ARGH! Here there be Pirates!

[jillyson]

Now Announcing Barnacle Bay - Coming soon to The Sims 3 Store!

www.thesims3.com/community/www.thesims3.com/barnaclebay

POSTED ON 08/31/10 04:27 PM

A Whole New World for your Sims to Explore! An island nestled in the Simuyan Sea, Barnacle Bay is a vibrant vacation getaway with stunning beaches, campgrounds, parks, and a curiously modern downtown. First settled by pirates, fisherman, and artists – the world’s inhabitants now enjoy relaxing at Smuggler’s Beach and letting loose at The Wanderer’s Watering Hole. Will your trip be a vacation or a staycation?

This looks like a new "hood", complete with Pirate townies, ships, etc. The link shows "discover town secrets" and new items only available in "Barnacle Bay"

My concern is that it's being shown through the simstore, which means $$$. No cost is being shown yet, but it says to stay posted for more info, and that it's coming this fall.

[jillyson]

I'm on the sims 3 site now, and there's some misleading info here. It looks like you may have to purchase a simpoint bundle to get this. Here's what it says:

September Only - 15% off SimPoint Bundles!
POSTED ON 09/02/10 09:32 PMAhoy, Matey! Time to batten down the hatches and prepare for an escape to Barnacle Bay. The lush world located within the Simuyan Sea is the perfect island getaway for any Sim, buy your discounted SimPoint bundle today and visit the all new world of Barnacle Bay! Use the code SEPT15OFF to get 15% off your next SimPoint bundle purchase.

The actual truth is this:
the middle simpoint bundle (2000 pts) is the only thing that gives you pirate content - 2 wall hangings, no big.

There IS a new set in the Simstore for the Pirates, but you can only get it by clicking the store icon IN GAME. (while you're playing) It costs 500 pts until 9/10/10, then it goes up to 700.


From the forums. I'm seeing a cost of 1650 simpoints for the hood of Barnacle Bay, Available Sept 23rd. (EA has not confirmed this)

More info here from an interview with EA by IGN gamer:

SPOILER: Click to show

IGN: What are the new playable character(s) in this expansion?
EA: There are over 50 new world Sims living in Barnacle Bay, most of which are brand new characters, but you might recognize some familiar faces. There are quite a range of characters from Dude LaMer, a directionless surfer bum that can't get a second date with a girl, to Rose Rome, an elderly gypsy that has been seen rummaging through trash. You might even come across a few pirates while exploring the island.

IGN: What are some of the new NPC Sims that are in Barnacle Bay?
EA: Barnacle Bay is full of some colorful NPCs. My favorite is Roni Pepper (ha!), a slobby, scruffy pizza delivery guy with no sense of fashion. And Brian Adoyo, a scientist that uses food as examples when explaining scientific theories. There are over 25 new NPCs to create your own story with.

IGN: Will Simlish sound different for Pirate characters?
EA: One of the great things about Create-a-Sim is that you can create a custom voice for any character. You can also create your very own pirate characters using the pirate-themed clothing and accessories that are included with Barnacle Bay. There is also Buccaneer's Bounty, a pirate-themed clothing and object set available in The Sims 3 Store. You can make your Swashbuckler Sims sound and look however you want!

IGN: What kind of loot will you be able to find?
EA: There are hidden insects, fish, gem and mineral spawners all over the island for explorer Sims to find. There is even a secret Pirate's Hideaway, but I'm not telling you where it is. You have to explore the island to find it yourself.

IGN: What sort of new houses will be available? Is it possible to live in a pirate ship?
EA: Sims can eat in a pirate ship! Hogan's Deep Sea Diner is a nautical diner where Sims can grab a bite to eat with friends. Players can also build custom pirate-themed houses with the new objects that are included in Barnacle Bay, such as porthole doors and windows, wharf and stone fences, and more!

IGN: Will you be able to sail around the Bay and swim below the water to discover sunken treasures and ships?
EA: No, there will be no sailing ships or taking a dip in the ocean.

IGN: What sort of pirate-themed Sim deaths will you be able to re-create? Can you make them walk the plank?
EA: There are no new deaths in Barnacle Bay. However, you can always starrrrrrrrve your newly created pirates.

IGN: Will things like peg legs, eye patches and hook hands become available in the Sim creator?
EA: There are 7 new pirate-themed clothing and accessory items included with Barnacle Bay. You can dress any Sim you create as a pirate! These new assets include hats, boots and pirate clothing.

IGN: Can you challenge other Sims to sword fights?
EA: Not exactly, but I'm sure you will see plenty of bar fights in the Wanderer's Watering Hole, a new pub located in downtown Barnacle Bay.

IGN: Can we expect any surprise ninja attacks?
EA: There will be no surprise ninja attacks (and we couldn't tell you about them because then they wouldn't be surprises).

“Lower the Jolly Roger, set anchor, and discover the lore and riches of Barnacle Bay. Over the horizon nestled in the Simuyan Sea, Barnacle Bay boasts vibrant beaches, campgrounds, and a new downtown emulating urban life. Venture to locations like the abandoned piers of Founder’s Beach, the ancient relics of Goldbeard Galleon Gallery, mysterious Pirate’s Hideaway.”

“Take a load off at Hogan’s Deep Sea Diner or The Wanderer’s Watering Hole. Meet new townie Sims and maybe even run into a ghost or two while uncovering the town’s hidden secrets. Find new lots that are ready for moving in or just exploring. Enrich your Sims and their lives in all-new ways with nearly two dozen exclusive items only available in The Sims 3 Barnacle Bay.”

[Aussie Karima]

;D I need to go get Pay-Pal or a Debt Card, so I can get this one, as I would like to own it, & my 5 Simpoints ain't going to do it!
~ I would also get this one,more so, than the new Speed SP!
~ You can also buy Simpoints through you Mobile Phone/Cell Phone!

[jillyson]

I guess it's their way to bring more people to the simstore - by offering it only there.

If the rumors are correct about the cost, here in the States, it will cost just as much as an SP if you got the hood and the new set. (set offered only thru the in-game connection to the store)
I bet after the "sale" for the accompanying set ends on 9/10, that it will be offered like a regular set thru the store.

I agree with you, Karima. I'd much rather have this new Pirate hood than the new Fastlane SP for the same price. (with no new hood)

[Aussie Karima]

;D Well it also has new characters & NPC's,& having a whole new Hood to explore, & cool new stuff to wear! I love it! And would spend my money on this as it is better value,by far!

[joandsarah]

If it was really cheap I might like it. But reading that spoiler you can see they are the really the same old sims (Looking a little different) doing the same old things.

No new cool interactions such as swimming, no digging up treasure, no new deaths, no sword fighting, hooks hands, peg legs etc. I bet that eating place is just a rabbit hole too. Seems to me like it's pirates in name only. See how neatly EA answered those questions! Even if they had added being able to dive and swim on beaches it would of had so much more appeal.

[jillyson]

Yeah, I was bummed to see the no swimming statement. I know the new Late Night pack is supposed to open up the restarants & bars again - I wonder if it will do anything for the places in Barnacle Bay?

They might still have hooks & peg legs as an "outfit" with Barnacle Bay, but I know they aren't in the extra set.

[Tina ☺]

Man, I need to get online more! I'm quite confusee by all this so it looks like I need to do a bit of research...lol

[jillyson]

They don't make it easy to get a lot of info, that's for sure. I've been posting everything I can find here.

I have some pics of the in-game store only extra item set, the Bucaneer Bounty set.

SPOILER: Click to show

And here's actual pics from my game of the items:



There are no hair and no shoes/boots for any age included in this set. The head scarf shown is from WA.

Items include:
2 fountains
1 shell planter
2 female outfits
1 male outfit
1 boy outfit
1 girl outfit
telescope
birdbath
cannon
anchor
chess board
bar
bar stool

Again, in order to purchase this set, you must be playing your game, go to "buy mode", click on the shopping bag icon on the dashboard, enter the simstore, click on sets.

[Sawyer]

The only positive thing I see here is the fact that there's a new hood.

I'd much rather have this + swimming in the ocean rather than WA and "adventures". *rollseyes*

I hope MATY uploads it, because there's no way I'm paying twenty dollars for a new hood and some useless crap.

[jillyson]

I've paid $20 for SP's that gave me less, so when I look at it that way, I don't mind this. I just wish it was a disc & not download only. It makes it harder for people to get it if they don't have a credit card.

[Sawyer]

Again, I won't be downloading until MATY uploads it. ^^

I love the idea of this. A seaside village full of crafters. That sounds amazing. EA's take on it however SUCKS (in my opinion). The stuff packs for TS2 were huge. Remember Mansion and Garden? Didn't that have like, over two-hundred-plus new items and features? And awesome ones at that? >.>

[jillyson]

Now it's an EA world - all the Maxis folks have left the building. It totally sucks that they give you an island, but didn't give back swimming. How cool would it have been to be able to "dive for treasure"

I hope the pirates are cool enough to make this worthwhile! From what I understand, they made it so that random townies in other hoods won't show up dressed as pirates.

Edit:
a tiny bit more info from google:

SPOILER: Click to show

You'll get to explore a tropical paradise in the Barnacle Bay, available for download this fall. Whether you decide to be a lowdown, dirty pirate on the hunt for treasure and grog, or a sightseeing tourist looking to soak up virtual sun, is up to you.

The Barnacle Bay area will be sold exclusively through The Sims 3 Store. Within, you'll discover new locales such as Founder's Beach, Goldbeard Galleon Gallery and Pirate's Hideaway -- plus several other locations and NPCs that await your inner Magellan. The expansion pack will also include "nearly two dozen" new items.

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but if they keep to the quest-based play, like in WA, you could be a pirate and do pirate missions.

C'mon, EA! We want more info!

[Aussie Karima]

;D Yeah! if they don't have swimming with a basically water based hood,when are EA going to give use swimming, I am sooooo missing MAXIS!

[jillyson]

There's one screen shot that shows the hood looking like Riverview, but there's another one that shows the view from a bridge that makes it look better.