The Sims 4 game’s n update adds a slew of features designed to improve the game’s inclusivity, with a focus on the trance community.
Sims 4 character customizations include ‘top scars’ for mastectomy and ‘binders and shapewear’.
These can be used for in-game characters who are “teenagers” and older.
This isn’t even The Sims 4’s first move towards gender inclusiveness. The May 2022 update added custom pronouns, but the options were limited to the fairly mainstream she/him, she/her, they/them.
Creating gender-agnostic characters is pretty common in video games right now, but sometimes this can feel like just unlocking hairstyles, clothing, and voiceover options for any body type.
Other comprehensive features in the latest The Sims 4 update include medical wearable accessories such as hearing aids and blood glucose monitors. If anything, it’s amazing that the game hasn’t added hearing aids before.
History of The Sims 4
The Sims 4 is a very old game that was first released in 2014 and had tons of updates and expansion packs. These expansion packs have funded its continued development and kept it alive.
According to PC gaming platform Steam, a full purchase of The Sims 4 and its downloadable content will cost £583, most of which is currently on sale.
This update is an attempt to keep the game relevant, and is commendable considering the update is free to download and the game maintains a large and dedicated fan base.
The timing of this update is also so prescient that one has to wonder if it was intentionally devised.
Video game trance debate
Hogwarts Legacy is drawing boycott calls thanks to Harry Potter series creator JK Rowling’s long history of posting on social media. Considered by many to be hostile to the trans community.
In March 2021, Bloomberg Games reporter Jason Schrier wrote that the game has a “trans-inclusive” character creation system. However, according to recent previews, Hogwarts Legacy tries to sidestep the problem by avoiding gender labels altogether.
You can customize the look of your character by giving them traits without saying they are male or female. Next, choose whether you want to sleep in the Witch House or Wizard House. This is reportedly as close as the game gets to gender binaries in the process.
The Sims 4 is available on Xbox and PlayStation consoles and PC and can be played through EA Play, included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Hogwarts Legacy releases February 10th on Nintendo Switch, PC, and both Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
