This article has a talk page!This page details pre-release information and/or media for The Sims: Bustin' Out (GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox).
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After the semi-revolutionary success of the The Sims for consoles, Edge of Reality was given another chance by EA to further experiment with the formula by offering a lot of new content. Despite it's speedy six month developmental time, there are a lot of changes to be found.
It was well-received by critics, praising the amount of content to be found in the game.
Development Timeline#
2002-2003
- circa. Dec-Jan - a follow-up to The Sims console begins development.TMNT12 (Dec 11, 2003 6:57:04 PM)
how long did it take you to make it
MaxisShorty (Dec 11, 2003 6:57:04 PM)
Development for Bustin' Out took roughly one year's time
2003
- Jan. 16 - The Sims for consoles is released for the PlayStation 2. Some time after the game's release, a pitch for a follow-up is created.
- circa. March/April - Development for The Sims console sequel fully begins, after the release of the console game's other ports.
- May - Gameplay of The Sims Bustin' Out was shown for the first time at E3 2003, with a release date slated for "early 2004".
- Jul. 9 - The game was shown at Camp EA.
- Sep. 12 - The game is confirmed to have Online Play in the PlayStation 2 version.
- Oct. 16 - The Sims website opens up it's section dedicated to The Sims Bustin' Out. New screenshots are shown.
- Dec. 5 - The Sims Bustin' Out goes gold.1
- Dec. 15-19 - The Sims Bustin' Out is released in North America and Europe, respectively.
2004
- Jan. 22-27 - The Sims Bustin' Out is released in Japan and South Korea, respectively.
2003#
January-March#
A sequel for The Sims console port was pitched after the PlayStation 2 version of it was released in January.
After said console port received positive reception and sales performance, Electronic Arts wanted to further experiment with Edge of Reality's engine. Thus, development for the sequel started after the other console versions of the game came out in March.
Just like with developing expansions for The Sims, the developers reached out to public feedback of the previous game to improve on the formula. The players liked the two-player mode but only for the Play The Sims mode than the minigames. Most importantly, the players wanted to get out of the house and visit other Sims, which was also an idea that the developmental team considered.
May#
E3 2003#
The Sims: Bustin' Out was officially announced by EA at E3 2003, slated for an early 2004 release.
"The Sims are returning to the console and this time they're getting out of the house and exploring all-new outrageous locations around town. Players can choose a variety of new paths as they lead their Sims through life's big moments. Along the way, players can unlock and collect hundreds of new objects and social moves exclusive to the console. Play, work, and socialize with a cast of more than 40 new wacky characters and climb through 10 new careers including Mobster, Athlete, Mad Scientist, and Fashion Victim. The Sims Bustin' Out will feature two-player and memory card support, so bring your Sims over to a friend's house. The game is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 console, Xbox, and the Nintendo GameCubeâ„¢ in early 2004."
The press release and many other prerelease coverages mention a few notable differences from the final game;
- It explicitly states that there would be "over 40 new characters", but there are only 31 characters to be found, not counting NPCs and combining Bust Out and Free Play modes.
- The Gangster Career was originally called "Mobster", and Jock was originally called "Athlete". The latter renaming was likely done to avoid being associated with the career from the mainline games.
- Casa Caliente was originally called "Love Shack" and Studio 8 was originally called "Art Gallery".
- It was mentioned that there would be 10 careers, but it was raised to 12 in the final if both Bust Out and Free Play Careers are counted. The mention of the game having "ten times replay value" implies that Bust Out mode had 10 careers in total.
- The IGN coverage article explicitly mentions a "Family Diner" location, but no "diner-like" places appear in the final game.
Press releases also mention stuff confirmed to be in the game;
- The Limo Ultimo is confirmed to appear.
- The game would get a new musical score and menu sounds.
- 2-Player Mode is confirmed.
Screenshots
Mockup Image
The first screenshot to be posted, though it looks pre-rendered.
In-Game Screenshots
- The HUD looked slightly different, aside from the font and bottom left part.
- The red and green parts of the Sim's mood wasn't properly programmed as all of them is displayed at once.
- The Plumbob was originally yellow, and changed dependant on the Sim's mood, but it wasn't functional as of that build.
- All of the Sim characters are recycled from The Sims console.
- Club Rubb had a completely different layout.
Video
This footage was posted later at Camp EA, but the footage matches up with the E3 2003 build. Watch on YouTube
- Create-A-Sim looked very, very different, and resembled the one from The Sims for consoles.
- The button sounds were different, and were likely used as placeholder.
- The music was slightly different, sbo_bb3 had slightly different lead sawtooth instrument and drums, while sbo_bb1 had different variance in the instrumentation loop.
- The Simlish voice clips are recycled from the previous game.
- Two Sims could originally ride the same vehicle, much like in the intro video.
- The Plumbob originally changed color depending on the mood.
- The road textures were different.
- The Super Scooter swivelled around the road more.
- Several Sims in the video had their appearance from the previous game.
- The mood HUD had pointier buttons, highlighted red and green mood meters and a rounder background.
- Toane's Gym had no kitchen, and the ring machine isn't present in the final version.
- The pool had an earlier water texture, which is the same one used in The Sims for consoles.
- The dance floor had less detail.
- The lightshow object was different in color.
- Club Rubb was different in most ways, and resembles the one found in the dream sequence.
- If one looks closely outside of Club Rubb, several car objects (that were used as carpools in The Sims for consoles) can be seen. They were likely objects placed via debug and made for decoration.
July#
Camp EA#
Camp EA press event was held on July 9, 2003, where gaming journalists were invited to try out the game.
Screenshots
In-Game Screenshots
- The font now matches that of the final.
- The Plumbob now uses it's static blue design.
- The outfits worn by Mortimer Goth and the Maid cannot be obtained in Create-A-Sim in the final.
Later Screenshot
The below image from the build showcased at Camp EA, though VERY hard to make out. This one is a little later compared to the released screenshots.
file:TSBO_camp_ea_071003_sims_01.jpg
- The images above the monitor are the same as the ones from above the page.
- Dudley's Trailer wallpaper design now matches that of the final.
August#
Late August#
Four images were posted on August 28, 2003. Unfortunately the second image is lost.
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Prerelease |
Final |
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- The Skill Gauge still uses it's appearance from the previous game.
- The Tesla Coil was placed outside of Shiny Things Lab, the nuclear waste barrels were likely added for the screenshot.
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Prerelease |
Final |
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- This screenshot, layout-wise and the presence of the fence on the top right confirms that the location IS Mom's House after all. Funnily enough, that layout can be found in the map screen of the final game.
- The Picket Fence textures used their flat 2D texture appearance from the previous game.
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Prerelease |
Final |
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September#
Online Play confirmation#
Online play was announced on September 12, 2003.
The Sims Bustin' Out will feature two-player cooperative gameplay online, which lets players work their way through any of the game's unique career paths. The game will also feature an online trading system that will allow players to swap unlockable social interactions such as Pull Finger and Moonwalk or objects like a Climbing Wall and DJ Booth. In addition to bestowing bragging rights, these wacky social interactions and highly coveted objects will also affect the gameplay. Online play will also feature a lobby where a matchmaker screen displays the astrological signs, genders, and personalities of other Sims, so that players can effectively choose their gaming partners. Since two Sims are better than one at getting the job done, online play will make it even easier to accomplish goals, satisfy motives, and get your Sims into trouble in The Sims Bustin' Out.
circa. July-August#
Large Round Square HUD Builds#
These builds have a slightly adjusted HUD, with a larger "round square".
Regular Trailer#
Watch on YouTubeA trailer was released on September 27, 20032. A later, and identical one was also released except with the ESRB T Rating.
- Early interaction queue bevel.
- The Skill Meter was still reused from the previous game.
- Mona Lott had a different appearance, having a lighter skin tone compared to a darker one the final.
The Worst Week in the Life of a Sim#
Five different videos were made for The Sims Bustin' Out, all based on prerelease builds. The game has now been rated by the ESRB at that time.
This section will cover the first three videos due to the HUD matching the in-between builds.
Monday
- Mom's House was layout-wise, completely different, resembling its appearance from the previous game. It takes place on that lot as evidenced by the broken fence at 0:33.
- Mom could be controlled.
- The Skill Meter still used its appearance from the previous game.
- The Fire animation is exactly as it was from the previous game.
Tuesday
- The game switches between two builds, as evidenced by the HUD change at 0:33 to 1:03.
- The HUD at the bottom left corner looks different.
- Dudley could be controlled.
Wednesday
- The trailer shifts between two builds, as told by the HUD's roundness.
- Sim mugshots originally showed full bodies.
- There was no interaction queue icon for the Venus Flytrap Plant.
- Goth Manor was completely different, layout-wise.
Social Interactions Trailer#
Watch on YouTubeThis trailer shifts between two builds. The near-final HUD build (minus the non-slashed 0's) likely dates this to October 20, 20033.
- differences go here.
circa. Late October#
White Round HUD builds#
The screenshots are known for the fact they all have the round white HUD circle and the 0's in the font not being slashed. They all have the household budget of $100,050 also.
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Prerelease |
Final |
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A much later look at Create-A-Sim.
- The Create-A-Sim house is starting to take shape of the final, except with slight differences including an adjusted sunset hue, repositioned camera and the lack of vibrancy textures on objects.
- The text "Create-A-Sim" wasn't capitalized.
Unsorted images#
Lost Full-Res Images
The following images below are lost in full resolution, and only thumbnails of them remain.
Finalized Text Font Builds#
Same as above, except the font is pretty much finalized, except for the bottom left HUD.
- Fanny Adore had a lighter skin tone and orange hair, which was changed to a darker tone and black hair in the final. Her old design can still be seen in the Movie Star career ending FMV and the in-game poster of her.
The Worst Week in the Life of a Sim#
Thursday
- The Skill Level gauge now matches the final 3D design.
- The layout of Toane's Gym now matches the final, except for the television.
Friday
- The thumbnail for custom-made Sims were not properly implemented as told by the magenta background in the Interaction Queue.
Unsorted Screenshots#
IGN#
Official Website#
- The Simloeon Insignia on the pool was smaller.
Resources#
- TheSimZone Prerelease
- https://www.thesimszone.co.uk/news/archive.php?Month=5&Year=2003
- https://www.thesimszone.co.uk/news/archive.php?Month=6&Year=2003
- https://www.thesimszone.co.uk/news/archive.php?Month=7&Year=2003
- https://www.thesimszone.co.uk/news/archive.php?Month=8&Year=2003
- https://www.thesimszone.co.uk/news/archive.php?Month=9&Year=2003
- https://www.thesimszone.co.uk/news/archive.php?Month=10&Year=2003
- https://www.thesimszone.co.uk/news/archive.php?Month=11&Year=2003
- https://www.thesimszone.co.uk/news/archive.php?Month=12&Year=2003
- Designer Diaries
- Unsorted
- Press Release (archived)
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