Sims 4 introducing "disabled sims"?

I know it's been mentioned in the past that the team is open to disabilities. I wouldn't mind seeing physical disabilties at all, but I personally draw the line at mental disabilities. I really would hate to see my sims suffer from anxiety like I do. I play to get away from that sort of thing, not to constantly be reminded of it.

https://statscmain-10b33.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/original-1.jpg


I think that with university your sims will have the ability to have some robotic limbs. Look at the pic above, the girl have robotic fingers so it does seem like she can use the robot-arm like a regular arm. However, I think this will be something you equip in CAS and that you can remove again if you want your sim to have their regular arm. I do not think that they will make new animations for sims missing arms or legs.

This is just me guessing but animations are at a premium and kids are unable to do so many things. I think this will give the sims the look of a disabled sim but still keep the animations of a regular sim and then it is up to the simmers in their stories as they want to.



https://66.media.tumblr.com/dafc01bd53e839eaf74f9e6ebda3a460/tumblr_pjwjtdM6X11xzesdfo1_500.jpg

I am just guessing here but then it would function like a piece of CC that a modder has done. The skeletal-arm can be equipped and removed in CAS easily and looks great. I could see these arms working the same way but as I say, I am just guessing.

https://pinkpatchy.tumblr.com/post/181207119947/skelly-top-this-really-fits-in-with-the-christmas

This is a very delicate issue I was discussing with @Maus652 yesterday actually.

Whilst diversity of any kind in The Sims would do wonders for those that want to see elements of themselves represented on-screen, I have some reservations about this.

In terms of creating Sims, whilst many would very sensitively chosen, there are those that would think more superficially and create a child with, for instance, downs syndrome because "it's cute".

Also would that mean that Sims born into the game have a procedural chance of being born with a physical or neurological disability? I think giving players the choice to give or to take away would be wrong, in this case.

There are also a whole bunch of extra pressures that an individual with additional-needs in real life would encounter that wouldn't fit into what is meant to be, a light-hearted and creative game.

So in answer to one of the original questions:

"Simlie20;d-967903" wrote:
Or is that too "intense" for the younger audience?

I would say yes.

I don't think we're looking at "robot arms" here at all. I think in Discover University, they are looking at elements of bionics which are becoming more and more of a reality in the world today. Mechanised clothing or prosthesis which enhances human physiology whether it's to address a deficiency or enhance an able-bodied persons abilities.

https://youtu.be/2UHCG4dLXOU?t=81

This is a really good example.

I don't think it's a case of it being too intense for audiences (of any ages, really). It's more, as @Ayeffen pointed out, a case of making sure that IF it's done, it's done right. It's absolutely a topic and theme within the game that needs to be approached with caution so it doesn't just end up being a gimmick.

It would also be a massive change to the game as such. Wheelchairs, accessibility, animations for interactions and movement, related objects in build mode, CAS redesign. The question of how to implement the possible genetic side to it. And then, which disabilities should and shouldn't (could and couldn't too) be included.

Personally, I don't think we'll see them in this version. A future one? Possibly.

(for what it's worth, I think maybe it's not the younger players that'd find it too intense)

Disability in The Sims might be welcome but how could it be done respectfully?

"Dannydanbo;c-17287394" wrote:

"SilentKitty;c-17287128" wrote:
https://statscmain-10b33.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/original-1.jpg


I think that with university your sims will have the ability to have some robotic limbs. Look at the pic above, the girl have robotic fingers so it does seem like she can use the robot-arm like a regular arm. However, I think this will be something you equip in CAS and that you can remove again if you want your sim to have their regular arm. I do not think that they will make new animations for sims missing arms or legs.

This is just me guessing but animations are at a premium and kids are unable to do so many things. I think this will give the sims the look of a disabled sim but still keep the animations of a regular sim and then it is up to the simmers in their stories as they want to.



https://66.media.tumblr.com/dafc01bd53e839eaf74f9e6ebda3a460/tumblr_pjwjtdM6X11xzesdfo1_500.jpg

I am just guessing here but then it would function like a piece of CC that a modder has done. The skeletal-arm can be equipped and removed in CAS easily and looks great. I could see these arms working the same way but as I say, I am just guessing.

https://pinkpatchy.tumblr.com/post/181207119947/skelly-top-this-really-fits-in-with-the-christmas

I think this might be an option in CAS, to give a sim the appearance of having a disability. I think, unlike a glove, it replaces the sims arm with a prosthetic one. I think the shoulder straps tell us it's not just a "glove" but a prosthetic for the sim. If you look to the top of the bookcase, you'll see what looks like an older version of the same prosthetic arm. Maybe she made or got an upgrade at Uni.

If there is a possibility to equip it somehow and removing it then that is absolutely how I would use it. Being able to have a sim with a story of missing an arm or an leg would be great, an absolute sellingpoint as far as I am concerned.

Hmm... had no idea that that could be too intense. I cannot just see the problem with a person missing an arm and getting a replacement if one is needed. Oh well, even if that isn't how the game sees it I have plenty of imagination and can let my sims have those stories.

I could go on a lengthy, vociferous diatribe about this but I'll try and contain myself.

As someone with a disability I can appreciate the sincerity with which people raise concerns of how exactly representation would manifest but at the same time I feel compelled to point out that this, somewhat paternalistic, sincerity results in the exact same thing as people who whine about any kind of representation, namely: maintaining the status quo.

Whether you are actively opposed to the inclusion of disabled people (tick the box that applies: PC/ebul SJWs, it's 'too real', it makes me uncomfortable, I don't want disabled people in my game etc. Seriously TRY applying that strain of reasoning to the broad representation of the LGBT, non-white or religious minorities in the sims and see how quickly you get banned. WHY is it allowed for people with disabilities?) or you raise the passive concern of exactly how it would manifest and whether it would be respectful enough without offering any meaningful insight or idea of what your interpretation of respectfully enough would look - both parties are enforcing an absence.

I happen to be of the mind that any kind of representation, even the most milquetoast, that isn't actively offensive or reinforcing of negative stereotypes is preferable to the alternative which is always none at all. Disabled people are the only minority which don't get active, visible consideration of the importance of their representation in contemporary media and a big part of that is because it's evidently entirely fine to just say you would prefer not to be reminded of their existence in your ~leisure time~ or because sincere yet misguided people end up thinking themselves in a loop of "Yes but is it RESPECTFUL enough?"

Now I have no clue what is actually up with these robotic limbs. I've seen some people say that they're just clothing items that you apply on top of your sims arm or w/e and you can see their arm underneath it. I think that's most likely what this is so I'm not holding my breath. If it's a CAS item that makes it look like a legitimate prosthetic it'll only be meaningful if it can be paired with every outfit. Choosing to replace a limb with a robotic one would be a slightly adjacent discussion, maybe more transhumanism than disability, but I'll take it. I also don't think it's immensely meaningful to introduce disability if your method for doing it immediately elides the tangible consequences of that disability (ie you can roleplay someone who lost their dominant hand but challenges that would theoretically represent immediately vanish because ROBOT HAND).

Regardless, I realize the dev team can't be expected to create an entirely new set of animations. It's something. Maybe.

Looks more like a sleeve. You can see in the above screenshot that the Sim is wearing it over her real arm (judging by how her shirt sleeve is visible beneath it, look at the elbow area) and the shelf behind her displays the robotic sleeve when it's removed. You can see from that one how one's real arm would slot inside it, with the hand at the end functioning like a glove.

@revgrv
Thank you for your insight.

I'm one of the people who's expressed concerns about inclusion of disabilities.
Part of it is because at the moment it would require massive changes to the existing game so I can't see anything major happening. I would still love if there was *something*.

I'd love if with the next installment, the team went into it planning for the inclusion of disabilities. I'm bummed that they didn't for TS4, honestly. My concern is less "would it be respectful enough" and more "please don't make this kind of representation a joke". When (I think it's inevitable that it will happen at one point) it happens, I do hope they talk to people like you, rather than assume what should or shouldn't be in the game.

For what it's worth, I am really glad there's representation for the LGBT+ community. But even so, there are things that can and should be done better, without taking away what's there. And hopefully, the devs will also start somewhere with disabilities and then built on that.

(side note: I acknowledge that it would make some people uncomfortable & there would be cries of "I don't want this in my game". Regardless, as with LGBT+, I think it all should be a part of the Sims. But yes, there will always be people against inclusion.)

I don't want disabilities in my game. I play to forget and I'm quite happy that I'm NOT represented here. Furthermore, will it be respectful? This is supposed to be fun and silly. How do you disable someone and it's funny? To raise awareness? This is a GAME. First and foremost. There is a time and place for things like that and a game is not it. There are plenty of real life groups raising awareness and it should be kept to those functions. Now if they wanted to raise awareness by say putting proceeds from a sale of an ep to a cause, then ok, that's actually doing something to help. This "game" has enough propaganda now and I really would be offended if it was in the game because I know they wouldn't get it quite right. Where would you draw the line anyways? There is so many disabilities out there and you can't possibly include them all. You know people would abuse them, (I abuse my able bodied sims! ha!) and I don't think I'd feel good about that.

I know people are trying to be sensitive, but from a stand point who is on the other side, sometimes your sensitivity is too much, we want to feel included, not held on a pedestal and pointed out for being different (even if it's meant well). Being included sometimes means to not take a notice and just go about your day so I can go about mine without feeling out of place.