Sim City DS, recently released in Japan, is on its way to the rest of the world this summer, complete with replacement of the formerly undecipherable squigglies with actual English-language text, making it much easier for me to play. EA, as they often do, have issued a press release with details on the upcoming game, highlighting the unique features that separate the DS version from the original PC version of SimCity 3000. Feautures like being able to sign off on proclamations using the stylus as well as put out fires by blowing into the microphone.

I've often said that the one thing missing from Sim City was the ability to blow on it. Too many games get caught up with simply blowing and have never taken the next step, which is allowing the player to blow themselves. That didn't come out right.

From what I've seen so far the game does fulfill on the promise to put the Sim City experience into your hands, so I will forgive them their good-intentioned flight of DS whimsy there. Hit the jump for the press release! Michael Fahey

EA BRINGS SIMCITY TO Nintendo DS PLATFORM
SIMCITY DS OFFERS CITY BUILDING EXPERIENCE ON THE GO TO FANS AROUND THE WORLD

CHERTSEY, Surrey, - February 28, 2007 - Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS) announced today that the SimCity franchise is returning with SimCity DS, developed especially for the Nintendo DS platform. In addition to creating and growing their very own pocket sized city while being on-the-go, players will be able to leverage the unique action features of the Nintendo DS system, discovering an entirely new way to play this internationally acclaimed franchise. The product will make its debut to consumers worldwide in summer of this year.

True to the SimCity series, players will be able to create and control their city in the palm of their hands...and much more. Maximizing the stylus and built-in microphone controls of the Nintendo DS, SimCity DS brings to the franchise like never before the feeling of personal involvement with your city—from blowing into the microphone to put out fires in the city to signing off on mayoral proclamations with your stylus. By enabling the players to communicate with each other, the "wireless data exchange" feature brings additional interactivity into the game. As an added bonus to SimCity fans around the world, the game also offers a wide array of recognizable international landmarks to spice up your city.

"We are very excited to bring the SimCity experience to the Nintendo DS platform," said Takahiro Murakami, Producer of SimCity DS. "The unique Nintendo DS functionalities inspired us to incorporate many new features to delight the most dedicated SimCity fans. The game is filled with fun surprises that will appeal to new and existing fans of the franchise."

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

###