I got the new issue of GFW previewing Sims 3 info and whatnot.
Here's some things to note from it.
1. The focus is more on a WHOLE COMMUNITY than say one household.
Example:
--You can ruin your Sims' working career if you go out Downtown and say run into your boss, but embarrass yourself in public
2. ALL Sims in an entire community ALL age at the same time
3. Attribute bars been chopped down from EIGHT to now THREE.
4. Expect "less grinding"
Note: So, there will be less cleaning-up after yourself, less bathroom usage, less sleeping, etc etc.
5. Personality sliders are replaced w/ around 80 "traits" to choose from to give your character their own "personality."
Note: "Traits" are a lot like "perks" from the "SPECIAL" system in Fallout or what is used in the GURPS system.
6. Your starting area is Pleasant Valley, a huge ever-changing town.
Some locations here -- a park, science lab, bookstore, bistro, clothing stores, etc etc.
7. A little more control at work, even though you really don't do the work portion of the game.
New options: you can make your character leave early, work late/do overtime, etc etc.
8. More options w/ social chatter w/ Sims.
Meaning -- you have two different menus, so you can pursue a Sim for "just friendship" or for "more than friendship." (unlike Sims 2, where the more you talk, you can only open up "flirty dialogue.")
9. More depth to the "painting feature" (that was in Sims 2).