Software Reviews: business and educational-The Sims Series from Electronic Arts

Cyber News and Reviews is a monthly column published since 1995 for parents, teachers and small business and home business owners offering articles on some of the best computer products available. I cover business software, education, entertainment with freeware and shareware, and some hardware too. Over the years, I've reviewed computer programs from Microsoft, Knowledge Adventure (Davidson) and others. When my kids were young, they couldn't wait for the software to arrive and have fun testing the games and lessons with me. And, in the past few years they've contributed some of their own reviews with opinions. The best advice on software is from the children who use it. Also, many of the business programs reviewed are useful for home business and small business owners. HB

The Sims Series from Electronic Arts

By Howard Berenbon

If you're interested in virtual reality, roll playing and just having some fun with your computer, then you should try one or more of the Sim real world simulations from Electronic Arts. The Sims lets you build your own virtual world and then experience everything in that world you created. It all started with SimTown, where you build your own town with houses, businesses and parks, and then evolved into a complex collection of real world activities with great 3-D graphics and sounds, the latest: The Sims 2.

Electronic Arts offers a number of educational Sims games available in various packages. SimMania for Kids includes:

SimTown

Kids can build their own dream town with houses, businesses and parks.

SimPark

Kids will create a park of their own creation trees and flowers, people, animals and an evolving ecosystem.

SimSafari

Explore your own African safari park and camp. Includes lots of exotic plants and wildlife you'd find in Africa.

SimTunes

SimTunes allows kids to make their own animated musical pictures with music and picture making software.

SimAnt

Build an ant colony and experience the life of an ant.

The Sims 2

In The Sims 2, you'll design your own character with the personally characteristics of your choosing and then let him (or her) lose to experience his virtual world and interact with other Sims characters. You can design your own environment, or use one of several already available. The Sims even have memory and emotions, and will react and interact with other Sims characters and situations. They have careers, can have a social life, go on dates and get romantic with other characters. Obviously, this isn't a program for kids, but directed more towards adults. This latest program has a video camera feature where you can record what's happening. And, if you'd like to play along with a real live friend, The Sims 2 offers a split-screen two-player mode.

Other Sims include SimCity, SimCity 4, SimCity 2000 and SimCity 3000, SimCity 3000 Unlimited, SimCity/SimFarm, SimMania 2 and 3, Sims Deluxe Editions, The Sims Collection and Ultimate Sims Series.

The Sims 2 from Electronic Arts sells for $34.99 and will run on any multimedia PC, Pentium III or 4 processor, Windows 98, ME, XP and 2000 with 256 MB RAM, an Nvida GeForce 2 or ATI Radeon 7000 or better graphics video card and a CD-ROM drive. For more information or to order, visit Amazon.com.

Software Companies Mentioned

Electronic Arts
209 Redwood Shores Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
Phone: 650-628-1500
URL http://www.ea.com

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