The Simsfranchise has existed for over two decades, a feat that has been accomplished a few times within the video games industry’s history. WhileThe Sims 4is almost a decade old, there is still an influx of new content for the latest base game, including the upcomingSims 4 Growing Togetherexpansion pack. This expansion pack will be released as companion DLC to a significantSims 4update - the addition of a new infant life stage.Although fans are sure to be ecstatic about how infants can provide expansive possibilities for family gameplay,The Simsfranchise has again left out disability representation in the game.
While a recentSims 4update has added hearing aids, binders, and other much-needed elements to promote diverse and inclusive gameplay, it’s a piecemeal attempt at representation for such a prolific franchise. Given thatThe Sims 4has added knitting, camping, and more to the base game, there’s no excuse why the franchise has avoided Simmer’s calls for the inclusion of wheelchairs, crutches, mobility scooters, and the inclusion of disabilities across the board. AsThe Simsdeveloper Maxis and publisher Electronic Arts have announced the development ofThe Sims 5- aka “Project Rene” - the update may mark yet anotherSimsbase game that won’t provide crucial representation.
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The Sims 4 Modding Community Has Provided Disability Representation That The Sims Franchise Has Consistently Disregarded
AsThe Simsfranchise has just celebrated its 23rd birthday, it’s bittersweet for fans of the life simulator who want to see themselves represented in the game. While the new infant life stage is another step forward for realism in the game, there’s no reason whyThe Sims 4andthe upcomingSims 5shouldn’t add disability representation to the franchise. The debate around adding disabilities toThe Simshas been ongoing since the first base game was released. While some Simmers see the inclusion of disabilities inThe Simsas a much-needed step forward, others see the potential for in-game disability representation to be ill-executed and trivialized.
While there are compelling arguments for both sides of the debate, some Simmers may be unaware thatThe Sims modding community has been creating disability representationfor years. Not only have modders created new traits and game mechanics that depict visible and invisible disabilities, but they have also designed and built objects the players can use to aid in disability representation. These mods include game mechanics around chronic illness, autoimmune diseases, mental health, vision impairment, hearing loss, and more. Other mods add wheelchairs, therapy animals, hearing aids, canes, joint tape, and other objects that are sorely needed in a life simulator game.
The Sims 5 Has Ample Potential To Include Disability Representation In The Base Game
While the 2023 roadmap forThe Sims 4offers few hints in the way of future content, the ongoing development ofThe Sims 5provides new hope for disability representation to be officially added toThe Sims.WhileThe Sims 5is rumored to include a multiplayer mode, cross-platform functionality, and possibly even an open world, there has been no news on how foundationalSimsgameplay will evolve. Given thatThe Simscommunity has been creating content centered around disabilities for years, there’s no excuse whyThe Sims 5should not at least explore the addition of similar content.
There are numerous ways the upcomingSimsbase game can include disability representationthoughtfully and comprehensively. For instance, players looking for an escape from real-world limitations - an issue commonly referred to when discussing disability representation inThe Sims -should be able to enable disability content if they choose. This would allow for the content to be included, but the choice of whether to use it is to be made by players. Another potential solution could be having individuals with visible and invisible disabilities contribute their ideas, input, and experiences in creating representative content. It’s vital for the video game industry as a whole and game-changing forThe Sims.
The Sims 4is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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