Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts (NASD: ERTS) on Wednesday announced that its "The Sims" franchise has now sold 100 million units worldwide. EA pointed out that that figure would include one out of seven homes in Europe, and one out of three homes in America. The first iteration of The Sims was launched in 2000, and went on to become the best-selling PC game franchise of all time.

London - The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced that Will Wright, creator of "SimCity" and "The Sims," will be the first game industry recipient of a BAFTA Fellowship, the academy's highest honor. Wright will be honored at The British Academy Video Games Awards, to be held on Oct. 23.

Redwood City, Calif. - Video game developer and publisher Electronic Arts announced a restructuring of the company that will divide its business into four unique studios and publishing teams, with its stated goal to "streamline decision-making, improve global focus, and speed new ideas to market."

Los Angeles - Variety reports that 20th Century Fox has acquired the motion picture rights to game publisher Electronic Arts' "The Sims," and plans to produce a live-action movie headed by John Davis ("Eragon," "When A Stranger Calls").

Redwood City, Calif. - Electronic Arts on Tuesday announced the release of "Def Jam: Icon" for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. A collaboration with hip-hop record label Def Jam, the game features the likenesses of and tracks from artists including Big Boi, Lil Jon, Ludacris and T.I. Separately, EA launched an online music competition wherein consumers can record and upload their own "Simlish" version of Lily Allen's "Smile," sung in the Simlish language featured in its "The Sims" game franchise. The winner will receive the chance to record a song in Simlish for possible inclusion in a future Sims video game.