Playboy: The Mansion

Warning: This preview may not be suitable for children, or even their grandma. Middle-age parental guidance is strongly recommended.

Developed by Cyberlore and published by Ubisoft, Playboy: The Mansion is based on the day to day life of Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy magazine. The game plays out in a similar fashion to the EA game The Sims - but with more 'bounce' in the women - this game will most definitely not be for the kids. In Playboy gamers will take control of the porn legend himself and do all the things he gets to do in real life; such as throw parties and sleep with beautiful women.

Playboy features celebrity guests such as, Carmen Electra and Tom Arnold on its gameplay roster. Each celebrity character comes with their own characteristics and will act just like the real life celebrity being emulated. In addition to their physical likeness, every celebrity possesses a set of moods and drives that steer their motivations and reactions in specific social situations. Even their own zodiac signs affect the celebrity guests.

The gameplay revolves around designing and building your Playboy Mansion. Throwing parties and getting big deals with celebrities and 'perving' at the playboy bunnies that will occasionally make advances on each other (as seen in some the screen shots at the bottom of the page). Geeks of the world, this could very well be the game you have been waiting for.

The soundtrack on offer features emerging artists such as All-American Rejects; The Rosenbergs; DJ Excess; Imperial Assassins, featuring Judge D; Jimmy Bruno; Jimmy Grand; Joey DeFrancesco; Like Minds; Matthew Skutnik; Michael Tello; Out, Out; People Under The Stairs; Poncho Sanchez; Prince Charming; Ray Roc; Reflekt, featuring Deline Bass; Silvertide; Simply Jeff; Sweatshop Union; The Moontrane Conductors; Toadstyle; Tony C And The Truth; Tricia Muldrow; and Young Rome and more. All of whom will also be available on the soundtrack which will be released after the game.

As you can see the game has some high production values, which is all the better for giving an authentic Playboy experience. The biggest aspect of the game that will appeal to most gamers the most is also the most obvious one; taking on the role of Hugh and hanging out with polygonal look-a-likes of the girls and celebrities he hangs out with on a day-to-day basis. Throwing parties and the over the top view means you can peek into rooms and see who is getting down and - I will end this sentence here.

"I am very excited about my cameo in this game," said internationally known actress, model, TV host and Playboy favorite Carmen Electra. "I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Hef and the incredible lifestyle he lives, and to have a virtual avatar representing me in 'Playboy: The Mansion' is very exciting. I look forward to seeing myself at many of the incredible parties that gamers will throw in their virtual Playboy Mansions on the PlayStation2, Xbox and PC."

Features:

• Campaign Mode: A dozen missions that chronicle Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Mansion's rise to international fame.
  
• Construct the Mansion: The Playboy lifestyle begins at home. Will your home be a stately manor built for entertaining or a gadget lover's paradise? As your fame and wealth increase, you'll be able to add tennis courts, game houses, aviaries, even the world-famous Grotto to your estate. Just make sure to build enough bedrooms for your girlfriends.
  
• Live the Playboy Lifestyle: What use is a stylish pad if you can't share it with hundreds of celebrity friends? Spend the afternoon poolside with a bevy of beautiful women, and then change into your finest pajamas for an evening of decadent dancing with chart toppers, industry moguls, and all-star athletes. Will you watch a movie in the Theater Room or the Playmates on the trampoline? Life can be so cruel.
  
• Build Your Empire: Fame and fortune don't come easy. Manage a crack editorial staff, hustle celebrity interviews, and mold the magazine in response to a fickle market. Are readers suddenly interested in sports? Maybe it's time to host a tennis tournament! And remember, people don't just read Playboy for the articles. Each month you'll invite women to stay at the Mansion, manage their Playmate training, and oversee their sexy photo-shoots.
  
• Hundreds of "Celebrities": Including actors, athletes, authors, comedians, fashion designers, models, and musicians.
  
• Empire Mode: Select your own goals (fame, circulation, guests, etc.) and then work over a series of months or years to achieve them.
  
• Campaign Mode: A dozen campaigns that chronicle Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Mansion's rise to international fame.
  
• The Playboy Philosophy: You're rewarded for living the good life, having a positive sexual attitude, and promoting tolerance and individual freedom

Playboy The Mansion is expected on PC, PS2 and Xbox in early March.
For more information on Playboy: The Mansion, check out the official website at www.playboythemansion.com and keep it locked on NZGamer.com for a full review.

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