Interviews

The URBZ’s Mike Perry visits the new city world of  The Sims

By Michael Lafferty

 

“Urbz are all about style and reputation, which is all new to The Sims.”

 

Are you a player? Do you have the ‘tude to gain the rep? The quiet suburban lifestyle gives way to the upscale urban city-dweller because The Sims are going downtown.

 

On November 10, Electronic Arts will release The URBZ: Sims in the City, a new take on The Sims franchise, and available on a wide range of platforms.

 

The title derives its name from the new title for Sims who live in the city. Work at a Sushi Bar, in a Chop Shop, or bootleg fireworks, earn promotions, gain new social powers and power up your lifestyle, it’s all possible. The game sports a new character engine and will allow players to guide their Sims through a vibrant city. From small apartments, to high-rise penthouses, the game promises to let players roam, move and groove through an upscale lifestyle.

 

Mike Perry, Lead Designer for the title, took time to talk to GameZone.com about this pending release.

 

Question: Let's get one thing absolutely clear right from the start - what relationship does The Urbz have to The Sims franchise (be it the original or the new incarnation in Sims 2)? This is a stand-alone product, but does it run on the same graphics engine as the original Sims titles, or lean toward Sims 2 or is it a hybrid of the two? Can players transfer over characters or families from the other Sims titles?

 

Mike: The Urbz is a whole new franchise, where Sims live in the city, and has a brand new graphics engine made specifically for the console.  Like Sims, Urbz have their own needs, relationships, and personalities, but Urbz also have style, and most importantly, Urbz have Reputation.  It's all about building your rep to unlock and gain access to new locations, new styles, and other Urbz in the city.

 


Old dogs can learn new tricks in this PS2 screenshot ...

 

Q: How big is the city and how is the clock managed in this game? Does the general time within the game follow the same gameplay mechanics as the franchise?

 

Mike: There are nine different districts in the city, each with its own distinct culture and style.  To travel between districts, you take the subway!  Time is constant throughout the city, and is very important:  you wouldn't want to miss the midnight parties that happen in each district's "VIP Room"... well, if you can get past the Bouncer, that is.

 

Q: Tell us a little bit about the interaction with NPCs, like bosses. Will players be required to make more decisions in regards to work 'problems,' and can they actively affect their standing in a company? How many professions are available?

 

Mike: In The Urbz, jobs have a whole new "microgame" gameplay style.  The usual needs of your Urb will disappear when you are doing a job, and will be replaced with special needs tailored just for that job.  To satisfy one of the needs, you'll need to play a pattern-matching microgame, for example, to create firecrackers at Louie's Flameworks, or tame ferrets at Isis' Ferret Boxing.

 

Q: What kind of entertainment opportunities does the city have?

 

Mike: There are lots of ways to keep your Urb entertained in the city, but there are also ways for your Urb to entertain others.  In a district called Cozmo Street, there is a club that contains a performance stage.  Your Urb can get on stage and juggle, do human beatbox, or even swallow swords!

 


How about a little GBA action with your URBZ

 

Q: Are these 'city-fied' Sims apartment dwellers, condo owners, loft residents? What housing is available and what will these Sims be able to do in terms of personalizing their living spaces?

 

Mike: You start off the game living in a small, unfurnished apartment of your own that you can totally style and customize, and you can unlock another apartment and even a sky-rise penthouse.  But you can also shack up in the districts.  Each district has a little place for you to put down a bed and few other items to get some rest and freshen up before trying to build up more reputation.  You can even style the whole district, if you want.

 

Q: Both the original franchise and Sims 2 have the opportunity for Sims to dabble in the mystical, extraterrestrial or fantastic - are those elements present in this game?

 

Mike: When I hear the word "fantastic", I think of Captain Catastrophe.  Captain Catastrophe is a new Urb who comes to save the day in any emergency.  Fire?  Electrocution?  No problem!  Just look to the sky, and watch Captain Catastrophe repel down his emergency line to save you.

 

Q: What new, exciting and different aspects, in a nutshell, does The Urbz bring to the franchise?

 

Mike: Urbz are all about style and reputation, which is all new to The Sims.   We even have reputation support for the Sony Eye Toy on the PS2.  As your Urb builds reputation, your picture will start to appear on signs and billboards throughout the city.  You might even appear on the t-shirt of another Urb!

 


This could prove dicey ...

 

Q: Both the original franchise and Sims 2 lean somewhat heavily on romantic elements. Does The Urbz carry that forward? Does the game lean heavily on career aspects or is this just a new setting and new challenges for Sims?

 

Mike: Every culture has its romantic side, even if it is a little... unusual, such as a punk romantic "bite", or a biker "suck face".  But to unlock these social moves, you'll need to do well at your jobs.  If you do well, the Job bosses will teach them to you!

 

Q: Are there new character creations opportunities?

 

Mike: Style is very important to The Urbz.  Every district has its own clothing store, or piercing studio, or even tattoo parlor.  To build your reputation, you need to dress in the right style for the districts you are visiting.  And save up!  Clothes, piercings, and tattoos cost money!  But don't worry, you can keep everything you buy in your own wardrobe in your apartment.

 

Q: What do you find to be the most intriguing or exciting aspect of this title?

 

Mike: The new reputation gameplay has some great side-effects as you progress through the game.  For example, when you have high enough rep, other Urbz will start to dress like you!  One of my favorite moments in the game was when my Urb met Diva Roma, the rich sophisticate in Diamond Heights.  She was so impressed with my reputation, that she immediately switched out of her expensive top and put on a ratty flannel to match what I was wearing!  Classic...