Speaking to The Times, big cheese Nancy Smith has said that The could be set for a future, the publisher aware that the social dimension is key to games like The Sims.

"The Sims may soon become a multiplayer game," Smith told the newspaper, the article drawing parallels with the success of games like and Second Life.

Of course, has already failed in its MMO bid, but we're assuming from Smith's assertions that future releases will boast strong multiplayer elements and more community - possibly dabbling once again in persistent worlds.

We'll keep you posted on this.

By Luke Guttridge