EA is often lauded as the best in LGBTQ support in games. The Sims has included gay relationships from the beginning, and Bioware lets you paramour in whatever orientation you like. But this wasn’t always intentional.
In one of my favorite magazines, The New Yorker, a feature interview with one of the game developers, Patrick J. Barrett III, explains that it was actually a bit more complicated than people might expect. In fact, game developers had been ordered to remove the same-sex options, until something rather unexpected happened.
In 1999, The Sims was a new IP from EA. In fact, it was a project that they’d inherited from the purchase of Maxis and the game had been in development for six years. They were on the verge of scrapping it, using E3 as the final chance to generate some interest in the game or it was going to be cut. Due to the uncertain footing of the game, the developers had decided to leave same-sex relationships out of the code to avoid any controversies. However, when Barrett joined the company, he wasn’t aware of this decision, and was given an older design document to work off for coding the social interactions between sims.
In hindsight, I probably should have questioned the design, but the design felt right, so I just implemented it. Later, Will Wright stopped by my desk. He told me that liked the social interactions, and that he was glad to see that same-sex support was back in the game. […] After a while, everyone was just used to the design being there. It was widely expected that E.A. would just kill it, anyway.
During the E3 showing in 1999, they decided to show three scenes of what could happen during The Sims. One of those scenes was a wedding between two Sims characters. However, the people in the crowd hadn’t all been programmed to behave on the rails.
On the first day of the show, the game’s producers, Kana Ryan and Chris Trottier, watched in disbelief as two of the female Sims attending the virtual wedding leaned in and began to passionately kiss. They had, during the live simulation, fallen in love. Moreover, they had chosen this moment to express their affection, in front of a live audience of assorted press. Following the kiss, talk of The Sims dominated E3. “You might say that they stole the show,” Barrett said. “I guess straight guys that make sports games loved the idea of controlling two lesbians.”
By now, same sex relationships are completely normal and accepted in the Sims. We see it as a hallmark of EA’s acceptance and promotion of various races, genders and orientations. It may have started as a mistake, but it’s one we can all be grateful remained. As much hate as EA gets (and deserves), they at least get this part right.
Last Updated: June 20, 2014
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 20, 2014 at 14:11
Wow. I can just imagine the shit fits if it had been 2 guys kissing at E3. They dodged a bullet there.
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:17
Agreed. Some people would have probably turned to Zynga…
Sk3tz0
June 20, 2014 at 14:11
Hahaha.. was always fun in sims to get 2 chicks to “whoopie”
VOiDProXy
July 6, 2014 at 19:25
*Woohoo if I remember correctly.
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:12
Just remember EA has one more ace up their sleeve as shown in this promotional poster.
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:14
They wish
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:15
LOL
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:15
EA has screwed me over more though.
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:15
Ea has screwed more people than the sailors of the world
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:17
And Genghis Khan.
Combined
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:18
And Alexander the Great (that’s men on men included)
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:17
At least they apologize and try to fix it fast or at least give you a free game.Ubisoft just plain lies and could not give a crap.
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:18
Still waiting for them to fix SimCity. Sorry. But Ubisoft forces me to use Uplay. I hate them for that. But EA won’t even list their new games on Steam.
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:19
But you got a free game so there is that. 😛
Edit: And at the time you could actually have gotten ME3 for free and that is a HUGE bonus since the game was 2 months old or something.
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:20
Haha. No. Origin has no place on my pc.
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:21
Perma running on my pc alongside steam bnet and most recently gog. Uplay stays off until I tell it to run though.
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
No, I don’t even have Origin installed. Not Uplay either.
Done with both those.
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:24
Origin got their stuff sorted and the app is running smoothly now. I still have a slight dlc issue with DA2 but then again it was not originally a Origin game and I have finished it last week so its uninstalled.
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:26
Cool cool.
But I’m too butthurt to ever support EA again. And other companies are publishing better games anyway.
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:27
DA ME … pretty much BIOWARE. I am a Bioware groupie. Ill sell my left kidney for alpha access.
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:28
Haha. Fair enough.
Not a Dragon Age or ME fan, so it keeps me safe. Truth be told, haven’t played ME yet, but honestly just have too many other games on the backlog anyway.
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:29
My reaction just now.
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:30
Haha. I have ME 1. Just haven’t gotten around to playing it yet. Hard copy actually. Gift from gf
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:32
Leave work early. Turn off your phone.Install Game. PLAY IT RIGHT NOW!
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:37
Haha. You know. People keep telling me to play that game. Will bump it up my list.
Kensei Seraph
June 20, 2014 at 14:18
And then makes their next game require U(don’t)Play.
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:19
Yeah I distinctively remember something about Watchdogs not needing Uplay at one stage.
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:20
They did say that, yes. But they said lots of things that were complete lies.
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:18
I asked them about the difficulty of the WD drinking game, they responded I should reinstall the game.
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:20
You remember Darkspore? Kak game. But it was released and didn’t work AT ALL. You were forced to download the entire game. Screw people who don’t have decent internet, because EA “fixed it”
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:21
This is the chat Ive had with Ubisoft :
hammer_steyn6/20/2014 9:02:51 AM
How in the world will this resolve the difficulty of the mini game???
Paul6/19/2014 3:21:51 PM
Can you please try to reinstall the game data on your PS4
To delete applications, select the content you want to delete under
[Applications], press the OPTIONS button, and then select [Delete].
Once you have done this please insert the game disc into the console to reinstall the game.
Please let know if this resolves your issue.
hammer_steyn6/18/2014 3:40:32 PM
Are you planning on patching this
minigame? Level 6 is nearly impossible and all that just for a bronze
tophy? Or do you have any suggestions for me, be it tips or tutorial
videos?
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
They seem very understanding, supportive and clearly sympathetic. 😛
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:24
Like mules
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
DID YOU PUT IT OFF AND ON??????
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:24
It’s console not PC. Windows isn’t that big a part of my gaming life.
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:36
I’ve had to put MANY devices off/on to fix issues
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:37
yeah same here, even my console
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:25
Say what???
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:30
Dead fucking serious
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:39
The facepalm is strong with that one 0_0
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:26
Ouch!
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:30
Couldn’t believe it myself
Aries
June 20, 2014 at 14:50
its a drinking game, how could you think it was going to work properly?
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 15:10
hahaha true
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 20, 2014 at 14:16
lol. That’s debatable.
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:14
So when can I marry my cat EA?
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:15
Have to buy the Japanese version for that. DLC includes octopi too.
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:16
Tentacle love, hmmmmmm I can smell it already
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:17
Tentacles! Where has Uma been today?
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 20, 2014 at 14:18
Not Thur, man.
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:19
LOLi 🙂
Kensei Seraph
June 20, 2014 at 14:20
You’re into tentacles and lolis?!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:21
Sies. Lol
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 20, 2014 at 14:26
Why did I refresh this screen?
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:28
Thanks for warning, I won’t be 0-O
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:29
I was just thinking the same thing.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:29
There’s an image????? *must resist urge to refresh*
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 20, 2014 at 14:33
No, it’s just the words lol
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:34
I’m sure if you ask him nicely to post a pic?
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:39
NO!
Kensei Seraph
June 20, 2014 at 14:40
Pick one:
http://ninjavio.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/anime-girl-puppy-eyes.gif
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c248/RavenxDrake/8111cdb5.gif
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8u426Dp121roiqt7o1_500.gif
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:41
Is is bad that I have watched both these anime?
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:44
Eish. Open plan office man. Hehehe.
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
ROFLOL, no no no……mistake…didn’t see I type lolis
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:21
LOLi?
Don’t bring your Apple kak to the fight!
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
Apples over lolis anyday
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:23
No way. Not if the Apple already has a bite taken out of it. Eeeuww
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:24
Best type of apple. Especially if it has a WORM…HMMM
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:27
LOL
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:21
No were talking!
*Edit Now
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
NOOO!!!!LOL I am not into Lolis…AT ALL…I THINK…….. think
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:25
We don’t judge here, unless you review pet games or something in that line.
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:26
Hehehehe Play it, you might enjoy it
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 20, 2014 at 14:29
Because she looked 18… in dog years? 😛
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:30
Hahahaha
Kensei Seraph
June 20, 2014 at 14:23
I can’t even guess what you mean by that.
I’m prescribing a lazy weekend for you.
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:25
Thanks, please let my boss know as well that I’m not working this weekend without pay.
Kensei Seraph
June 20, 2014 at 14:32
Good luck.
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:19
I wonder where that chick that acted in Kill Bill has been
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:24
Tehehehe 😉
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:15
See, God was on board all along 😛
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:17
Yeah, lets open the biggest damn kettle of fish ever on a Friday.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 20, 2014 at 14:20
So how about those Bulls/Sharks/Stormers/Cheetahs/Lions/Kings/etc?
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:21
Spain being kicked out the world cup….
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:21
SPains me to think about it
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
XD
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
All that SPainstaking hard practice thrown out the window
Kensei Seraph
June 20, 2014 at 14:23
Well Trev is a fan of SP(ain) type games.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:24
GG
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:21
How about that team that never wins. Liver something
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
Spots?
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:24
Spotting? The team is red I think…
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:21
Sharks FTW
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
How about my favourite person in the world Julias, I see he’s driving a new car.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:23
Also got kicked out of parliament and then let back in with a “warning”
Sk3tz0
June 20, 2014 at 14:45
Pilchards and tomato sauce any1?
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:58
On toast please!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:19
Not cool dude. Bit unnecessary to say that don’t you think?
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:25
Think you missed my point there, I was joking and saying that EA think they are god.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:28
Ok, well didn’t see it that way. I see what you tried to do then but it still makes me a tad bit uncomfortable however. Sorry.
I’ll be honest and say it straight that I don’t like my religion teased. No offence.
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:30
had I meant what you think I had why would you automatically assume it is your religion I am teasing?
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:34
Because there is only one God.
That being said, let us move along
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:34
Whatever man 🙂
Sk3tz0
June 20, 2014 at 14:43
Flying Spagetti Monster!!
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:34
Gabe?
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:34
He is merely a lord
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:34
Careful, no teasing here…
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:35
Noted
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:37
The article is about same sex relationships and you went and said God was onboard with it all along.
It’s a direct jibe against the stand of Christianity in regards to same sex relationships.
Now let me make something clear. I have no issues with people who have same sex relationships and I will never tease them for it or tell them that I believe they are wrong because it’s not my place. Live and let live and respect everyone equally is what I try to live by.
You know how vocal I am when people insult anyone who has same sex relationships. I am the first to jump to their defense and say that no one has the right to judge them and to let them be.
Which is why I took it as an insult when you said God was on board all the time when religion was not mentioned in the article and has absolutely nothing to do with the game or its stand on same sex relationships.
Not wanting to start a fight. Just thought I’d tell you it makes me uncomfortable and would prefer not to have to see comments like that.
Just like I’d appreciate it if someone told me if something I said genuinely upsets them and I would try my best to understand their stance.
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:41
I do understand your stance which is why I explained what I was saying and didn’t ignore you, but I also will not sit quiet in a corner least anything I say offend one demographic. Because trust me, if you don’t want to offend anyone, don’t write, speak or get out of bed 😛 think we better move on now.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:43
agreed. And no hard feelings. Promise. Now let’s shake virtual hands and go throw insults at some other demographic we can both agree on as being stupid?
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:44
So, those Jews eh? 😛
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:47
HAHAHAHAHA! Where is your hate?! I call this forum a distinctly **&&^*&%&^% biased group of people!
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:48
I’m biased.
I believe in beards.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:57
Eish….
Kromas
June 20, 2014 at 14:44
EFF?
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 16:04
loooooooooooool
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:44
Tanya!
Wait, where is she?
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:46
Sheesh get a room you two
😛
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:46
Oi! Making jokes like that is what started this 😛
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:57
That’s what she said 😛
Monado
June 20, 2014 at 14:20
I think the biggest relief would’ve been if the title read
“No DLC originally planned for The Sims”
Kensei Seraph
June 20, 2014 at 14:22
That wouldn’t be a relief.
That would be proof of the start of their betrayal against gamers everywhere.
Hammersteyn
June 20, 2014 at 14:23
As soon as I start pooping gold.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 20, 2014 at 14:29
Wow, that’s an interesting bit of background history!
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:30
Playing The Sims doesn’t make you a homosexual either people.
(yes, I’m saying this because I enjoy the game)
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:34
O_O
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:35
Wowza 0-O And people have issues with my comments 😛
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:39
Don’t judge me! I have a beard bigger than yo momma!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:40
That sounds rather unhygienic?
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:41
His mom? I know. ;P
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:42
Eish.. That’s absolutely not what I meant. I’m just going to back away here… This is nuclear fallout territory this….
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:43
Haha. Just wait until the Admiral comes back to this comment, then I’m toast.
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:48
You forget what I hold over you, and no, its not the BanHammer, the virtual BanHammer either…
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:48
0-O
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:49
Let us see his response…
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:57
Blap….
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:58
shhhhhheeeeeeettttttt
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:46
Lier!
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:47
Do you really want me to do the Admiral thing and correct your spelling? (fix it, quickly, he’s coming!)
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 20, 2014 at 14:47
Too late? trollol!
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:47
Nevers!
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:48
Lire?
Sk3tz0
June 20, 2014 at 14:48
Liger an awesome animal..
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 20, 2014 at 14:49
Just as well it isn’t a lyre, or he’d be facing the music.
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:49
*sizzle
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:48
Too late
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:48
*liar
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:50
You WANT me to start talking about your dick again? 0-O
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:51
Worthy subject, go right ahead
Sith JJ
June 20, 2014 at 14:52
It’s the Admiral’s second in command, which sometimes overrules the decision making in certain situations.
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:53
*Worthy subject, unusually short topic* Fixed 😉
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 14:54
Still bigger than yours XD
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 14:54
I expected more, something I am sure you hear all the time 😉
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 15:02
Only when I say my name is Rince…
Rince&exhale
June 20, 2014 at 15:05
Lame. But I’m sure that’s your second most heard word;)
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 20, 2014 at 15:06
Indeed, however the first most heard word in conjunction with the second is “NOT LAME”
XD
Dutch Matrix
June 23, 2014 at 08:18
I have to ask: How does @rincethis:disqus and @Admiral_Chief:disqus even have the remotest idea of how big each other’s members are? Do they play The Sims together in the Nude perhaps?
cajaquarius
June 22, 2014 at 18:44
So you are what they would call a bear, then?
Alex Hicks
June 20, 2014 at 14:32
I actually like this sort of story – how a mistake ends up being a bastion of the company (and possibly one of the few things they deserve to be praised for)
Pieter Smal
June 20, 2014 at 14:35
Confession: I only see my BF over weekends. Sometimes – in desperation only – I will play Sims 3 with my “bf” character and hang out with him to soothe the longing 🙂
Sk3tz0
June 20, 2014 at 14:40
I remember in Sim 2 the one Neighbourhood had a Family with a Pregnant Male Character I was like.. WTF.. then i locked them all in a windowless doorless room with a fireplace and made them light the fireplace till the house burned down.. I LOVE THE SIMS GAMES. thank you MAXI
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 20, 2014 at 14:41
Clearly you saved that neighbourhood from some strange alien invasion that impregnates men. Well done. You are a hero.
Kensei Seraph
June 20, 2014 at 14:41
It was an alien baby.
You incited an inter-galatic war you monster.
Sk3tz0
June 20, 2014 at 14:42
lol yea.. I’m the Ripley the Gaming world deserves but does not need..
Nintendo Fan
June 23, 2014 at 23:06
Haha. Whoops.