Ok well lemme say that I had a bad-ass time with this thing for the couple of hours I spent playing it. We all know the Sims, we all know its what keeps EA in business. However, for all the hatred that goes towards this game, creating the Sims Online is kind of a neat idea, even if at its heart its just Online-Chatting Taken TO THE EXTREME.

I say this, because basically all you are doing is interacting with a bunch of folks from around the world in artificial environments. Except there is no "rat race" (so far) or need to kill the other person, just a personal sense of accomplishment for being the nbest in the "hood". It's when you get to the REAL stuff (which wont be released till the full game is out) that I'm sure the real good shit starts happening.

My first experience, I went out in my neighborhood and visited the others in my hood (ALPHAVILLE). Much like most MMOG, cities/planets/galaxies/blahblahblah are seperated by servers and one person cant hop from one to another. Not a problem since most cities are DENSELY populated. You just need to find a blinking red dot on the map, highlight it, and invite yourself to the persons abode. What I dont like is there NEEDS to be someone in the hgome for you to even come on the property. It would have been SO MUCH cooler to allow the person to come on the property but not be able to gain access if someone is offline. This way you can check out some of the cooler houses without waiting for the owners to come home. I'm hoping this is something that is fixed cause it would just be nice to be able to browse around.

Another cool feature of that is if someone DOESNT want you on their property they should be able to call the cops and potentially get a restraining order against you (if you keep on coming after warning). There IS a "ban" list preventing someone from entering the premises, but that's pretty technical and doesn't reflect much in the game.

The houses aren't arranged in any particular order, just pick a lot and there you are. Nor are their "commuinities", so theres really no need to invite your neighbors over other than to gain money for doing activities in your home (yea I know - I'm not too sure on this one either). Nor are thier "phones" - yet. There is an email system where you can get messages from home in case you get robbed or the "roomie" needs some lovin. But right now, theres not much you can do other than to screw around with people -

And man did I.

I first physically assaulted one of the propieters of a home. I was told "none of that" when it happened, but who could resist my charms. I next watched as the owner of the house showered, and then took a dook. Hot stuff. I tried to enter her bedroom, but there was a code lock, so I had to suffice with seeing her sleep through the "top-down" view.

After receiving some "attention" from her (she was ALL too willing to get in her go-go cage and dance for me), I left to go work on my house.

After getting bored with that, I went out and found myself a home full of lesbos. Again, some groping, this time though the "man-bitch" of the house tried to assert himself. I slapped him. And was banned from entering the premises. I shot off a nasty little email to the house of Lesbos.

Then I went to sleep, and worked on my house again. Fun stuff.

And that's just two of the HUNDREDS of homes that are available to visit.

And they have yet to impliment any of the "downtown", or "work" areas that will be included with the full release of the game next month. Can you imagine being able to stroll downtown or take your friend out on a date. Create your own gang and harass a group of Sorority girls (no joke there are ALREADY sorotities out there).

I made a suggestion to some of the mIRC-Thugs that we should start our own little "cult" for the next month that the thing is free. That would be interesting.

Anyway, if you have the time and space to dl a gig of info - go for it. Be prepared to patch though since theres a 90 meg patch that needs to be installed after you initially install.

Mazel Tov.