- guardian.co.uk, Friday October 3 2008 13.46 BST
What's your favourite piece of technology?
Probably the smartphone. Right now, I have a BlackBerry Curve. I've also had a Treo, and I liked that quite a bit. But I'm not one of those people who felt that they had to run out and get an iPhone as soon as it was released ... no offence to those people who had to run out and get an iPhone.
How has it improved your life?
I'm not sure it's improved my life because it's a kind of a leech – it's always with you, so you feel compelled to check in, but at the same time it relieves the stress of not knowing what's going on. Business happens 24 hour a day, so the ability to reach in your pocket and get an update is a pretty phenomenal piece of technology. Ultimately I think it's a stress reducer, at least for me.
When was the last time you used it, and what for?
I actually used it right before I called you, because I've been in press interviews all day long and I'm halfway across the world [in London], and I checked in [at the EA office in San Francisco] to see if there were any fires to put out.
What additional features would you add if you could?
I have to be completely selfish and say I'm waiting for the day when the graphics capabilities are such that we can play some awesome games on these devices. But gaming has become so mainstream that I think everyone can appreciate that. I think it's one of the reasons Nintendo's DS has been so successful.
Do you think it will be obsolete in 10 years' time?
Certainly this model will – it may be obsolete next month – but I don't think the idea of smartphones will go away. It's just going to become a technology that you expect to have. We won't really imagine life without them.
What one tip would you give to non-smartphone users?
If you're dragging a laptop around with you anywhere, with any frequency, then get yourself a smartphone.
Do you consider yourself to be a luddite or a nerd?
Do I have to answer that question? I'm a fully-fledged geek.
What's the most expensive piece of technology you've ever owned?
I'd have to say my hybrid Camry, in terms of new technology rolled up into a vehicle. I have a long commute, and the [fuel] savings have been phenomenal.
Mac or PC?
PC. I've been playing PC games for a long, long time and that's what it really boils down to – there's just better games on the PC.
What song is at the top of your iPod's top 25 most played?
My 12-year-old daughter, who rides in my car quite often, loves a song from the Little Mermaid musical soundtrack, called She's In Love – and she plays it over, and over, and over, and over …
Will robots rule the world?
I think robots will run the world, I don't think they will ever rule the world. I don't think they will reach a point of self-determination.
What piece of technology would you most like to own?
Having now owned a hybrid car, I'm really considering getting an electric car. There's a few people at EA who've had them for many years, and are huge appreciators of the electric car movement.
Tim LeTourneau is the executive producer of TheSims 2 and MySims
MySims Kingdom will be released in the UK on October 31
