The Sims 3 now in development for console and handheld

Indeed, The Sims are bustin’ out again. They’ve given us a heads-up back in February, but today, EA has announced that The Sims 3 is now in development for console and handheld.

Indeed, The Sims are bustin’ out again. They’ve given us a heads-up back in February, but today, EA has announced that The Sims 3 is now in development for console and handheld.

By “console and handheld”, they mean the PS3, the Xbox 360, the Wii, and the DS – no PSP version. EA also detailed different features coming to the different platforms.

The PS3-360 versions will have fate-altering “Karma Powers”. To quote the press release, these Karma Powers allow players to “help their Sim ‘get lucky,’ bless them with ‘instant beauty’ or be deviant and curse them with an ‘epic fail.’ But players should use these powers wisely—they may have unexpected results and karma may come back to bite.” There will also be avenues to exchange user-generated content, plus the usual Facebook integration.

The Wii version will get “an all-new beach town with unique residents, traits, careers and lifetime wishes.” Additionally, the Wii version also gets the “Life Moments” game which gives players opportunities to earn rewards.

The DS will get a Story Mode, where “players will control multiple Sims within a family and enjoy life’s special moments.” Doing so will unlock additional buildings, items, and whathaveyou. A feature unique to the DS will be the use of a stylus in sculpting Sims’ faces and such, as well as in building and designing homes.

EA hasn’t specified a release date, nor have they given any update on that Q3 release they were aiming for.