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Sims 4
''The Sims 4'' is a social simulation game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released on September 2, 2014 for Windows, and is the fourth main installment in ''The Sims'' series, following ''The Sims 3'' (2009). As with previous games in the series, ''The Sims 4'' allows players to create and customize characters called "Sims", build and furnish their homes, and simulate their daily life across various in-game regions. This installment introduced a newly developed custom game engine, with enhanced character creation and house-building tools, along with a more complex in-game simulation. Development plans for ''The Sims 4'' initially included a stronger focus on online functionalities, but these plans were dropped following the negative launch reception of Maxis' online-only ''SimCity'' in 2013. In the months leading up to the game's release, Maxis revealed that several features from previous ''Sims'' titles, such as swimming pools and toddler S ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Maxis
Maxis is an American video game developer and a Division (business), division of Electronic Arts (EA). The studio was founded in 1987 by Will Wright (game designer), Will Wright and Jeff Braun, and acquired by Electronic Arts in 1997. Maxis is best known for its simulation games, including ''The Sims'', ''Spore (2008 video game), Spore'' and ''SimCity''. History Independent studio (1987–1997) Maxis was founded in 1987 by Will Wright (game designer), Will Wright and Jeff Braun to help publish ''SimCity (1989 video game), SimCity'' on home computers. Before then, the game was only available on a limited basis on the Commodore 64 due to few video game publisher, publishers showing any interest in porting a non-traditional game without definite "win" and "lose" conditions. The title went on to become one of the most popular and successful video games of all time. The SimCity, ''SimCity'' series became a staple for the company and spawned multiple sequels and spin-offs. To n ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ukie
The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie) is a non-profit trade association for the video game industry in the United Kingdom (UK). Ukie was founded in 1989 as the European Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), then changed to Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) in 2002, and to its current name in 2010. History The association was founded in 1989, though then named as the European Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA). Around 2002, the organisation changed its name to Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, reflecting that their primary concerns were video game development on the United Kingdom islands and not mainland Europe. In March 2010, members of the ELSPA voted to rename the association as Ukie, reflecting "the evolving and expanding nature of the industry, which the association exists to represent, and to encompass the new areas of activity that will be undertaken". The name was fully chan ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Video Game Modding
Video game modding (short for "modifying") is the process of alteration by players or fans of one or more aspects of a video game, such as how it looks or behaves, and is a sub-discipline of general ''modding''. A set of modifications, commonly called a ''mod'', may range from small changes and tweaks to complete overhauls, and can extend the replay value and interest of the game. Modding a game can also be understood as the act of seeking and installing mods to the player's game, but the act of tweaking pre-existing settings and preferences is not truly modding. Mods have arguably become an increasingly important factor in the commercial success of some games, as they add depth to the original work, and can be both fun for players playing the mods and as a means of self-expression for mod developers. People can become fans of specific mods, in addition to fans of the game they are for, such as requesting features and alterations for these mods. In cases where mods are very popu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Digital Spy
Digital Spy (DS) is a British-based entertainment, television and film website and brand and is the largest digital property at Hearst UK. Since its initial launch in 1999, Digital Spy has focused on entertainment news related to television programmes, films, music and show business to a global audience. As well as breaking news, in-depth features, reviews and editorial explainers, the site also features the DS Internet forum, Forum. History (1999) In early January 1999, Iain Chapman launched the website, providing news, rumours and information on Sky's new digital satellite platform Sky (UK and Ireland), SkyDigital. At the same time, Chris Butcher launched the ONfaq website, offering similar news and information on the UK's new digital terrestrial platform ITV Digital, ONdigital. Both sites proved to be popular, attracting many visitors eager for more news about these rapidly developing TV platforms. Chapman and Butcher discussed the idea of a merger of the two sites, to cre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eurogamer
''Eurogamer'' is a British video game journalism website launched in 1999 alongside parent company Gamer Network. In 2008, it started in the formerly eponymous trade fair EGX (Eurogamer Expo until 2013) organised by its parent company. From 2013 to 2020, sister site ''USGamer'' ran independently under its parent company. History ''Eurogamer'' (initially stylised as ''EuroGamer'' was launched on 4 September 1999 under company Eurogamer Network. The founding team included John Bye, the webmaster for the PlanetQuake website and a writer for British magazine '' PC Gaming World''; Patrick Stokes, a contributor for the website Warzone; and Rupert Loman, who had organised the EuroQuake esports event for the game '' Quake''. It became the official online media partner of the 2002 European Computer Trade Show. ''Eurogamer'' hosts content from media outlet ''Digital Foundry'' since 2007, which was founded in 2004. By the end of 2012, visits to the ''Eurogamer'' website and its ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
PC Gamer
''PC Gamer'' is a magazine and website founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future plc. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games magazines in their respective countries. The magazine features news on developments in the video game industry, previews of new games, and reviews of the latest popular PC games, along with other features relating to hardware, mods, "classic" games and various other topics. ''PC Gamer'' and parent Future began digital ''PC Gaming Show'' at E3 2015. Review system ''PC Gamer'' reviews are written by the magazine's editors and freelance writers, and rate games on a percent scale. In August 2023, '' Baldur's Gate 3'' became the first game to receive a rating of 97% in the UK edition. Prior to this, no game was awarded more than 96% by the UK edition (''Kerbal Space Program'', '' Civilization II'', ''Half-Life'', '' Half-Life 2'', ''Minecraf ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cheating In Video Games
Cheating in video games involves a video game player using various methods to create an advantage beyond normal gameplay, usually in order to make the game easier. Cheats may be activated from within the game itself (a cheat code implemented by the original game developers), or created by third-party software (a game trainer or debugger) or hardware (a cheat cartridge). They can also be realized by exploiting software bugs. History The first cheat codes were put in place for play testing purposes. Playtesters had to rigorously test the mechanics of a game and introduced cheat codes to make this process easier. An early cheat code can be found in ''Manic Miner'', where typing "6031769" (based on Matthew Smith's driving license) enables the cheat mode. Within months of '' Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord''s 1981 release, at least two commercial trainers appeared. 1983 advertisements for "The Great Escape Utility" for ''Castle Wolfenstein'' (1981) promised that th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Simlish
Simlish is a constructed language devised by game designer Will Wright for the '' Sims'' game series developed by Electronic Arts. During the development of '' SimCopter'' (1996), Wright sought to avoid real-world languages, believing that players would grow to show disdain for repetitive dialogue. For the release of ''The Sims'', Maxis recorded hundreds of voice clips with unique cadences and emotional nuance. Simlish is featured prominently within the franchise of ''The Sims'' and its spinoff ''MySims'' series. It has since extended to various video games within the ''Sim'' series, including ''SimCity 4'' (2003), '' SimCity Societies'' (2007), ''SimCity'' (2013), and '' SimCity BuildIt'' (2014) of the ''SimCity'' series of games. Simlish appears as a language within ''Spore'' (2008) and Firaxis Games's '' Sid Meier's SimGolf'' (2004). History While developing '' SimCopter'' (1996), designer Will Wright explicitly avoided using real-world languages such that players could re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polygon (website)
''Polygon'' is an American entertainment website created by Vox Media covering video games, movies, television, and other popular culture. At its October 2012 launch as Vox Media's third property, ''Polygon'' sought to distinguish itself by focusing on the stories of the people behind video games and long-form magazine-style feature articles. The site was built over the course of ten months by eight co-founding editors which included the editors-in-chief of the gaming sites '' Joystiq'', '' Kotaku'' and '' The Escapist''. Vox Media produced a documentary series on the founding of the site. In May 2025, ''Polygon'' was sold to Valnet. History Vox Media (2012–2025) The gaming blog ''Polygon'' was launched on October 24, 2012, as Vox Media's third property. The site grew from technology blog ''The Verge'', which was launched a year earlier as an outgrowth of sports blog network ''SB Nation'' before Vox Media was formed. Vox Media's chief executive officer, Jim Bankoff, a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Open-ended (gameplay)
A video game with nonlinear gameplay presents players with challenges that can be completed in a number of different sequences. Each may take on (or even encounter) only some of the challenges possible, and the same challenges may be played in a different order. Conversely, a video game with linear gameplay will confront a player with a fixed sequence of challenges: every player faces every challenge and has to overcome them in the same order. A nonlinear game will allow greater player freedom than a linear game. For example, a nonlinear game may permit multiple sequences to finish the game, a choice between paths to victory, different types of victory, or optional side-quests and subplots. Some games feature both linear and nonlinear elements, and some games offer a sandbox mode that allows players to explore an open world game environment independently from the game's main objectives, if any objectives are provided at all. A game that is significantly nonlinear is sometimes des ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Businesses & Hobbies
Business is the practice of making one's living or making money by producing or buying and selling products (such as goods and services). It is also "any activity or enterprise entered into for profit." A business entity is not necessarily separate from the owner and the creditors can hold the owner liable for debts the business has acquired except for limited liability company. The taxation system for businesses is different from that of the corporates. A business structure does not allow for corporate tax rates. The proprietor is personally taxed on all income from the business. A distinction is made in law and public offices between the term business and a company (such as a corporation or cooperative). Colloquially, the terms are used interchangeably. Corporations are distinct from sole proprietors and partnerships. Corporations are separate and unique legal entities from their shareholders; as such they provide limited liability for their owners and members. Corporat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Sims 4 Game Packs
Twelve downloadable content "game packs" have been released for the 2014 life simulation game, life simulation video game ''The Sims 4'', the fourth major title in ''The Sims'' series. All game packs are developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, for the Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4 and Xbox platforms. Game packs are intended to be smaller than Expansion packs for The Sims 4, full expansion packs. The first game pack, ''#Outdoor Retreat, Outdoor Retreat'', was released on January 13, 2015. The most recent game pack, ''Game packs for The Sims 4#Werewolves, Werewolves'', was released on June 16, 2022. ''Outdoor Retreat'' ''The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat'' is the first game pack for ''The Sims 4'', released on January 13, 2015. ''Outdoor Retreat'' focuses on outdoor camping, similar to a vacation in Three Lakes in ''The Sims 2: Bon Voyage'', and that in the forest lots on Vacation Island featured in ''The Sims: Vacation''. It includes a new destination, many n ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
