EA executive producer rises to top rank at life-simulation arm of publishing giant; former EVP Nancy Smith transitions to "special projects" manager.
EA's Sims Label may only put out an all-new installment in its widely popular life-simulation franchise every five years, but it remains a perennial moneymaker for the publishing giant thanks to its focus on frequent add-on packs and expansions. Today, EA announced that its cash cow has a new cattle rustler.
Formerly under the guidance of Nancy Smith, EA said today that Rod Humble will take over the label as executive vice president and head. EA noted that Smith will remain onboard as a manager of "special projects" related to Sims, up until she transitions into a new executive role at the publishing house.
"Like Nancy Smith before him, Rod Humble has demonstrated strong leadership in defining EA's The Sims brand as a stand-alone product label," commented EA CEO John Riccitiello. "Rod has great creative instincts, uncompromising quality standards, a deep connection with the player community, and most of all, the respect of the team he works with."
Humble had previously served as executive producer on The Sims franchise since joining EA in 2004. Prior to that role, the gamemaker held a vice president of product development position at Sony Online Entertainment. There, he was credited on a number of titles in the EverQuest franchise, including Shadows of Luclin, Planes of Power, and EverQuest II.
Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.
---------------- greeni11 Posted Oct 8, 2008 6:04 pm ET BEWARE! Will EA infect Sims3 with SECUROM like it has its other recent titles? ------------------ Wondering about that myself. Thankfully I won't have to worry about that as I'm done with PC gaming and will just be focusing on console and handheld games from now on.
Totally awesome! I already pre-ordered The Sims 3. I hope Mr. Humble does a good job like Nancy Smith. I can't wait to get my hands on this game.
This is really great news! I've been a little concerned about Sims 3, but with Rod at the helm, I am much more confident that it will be a really awesome game. I think some people protest too much and those who have said some of the most awful things about Rod and the game are secretly playing Sims since 2000, living in their mothers basements and smoke waaaaay too much wacky tabacky. Rod, you look great. Keep up the good work, I got Sims 3 on pre-order!
Hey, us Cubans can't even speak our minds without getting into prison for a couple of years, or getting seriously injured by one of the officers. Before "communism" (under Fidel the circumstances look more like a dictatorship) there weren't as many freedoms as there are here in the U.S but there were a lot more. Anyways, back to the game. I really enjoy the Sims, sure it isn't something that a "hardcore" gamer would play but it is pretty enjoyable. I hope they could some how fix the problem with the loading screens and speed of it. Also the weird morphing of the face should really be taken care of... Apart from that, there isn't a lot of mistakes that I've noticed.
I'm glad. I like they way Rod Humble is handling the franchise. Hopefully with The Sims 3 they will keep hardcore gamers happy as he promised and hopefully Expansion Packs will add more gameplay than with The Sims 2 as I hope the engine will be much better created to support expansions. I'm much more pleased with The Sims franchise than with Spore.
You should tell that to the Cubans who are desperately trying to escape to your country. I really don't see the point to all this bashing of The Sims and insulting of the people who play it and Mr. Humble. Does it make you feel better, cuz he's probably making more money than you so I doubt he's sad about his promotion as some here suggest. And just because people enjoy games you don't doesn't make them losers who hate their lives. :roll: The Sims is a casual game. Yes, it IS a game, whether you like it or not.
"I hope he can get ppl there to FIX PROBLEMS WITH THE GAME." Damn right. Once there are more than about 5 characters on screen in The Sims 2 it scrolls at snails pace, even on a relatively high spec machine. I think that needs addressing...
Jazilla. I have to say I partly agree. First: Sims DO work in practice. It works perfectly. Second: Communism (arguably) works in Cuba.
Sims and Spore are these great ideas like communism. They work in theory, but are really shallow when you put them into practice.
I lost all respect for the guy when he shoehorned himself into one of the games as an NPC who promotes The Sims 3. What a cheap trick.
wow going from games that actually have a point to them to a game where you have a virtual pet, only its a HUMAN. I would cry too if i had to do something like that. Sims isnt gaming, its a fricken gigapet for people who hate their lives.
Aww, he looks like he's about to cry in his picture. I'd cry, too, if I had to look over the Sims.
If there is any room for testers for the Sims 3 I sure would love to be a part of it. I am disabled but mind intact with a kick ass machine and was chosen to beta test the Sims on line. If you need someone at your disposal I am your guy
I don't think the guy looks anything like Mark Knopfler at all. As far as Obama and Ayers, Ayers has donated to Obama's campaign and Obama was given his first start in politics right in Ayers living room. Ayers and Obama also worked on some of the same projects together.
He looks a bit like Mark Knopfler...lolz as if it means anything. He is getting an easy job; Sims games and expansions should sell great anyway...unless they make some terrible mistakes. My two cents for EA and Sims 3: don't fix something which is not broken.
How the heck did this turn into a political debate. But anywho I think drumbreak1 is just picking up on what the media say that Obama runs in the same circles and is supposedly "friends" with the leftwing terrorist Ayers. I dont know if its true but hey who can you believe in this world when all politicians do is lie to people just to get votes. But hey awesome news for the sims.
drumbreak1...Obama isn't a terrorist thats just what racists use as an excuse to not vote for him. Anyway nice news for the sims.
drumbreak1 "you're a complete fool in the first place for wanting a damn terrorist in office" coming from an unbiased perspective. Calling Obama a terrorist is the most ignorant thing i have seen in a long time, especially because some American voters are believing it. Have any other candidates running for presidency been accused of being a terrorist before. NO. And that's because they're all white.
this guy is really good. i've listened to him talk on various podcast and he is an obvious choice the the progression of the franchise. i was hoping that geff green would be the one though...
"that dude looks like he fell off the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. jk this game is gonna be fun Vote For Obama" wtf is with the last 3 words? The majority of people that like obama havn't a clue what he stands for and those are the ones that usually blatantly scream it to the public maybe you're the exception, but man if you're telling people on a video game forum reading about the sims to vote for obama: A) This is a GAME site, and we're not in OT B) You're desperate trying to pressure others in to voting for obama C)you're a complete fool in the first place for wanting a damn terrorist in office.
I hope he can get ppl there to FIX PROBLEMS WITH THE GAME. Its a great game, but its impossible to stop a Sim from fixing a bed and that "Watch Out!" thing with the cars is slow.
ColdfireTrilogy: AGREED WITH A HUGE LAUGH! But hey; if he help crank out a good game, why not?
I wouldn't want this guy around my kids 0_o .... and he looks sad as well :( lol oh well i dont think this changes the game at all !
He looks kind of sad in that picture. If I were him, I'd be pretty happy to have a job like that.
that dude looks like he fell off the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. jk this game is gonna be fun Vote For Obama
Microsoft confirms that it won't charge any fees for any titles eligible for resale. Full Story
Playing Xbox One games on somebody else's console will also require a check-in every hour. Full Story
Sony confirms a $399/€399/£349 price for the PlayStation 4 hardware, $100 cheaper than Microsoft's Xbox One. Full Story
Will be coming in 2014. Full Story
Pan's Labyrinth director praises Ken Levine and Irrational Games for latest BioShock, says he would consider large-scale Pacific Rim game "God willing." Full Story
Xbox boss Don Mattrick believes concerns over connectivity are overblown, recommends Xbox 360 for those without an Internet connection. Full Story
EA Labels boss Frank Gibeau describes new project as "open-world action adventure game." Full Story
Sony on why it won't hinder PS4 used games--flexibility creates value
PlayStation boss Jack Tretton says ability to freely resell games creates value in the initial purchase; PS4 won't require online check-in because many...
