EA Sets up Shop with The Sims 2 Store

Rather than launching yet another expansion pack, EA has combined all its virtual items into an online store where gamers can purchase them individually.

With games like Everquest, World of Warcraft and Second Life having already convinced gamers that spending real money on virtual items is a perfectly sane proposition, Electronic Arts cashed in on the concept with the launch of The Sims 2 Store on Monday. The store will allow players to buy everything from desks and bookshelves to TVs and clock radios for their in-game characters.

The store’s initial offerings includes more than 1,000 items in categories like fashions, furnishings, décor, entertainment, home office items, and more. While much of the content has been recycled from previous Sims expansion packs, 100 of the items are exclusive to the online store.

As with other virtual retailers, gamers exchange real currency for EA’s SimPoints, with an exchange rate of $1.00 USD to 100 SimPoints. They can pay by credit card in chunks of $5, $10 or $20. Items generally range from 50 to 100 points apiece.