"The Sims" coming to Facebook

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - It may not be long before you read that someone's Facebook status may be: "In a simulated relationship."

And, really, it won't be that "complicated" - because Electronic Arts is bringing "The Sims" to Facebook.

EA Games didn't give a timetable for launching the game - but says the idea of bringing the role-playing game to the world's most popular social networking site has been in the works for more than a year.

The move is designed to take advantage of the popularity of online games like Zynga's "FarmVille."

Electronic Arts made the announcement in Los Angeles, as reporters were gathered for E3.

The company says it expects most of the growth in the global gaming industry next year to come over digitally delivered games. EA says about $2 billion a year is now spent on so-called social games like "FarmVille."