EA announces that The Sims 4 is now available, offering the latest installment in the lifestyle simulation series. A day one patch for the game is also now available, addressing a few bugs and crashes, a couple of which are classified as "severe." Here's news on the release:

It’s time to create and control a new generation of Sims. Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) announced that The Sims™ 4 is now available on PC in North America. The Sims 4 gives players the power to create Sims filled with personality and discover a new way to play with life, where every decision opens up an ever-evolving world of meaningful possibilities.

“Every Sim is unique in The Sims 4, your own individual creations that come to life with big personalities and endless possibilities,” said Rachel Franklin, Executive Producer for The Sims 4. “Who they are on the inside changes the way you play. Your Sims embody the traits and aspirations you give them in The Sims 4, and playing out their charming, hilarious and crazy stories has never been more fun.”

In The Sims 4, the Sims are smarter, more relatable and emotionally aware. Every action is affected by who they are, what they’re thinking, and how they’re feeling. Players control the mind, body, and now the emotions of these new Sims, which brings their stories to life with richness and texture that has never before been possible in the franchise.

One of the fundamental tenets of The Sims experience is the ability for players to express their personal creativity – in both the Sims they create and the homes that they build for them. Create A Sim and Build Mode have been completely rebuilt to be more powerful and tactile than ever, featuring direct manipulation and drag and drop functionality. Additionally, players can now share their creations with other players directly in the game. In the all-new Gallery players can upload or download Sims, houses and individual rooms, making it easier than ever for players to populate their world.

New Sims with unique personalities and rich emotions, combined with powerful creative tools and the ability to share via the in-game Gallery, come together to provide an exciting new gameplay experience, empowering a whole new era for The Sims.