 3D Sims world lets both old and new players enjoy the game of life on their mobile phone.
"We are very pleased with the success The Sims 2 is enjoying with European mobile customers," said Javier Ferreira, VP Publishing Europe, EA. "We were confident that the universal popularity of the Sims franchise would translate well into mobile and would appeal to a new mobile audience. Our close relationships with mobile operators across Europe have been invaluable in reaching these 1 million Sims fans young and old."
Building on the celebrated The Sims 2 experience, EA plans to launch The Sims 2 Pets also for the mobile platform in Europe later this year. Players will be able to choose the appearance and gender of their Sims' pet, then adopt and name the puppy before being able to teach their pet new tricks or take them for a romp in the park. As in real life, your Sim's pet will require care and training but leaving your dog unattended near a freshly planted flower bed probably isn't wise!
For more information, please visit: http://www.eamobile.com. To learn more about The Sims 2, please visit: www.thesims2.com
About The Sims
The Sims franchise celebrated its sixth anniversary in February 2006. The game skyrocketed to the top of the charts when it began shipping to stores in February 2000 and quickly became a universal gaming and cultural phenomenon. The Sims PC based product and expansion packs were the best selling PC games of 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. Translated into 22 different languages, The Sims has inspired seven top selling expansion packs. They include: The Sims Livin' Large, The Sims House Party, The Sims Hot Date, The Sims Vacation, The Sims Unleashed, The Sims Superstar, and The Sims Makin' Magic. The Sims 2 shipped in September 2004 with sales already topping 7M units worldwide, it was the best selling PC game of 2004. The Sims 2 University shipped in March 2005, The Sims 2 Nightlife shipped in September 2005, The Sims 2 Open for Business shipped in February 2006. Combined sales for the franchise are approximately 70M games life-to-date. For more information on The Sims 2, visit http://www.thesims2.com and for more information on The Sims franchise titles, visit http://www.thesims.com
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.electronicarts.co.uk. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press
Electronic Arts, The Sims, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.