Representation
I will do my best not to come across as being "political" for that is NOT my intent. I want to start out with that I love the Representation we have in the game. From February showcasing Black Simmers...
Forum Discussion
Honestly, you don't have to be apologetic for wanting more representation in the game, and you shouldn't have to worry about offending people by saying you'd like to see more. If people are offended by broader representation, then they can just choose not to use the relevant material in their game- and optionally grow a thicker skin and learn to live with seeing people that aren't like them as an option in video games. You have nothing to apologise for, trust me! No matter how polite you are about the point you're making, people will still get offended by it. There's just no pleasing the 'there's too much representation!' types. I don't see a problem with what you're saying. People can scream at devs all day about wanting cars and fairies and werewolves and open world and this and that, so I don't see the problem with people asking for broader representation for different groups or cultures.
I feel represented as a lesbian, which is great!- but as a cis white woman, I already know what it's like to be represented in the video games that I play- and the world (and media) shouldn't just revolve around people like myself. Sims has always been the most progressive popular game I've played, ever since I started in the 2000s, so I'm hoping other people's cultures and identities can get some further portrayal in-game where possible. It makes sense for a sandbox game to have a good breadth of the types of people you can make and stories you can tell. I know people will say 'b-b-b-b-but I want a life simulator!' but varying cultures and identities are a part of life, and someone asking for representation doesn't stop someone else from asking for gameplay features.
I think the best thing a company can do, is to get specific input for any kind of rep they plan to add for the game (for example, consulting representative groups, staff members who are of that group, charities related to the group, etc). For example if they wanted to increase representation for people with disabilities, then they can speak to people with disabilities, charities, spokesperson groups, that sort of thing. That way they can try to ensure things are done as accurately and as respectfully as possible. Of course, people will still have criticism, but that's not a problem. People have a right to criticise and give feedback.
I do hope you'll get what you want from this at some point in the near future and thanks for sharing your ideas.
I feel represented as a lesbian, which is great!- but as a cis white woman, I already know what it's like to be represented in the video games that I play- and the world (and media) shouldn't just revolve around people like myself. Sims has always been the most progressive popular game I've played, ever since I started in the 2000s, so I'm hoping other people's cultures and identities can get some further portrayal in-game where possible. It makes sense for a sandbox game to have a good breadth of the types of people you can make and stories you can tell. I know people will say 'b-b-b-b-but I want a life simulator!' but varying cultures and identities are a part of life, and someone asking for representation doesn't stop someone else from asking for gameplay features.
I think the best thing a company can do, is to get specific input for any kind of rep they plan to add for the game (for example, consulting representative groups, staff members who are of that group, charities related to the group, etc). For example if they wanted to increase representation for people with disabilities, then they can speak to people with disabilities, charities, spokesperson groups, that sort of thing. That way they can try to ensure things are done as accurately and as respectfully as possible. Of course, people will still have criticism, but that's not a problem. People have a right to criticise and give feedback.
I do hope you'll get what you want from this at some point in the near future and thanks for sharing your ideas.
