You make some great points! However, I don’t see how hiring experienced players and modders would pose a legal issue, nor how efficiently fixing game bugs could create legal complications. In my opinion, this is primarily a bureaucratic issue. Video games evolve rapidly, and if veteran developers can’t keep up with current trends, they should step aside for those who are willing to do the research and develop in line with industry trends and user demands. Regarding legality, The Sims currently holds a monopoly in its genre, so as long as modders and developers create original content; without incorporating branded assets; there shouldn’t be any legal concerns. The same applies to animations; as long as the work is original, legal issues should not arise. Arguing otherwise feels more like an excuse for inaction rather than a legitimate concern, especially given that EA is a massive corporation with a dedicated legal team. When you break down the facts, many of the excuses for not hiring better talent or implementing improvements don’t hold up. It seems more like a case of complacency; developers failing to do their research, believing their approach is the only valid one, and then acting surprised when players express frustration over their decisions.