Day 2 and it was now time to get down to some serious creating.  Being primarily a lot builder I've been concentrating on that part of the game. 

While some of the build features we've come to know and love in Sims 2 are no longer available (the CFE cheat is for now a thing of the past), some of the new features help to make up for the loss.  For instance, if you don't like the default colour options for your windows and doors then no problem.  Choose from a wide range of pre-set textures which you can recolour however you want and apply them to almost any object. 

Landscaping and terrain tools are also more user friendly.  The trees and plants look amazing as they sway in the breeze and the water effects are cool. 

I guess a perk of being amongst the 1st creators to start using the game and pushing it to it's limits is that we're also helping to identify any bugs that may crop up and giving EA a chance to put things right.  I certainly gave some of the EA staff some headaches after managing to break the roof tool and wreck a perfectly good staircase.  Sorry guys!  I think the prize for the most hilarious glitch has to go to Padre who somehow managed to place a chair mid-air over the top of his house.  A neat effect I'm sure but I've no idea how he was expecting his poor sim to reach it! 

The afternoon brought a visit to the sound lab where the sound effects/voices and music are put together.  It was a huge thrill to meet the production team along with one of the voice actors.  To actually watch her doing the voice-overs to the animations was awesome.  Those that were brave enough had the chance to have a go right alongside her.  It was a lot of fun. 

Afterwards it was back to creating before going to dinner then back to the hotel.  Now let's see what I can break tomorrow!