The Sims 3 kicks off summer with the Island Paradise expansion

Summer time and the living is easy. I'm not sure when summer officially began (it's always f**king hot in Florida), but if you're a Sims 3 player, then consider today the beginning of beach season. Today marks the release of The Sims 3 Island Paradise, the latest expansion pack which takes you to the beach and beyond.

For the first time ever in The Sims 3, you can dive beneath the waves and explore what lies on the ocean floor, build a cruise boat and cruise the ocean to discover uncharted islands where you can create and run your very own resort. Check out the official EA producer walkthrough for a full look at all the fun features the expansion includes.

"In The Sims 3 Island Paradise, The Sims Studio has brought to life a tropical vacation for players to experience without ever having to leave home," says Ryan Vaughan, Producer for The Sims. "With so many new gameplay features included in this game, players will be able to explore, inhabit and discover beachside bliss just as they would in real life."

The Sims 3 Island Paradise is available on PC/Mac for direct download from Origin, or can be purchased at retailers across North America for $39.99.

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