The Sims has always been progressive in its approach to sexuality. Like most EA games, it allowed players to create characters who could be straight, gay or bisexual. The range of sexual orientation made it a favorite title to hold up as an example for LGBTQ-positive gaming. And now The Sims 4 is taking it a step further in a new free update.
Until now, players would select a gender for their character, and this would determine which clothes, hair styles, physiques, walk styles and tones of voice would be available. Well those boundaries are no more – in fact, over 700 pieces of content that were previously only available to either male or female Sims have been made available to all Sims regardless of their initial gender selection. This is across the base game as well as previously launched packs.
The Sims is made by a diverse team for a diverse audience, and it’s really important to us that players are able to be creative and express themselves through our games. We want to make sure players can create characters they can identify with or relate to through powerful tools that give them influence over a Sims gender, age, ethnicity, body type and more.
Want your funky lady to try out a short coifed hairstyle and “boyfriend” jeans? Not a problem anymore! Here’s the nice little trailer showing off some fun ideas.
I think this is fantastic for players of all kinds. For those people who don’t identify as cisgendered, it means that they can create characters that are more representative of themselves. But for those who never really thought about gender fluidity or what it means to be male or female, it simply means more customization options. So, if you don’t really notice trans-positive things in your day to day life, this won’t get in your way, but if gender fluidity is important to you, it is an excellent way to feel recognized. Also, it means that some really unique Sims can now be created – some of our best looking models and celebrities walk a pretty androgynous line, and now they can finally be recreated. Nice idea, EA.
Last Updated: June 3, 2016
HairyEwok
June 3, 2016 at 08:55
Now my Sims 4 character can be way more fabu fabu!
Gavin Mannion
June 3, 2016 at 08:59
ergh…. the weekend needs to arrive now.
Pariah
June 3, 2016 at 10:30
You do look like you’re having a bad week.
Raptor Rants
June 3, 2016 at 10:43
Nah. He’s practicing his gender fluidity
Pariah
June 3, 2016 at 10:44
XD XD XD XD XD
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 3, 2016 at 10:55
Sis. Don’t judge him for being ponyamarous.
Raptor Rants
June 3, 2016 at 11:32
LOOOOOOOOOOOL
Dutch Matrix
June 3, 2016 at 09:02
Great! Now I can create my whole family! Even my Cross Dressing Grandfather that Sold his Soul to Satan so that I, Dutch Matrix may live in misery!
Thanks Oupa. You’re a STAR!
(PS: None of the above is true. My Oupa was an awesome man!)
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 3, 2016 at 09:02
Karen Kardashian?
Gavin Mannion
June 3, 2016 at 09:03
are you implung being a cross dresser makes you un-awesome? sheesh check your privelege or some other SJW crap I guess
Darren Peach
June 3, 2016 at 09:16
Strength to Bruce or Katlyn for his courage. I would say it is very unfortunate that he is part of the Kardashian circus. His credibility or sincerity will always be questioned when you actually asses what that family stands for. Money at any cost. Very sickening.
Dutch Matrix
June 3, 2016 at 09:23
To be honest? No. Though seeing my Oupa in drag (is that even allowed to say, drag?) would have been too much. See. He had this Hitler mustache. And he worked in the sun all day. So his skin was like really baked.
Does any of this make sense?
Gardos
June 3, 2016 at 10:07
Easy to say “SJW crap” as a white male, innit bruv? Life is tough for us out there… we’re also marginalised! Am I right? *sarcasm*
Darren Peach
June 3, 2016 at 10:13
White males ? You make it sound like a disease…..
Gardos
June 3, 2016 at 10:17
Did I? Diseases adversely affect people or groups of people. White males have never – oh wait, no… nevermind.
Raptor Rants
June 3, 2016 at 11:41
And governments in SA have never trashed the economy for no reason… Oh wait
Gardos
June 3, 2016 at 13:07
Very true. Irrelevant, but true.
Raptor Rants
June 6, 2016 at 09:12
No it’s very relevant. You implied whites did something bad. Now yes they did. But to put color to an argument is stupid because there have been bad things done by both sides. I was pointing out the pointlessness of your argument
Raptor Rants
June 3, 2016 at 11:33
No, but Ponydressers…. Eish. Dunno about them.
Strawman Jim
June 3, 2016 at 13:15
Oh snap! Seriously though, your grandpa sounds awesome
Darren Peach
June 3, 2016 at 09:09
I didn’t see the gender part and thought this is a article about smooth motion. Lol.
Skittle
June 3, 2016 at 09:11
So you can make people liquid or something?
Darren Peach
June 3, 2016 at 09:21
Gender fluidity ? I am very ignorant…..
Dutch Matrix
June 3, 2016 at 09:24
I did not even know that phrase existed before news of this broke, to be honest.
Darren Peach
June 3, 2016 at 09:36
I guess we are never to old to learn.
Darren Peach
June 3, 2016 at 10:08
I watched a episode of Louie Theroux where he covered this new medical trend in the States that caters to pre-teens and teens who have identified with the opposite gender and thus begin procedures to make the change. In the kids yet to go through puberty, they actually go on medication to begin the gender transformation process. As it serves to be a effective way to stave off the otherwise inevitable changes the body goes through in puberty. Obviously, surgery is something that comes when they are older, but it’s both fascinating and scary to think that this is a reality. I admire the courage of the kids but I can’t help but to worry that a 7 year old is far too young to make that choice. But, I have never been exposed to that sort of pain and doubt, so I don’t dare judge.
Dutch Matrix
June 3, 2016 at 10:18
I dunno. I am not a parent myself, so I cannot comment too much. Though I would sit down with the kid, and try my best to explain to him things and feelings change over the years. If he still feels the same way when he is able to make a more mature decision (when he is older), I will stand behind him all the way.
The Sten
June 3, 2016 at 09:31
Trust me you’re better off not knowing
Darren Peach
June 3, 2016 at 09:36
Why ?
Gardos
June 3, 2016 at 09:59
Kudos to EA there! A more inclusive game is only a good thing.
Strawman Jim
June 3, 2016 at 13:14
Yesh… Now I can create Brianna Wu in the Sims, and pair him up with Taurig Moosa for my Sims 4 sitcom. It’s going to be so fab ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????