"SimmerGeorge;c-17890777" wrote:
"GreenTurtle;c-17890751" wrote:
@SimmerGeorge @Cinebar I'm sure they're aware of that, which is why they're taking it one step at a time. Also, considering they've made a lot of people very happy with these representation updates, how would you feel if they decided they've done enough for now and stopped with that?
@GreenTurtle It's a great thing they are doing eventhough for me personally as a gay man, I am satisfied with just being able to create LGBTQ sims and don't really need the flags etc.
Yep, I've heard that argument before in this thread and I agree. I would rather not have real life symbolism in my game, no matter how positive the message. It breaks the immersion for me and ruins the suspension of disbelief. Same reason why I don't like shirts with English text on them.
"SimmerGeorge;c-17890777" wrote:
But the problem isn't that they are adding ways for people to feel represented. I think the issue is that they are trying to sell the game as this "inclusivity simulator". They are taking this concept and running with it, going about in articles of how the Sims 4 is a game that let's you play as any person imaginable and is the most inclusive game out there.
There are dozens of articles out there by people from EA saying how in the Sims 4 everyone is represented while this is something they haven't actually achieved yet, so it make people angry when this is not the case.
If they're spending the budget, of course they have to run with it. They're a company and companies are designed to make money. If they never mentioned anything, that would be bad marketing. Anyhow, I don't agree with all of their marketing decisions, either. At the same time, I can't think of many games out there that are more inclusive than the sims, so they're not wrong.
"SimmerGeorge;c-17890777" wrote:
I am happy with the representation updates too but I believe they are putting so much focus on representation they are barely updating anything else and I also think they are too slow with their progress so they drag on improvements (like the skintone improvements) forever. Remember when they were first called out on there not being enough representation for POC simmers? Isn't that over a year ago? They are still fixing skintones on PC and console, they are still adding baby hairs to hairstyles. It's taking so long and literally every update that comes out is, we added babyhairs to two more hairstyles.
I think we're all forgetting how much time it actually takes to create these things. Have you ever tried to make a CC item from scratch? From the concept art, to the design stage, to the actual modeling, the texturing. It takes a while. One person can easily spend one to two weeks on an item if they're working on that full-time. Add in the bureaucracy, the different quality checks in between those stages, etc. I think one month for a hair isn't that much, all things considered.
What I gather from this thread is that most people actually like the representation updates, but they worry it takes away from them adding other things to the game they also like or want. That said, people also keep popping in to mention the things they still need, or come up with suggestions, like disabilities, or more content for males, or other groups they feel are underrepresented. No matter how you look at it, there is a demand for representation.
I reckon if we tried to make one master list, it would be humongous. No matter how you look at it, the devs will have to make choices, who they choose to represent, when they can do it, how much time it will take. If they can add something simple, but not highly requested, they get complaints. Because they haven't done the thing more people want, but takes a lot more time to do. I don't think that's fair.
In the meantime, there's also been a huge outcry from the POC community and their supporters, so now they're fixing that. Until that is done, they can't really start on wheelchairs or pronouns or you name it. At least, not unless they figure out a way to do it within a reasonable time frame.
"SimmerGeorge;c-17890777" wrote:
Are they even doing anything else other than representation updates?
Yes. They've improved traits, added sentiments, introduced platforms, bunkbeds and done a fair amount of bug fixes within the last half year. (Granted, they've also introduced new bugs, but that's nothing new.) We've also been getting new packs with regularity; they've made happy haunts after so many people wanted it. They've mentioned the budget for free updates is bigger than ever. So, I honestly think they're doing all the representation updates on top of all the work they've already been doing. And if that's the case, we need to applaud them, because that's actually pretty great.
