The Urbz is subtitled “Sims in the City”, but to describe the game as a new versions of The Sims would be a mistake. The Urbz will share similarities with their suburban cousins to be sure, but there are some big differences in gameplay. The Urbz is all about being cool and who you know – it’s like you’re a Sim with an overpowered “reputation” motive, or rep. You’ll have to meet the right people, learn the right moves, and find the best threads to gain a reputation as one of the coolest people in the city.

Urbz interact on the streets of the city.

The city is divided into nine districts, each with its own style and culture. These cultures include hip-hop, gangsta, and punk, and each one has its own ideas about what is cool. When you enter a new district you’ll be starting from scratch without a reputation, so you’ll want to begin talking to the people on the streets to find out who the players are. Strike up a conversation with them and they’ll hook you up by providing you with information on other people that you should speak with or about places where you can earn a little money.

In the E3 demo an Urbz new to town found out about a restaurant that needed a sushi chef. Our heroine was hired and put to work right away making sushi. Jobs in The Urbz will be mini-games and your performance in the game will dictate the amount that you get paid. A job well done will also work wonders for your rep and in the demo our Urbz’s boss was so impressed that she taught her a new interaction. Interactions are important in The Urbz because the coolest people will have to have the coolest moves. Interactions will include dance moves, funky handshakes, wild kisses, and more, and the interactions will vary by culture. Our Urbz next took the money earned from her job to the local clothing store to give herself a fashion makeover. The Urbz will come with plenty of funky fashions that you can mix and match to create a look worthy of your coolness. You’ll also be able to play with your Urbz’s hairstyle and accessories to complete your unique look.

From the early look at the game given at E3, The Urbz looks like it can best be described as a funky version of The Sims where being cool is far more important than advancing along a career track and making regular bathroom stops. We’ll bring you further previews of The Urbz and take some closer looks at the game in the coming months.