Since inclusion is on topics to discuss:
What is the Sims team plan of representing minority groups and inclusion with differently abled, different colored swatches for non-pale skin tones with CAS, representing different age groups, representing content that isn't stereotypical feminine, representing extrovert and outdoors and group lifestyles with gameplay, representing deviant and sandbox and storytelling players, and representing religions with a freeform tool like Seasonal events?
For differently abled I was thinking well supernaturals have been a way to represent them in the past, but curious if superheroes or carnivals would be a good addition for that and if a sims sign language would work. I adore the sliders for makeup, so would love that carried over for all of CAS and build/buy mode. I am not a girly girl, so would love more activities that aren't just the 1950s stay at home mom route for gameplay, but representing women with other goals in life as well. I really love sports and sci-fi and crafts and just doing activities with my friends outdoors. I grew up in a beach town, so did lots of outdoor activities such as boogie boarding, beach volleyball, biking, roller blades, and baseball. Being a deviant Simmer, I love consequences for things. Sims taught me how it began with a house fire and how good things can come out of bad circumstances. There are some mods I love like uncomfortable buffing negative buffs, so just having more balance would be nice because with Sims being a life simulation game, humans aren't perfect and full a wide range of emotions, so would love just having humanity represented in the game more. There are some sandbox elements I like such as working from home and running a business, but there are some storyline options like skill tree for supernaturals I like too. I never cared for notifications for storytelling and they often spam and distract me from playing the game too much. I rather experience the activity on my own for gameplay when possible. I like making my own stories, writing bios for my Sims, and experience the memory with them and their extended family members. I loved being able to toggle supernaturals and storytelling on and off for my stories. Being someone who is religious and knowing that one of the religions in the world has 200 types, I think it is impossible to represent even those without having a more freeform tool such as clubs. That way Sims can worship the mother or the cowplant if they want. I think it important to represent the non-pandemic lifestyle and allow Sims to travel to different areas of the Sims world more and with more vehicles. Nice to have previous lore represented and see how previous premades have progressed after 21+ years too.
As far as the different EA programs, will more diversity happen in the game changer program? How will tech be modernized with communication features to contact the Gurus and QA team better and with forums? Since a SimGuru confirmed Sims 4 being originally a MMO concept with the Sims Olympus, will the Sims 4 beginnings be discussed more? Is there anyway for EA to share the demographics of their games with the public? Will Maxis podcasts return? Ok I will stop there since probably enough questions. Dag dag and happy and pyro Simming.
EA Staff (Retired)