The characters in The Sims 3 have many of the same responsibilities, joys, and sorrows that individuals in the real world experience. They need to go to school, work, and develop social lives. Players will need to build their Sims family a home based on how much money is in their bank accounts. Once the home is built, players can furnish it however they see fit.

While The Sims 3 is a single player game, players can share their creations with other players around the world. Exchange home furnishings, clothes, and other unique creations with Sims fans across the globe. Download items that other players have designed, and incorporate them into the lives of your Sims family. Players can also purchase new items from stores if they can part with the cash.

Players can unlock powers that will make their characters' dreams come true instantly, or they can dash their hopes forever. Make your characters fall in love, or instantly improve their appearance. Change a rude character into an easy-going one. Players have complete control over the lives of their characters; however, there are challenges that players will have to meet in order to give their Sims the kind of life they desire.

Players will engage in everyday life activities in The Sims 3. From mundane activities such as switching the television channel to planting flowers in the garden, your characters will have plenty to do. They also need to eat, go to the restroom, and perform real-world daily functions. Players can change between characters at any time, and let the remaining characters take care of themselves.

Players can dispatch their characters to different areas within the neighborhood. For example, send one member of the Sims family to work, another to school, and another Sim to the store. Choose their social activities, their friends, and watch them interact within their own neighborhoods.