I sat down with Ben Bell, executive producer for the Sims 3, to get a hands-on look at the iconic people simulator. This latest edition of the Sims took over five years to develop and required contributions from developers both old and new. Fan input contributed greatly to this edition, Ben explained, to insure this was the most user-friendly Sims game to date.

The basic concept of the game is that you're fighting against life's pressures. Your character has certain life goals and wishes that are set by the user in regards to the personality traits that you select and life choices you guide the character through.

I was then introduced to Eddy, a pudgy, blond, mullet-wearing free loader. Eddy has certain personality traits that affect his skills sets, abilities, and behavior. He's a schmoozer and has an ability to get things from people. He also likes the outdoors, which is why Ben designed his house to be open to the air. Every Sim has his or her own lifetime goal to be defined by the player. In this case, Eddy is a gold digger. His lifetime goal is to want to inherit money off a woman. I watched as Eddy talked his "sugar momma" into giving him a bit of spending money.

Personalities dictate how Sims interact and what their general behavior is like. Eddy demonstrates his unique personality by licking a dirty plate clean of crumbs. Due to his lazy and freeloading nature, Eddy has a behavioral option that someone with perhaps more refined manners would not.

Ben Belle is especially proud of the innovations the Sims team has made with the Sims' personalities. You play as one character at a time and the character will make autonomous decisions when not being used based on their personality traits. Responding to user feedback, this edition of the Sims focused less on micromanaging the simple everyday tasks that center on bodily functions; instead, you'll be guiding the character in their quest for happiness, self-fulfillment, and responding to life's pressures.