Maxis released a launch trailer and the system requirements for The Sims 4.

The Sims 4 will be hitting the shelves next Tuesday and its official launch trailer has already been released this past weekend. Are you ready to enter the next generation of Sims?

You can download the Create-a-Sim demo from the official site now and create some sims you can import when the game goes live next week.

Maxis has also released the system requirements and recommendations for the game.

Minimum Specs

• REQUIRED: Internet connection required for product activation.
• OS: Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista (SP2), Windows 7 (SP1), Windows 8, or Windows 8.1
• PROCESSOR: 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon 64 Dual-Core 4000+ or equivalent (For computers using built-in graphics chipsets, the game requires 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.0 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-62 or equivalent)
• MEMORY: At least 2 GB RAM
• HARD DRIVE: At least 9 GB of free space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games
• DVD-ROM: DVD ROM drive required for installation only
• VIDEO CARD: 128 MB of Video RAM and support for Pixel Shader 3.0. Supported Video Cards: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better, ATI Radeon X1300 or better, Intel GMA X4500 or better
• SOUND CARD: DirectX 9.0c Compatible
• DIRECTX: DirectX 9.0c compatible
• INPUT: Keyboard and Mouse

Recommended Specs

• REQUIRED: Internet connection required for product activation.
• OS: 64 Bit Windows 7,8, or 8.1
• PROCESSOR: Intel core i5 or faster or AMD Athlon X4
• MEMORY: 4GB RAM
• HARD DRIVE: At least 9 GB of free space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games
• DVD-ROM: DVD ROM drive required for installation only
• VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GTX 650 or better
• SOUND CARD: DirectX 9.0c Compatible
• DIRECTX: DirectX 9.0c compatible
• INPUT: Keyboard and Mouse

Maxis will be streaming The Sims 4 gameplay this week at Noon Pacific on Twitch; here's today's recording of "Let's Play The Sims: Build Mode"!

Pre-order options for The Sims 4, which will release on September 2, 2014, are:

• PC Download - Limited Edition for $60: Includes "Life of the Party" digital content
• PC Download - Digital Deluxe Edition for $70: Origin exclusive version includes "Life of the Party" and "Up All Night" digital content, and The Sims 4 digital soundtrack
• Retail Box - Limited Edition for $60: Includes "Life of the Party" digital content
• Retail Box - Premium Edition for $80: Includes "Life of the Party", "Up All Night" and "Awesome Animal Hats" digital content, as well as The Sims 4 digital soundtrack. Also features the "Creator's Guide" hardcover book, which is a guide to becoming a master creator and includes Sims 4 artwork.

Ann "Cyliena" Hosler, Managing Editor