Sims 2: Go for the virtual burn!

Living by proxy will be even more enervating when Sims 2, Maxis's massively upgraded sequel to their cash spewing people fabricator, hits a (real) shop near you. The latest shots not only showcase yet more of the game's undeniably impressive modeling, but offer a tiring glimpse of what you can put your sims through in their hard earned free time - for their own good, naturally.

Martial arts classes are one way to achieve that on-screen buff, though jogging (or lounging on the hood of your prestige sim-mobile and checking out the lay-dees) are available for the less motivated amongst us.

There's still no confirmed release date for Sims 2, but we expect it to be available for PC this autumn