The Sims franchise just keeps on expanding. EA announced the latest addition to the popular franchise: The Sims 3 Pets. On the PC and Mac, Pets will be an expansion pack, but on Xbox 360, PS3 and Nintendo 3DS, it will be an entirely standalone game.

"For the first time ever, players will be able to play as their pets and see life through their eyes," Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio, said. Yes, the Sims franchise is no longer contempt with simulating human beings.

Pets will let you create and control "over a hundred different kinds of cats and dogs." And in a risque direction for the franchise, you'll be able to share pets and breed with friends.

The Xbox 360 and 3DS versions add platform-specific features. The 3DS version takes advantage of the system's built-in pedometer so that players can convert their steps into Karma Points. StreetPass will allow players to gift pets to other 3DS owners automatically within range. The Xbox 360 version adds Kinect support, so that players can "take control of their pets and Sims by voice commands, like telling their Sim to be romantic or feeding their dog." We're not exactly sure what the voice command for "be romantic" is, though.

If you want to find out, you'll be able to this Fall.