Electronic Arts, publisher of The Sims franchise, is developing a new line of Sim games titled The Sims Stores, that are aimed at the laptop toting, MySpace generation.

The Sims is EA’s number one franchise. EA has sold more the 70 million Sim’s titles worldwide since 2000. The Sim’s games are notable because half the players are female. Most video games are played by males.

EA has designed The Sim Life Stories to be less technologically demanding than other video games. The games do not require expensive video cards that are a barrier to play with other titles. This is a bonus to laptop users as most laptops do not have top of the line video cards necessary for may graphics intensive games.

The trend towards less technology is in parallel to the development of the Wii gaming system. Nintendo’s goal was to take gaming outside the traditional under-34 mostly male group.

The game is also meant to run inside and window and can be played for many hours or just a few minutes. EA believes this will allow the multi-tasking MySpace set to play the game while chatting on instant messenger, checking email, surfing web sites and watching video.

The Sims Life Stories appears to be in the romantic comedy genre. This is another nod towards female players. The players will have 12 chapters of storyline combined with the traditional free play of the other Sim titles.

EA will follow the first title with two sequels. The first, due out in this summer, is called Sims Pet Stories. Sims Castaway Stories is scheduled for Winter of 2008.

The Sims Life Stories will be rated T for teen. It will be released in February of 2007.

The official The Sims Stories page.