The Sims Online: Charter Edition PC Game

Though this game's graphics and interface will be familiar to Sims veterans, Sims Online players take a much more direct role in guiding their characters actions, acting more as a puppeteer than a parent. Instead of watching over the interactions of a family or neighborhood, players take the role of a single Sim character, to interact in a community of thousands.

Many objects and activities introduced in the single-player Sims games are present in this online version, but they are now more effective when multiple players are using them. Characters can still play chess to improve their logic skill, but they'll improve much more quickly if there are several other Sims in the room playing chess at the same time.

Some new objects and activities allow Sims to earn money and certain mini-games offer especially big returns for coordinated group play. Simoleans usually go to support and improve a character's house, where residents control who can visit and what goes on. Home owners receive a small payment for each visitor that drops in, so many players choose to join together as roommates, allowing them to pool their resources and develop bigger, better, more attractive houses.

This "Charter Edition" package includes the full version of The Sims Online and a pre-paid 90-day subscription to the game, as well as a selected Sims collectables. Unlike the standard version, the Charter Edition's game manual is printed in full color. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide