MAXIS Fans on Tenterhooks Waiting for Sims 3 2009 Release

Electronic Arts subsidiary company Maxis welcomes back fans to embark on a brand new take on life simulation in 2009. The Sims 3; a graphically superior sequel to Will Wright’s ‘The Sims’ and ‘The Sims 2’ is set to be released within the next fiscal year.

So what makes the Sims 3 so different to its predecessors? Not only have the graphics improved but game play has also been dramatically altered. To start off, the Create-A-Sim function now allows players to assign ‘personality traits’ to their Sims, such as ‘kleptomania’ or ‘easily bored’ and the character will express these traits in their autonomous behaviours during game play. Moving forward, each neighborhood is open-plan, which means that game play is faster and without load screens i.e. the player follows their character as they walk from house to house.

The Sims 3 is expected to sell well over 1 million copies in its first year, bringing existing fans and new players the chance to create their own family and control every aspect of their lives. This new release is just the latest instalment in what has become one of the largest gaming franchises the world has seen, spanning an audience in 22 countries, across all ages and both genders.

Nobody knows for sure the exact date that the Sims 3 will be released. Maxis have simply told us that it will be in the 2009 fiscal year. The word on everyone's lips seems to be that however long it takes, it will be worth the wait.

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Lucy Wallace's Sweet Potato with Cheese and Broccoli Sauce

Lucy Wallace's Sweet Potato with Cheese and Broccoli Sauce
A couple of weeks ago in a desperate attempt to find something nutritious for lunch I bought a sweet potato. I wasn't thinking what I'd do with it and just resigned myself to the fact that if nothing popped up of its own accord, I'd eat it plain.
Of course when the day came I didn't much fancy that and set about making something simple from scratch to go with my oddly shaped bright-orange veg. I find sweet potatoes can be a little bland so the rich cheese sauce really brings out its sweet flavour. The broccoli is optional but I find it brings the dish together. (Recipe serves one)

Ingredients:
1 Sweet Potato
1 tbsp olive oil
Tin foil
1 tbsp butter
100g grated cheese (mature cheddar is best)
50ml double cream
Broccoli (however much; I used about 5 branches)
Seasoning (salt, pepper and dried coriander)
Garlic (1 clove, crushed or 1tsp garlic paste)


Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC (gas mark 6).

Wash sweet potato and place on a square piece of tin foil. Cover with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and wrap the foil around it loosely. Place in the middle shelf of the oven.

Leave potato cooking for 45 minutes and then bring a saucepan of water to the boil for the broccoli (add a pinch of salt if you want this to happen quickly). Once boiling turn down the heat to simmer and add the broccoli.

Leave broccoli simmering for 10 minutes and then melt butter in a saucepan over a low-medium heat. Add the cheese, garlic, coriander and give it a quick mix before pouring in the cream.

Stir sauce occasionally until it goes thick. Meanwhile, take the potato out of the oven, place it on your plate and slice it long-ways down the middle. Add a bit of butter to flavour, drain the broccoli and place it in the potato. Finally, simply pour the cheese sauce over the top and serve!

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