The Sims 2: Pets

[Ronin Storm]

For those of you not watching that area of gaming media, just seen this announced:

The Sims 2: Pets (link to Gamespot)

Some highlights:

cats and dogs can be created from scratch in both the PC and console versions of The Sims 2: Pets. You'll be able to choose breeds and tweak and deform facial features, fur colors, and fur patterns; you'll even be able to layer different fur patterns onto your pets

Once they're created, your pets can be added to your household in the same way you add normal family members, and they can interact with family members using a variety of new social options, which include petting, scolding, and performing tricks.

You won't be able to create an underground dog-fighting ring in The Sims 2: Pets, but you can definitely train your pets to be complete jerks that destroy your neighbors' valuable furnishings.

The Sims 2: Pets will offer honest-to-goodness career paths for your cats and dogs, such as a guard-dog career or a future in showbiz.

Allegedly for release later in 2006.