Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq: ERTS), the world's largest video game publisher, announced today that it is adding a new title to its popular Sims series, which is more story-focused than previous releases.

The Redwood City, Calif.-based company has sold nearly 80 million copies of the Sims worldwide, since it debuted in 2000, with traditionally open-ended games - allowing gamers to explore a virtual world. The new Sims Life Stories, released on Friday, will be more story-driven than its predecessors, however, following the life of two virtual characters.

EA has introduced a new Story Mode following the lives of male and female characters through twelve chapters of their lives. Players can take the characters through storylines filled with romance, intrigue and dramatic twists.

The game has an ESRB rating of T for teen and is available for $40.

California Software