The Sims 2: Open for Business Expansion Pack (PC CD)

The lowdown:
The idea of a Sims business tycoon game may seem odd, but this is a surprisingly fun and accessible expansion. Although you can stay at home and create items to sell, most businesses are run from a new shopping centre area, which you can also visit separately. To run a shop you buy objects as normal, and then display and price them individually, or in bulk for your store. Running a restaurant or other service is more a case of creating the right mood with furniture and staff. You can hire and fire employees as you want, but it’s worth being as hands-on as you can because you gain a wide range of new skills from the work you do.

Most satisfying moment:
Starting with a lemonade stand and building up your business empire until you can afford to buy any plot of land in town.

Since you ask:
As well as all the business tycoon elements the game also features 125 new items, including display cases, workbenches, cash registers and more.

The bottom line:
Another surprisingly generous and innovative expansion pack.
Harrison Dent

Requires The Sims: 2, The Sims 2: Special DVD Edition to play

Now your Sims can create their own businesses. They can design their own clothing boutique, beauty salon, florist, high-end electronics shop, bustling restaurant chain, or virtually any other type of business. Hire your staff as the business grows and put talented Sims to work making toys, running the register, crafting floral bouquets, giving sales pitches, or manufacturing robots. But watch out for slacker employees and be prepared to fire them on the spot. From clever tinkerer to master craftsman, develop your Sim`s talents to best suit your business needs. Will they build a thriving business empire or become eccentric entrepreneurs designing the next big thing?

• Create Thriving Businesses: Open up shops selling just about anything from clothing, electronics, and toys to flowers, baked goods, robots and more. Customize any business to your choosing by tailoring the store theme, layout and prices. Hire employees with high sales skills and employ independent managers to run things while your Sim is away. Watch as your business grows from a mom and pop shop into a booming empire.
• Be The Boss: Train employees, promote the best, and fire the rest. Cater to different customers including browsers and loyal shoppers. Dress your Sims in outrageous mascot outfits that resemble Knights, Ninjas, Gorillas, and more. Promote your best employees, but beware of slacker workers and be prepared to lay them off without hesitation!
• Learn The Tricks Of The Trade: Customer is king. Develop your Sims` sales skills and determine if your employees should use a hard sell or drop the price to close the deal. Win the Best-of-the-Best Award to establish your Sim`s business rep. Will your Sim`s business make more money selling low quality products at basement rates or luxurious good