EA makes a splash with The Sims 3 Island Paradise

Set Sail With The Latest Expansion Available Worldwide This Week

Today, the Maxis™ Label of Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: EA) announced that The Sims 3 Island Paradise Expansion Pack* for PC/Mac® is now available across retailers in South Africa and on Origin.com. For the first time ever, players can dive beneath the waves and explore what lies on the ocean floor, build and cruise along on their very own houseboat to discover uncharted islands or create and run a five-star resort experience. With so many innovative features introduced for the first time in The Sims PC gaming franchise, The Sims 3 Island Paradise truly opens up a world of new possibilities for players to discover on land and in sea.

“In The Sims 3 Island Paradise, The Sims Studio has brought to life a tropical vacation for players to experience without ever having to leave home,” says Ryan Vaughan, Producer for The Sims. “With so many new gameplay features included in this game, players will be able to explore, inhabit and discover beachside bliss just as they would in real life.”

In The Sims 3 Island Paradise, players can snorkel and scuba dive beneath the sea where they will discover an aquatic world filled with sea life, collectibles, caves and sunken treasure. Underwater explorations can lead to many new adventures including befriending mermaids, spotting legendary sea monsters and potentially life-threatening encounters with sharks.

For players looking to move around and explore the different islands, a houseboat may be their perfect new abode. These fully customizable floating homes make a first time appearance in any Sims game and give players the option to extend their explorations by living a life fully at sea or by breaking away for a day’s escape.

It’s not all fun in the sun though. Players seeking management opportunities will reap the benefits of building and owning their own resort. Be it a family-friendly resort of waterslides and buffet tables, a romantic retreat with bungalows in the sand, or a singles resort that features pool bars, players will make management decisions that will affect their resort’s success. Whether it’s adding in pools and fire walk pits, upgrading guest rooms or selecting from daily beverage specials, players will be able to fine-tune their resort’s amenities based on feedback received from customer reviews.

Players looking to add a little heat to their island getaway can order The Sims 3 Island Paradise on Origin and get the Carnaval Costumes Pack**, featuring two exclusive outfits to make any tropical night more festive. Female Sims will be the life of the party in a feather-clad costume while male Sims can spread their wings like a peacock in an ostentatious ensemble.

The Sims 3 Island Paradise has been rated 13 S by the Film and Publication Board (FPB) in South Africa. To learn more about The Sims 3 Island Paradise, visit http://www.thesims.com/the-sims-3-island-paradise.

Press assets for The Sims 3 Island Paradise can be found at www.info.ea.com.