I thought "The Sims 2 Free Time" was going to be the last expansion after "The Sims 3" was announced. "The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath" stuff pack came with a flyer announcing the next expansion would be "The Sims 2 Apartment Life." Wow! Apartment living! This one could really change the dynamics of "The Sims 2." Not much is known about "The Sims 2 Apartment Life" thus far. I'll keep my eye out for news and screenshots. Leave a comment if you find something interesting about the next expansion!

• "The Sims 2 Apartment Life"
• "The Sims 2" Expansions
• "The Sims 3"

Anyone up for a little driving? "Bus Driver" has over 30 routes with passengers waiting for you to pick them up and drop them off. Something a different from trying to get from one place to another at top speed with no regard other cars or people. For a change of pace, download the "Bus Driver" demo. It's available at Meridian 4's web site.

• "Bus Driver" Demo

"The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath" pack got me thinking about which of the stuff packs was my favorite. It's a close call between "The Sims 2 Teen Style" and "The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff." Then there is "The Sims 2 Celebration" that gave my parties a fresh look with new decorations and cakes. Which of the stuff packs is your favorite? Let us know why by leaving a comment.

Poll: Which is your favorite "The Sims 2" stuff pack?

• "The Sims 2 Celebration"
• "The Sims 2 Family Fun"
• "The Sims 2 Glamor Life"
• "The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff"
• "The Sims 2 Happy Holiday"
• "The Sims 2 Teen Style"
• "The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath"
• View Results

We get new kitchen and bathroom items (and some clothes!) in the latest stuff pack for "The Sims 2." "The Sims Kitchen and Bath" stuff pack has a few kitchen sets and a few new bathroom appliances. Skimpy on the content - though the content is good. Nothing unusual for a stuff pack. Anyone else buy it? What do you think?

• "The Sims Kitchen and Bath Interior Design" Stuff Pack Review
• More Stuff Packs

A demo (for free with limitations) and a full version of "Spore Creature Creator" (available for $9.99) is coming our way on June 17. The demo will be available online and come with 25% of the creature making parts. Sounds adequate enough to get some practice and a handle on making complex creatures. The complete edition of "Spore Creature Creator" will be on store shelves of stores in North American and "most European" countries according to EA's press release.

• What is "Spore?"
• "Spore Creature Creator"

I almost don't dare to say it.... but.... "Cities XL" could be the city building game we were hoping to get from a new "SimCity" game. It's a modern day city builder (beautiful graphics!) with both a single player game and an online feature. It's not going to be a cheesy online feature of comparing city stats either! Your city will be connected with other cities by sharing and trading. Be sure to check out citiesxl.com for the developer's blog.

• "Cities XL" Screenshots
• More City Building Games

Screenshot © Monte Cristo Multimedia.

100 million copies of "The Sims" have been sold! A huge accomplishment for EA and Maxis, thanks to us of course. Maxis is leaving us out of the celebration. One way is a free outfit perfect for hitting Downtown. Another is a coupon for a free Sim game when you buy two at participating stores.

• Celebratory Sim Outfit - TheSims2.com
• More "The Sims 2" Downloads

Artwork © Electronic Arts.

The spring TV schedule is chaos this year because of the strike (just glad the shows are back!). It's frustrating to not have your shows be one when you expect them and end up missing the newest episode. "TV Station Manager" puts you to work choosing the time slots shows and pleasing the advertisers. A fun, little game that you can only currently find on the Internet. Some features are disabled in the demo version. The good news is there are no time limitations.

• "TV Station Manager" Demo
• More Game Demos

Sports game fans - keep an eye on "Empire of Sports." The online game gives you a character to train and develop skills for the sport of your choice (and there are plenty to choose from, including skiing, tennis, and basketball). Yes - you really have to hit the gym for your virtual athlete to be any good. And maybe if you are good enough you can join a team or club.

"Empire of Sports" is not out yet. It is currently in a private beta. Details for joining the private launch can be found on the official web site. There will be a monthly subscription fee when officially launched.

• "Empire of Sports" Official Home
• More Online Games

Sims need a little something to do that doesn't involve working on skills for a promotion, cooking, or cleaning up after the slobs in the house. Hobbies are a little something a Sim can do for themselves for fun (hey we all need a little alone time) but also something they can do with other Sims. I love the new hobbies (especially the cooking contests!), though I don't see my Sims getting a lot of hobby time. After getting use to the new features, Sim life went back to normal and not as much time was available for fun. Perhaps I need to stop working my Sims so hard.

How is everyone liking "The Sims 2 Free Time?" Leave a comment and let us know! Was it everything you hoped for?

• "The Sims 2 Free Time" Review
• "The Sims 2 Free Time" Screenshots