I know it took a while. I'm not going to write a long story as to why. I'm seriously ill at the moment, I have been for weeks. I was unable to do *anything* but I tried to finish my previews today. I hope you like them. And I hope other fansites will show some linking love, since I also link other fansites. That's all. Go read!

Gamescom 2010 intro page
The Sims 3 Late Night preview
The Sims Medieval preview
Darkspore preview
The Sims 3 consoles pics

LAND HO! DISCOVER A WHOLE NEW WORLD RIPE FOR INHABITING WITH THE SIMS 3 BARNACLE BAY

Immersive Gameplay Experience Filled with New Content Offerings Available This Autumn for PC/MAC

Ahoy Matey! The SimsTM 3 Barnacle Bay, a downloadable, all-new themed world to explore, will be available this fall exclusively at The Sims 3 Store using SimPoints. Featuring all-new content like objects, Create-a-Sim assets, Sims characters, houses, and more, The Sims 3 Barnacle Bay could be your Sims’ new home or a fun holiday spot this autumn.

Lower the Jolly Roger, set anchor, and discover the lore and riches of Barnacle Bay. Over the horizon nestled in the Simuyan Sea, Barnacle Bay boasts vibrant beaches, campgrounds, and a new downtown emulating urban life. Venture to locations like the abandoned piers of Founder’s Beach, the ancient relics of Goldbeard Galleon Gallery, mysterious Pirate’s Hideaway. Take a load off at Hogan’s Deep Sea Diner or The Wanderer’s Watering Hole. Meet new townie Sims and maybe even run into a ghost or two while uncovering the town’s hidden secrets. Find new lots that are ready for moving in or just exploring. Enrich your Sims and their lives in all-new ways with nearly two dozen exclusive items only available in The Sims 3 Barnacle Bay.

For more information on The Sims 3 Barnacle Bay, please visit www.thesims3.com

Arrgh, Matey!

4Players (a German website) has published a German interview with Sam Player about The Sims 3 on consoles. InfiniteSims was so nice to translate the interview into English, so everyone can read it!

Source: InfiniteSims via SimPrograms.

Our friends at SimPrograms have turned 10 years old. Now I usually don't post about site anniversaries. Well not often anyway. But 10 years is a long time. I have great respect for SimPrograms. I've been a follower since the early days and I have to say, SimPrograms hasn't lost its touch! It's still a great website and I hope they will continue to exist for a very long time.

Congratulations SimPrograms from the SNW team!

EA in Redwood City organized an event last month and invited a couple of fansites to come and see a couple of new games. One of those games was The Sims Medieval. The fansites have written articles about the event and game!

Read Sims 3 Nieuws's (English) article.
Read SimsPlanet2's (Dutch) article.

Both previews include nice screenshots!

Here is a list of games EA will be showcasing at the Gamescom 2010 in Cologne!

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EA to Showcase Powerful Slate of Titles at gamescom 2010 in Cologne

FIFA, Need for Speed, Medal of Honor and The Sims Among Top Franchises to Reveal Deep Innovation and New Experiences for Consumers

COLOGNE, Germany, Aug 13, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced plans for gamescom 2010 in Cologne. EA will showcase a powerful slate of titles representing a selection of leading franchises across the company's Games, Sports and Play Labels. Media and consumers are invited for hands on experience with a whole host of innovative game play that highlights the company's focus on delivering fewer, better games and building direct to consumer digital offerings.

"Gamescom has grown to become the largest show for interactive entertainment, and offers a unique chance for us to engage directly with consumers, retailers and media at one event," said Jens Uwe Intat, Senior Vice President and General Manager for EA Publishing in Europe. "Our line up demonstrates the intense focus we have on building quality games with deep innovation for our consumers, and it's great to see the industry coming together to create such a milestone event in Europe".

Five EA and EA Partner titles at gamescom have already received early recognition for their outstanding quality. The gamescom 2010 award nominations were announced today and include:

FIFA 11 - Best Console
Star Wars(TM): The Old Republic(TM) - Best Online and Best of gamescom
Crysis(R) 2 - Best PC, Best of gamescom
The Sims(TM) 3 console - Best Mobile title (NDS)
Rock Band(R) 3 instruments - Best Hardware

EA at gamescom 2010

Tuesday, August 17th, 4:00pm
EA Press Briefing: The Palladium, Schanzenstraße 36, Gebäude 197, 51063 Cologne
A live stream of the press conference will be available at http://live-event.ea.com/gamescom/live/

August 18th-22nd
EA Booth: Hall 6.1 (A074)
Games on show: Crysis 2, Darkspore(TM), Dragon Age(TM) 2, FIFA 11, FIFA Manager 11, Medal of Honor(TM), Need For Speed(TM) Hot Pursuit, Rock Band 3, The Sims 3 on console, Star Wars: The Old Republic. For iPod(TM): The Sims 3, The Sims(TM) 3 World Adventures, EA SPORTS FIFA 10, 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM), and for iPad(TM): Need For Speed Shift, Command & Conquer(TM) Red Alert, SCRABBLE, Mirror's Edge(TM), Tetris(R).

Behind closed door game demonstrations in EA's Business lounge, Hall 5.1. Open to media only
Bulletstorm, Crysis 2, Darkspore, Dead Space 2, Dragon Age 2, EA SPORTS Active 2, FIFA 11, FIFA Manager 11, EA SPORTS(TM) MMA, Medal Of Honor, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, Rock Band 3, The Sims(TM) Medieval, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows(TM) - Part 1, The Sims 3 on console. Madden NFL 11 for iPhone as well as MONOPOLY Streets will be available for hands-on play in the EA Business Lounge.

For those people who can't go to the Gamescom 2010, EA will send someone to the Gamescom who will report with live news through YouTube and Twitter.

EA will also be giving away cool prizes through via this EA website! Be sure to check it out!

EA has recently invited us to go to the Gamescom in Cologne. EA will present a couple of new Sims games at a special Sims presentation. And of course we will be there! It's not sure yet if we are allowed to take pictures or make videos at the presentation. We'll have to wait and see!

If you have questions, send them to us via Twitter, our contact form at MySimsNetwork or my personal website's contact form. Send your questions in before Thursday, August 19!

I don't know yet who else from the Dutch (and German) community will be going to the Gamescom 2010. So I will collect links first and post them later in a separate post!