The latest entry in EA and Maxis’ life simulation series, The Sims 4, has released a new update which allows players to customise their character’s pronouns.
This new feature is available only in the English version of the game for the time being, with the developers saying that they will soon release it for other language editions as well, making improvements over time.
EA and Maxis pointed out that this new option is “one step in the direction of a more inclusive experience for Simmers.”
Based on a screenshot of the game that was released to the public, players will be able to enter the pronoun of their own choice in five different text boxes, including “subjective”, “objective”, “possessive dependent”, “possessive independent” and “reflexive”. This will give The Sims 4 players the opportunity to use different pronouns for their characters depending on the situation that they’re in.
In order to better represent and understand the needs of the different communities, EA and Maxis worked with GLAAD and the It Gets better foundation. This gave them the chance to realise which parts of the game required the use of pronouns.
The Sims 4 is the latest in a series of games that allows players to create their own characters and take them on a journey through everyday life. Even though the game was released eight years ago, the developers have continued to support it via a series of updates, keeping players engaged and coming back for more.
In fact, according to recent data, The Sims 4 was the third most-played game by US-based gamers for the first three months of 2022.
And now, with this new addition, it is more than likely to attract a whole new audience of players who will feel that there’s a game out there that takes them into consideration.
Contrary to this move, which clearly demonstrates their support of LGBTQI+ communities, game publisher EA has openly refused to take a stance on the hot-button topic of women’s abortions.
During a recent meeting, several of the company’s employees asked if there would be a public statement regarding the issue, with executives pointing out that wouldn’t be the case. They justified their decision by saying that “being an inclusive company means being inclusive of all those points of view.”
“These things are hard and they’re personal and we all have our own perspectives and sometimes we won’t speak, and that will be upsetting and I understand that, we really do,” EA executives were also quoted saying towards the rest of the company.
This news comes right off the heels of Sony’s recent refusal to discuss women’s abortion rights, with company CEO Jim Ryan sending a private memo towards all company employees in which he called them to “respect differences of opinion”.
