EA studio Firemonkeys has announced that no more updates are coming to The Sims FreePlay on Windows Phone 8. We're pretty big fans of the game around here, so this is pretty sad news, and doesn't bode well for an eventual port of Firemonkeys' other major title, Real Racing 3.
The Sims FreePlay launched on Windows Phone less than a year ago. Obviously EA will continue publishing a huge selection of Windows Phone games, but the Sims is a venerable brand that should have stood the test of time on Microsoft's mobile platform. At least there's no indication that the game will be taken down or anything like that, but as time wears on and new devices come out, compatibility and stability may become issues.
The official statement is brief:
It's with deepest regrets that we must announce that there will be no further updates for The Sims FreePlay on the Windows Phone 8 platform. We sincerely apologize to our Windows Phone 8 players.
You may remember that we thought pretty highly of The Sims: FreePlay in our review here:
Given that EA released The Sims: FreePlay on other platforms some eighteen to twenty four months ago, I'm going to assume they've already found the sweet spot for earning money from players of the title, and this is it. It does feel rather generous, but I'm not going to be complaining. This is freemium done correctly, with a decent game that doesn't try to cheat you out of your money.
Maybe the game's lack of updates will be a problem when WP8.1 hits, maybe not. But it does seem a crying shame that such a talented software house is giving up on Windows Phone 8.
Real Racing 2 was first published a couple of years ago, as a traditional commercial game, and stands up well even today, with freemium IAP worries. From our Real Racing 2 review:
It might not be original but it does everything else with enough panache and style that not only am I going to recommend it, but I'm going to nudge it into the 90s 'mega' zone... with the caveat that this might be a 90 score for race game fans, it's more like an 88 for everyone else. But I think there's a little racer in every one of us - which means there should be a little racer in all our Lumia Windows Phones. That would be Real Racing 2.
The rest of the mobile world has moved on, with Real Racing 3, a complete reworking of the brand around higher resolution graphics and, crucially, freemium philosophies. In fact, RR3 has attracted a lot of criticism from reviewers for requiring far too much attention to in-app finances and subsequent in-app-purchases - the game could work out expensive.
That RR3 may not now be coming to Windows Phone can, therefore, be viewed as something of a relief - I, for one, am still enjoying RR2 and haven't had to pay a penny after the initial £4 (or so) purchase, making it superb value.
Comments? Would you like to see updates for The Sims or the appearance of Real Racing 3?