Please correct me if I'm wrong @Cinebar, but I take it that you view that there's too much focus on CAS? And how resources are used to make the game all about making digital people that can represent real ones instead of a focus on traditional gameplay?
Representation is not inherently bad IMO. They (collectively, everyone who does it) are doing it to help people normalize the perspective that there are other people sharing this world with them. And that those people have different races, cultures, beliefs, values, priorities, etc. from what they have and that it's okay. I think the fact that we're still counting representation in media is kind of tokenistic? Coz when something's normal, it doesn't bat our eyelid anymore. But the thing is it's not yet normal. We're still in that stage where we're still trying.
Relatedly, I mentioned this in another post, but frankly, I think we older Simmers have to acknowledge that the younger generations have different playstyles from us. Whereas we value our Sim's experience and don't care what pixels look like so long as they did their job, the younger Simmers place greater value on how Sims look and where they live in. Perhaps, like me, you think the game has dumbed down. It's not fun anymore coz everything is offensive and triggering. Like it has become this empty but admittedly very pretty dress-up game. But maybe, that's just how modern gamers play? Maybe their values and priorities are just more about safe spaces and being seen? Or maybe some of them are more traditional like us? The thing is the game will adjust to whatever is most relevant during its run. 'Coz relevance=more players=income. It's business.
I think it's better and less stressful to realize that The Sims 4 is not the same game we fell in love with anymore. Not with its thousand DLC's, not in this culture, not with this generation, and definitely not in this economy. There are a lot of factors but simply put, it's not marketed toward us anymore. It's for a different demographic. Which is why we're not enjoying it much. But who knows? Maybe when all the dust has settled, maybe the Sims team and the new player base will find ways to make it fun for both them and the nostalgia players. But for now, I wouldn't stress about it anymore. I'd let others enjoy this game in a way where they can have fun (not in the ideals I hold it against) just as I once had fun playing that only-four-colors-skintone game when I was younger. But that's just me. :smile:
