The Maxis-created lifestyle simulator series The Sims has sold over 100 million units since its debut in 2000, publisher Electronic Arts claimed today.

That figure encompasses the whole of The Sims franchise, including The Sims (PC), The Sims 2 (PC), and countless expansion packs along with console and mobile phone versions. The next entry in the series, The Sims 3 on PC, is due out in 2009.

According to the company, 100 million boxes of The Sims were lined up end-to-end would stretch from New York City to Moscow.

Following this morning's announcement and initial set of screens, Electronic Arts has released more screenshots and character renders from its much-anticipated lifestyle simulator The Sims 3. Developed by EA Redwood Shores and featuring a seamless open neighborhood, The Sims 3 is slated for a worldwide PC release at some point in 2009.

The third entry in Electronic Arts' lifestyle simulation series The Sims will be released on PC worldwide in 2009, the company, as promised, revealed today.

Running on a new engine that is said to have been in development for almost three years, the sequel is being developed at EA Redwood Shores. A set of nine screenshots accompanied the announcement.

Described as a "next-generation flagship PC game," The Sims 3 features a new seamless open neighborhood along with expanded options and a more realistic aesthetic for both character and home customization. Characters can now be assigned up to five personality traits, which EA claims allows allows over 700 million possible personality combinations.

"The new engine and technologies in The Sims 3 are designed to unleash the player's imagination with realistic looking Sims who have distinct personalities... Read more

More information on EA's highly anticipated lifestyle simulator The Sims 3 is due on March 19, according to a recently launched teaser site.

EA has been rather tight-lipped about the latest title in one of its most successful brands. Two years ago, the company noted its hopes to release the game within its 2009 fiscal year, which runs from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009, though recent EA presentations have not mentioned the project.

The live-action The Sims movie has likewise been on media blackout since its initial unveiling, leaving series aficionados to ponder how the the franchise's predilection towards adventure, experimentation, and gibberish speak will translate to the big screen.