The Sims Online Game By Electronic Arts Crosses Into The Real World In San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center For The Arts’ Exhibit

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., (January 13, 2004) – Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS) today announced that The Sims Online (TSO) PC online game will be featured in the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts’ upcoming “Bang the Machine: Computer Gaming Art and Artifacts” exhibit.   This new exhibition explores the history and influence of computer game culture and the extraordinary relationship between interactive computer games and contemporary art.   As part of the exhibit, a real-life recreation of a room from The Sims Online game and a virtual representation of the exhibit in the game will be featured.  The exhibit’s opening event is Friday, January 16th, 2004, from 8–11 pm, and the exhibition runs from January 17 through April 4, 2004.

Electronic Arts will be hosting a press event on January 16th, 2004, between 6:30-8 pm.  At the event, Will Wright, creator of The Sims? and The Sims Online franchises, will give a brief speech on how The Sims Online has truly blurred the lines between reality and virtual reality.    In addition, in support of the fans that have made the game a success, Electronic Arts is extending an invitation to Sims fans to join the exhibit’s opening night fun.  All Sims fans attending the opening night event will be given a 50% discount on the $12 entry fee, courtesy of EA.

“We are thrilled that The Sims Online has impacted popular culture to such a large degree that it is being represented as part of this exhibit,” said Erick Hachenburg, Senior Vice President Global Publishing.  “This game lets our players create their own worlds to live and play in, and this exhibit exemplifies the spirit and creativity of The Sims Online players.”

Katherine Isbister and Rainey Straus are the artists behind The Sims Online exhibit.  They will construct a virtual recreation of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Galleries in the online gaming environment of The Sims Online. Isbister and Straus will also recreate the look of The Sims Online environment in the physical space of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts complex.

Based on The Sims (the top-selling PC game of all time), The Sims Online is a massive online world built from the imaginations of tens of thousands of players. Since its launch in 2002, The Sims Online has built a strong community with tens of thousands of people each day meeting each other, falling in love, building friendships, throwing parties, and having fun in the game.  In addition, the developers and players are constantly expanding and reinventing the game’s universe.  

In this alternate reality, players create and control the actions of a character known as a Sim. Players enter the world with a bankroll (called Simoleons) to spend as they wish. They can purchase their own piece of land to do with as they please, or join with other players to create homes, coffee bars, or dance clubs.  In the recently released version, Sims can embark on a whole new range of exciting job opportunities, where Sims actually get to do the work instead of having the work action happen off-screen; own pets for a new level of mischievous fun; and employ service Sims to help Sims take care of their properties and daily activities, and new hobbies.   The Sims Online players get to know other Sims through live text chat and private instant messages.

The Sims Online carries a monthly subscription fee of $9.99, with the first month free.  An Internet connection is required to play.  The Sims Online carries an ESRB rating of “T” (Teen) by the ESRB. It is available in stores now for a suggested retail price of US $29.99, by direct order from the EA StoreSM at http://www.ea.com 

Important information on The Sims Online, including terms of service and game availability, can be found at http://www.thesimsonline.com

About The Sims?

The Sims franchise celebrated its third anniversary in February. The game skyrocketed to the top of the charts when it began shipping to stores in February 2000 and quickly became a universal gaming and cultural phenomenon. The Sims PC base product was the best selling PC game of 2000, 2001, and 2002. Translated into 17 different languages, The Sims has inspired seven expansion packs that have all been top sellers. They include The Sims? Livin’ Large, The Sims? House Party, The Sims? Hot Date, The Sims? Vacation, The Sims? Unleashed, The Sims? Superstar and The Sims? Makin’ Magic. Combined sales for the franchise have topped 30 million units life-to-date. For more information on The Sims franchise titles, visit http://www.thesims.com  <http://www.thesims.com/> .
 

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of $2.5 billion for fiscal 2003. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS?, EA GAMES?, and EA SPORTS BIG?. EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com  <http://www.ea.com/> . 

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is the Bay Area’s premier venue for adventurous art.  Located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, the Center celebrates our area’s cultural diversity with dynamic visual, performing and media arts programs presented in world-class venues.  Our Galleries, Forum, Screening Room, Box Office and Seven01 Cafe are at 701 Mission Street at Third, and our Theater is at 700 Howard Street at Third. Our new Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, and the first Thursday of every month from 11 am to 8 pm. Gallery admission is $6 general, $3 seniors and students, and FREE for Center Members.  Seniors and students are admitted FREE to our Galleries every Thursday, and our Galleries are now open FREE to the public the first Tuesday of every month.  Daytime video and evening film/video screenings are programmed throughout the year in our Screening Room. Local, national and international dance, theater and music performances are scheduled year-round in the Forum and Theater. Education & Community programs also explore the Center’s exciting range of exhibitions, performing arts and film/video programs.  http://www.yerbabuenaarts.org/

Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES, EA SPORTS BIG, EA Store, Maxis, The Sims Online and The Sims are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
 

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