While continuing to evolve with each iteration and ancillary product, the basic Sims formula has remained mostly unchanged in its decade-long history. Taking the seasoned franchise in a drastic new direction, EA announced today that they will be going back in time – to the Middle Ages. The Sims Medieval will include custom hero creation and quests and allow players to build (and rule) a kingdom. Character customization returns, allowing players to select their hero’s traits and their one fatal flaw. Daily activities will balance out epic quests, with heroes healing the sick, trading goods, or forging armor.
“The Middle Ages is a time of intrigue, legend, and excitement. It offers a perfect backdrop for a brand new series from The Sims studio due to the limitless stories that can be told,” said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio at EA. “The Sims Medieval offers a new way for players to experience The Sims which we hope fans will enjoy, and it features gameplay that fans of strategy and role-playing games will find appealing such as controlling an entire kingdom and quest-based gameplay mechanics.”
Players can control kings and queens, knights and wizards, or blacksmiths and bards. Quests will unfold uniquely depending on the character.
Ultimately, the player trades the fate of a single Sim for the fate of an entire kingdom in The Sims Medieval. They can choose to focus on internal matters, or divide and conquer neighboring lands. Is fame paramount to the player? Or is the prosperity of their people at the forefront of their mind? Each new game allows the player to set an ambition for their kingdom, which directly dictates the stories that unfold.
The Sims Medieval will launch for PC and Mac in spring 2011.