Owners of The Sims 3 base game + expansion packs unlock special goodies in The Sims 4

Electronic Arts is rewarding previous players of The Sims 3 with some unlockable goodies in the Sims 4. They consist of a set of special lamps that affect the mood of your sims in different ways. If you already own the base game and all expansion packs (stuff packs don't unlock rewards) then a special golden statue is unlocked (as pictured in the center of the image). Not that to unlock those goodies you need to register your games with your Origin account. Use this page to check your unlocked goodies.

Disney Magical World to hit European shores on October 24th

via NintendoLife

Disney Magical World, a life simulator aimed at a younger audience set in the world of Disney, will be released on the 24th of October in Europe. The game was initially set to be a Japan-only release, but US gamers got a chance to play it on the 11th of April of the present year. 

The gameplay borrows a bit from Animal Crossing/Magician's Quest style of play, but involves exploration of a few Disney worlds, somewhat like the Kingdom Hearts series.

More information on the game can be found here.

New trailer and new screen for The Sims 4

A new official screen for The Sims 4 has been shared on twitter. It depicts a bar with some high rise buildings in the background. They're most likely scenery, but it's nevertheless a nice touch.

What craziness will your Sim get up to in #TheSims4? pic.twitter.com/Iwch7EN1pf
— The Sims (@TheSims) July 29, 2014

 Also, Simsvip found a new russian gameplay trailer. Notice that the sims can now take selfies in the mirror.



The Sims 4 - Gameplay Trailer (Russia) from amaret keawrit on Vimeo.

The Sims 4 modding community is on fire!

It's still a whole month ahead before The Sims 4 release date, but some modders have already found a way to create custom content for the Create-a-Sim demo. According to the recent news at Simsvip, two major achievements have been accomplished:

First of all, a way of replacing default animations has been found, and two example mods have been released to the public. They can be seen at the following video by Simsvip:

Second: a recolouring tool is now available. It was created by the folks at Sims 4 Stuff n Things and is available here.

Some people have also been sharing their custom creations on twitter. Here are some examples:

Yakov Doyle in his new, CC everyday outfit - pic.twitter.com/QObCUEUPwc
— Zerbu (@ZerbuTabek) July 28, 2014

CC Upgrade! pic.twitter.com/vF3GEe5KIG
— Zerbu (@ZerbuTabek) July 27, 2014

Just testing things 😂 pic.twitter.com/Vd63c5qAQ6
— Nuukk (@Nuukk) July 27, 2014

Mi primer contenido personalizado gracias a CAS Recolor Tool http://t.co/8lg90JaLhv Mi Sim tiene más estilo que yo :P pic.twitter.com/u3pTjqHkmJ
— Rincón del Simmer (@RinconDelSimmer) July 27, 2014

Harvest moon: The Lost Valley gets 2 new screens

Two additional screenshots have been published on Natsume's official facebook page. One shows the recently announced character Sally and the other shows a winter scene.

New community blog for TS4, this time it focuses on characters

A new community blog has been published on www.thesims.com and this time it focuses on returning characters as well as some newcomers. Here it is:

The Landgraabs are back, still living it up as the richest family and staking their claim in Oasis Springs. We’ve brought Malcolm back during those awful awkward teen years, complete with a dastardly snobby attitude. Though Geoffrey is trying his best to be the good natured father Malcolm needs, will Nancy’s scheming ways lead Malcolm down a darker path? Either way we’re sure this historic family will provide lots of fun and mischief in The Sims 4.

Then we have the Caliente household with our two favorite sisters Dina, Nina, and their mother, who has been re-imagined as the attractive and vivacious Katrina. Katrina has ignored her better judgment and let the infamous womanizer Don Lothario mooch his way into her house and quite possibly her heart. Don’s eyes are on Katrina for now, but how long will it be before Nina and Dina are lured in by his charm? Will Nina decide to steal Don away from her mother? Will Dina finally earn enough money to get her own place and get away from all the craziness? All we know is that it won’t be long before sparks start flying!
Johnny Zest is an ambitious new character we like to introduce. Disowned from the Landgraab family when he dropped out of school, he now hopes to find his own fame and fortune as a standup comedian. He’s learned the hard lesson that when the Landgraabs cut you off, they cut you off all the way! Living in a trailer, blessed with the Landgraab looks but without the name or the money; will he make it to the top to show mom and pop he had what it takes all along? We’ll leave the fate of this black sheep in your capable hands.Finally we’ve got a new batch of youths known as the Roomies. Your typical sitcom setup with ‘J’ (Jameson) the body building hunk, Gavin the gentleman muser, Mitchell the couch potato bro, and Zoe, that girl next door who is actually right where she wants to be, having fun with the friend-zoned boys.
No matter which familiar face you play with, we are convinced this cast of characters will add a quirkiness to your game that only The Sims can bring!

Sim Guru Zephyr 

The Sims 3 Store: last set to be released in August

The last The Sims 3 Store set, named "Last Venue of Amore" will be released in August, after which no more new sets will be published. The store will remain open with all the previously published content up for sale.
The set theme will be based on Venice and will feature a Gondola ride as premium content.
SimGuruTaterTot has been teasing the set and so far a concept art picture (previous image) and a screenshot of a window have been shown:

Here are the links to the original information:

Community blog with announcement

Window picture on the official forum