In every way, EA-Land, The Sims Online to us old-timers, has filled a void in all of us over the years. We've developed many relationships that have stood the test of time, and built memories that will last a lifetime. In this dark time of facing the sunset of this magnificant world, we wanted to bring a celebration to what has kept us going all these years... the players' creativity. From the secret bugs that everyone knows and loves to play with, to finding magnificent ways to use the content within the game to create some amazing games to play, you the player have kept this world of ours full of fresh ideas and a uniqueness all its own. And now, it's time to share that with us!

For a period of one month, our very own Community Manager, Parizad, will be touring EA-Land and visiting properties at scheduled times. Each property will receive 30 minutes to show Parizad the time of her life, and build another great memory that we will cherish forever. During this time, Parizad will be taking notes and ranking everyone's property on just how much fun she had there. At the end of the month, we will have an awards ceremony in EA-Land to present prizes to her favorite picks.

So just what can you do? Well, you can host a costume party! Perhaps you could build a maze, throw a Farm Festival and have cat herding! The possibilities are limitless, be creative. It is your time to share what you've learned over the years, and show just how much you love the world we have lived in for so long. A time to throw a last party where your guest of honor will join in the celebration, and mourning, of our last days in EA-Land.

Well, now that you are curious (I hope!), let's talk about how to enter, what to do, and the prizes!

To enter:

1. Send an email to me at molsen@zam.com with "EA-Land Contest" in the subject line.
2. In the body of the email, include the following:

• Your Sim name
• Your Property name (only owners can enter the contest, but all roommates can participate!)
• Your choice for the day of the week:
  
  
  1. Monday
  2. Wednesday
  3. Friday
     
• Your choice of time of day (all times are in Pacific Standard Time):
  
  
  1. 3:00pm
  2. 3:30pm
  3. 4:00pm
  4. 4:30pm
     
• Please include 3 choices, in order of preference. The contest will begin on Monday, May 26, 2008, and will go through Friday, June 20, 2008. As slots fill up, we will do our best to accommodate your selections. All entries will be given the first available slot on their chosen days/times, and in the case of no options available for selections, entrants will be contacted to schedule alternative days/times.

Upon receiving your email and being scheduled for your party, you will receive a confirmation email with the date and time Parizad will arrive for your party. Should a conflict arise that requires you to be unable to participate or require rescheduling, please contact me at your earliest convenience.

Entries will be taken beginning Monday, May 19, 2008 at 8:00am PDT, and closing at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 23, 2008. Any entries received before or after the appointed entry times will not be accepted.

You are allowed to invite guests to enjoy your celebration; however, please make sure that there is room for Parizad and at least one other to enter the property. She may bring a friend along to join in the fun!

I'm sure you're anxious to know just what you might win should Parizad choose your party as the one she has the most fun at, so I'll get to those details now!

Prizes will be grab bags of items. However, the top 3 property owners will receive a package in the mail from Parizad personally with some cool The Sims Online nostalgia! No, I won't tell you what will be in there. Just know that these are items that will no longer be available with the closing of EA-Land, so you'll enjoy having some history!*

Also, each member of the winning properties will receive in-game grab bag items, which will go not only to the property owner, but also to each roommate in attendance at the parties! Yes, that's right; winners will receive some very cool stuff from Parizad in-game as well! No, I won't tell you what to expect there, either! What's the fun in telling you that?!? I can assure you, though, you will not be disappointed!

So don't delay, take a look at your calendars, and send in your entry today!

Maggie "AutumnKiss" Olsen
Senior Editor, ZAM Network