For me, it seems as though The Sims 4 is very watered down and childish compared to previous iterations. A lot of the humour and quirks from previous games has been removed and it seems EA are primarily targeting children with TS4. Ive seen countless polls and even data from EA themselves suggesting the ‘real’ average age of the Sims audience is around 30 years old. So why does TS4 seem so childish? I’m not expecting an 18+ rated version, but I think as a ‘Teen’ game, There should be subtle hints and gameplay such as bachelor / bachelorette parties, hiring entertainment and some detailed storylines such as affairs, trauma, rivalry etc. Given how long Sims generations now last; EA should aim Sims 5 at those with mid-high level machines as well as the ‘true’ audience of the game: Adults, or at least teenagers. NOT Kids! Then people can buy it when they’re ready/ can afford to upgrade.I know they might worry about the Sims being too risqué for parents of children which may put them off buying, but since a generation lasts around 8+ years, surely at some point, the child will be able to buy it themselves or their parents will at some point feel comfortable buying it. However, because of the nature of the Sims franchise, I think most parents wouldn’t mind buying their child the game even if it was rated teen or 15+ anyway. My hope would be that the next iteration reflects the true audience of the franchise and appeals to the adults and teenagers who have been loyal to the Sims for all these years instead of just the new, young players.

That's where mods come into play--with the right ones, you can transform the game to a whole new level

As it stands, the game can be played and enjoyed by many ages. Ultimately, the player is in charge of how age-appropriate the game plays. We have to remember that some adults still want to play an "innocent" game, while some teens will cry out of more mature-themed content. The Sims 4 is fairly easily modded and with good reason, I believe, so that people can create a more personalized game.So, to answer the questioning topic title - no, I think the current game is playable by so many age groups that a slight tip in one direction would immediately show as a negative in EA's wallet.

"AlexSimmerman;d-980237" wrote:I know they might worry about the Sims being too risqué for parents of children which may put them off buying, but since a generation lasts around 8+ years, surely at some point, the child will be able to buy it themselves or their parents will at some point feel comfortable buying it. However, because of the nature of the Sims franchise, I think most parents wouldn’t mind buying their child the game even if it was rated teen or 15+ anyway. The game is currently rated Teen. (Just because there is a tiny amount of content included in it to make it teen rated.) If people strictly followed recommendations they wouldn't buy a Teen rated game for younger children. I think they could keep the basegame as child friendly as possible and include teen rated stuff in EP, GP, etc. Whoever has small children in the house can install it on a separate account and let them play basegame and wahtever EP, GPs they consider appropriate for their children.

"Nindigo;c-17625094" wrote:As it stands, the game can be played and enjoyed by many ages. Ultimately, the player is in charge of how age-appropriate the game plays. We have to remember that some adults still want to play an "innocent" game, while some teens will cry out of more mature-themed content. The Sims 4 is fairly easily modded and with good reason, I believe, so that people can create a more personalized game.So, to answer the questioning topic title - no, I think the current game is playable by so many age groups that a slight tip in one direction would immediately show as a negative in EA's wallet.I disagree about this. Previous games were made for people of all ages. The Sims 4 is considerably more tamed and aimed mostly at children and young teens. In The Sims 1 you'd get dancing cages and cakes that spawned an "entertainer." The Sims 2 had super racy makeout and woohoo animations. The Sims 3 had "entertainers" again for bachelor/ette parties and your Sims could get juiced an start dancing on counters.Don't get me wrong. I do NOT want EXPLICIT stuff at all. That's why I don't like WW or Extreme Violence. But I believe they could have more adult-oriented themes and content and still be rated T for teens. The Sims Medieval had traits like "Licentious," "Compulsive Gambler" and "Drunkard" and was rated T.

"crocobaura;c-17625161" wrote:"AlexSimmerman;d-980237" wrote:I know they might worry about the Sims being too risqué for parents of children which may put them off buying, but since a generation lasts around 8+ years, surely at some point, the child will be able to buy it themselves or their parents will at some point feel comfortable buying it. However, because of the nature of the Sims franchise, I think most parents wouldn’t mind buying their child the game even if it was rated teen or 15+ anyway. The game is currently rated Teen. (Just because there is a tiny amount of content included in it to make it teen rated.) If people strictly followed recommendations they wouldn't buy a Teen rated game for younger children. I think they could keep the basegame as child friendly as possible and include teen rated stuff in EP, GP, etc. Whoever has small children in the house can install it on a separate account and let them play basegame and wahtever EP, GPs they consider appropriate for their children. This has always struck me as being the ideal solution. An ages 10+ rated base game, with DLC that adds the stuff that takes more full advantage of the Teen rating. (I don’t necessarily want them officially adding M content, as I think it might change the tone too much, and this isn’t something I really feel my gameplay needs, but that being said, can you imagine how much $$$$ EA would make if they made an official sexy grown up pack? They would NEVER, but it would definitely sell ?)

Should The Sims be aimed at an older audience?

89 Replies

NateWhiplash
Seasoned Ace
5 years ago
That's where mods come into play--with the right ones, you can transform the game to a whole new level
Nindigo79
Seasoned Ace
5 years ago
As it stands, the game can be played and enjoyed by many ages. Ultimately, the player is in charge of how age-appropriate the game plays. We have to remember that some adults still want to play an "innocent" game, while some teens will cry out of more mature-themed content. The Sims 4 is fairly easily modded and with good reason, I believe, so that people can create a more personalized game.

So, to answer the questioning topic title - no, I think the current game is playable by so many age groups that a slight tip in one direction would immediately show as a negative in EA's wallet.
crocobaura
Legend
5 years ago
"AlexSimmerman;d-980237" wrote:

I know they might worry about the Sims being too risqué for parents of children which may put them off buying, but since a generation lasts around 8+ years, surely at some point, the child will be able to buy it themselves or their parents will at some point feel comfortable buying it. However, because of the nature of the Sims franchise, I think most parents wouldn’t mind buying their child the game even if it was rated teen or 15+ anyway.

The game is currently rated Teen. (Just because there is a tiny amount of content included in it to make it teen rated.) If people strictly followed recommendations they wouldn't buy a Teen rated game for younger children. I think they could keep the basegame as child friendly as possible and include teen rated stuff in EP, GP, etc. Whoever has small children in the house can install it on a separate account and let them play basegame and wahtever EP, GPs they consider appropriate for their children.
NawiTheCore
5 years ago
"Nindigo;c-17625094" wrote:
As it stands, the game can be played and enjoyed by many ages. Ultimately, the player is in charge of how age-appropriate the game plays. We have to remember that some adults still want to play an "innocent" game, while some teens will cry out of more mature-themed content. The Sims 4 is fairly easily modded and with good reason, I believe, so that people can create a more personalized game.

So, to answer the questioning topic title - no, I think the current game is playable by so many age groups that a slight tip in one direction would immediately show as a negative in EA's wallet.

I disagree about this. Previous games were made for people of all ages. The Sims 4 is considerably more tamed and aimed mostly at children and young teens. In The Sims 1 you'd get dancing cages and cakes that spawned an "entertainer." The Sims 2 had super racy makeout and woohoo animations. The Sims 3 had "entertainers" again for bachelor/ette parties and your Sims could get juiced an start dancing on counters.

Don't get me wrong. I do NOT want EXPLICIT stuff at all. That's why I don't like WW or Extreme Violence. But I believe they could have more adult-oriented themes and content and still be rated T for teens. The Sims Medieval had traits like "Licentious," "Compulsive Gambler" and "Drunkard" and was rated T.
ThornandTime
5 years ago
"crocobaura;c-17625161" wrote:
"AlexSimmerman;d-980237" wrote:

I know they might worry about the Sims being too risqué for parents of children which may put them off buying, but since a generation lasts around 8+ years, surely at some point, the child will be able to buy it themselves or their parents will at some point feel comfortable buying it. However, because of the nature of the Sims franchise, I think most parents wouldn’t mind buying their child the game even if it was rated teen or 15+ anyway.

The game is currently rated Teen. (Just because there is a tiny amount of content included in it to make it teen rated.) If people strictly followed recommendations they wouldn't buy a Teen rated game for younger children. I think they could keep the basegame as child friendly as possible and include teen rated stuff in EP, GP, etc. Whoever has small children in the house can install it on a separate account and let them play basegame and wahtever EP, GPs they consider appropriate for their children.

This has always struck me as being the ideal solution. An ages 10+ rated base game, with DLC that adds the stuff that takes more full advantage of the Teen rating.

(I don’t necessarily want them officially adding M content, as I think it might change the tone too much, and this isn’t something I really feel my gameplay needs, but that being said, can you imagine how much $$$$ EA would make if they made an official sexy grown up pack? They would NEVER, but it would definitely sell ?)
crocobaura
Legend
5 years ago
"Ivyeyed;c-17625196" wrote:
"crocobaura;c-17625161" wrote:
"AlexSimmerman;d-980237" wrote:

I know they might worry about the Sims being too risqué for parents of children which may put them off buying, but since a generation lasts around 8+ years, surely at some point, the child will be able to buy it themselves or their parents will at some point feel comfortable buying it. However, because of the nature of the Sims franchise, I think most parents wouldn’t mind buying their child the game even if it was rated teen or 15+ anyway.

The game is currently rated Teen. (Just because there is a tiny amount of content included in it to make it teen rated.) If people strictly followed recommendations they wouldn't buy a Teen rated game for younger children. I think they could keep the basegame as child friendly as possible and include teen rated stuff in EP, GP, etc. Whoever has small children in the house can install it on a separate account and let them play basegame and wahtever EP, GPs they consider appropriate for their children.

This has always struck me as being the ideal solution. An ages 10+ rated base game, with DLC that adds the stuff that takes more full advantage of the Teen rating.

(I don’t necessarily want them officially adding M content, as I think it might change the tone too much, and this isn’t something I really feel my gameplay needs, but that being said, can you imagine how much $$$$ EA would make if they made an official sexy grown up pack? They would NEVER, but it would definitely sell ?)

Don't think they would ever add true M content, but content suitable for older teens would definitely be welcomed by many players.
Movotti
New Spectator
5 years ago
"Nate_Whiplash1;c-17625034" wrote:
That's where mods come into play--with the right ones, you can transform the game to a whole new level

That's an understatement!
Waxintegral
Seasoned Ace
5 years ago
No. I have two children under the age of 12 who play the game and I want it to appeal them them as well as me.
Keats_san
5 years ago
"Kellogg_J_Kellogg;c-17625241" wrote:
No. I have two children under the age of 12 who play the game and I want it to appeal them them as well as me.

Is that teen? I respect you want that, but that doesn't seem fair to expect a game rated T for Teen to cater to children. It's like saying PG13 films should be appropriate for rated G(eneral) audience. When the actual rating of T, or PG13 indicates non child audience, even a movie rated PG obviously means they think a parent should be with a child that is watching it, as it may be too much for a child to watch alone.
crocobaura
Legend
5 years ago
"Kellogg_J_Kellogg;c-17625241" wrote:
No. I have two children under the age of 12 who play the game and I want it to appeal them them as well as me.

That's not fair to older players. It's like having a class of 12 year old being taught on a 5 year old's level because because someone thought it would be fair to put a 5 year old in a class of 12 year olds.