Direct Control of Pets


In every expansion pack for The Sims, not  only do we try to give players new content and features, but we strive to deliver brand new experiences for them and their Sims. For The Sims 3 Pets, we decided to give you direct control over the animals in your Sims\u2019 household. For the first time ever in The Sims Franchise, you will be able to explore the world, have relationships, and build skills (to name a few things) as a pet. In other words, you\u2019ll be able to play with life as an animal! We\u2019re really excited about this entirely new way to play The Sims. Not only can you interact with your pets, but you get to be the pets.


In developing this new way to play, we had to imagine what it was like to be an animal. What motivates a dog to fetch a stick? Why do cats like to scratch up the sofa? Do horses actually like jumping? After spending many hours at our local SPCAs, dog pounds, horse ranches, and at home with our own pets, we got together and shared notes on how animals interacted with each other, how they interacted with us, and what we felt were some key moments we wanted to include in the game to make the experience of playing as a pet as authentic as possible. So, in addition to tons of Pet-specific traits, moodlets, and memories, we decided that a pet\u2019s motives also play a big part in creating a pet-centric experience. For instance, when playing as a dog, you can satisfy Dog Hunger \u2013 hungry dogs will behave differently, and be satisfied in different ways, than hungry Sims. As a dog, do you beg a Sim to feed you? Do you go out into the world to forage for food? Perhaps you munch on some kitty litter. You, as the player, get to decide how to be a dog! We also added a completely unique motive for each of the species  to make the experience of playing as a pet special for each pet type.


We also wanted to add a pet that could really take advantage of the vast environments of The Sims 3 open worlds. Horses, with their iconic image of galloping across wide open plains, were the perfect animal to include. As we considered adding them to the game, we realized that not only do horses provide an awesome new visual experience, but they provide a really special pet-to-Sim relationship, one that creates lots of new opportunities for gameplay and storytelling.


We wanted to capture this unique relationship in the game, so whether you\u2019re directly controlling a horse, or controlling a Sim that is interacting with a horse, their relationship means everything. From mounting and riding a horse, to receiving carrots and being brushed, a good relationship between Sim and horse is crucial. In fact, we\u2019ve given horses two brand new skills, jumping and racing, which are directly related to the new riding skill for Sims. Your Sims and horses will have to work together to build these skills \u2013 skills that will be valuable when if you choose to compete at the new Equestrian Center.


Of course, a horse is never really complete without its saddle. In the new Create a Pet, you\u2019ll not only be able to fully customize the appearance and personality of your horse with precise new controls, but you\u2019ll be able to outfit your horses with lots of different saddles, authentic tack, and loads of accessories. We\u2019re excited to see the awesome horses we know you\u2019re going to create!