The Sims 3 is EA's fastest-seller yet

Electronic Arts says that 1.4 million copies of The Sims 3 were sold the first week, making it the best-selling PC game launch in the company's history.

The company also said that over 7 million user-designed items - such as home furnishings and clothing - were downloaded from the game's website.

The third instalment of the life-simulating game was released June 2 and features a new moviemaking tool and additional ways to customise the personalities of the game's virtual townsfolk.

EA announced last year that the original Sims passed the 100 million sales mark since its launch in 2000, making The Sims the world's best-selling computer game.