Kits and commodifying cultures
So I learned a new word recently: Commodify commodify 💼 Post-College Level verb (used with object), com·mod·i·fied, com·mod·i·fy·ing. to turn into a commodity; make commercial. to treat...
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Actually paradiseplanet, as someone of South Asian origin i can relate to how you feel. I know what you mean and you make some good points. Plus I don't agree with all of the cultural stuff either rather paid it's paid or free. I just want things to be kept as general as possible. I just downloaded a religion mod from lumpinou and it's fun. But it's the perfect example of how they can add real world things and put a Sims spin to it. No one is offended, no one is appropriated or feeling left out unless you cowplants are a part of your culture? . It's done kind of like the sims medieval religion.
However, we have to think about WHY the Sims started all of this cultural content in the first place. It was because people demanded it. The Sims got accused of being racist, discriminatory,white washing and everything else. People demanded their culture to be added to the game because they wanted to be represented. And people still do.
I blame 50% of this on players.
The other 50% on EA for going along with players on every single thing instead of standing their ground, having an identity of their own and making it clear with players that this is a FICTIONAL GAME and will remain so. Don't bring your real life issues and demands into this.
And I don't feel like the sims gained anything because there would be unhappy people either way. Quite a few Chinese modders have dropped the game and left modding all together since that Chinese new year controversy. And those are only the ones I know of, more of them dropped it I'm sure.
Personally, by giving in to players demands I believe they have lost more then they gained in more ways then one. And I don't mean money but the essence of the sims.
So i definitely sympathize with you but they are neck deep in it now. I don't think they are going to stop with the cultural thing anytime soon.
BTW even the latest wedding pack feels weird to me. Like they tried mash up a bunch of different cultures together but it feels strange. I would much rather preferred a full on "sims" style wedding with all new food no one has ever heard of or seen and cowplant wedding traditions or something.
However, we have to think about WHY the Sims started all of this cultural content in the first place. It was because people demanded it. The Sims got accused of being racist, discriminatory,white washing and everything else. People demanded their culture to be added to the game because they wanted to be represented. And people still do.
I blame 50% of this on players.
The other 50% on EA for going along with players on every single thing instead of standing their ground, having an identity of their own and making it clear with players that this is a FICTIONAL GAME and will remain so. Don't bring your real life issues and demands into this.
And I don't feel like the sims gained anything because there would be unhappy people either way. Quite a few Chinese modders have dropped the game and left modding all together since that Chinese new year controversy. And those are only the ones I know of, more of them dropped it I'm sure.
Personally, by giving in to players demands I believe they have lost more then they gained in more ways then one. And I don't mean money but the essence of the sims.
So i definitely sympathize with you but they are neck deep in it now. I don't think they are going to stop with the cultural thing anytime soon.
BTW even the latest wedding pack feels weird to me. Like they tried mash up a bunch of different cultures together but it feels strange. I would much rather preferred a full on "sims" style wedding with all new food no one has ever heard of or seen and cowplant wedding traditions or something.
