IGN previews Nightlife at E3

"Naturally, the new expansion adds plenty of new toys to the mix, but it also brings loads of new gameplay elements as well."

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E3 2005: The Sims 2: Nightlife

Ribaldry!

Ah, Sims. Will their ribald antics never end? Not apparently, considering the upcoming Sims 2 expansion, Nightlife. Naturally, the new expansion adds plenty of new toys to the mix, but it also brings loads of new gameplay elements as well. The Sims can now venture out, in groups even, to a new downtown area. Here they can visit nightclubs, karaoke bars, bowling alleys and all the fun places adults go after dark.

The biggest gameplay addition is the dating game. Massively expanding on the existing attraction and relationship models, the new dating mechanic is a whole new game in itself. Since Lee is a pleasure seeking Sim, he's the perfect one to showcase these new options.

After scoping out the room, Lee notices two girls that he's interested in. He steps away from the bar and douses himself with cologne. Heading over to the first girl, he selects the "pick up" option and begins to talk to her. She rejects his advances but, undeterred, he moves on to the second girl. The fact that she's dancing with another guy doesn't seem to dissuade him at all. This new girl notices his cologne as well but unlike that first target, actually seems to respond favorably to it.

The dating game itself actually starts once he asks her for a date and she accepts. A new meter appears in the upper right corner of the screen. When the date goes well, the needle moves to the right; when it goes bad, it moves left. Fulfilling either daters' wants and avoiding their fears makes it a more positive date. The more you succeed on the date, the longer the date lasts.

After taking a turn on the new electro dance sphere (a rotating ball that tests the Sim's body), Lee contemplates going to a restaurant. A quick check of the atmosphere there reveals one couple making out in a booth and another couple fighting. Figuring that the fighting couple might dampen their desire, Lee decides to stay at the club.

A new interaction opens up that allows the two to slow dance with each other. During the dance, Lee takes a chance and moves his hands lower onto the girl's butt. She seems to like it and the two lean in for a kiss.

Then, as usually happens in life, something tries to spoil it all. In this case, that "something," is Mrs. Crumplebottom from The Sims: Hot Date. The old prude starts swatting Lee around and scolding him for making out in public. This little interruption can't stop the considerable momentum the daters have built up and the date ends with Lee offering to drive the girl home in his brand new car!

That's right, Sims can buy cars now. Cars are useful not only for late night trysts but also for general getting around. Sims can even use the cars to get to and from work. Better still, Sims can celebrate their new, vehicular-powered freedom by actually going in late.