Gameplay

In the April/May 2008 edition of the Games for Windows: The Official Magazine, there is a 12-page preview of the game. This preview explains that Sim houses and neighborhoods will be entirely in one seamless, continuous map, and states that "what you do outside your home now matters as much as what you do within". Also it is claimed that other Sims will age with the player’s Sims as they interact with them.

Of the eight needs of The Sims 1 & 2, only four - bladder, hunger, energy and fun - will remain. These will be completed by moodlets - attributes which are acquired by special events (minor events like tooth brushing, and major ones like wedding), and affect the Sims’ behavior. The Want and Fear system of The Sims 2 is replaced by Wishes and Opportunities.

Several features from The Sims 2 expansion packs will appear in the original The Sims 3, such as the "young adult" life stage (University), private cars (Nightlife), fishing (Seasons) and jewelry (Bon Voyage).