EA have confirmed this afternoon that The 3 will be released in 2009.

We're promised lashings of customisation options, and a seamless neighbourhood to explore with our Sims. A "Realistic Personality" System is mooted, allowing you to assign your virtual charges believable traits.

700 million possibilities will be presented by combinations of character traits, making for more realistic characters.

"In 3, Sims can go beyond the boundaries of their home lot, and immerse themselves in an open, living neighbourhood, interacting with other Sims using our new deeper personality system," beams studio boss Rod Humble.

"It is this type of open-ended gameplay that inspires endless creative possibilities. In addition the new goals and rewards systems will give players of all kinds from core gamers to storytellers the ability to enjoy long-term gameplay."

More on The Sims 3 soon.

By Luke Guttridge