The Sims 3 University EP Enrolls In March, Island Paradise Sets Sail This June

University was the first expansion pack released for The Sims 2. EA has waited much longer to allow our SIms to further their education in The Sims 3, but it's finally happening. EA released a trailer for The Sims 3: University Life, which gives us a look at two things we know Sims do very well: Studying and partying. We also have news about another expansion pack in the works.

Set to hit stores March 5, EA already has The Sims 3: University Life available for pre-order. The trailer below shows us some of the features for the EP.

Keg stands, beer pong, and experimentation (the scientific kind) are among the activities featured in the above trailer. From EA's announcement, Sims who enroll in university will have six majors to choose from and they'll work toward earning their degree from there.

From class activities to major-specific objects, The Sims 3 University Life will poise Sims for multiple benefits in their careers, including accelerated pay, higher career entry, new opportunities and more.

Sims will be able to broadcast their own radio show and learn outside of the classroom through class activities, lectures at the student union and social activities. There are also some new party options, including hosting bonfires by the lake or throwing a dorm party. Sims can also network with one of the three social groups on campus (the nerds, rebels and jocks). And the more active Sims can start or join protests or create murals and graffiti. Sims can also cheat on tests (wonder what traits are compatible with that one - ambitious? rebellious?).

The announcement says there's an all-new college town with the EP, with new locations (a bowling alley and SimBurger). The Limited Edition version of the EP will include the Party Pack, which consists of Partaeus Maximus statue, a toga outfit and a masquerade mask, for those Sims who want a bit of Greek in their college experience.

And coming up further down the line, it sounds like the EP to follow University Life will make further use of the oceans (in which Sims can now swim!), with customizable houseboats and resorts Sims can own and manage. And then there's a new Stuff Pack on deck for the fall, that sounds great for those of us who love movies as much as we love The Sims.

Dropping anchor this June is The Sims 3 Island Paradise, an expansion pack filled with adventure, exploration and a world of new discoveries set on the sunny shores and beneath the glistening water of a tropical paradise. For the first time ever, Sims can take the helm of fully customizable houseboats and set sail in search of uncharted islands, create, own and manage resorts or discover what lies beneath the ocean through the new skill-based scuba diving and snorkeling activities. The Sims 3 Island Paradise introduces all new ways to build - whether it’s a lavish five-star resort, a bungalow on the water or a houseboat that can travel the seas. Players can create their own idea of island paradise for their Sims in this new expansion pack and embark on an unforgettable journey.Launching this fall is an all-new stuff pack that is filled with clothing and décor inspired by iconic movie themes and settings. Additionally this fall, Sims will finally be able to travel to the future in an all-new expansion pack, currently untitled. More details will be revealed in the coming months, but Sims will certainly have the time of their lives this year with the offerings from The Sims 3.

Island Paradise had me at fully customizable houseboats. Let the building begin!

Not sure what to make of the currently untitled EP that allow Sims to "travel to the future". Is The Sims 3 going sci-fi? Perhaps a futuristic world with flying cars and teleport machines? Oh wait, we already have teleport machines. Still, that's a vague but intriguing little tidbit.

Kelly West
Assistant Managing Editor

Kelly joined CinemaBlend as a freelance TV news writer in 2006 and went on to serve as the site’s TV Editor before moving over to other roles on the site. At present, she’s an Assistant Managing Editor who spends much of her time brainstorming and editing feature content on the site. She an expert in all things Harry Potter, books from a variety of genres (sci-fi, mystery, horror, YA, drama, romance -- anything with a great story and interesting characters.), watching Big Brother, frequently rewatching The Office, listening to Taylor Swift, and playing The Sims.