Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) announced the release of The Sims Online on Tuesday.
The Sims Online is an Internet-based, multiplayer version of The Sims, the biggest-selling PC game of all time, according to EA's release.
In the game, players create and control a character, known as a Sim. Starting out with a small amount of money, each Sim can buy land, build houses or host events, EA said.
Characters can communicate with other Sims through live text chat, which appears in a bubble above their own Sim's head. Animated actions also help Sims to communicate.
The game has been translated into 16 languages.
The Sims Online software will cost US$49.99, with a monthly subscription fee of US$9.99.
