Setup in The Sims Online is as easy as pie. During installation a prompt will appear to create an EA.com account. To lessen the hassle AOL or AIM members can simply plug in their screen name and password. A credit card is required to complete registration, with a monthly charge of $9.99/month.

When you’re all setup you have the option to create up to three Sims. There are over 100 body and head styles to choose from, so you’ll have no problem creating a wild online alter-ego, or a more practical representation of yourself. When your Sim is ready you’ll have to choose a city to live in. There’s a list of cities each with a number of communities settled in. After you’ve settled you can choose to browse houses that are already in place, or buy property of your own.

The biggest living advantage to the Sims Online is rooming up with someone else rather than having to buy your own property. By becoming a roommate you can share expenses, host events easily, and attract more visitors to your property. Each time a visitor lands on your property you get a little extra cash to spend.

If you’re a property owner you can set up your own virtual business. From the build tools you can run a casino, open a thrift shop, be an architect, run a dating service, a public bath, a muscle beach, or an alien outpost to attract even more visitors.

It’s easy to navigate in the Sims Online. The toolbar is similar to that found in The Sims but adds more communication tools. You can bookmark a Sim ala a buddy list or check Inbox messages with one click. If you want to talk to a Sim just start typing and a quote bubble with your text pops overhead.

Playing the Sims Online invokes a different sense of interaction between the player and the game. In the Sims you can grab and kiss neighbors, have your roommates fight or make out, all without a second thought. In the Sims Online you feel obliged to act like politely since everyone online is real, accompanied with a virtual body and face. It doesn’t mean you can’t act outrageous, it’s just that now everyone is watching, whether you like it or not. You can also be reported to EA by other members if they don’t like your conduct.

The Sims Online can be as mundane as real life. After visiting properties and being greeted by others, other Sims were off doing their own thing – building, playing, etc. To liven things up I stepped into a cage and started dancing – not too much of a response from anyone else. After that I ate some food and left. Everything is in the hands of the player, so life (your game experience) is what you make of it.

The Sims Online isn’t for everyone. There are many options to sift through before knowing exactly what’s best for you. It would have been easier to get started if players were transported to a lobby where all members could mingle, then look for a place to live, build a business together, etc. Maxis has created a compelling way for Sim fans to interact and live together, but you’ll have to invest virtual sweat and tears to make it a worthwhile experience.