Courtney's Computer Sim Games Blog

In-game advertising has been going on for years, you just not have noticed. Those race cars based on real luxury cars (Lexus, Ferrari, etc) are all types of ads. An ad that contributes to the game's feel and play doesn't bother me. A baseball stadium not littered with billboards and brand names just wouldn't be realistic.

Dynamic advertising in gaming has been talked about a lot. It's an idea that has been floating around for years. It would be like seeing the banner ads on web pages on billboards around your city made in "SimCity." Those ads would constantly be changing.

One way I think dynamic ads would work well would be for online games. The ads could take the place of monthly subscription fees. Racing games, virtual worlds, sports games all would be appropriate. Halo - not so much.

I bring up the topic of in-game advertising because IGA, an advertising network, will be partnering with EA to bring dynamic ads to "The Sims 3" world. This may be the perfect world for dynamic ads. Can you imagine talking your Sim downtown and seeing ads for the latest movies you want to see? Billboards for restaurants you love? Maybe even the ability to purchase books on the best-seller lists? What do you think? Can you stand seeing more ads or do you get enough in your real life? I think I see ads so often I don't even consciously notice them anymore.

• IGA Scores More In-Game Advertising for Sims 3
• Sims Venture Into Outside World Full of Advertising

"Spore Cute & Creepy Parts" Pack has been spotted! CVG reports Amazon posted a product page with the mentioned title with a release date of November 18. I knew they would sell packs for "Spore." But this soon? If only they would have waited to release one, say in February, I may feel less ripped off. So soon makes me wonder if this content could have been included in the release of "Spore." No price is given for the pack. I'm guessing $20 like "The Sims" stuff packs. We shall see. I will continue to watch for an official announcement.

• "Spore" Expansion in November

A patch to fix those pesky bugs in "The Sims 2 Apartment Life" is out. EA has the long list of fixes included. Many fixes involve making "The Sims 2 Apartment Life" work your other expansions and stuff packs. As always be sure to back up your neighborhoods and families just in case the unexpected happens.

• Download "The Sims 2 Apartment Life" Patch
• Which "The Sims 2" Files to Back-Up

Ahhh.... "Spore." Will Wright's everything sim has finally reached our computers. I admit I was beginning to think it was never going to be released - so may excitement has diminished in the last couple of years. Turns out I'm glad that I had low expectations. It's wonderful that Will Wright has such ambitious ideas. But his sim games need to stop dumbing down games in attempt to get the so-called "casual gamers." "SimCity Societies" is another one of those games.

"Spore" has lots of room for improvement. Specifically in the area of depth. The stages blend together perfectly. Each stage doesn't have the depth needed to stand alone as a single game. I was under the impression that "Spore" was going to take all our favorite games and put them into one game. You won't find a city management game like "SimCity" in "Spore." I wouldn't be surprised if that depth so many of us are clamoring for comes in the forum of expansion packs.

• Read Full "Spore" Review

If you just have to have a Sim be a Mummy for Halloween, stop the search! It may be September, but "The Sims 2" Store is getting ready for Halloween by adding a collection of spooky objects, heads, and clothes up in time for Halloween. There isn't anything I can't resist buying. I think I'll save my money for now. It won't be long before "The Sims 3" is here (about 5 more months)!

I'll be on lookout for more Halloween downloads - hopefully free ones!

• Spooky Objects at "The Sims 2" Store

How many of you out there haven't bought a game because your computer didn't meet the minimum requirements? Neoseeker sat with game developer Chris Taylor to discuss who a game's requirements affects sales and what should be done about it. He believes lower hardware requirements are better for everyone. Games with "forgiving hardware" sell well.

It only makes sense to keep game requirements reasonable. This gives developers a larger pool of potential buyers. At the same time, I'd hate to see our current technology to to waste. The best option that I see is to be sure to give gamers plenty of graphics choices in the game options menu. Gamers with the latest and greatest can get the cool shadows and small details, while others can lower the settings and still enjoy the game albeit with fewer graphic effects.

Poll: How long have you owned your current computer?

• Less than a year
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 to 3 years
• 3 or more years
• View Results

• Lower hardware requirements for PC games? Chris Taylor thinks so
• About.com PC Hardware & Reviews

A patch to fix bugs and make changes that the EA has seen the community wanting. Those changes include making the Civilization stage more difficult and to improve pace of Creature stage. There are many more worthwhile fixes in the patch, click the link before for a detailed list. Currently this is a PC only fix. PC users will need the EA Download Manager to download the patch.

• Download "Spore" Patch

"Spore" is really here! I thought the day would never come that I would hold a copy of "Spore" in my hands. I have been playing for a couple of hours. Is everyone else busy playing their copy?

So far I have played through the cell stage (the first stage) and part of the creature stage (the second stage). I'm unimpressed so far. The cell stage is a maze of working through creatures wanting to eat you while finding food, and ended not a second too soon. Creature stage isn't much more exciting. The point of this stage is too meet the neighboring creatures and evolve your creature. The creature building is, of course, good fun (as anyone who downloaded the Creature Creator would know). The earning of DNA points in this stage not so much fun.

What's everyone else's thoughts so far? I'm looking forward to getting to the tribal stage!

• More on "Spore"

The EA Store has the digital download of "Spore" ready for action! By purchasing "Spore" as a digital download you will download 99% of the game, and the last 1% on release day. Has anyone used the EA Store for digital downloads? I haven't. I prefer to have a CD or DVD for my collection.

• Pre-Order "Spore" - Digital Download or Physical CD
• EA Store Download Manager

"Spore" will be here early next month. Make sure your creature building skills are fine tuned and you aren't missing anything by watching EA's video tutorials. You may learn a few tricks you missed, like creating an avatar.

• "Spore Creature Creator" Video Tutorials