The Sims has been a great platform for real life brands to make an appearance, from clothing lines to furniture brands and many more. Now EA and Renault have announced a “multi-year agreement” which will allow The Sims 3 players to have their Sims characters driving around in Renault’s forthcoming range of electric vehicles.
This spring The Sims 3 players will be offered a greener way to get around, in the game, with the Renault Twizy ZE Concept car. The car will be made available via a free download and contained within an ‘Electric Vehicle Pack’ or EVP. The pack will also feature other environmentally conscious items such as solar panels, and a windmill. Those players who use the EVP will have their in-game family’s weekly virtual household bills reduced.
“This partnership delivers benefits for Renault and the consumer that are unique in today’s media landscape,” Elizabeth Harz, Senior Vice President of Global Media Sales for EA stated. “Millions of The Sims 3 players will be able to download Renault concept vehicles and have a deep experience with the brand, while receiving genuine added gameplay value.”
“The Sims 3 players have demonstrated consistent enthusiasm for bringing cool ‘real world’ brands into their virtual world,” Steve Seabolt, VP of Global Brand Development for The Sims said. “We’re excited to work with Renault on their electric vehicles and have them available for download for The Sims 3.”
“Electric vehicles are going to appeal to younger, more socially conscious customers and especially early adopters,” Stephen Norman, SVP, Global Marketing for the Renault Group commented. “This is the heartland of The Sims 3 community and it thus provides a great innovative way to build the Renault Brand just ahead of the Renault range of affordable electric vehicles themselves.”
The latest version of The Sims 3 launcher is needed to avail of the free download, which expires on April 1, 2012. Also required is an EA Online Account and online game registration.