When I saw the contests EA sponsored for the other platforms, but there was only a hot tub and music from Sims3 for the PC players, I felt sad the franchise had come to this. EA could not have made it any clearer we PC players are an afterthought in their plans for the future of the Sims. My guess is Sims5 will be an onlne game only, because of the success EA has had porting the game across every platform, and the control the corporation will have once Sims5 is released. The live service through Origin was a clear indication this day was coming. EA took this opportunity to deliberately downplay the importance of the PC version of The Sims franchise by not celebrating the past iterations in any way. Unless you can count that render from five years ago where they didn't change the 15 on the gnome to 20. EA has no sentimental feelings for the franchise beyond how much income it is capable of generating.
Yes, EA could have taken this in a different direction by acknowledging a loyal fan base that has stayed with this franchise for twenty years. But instead of being inclusive, EA decided to celebrate the Sims4 with the new younger fans who aren't as emotionally attached to the franchise as some us are. Because those younger fans are easier to please. They may not have played past iterations so the game's shortcomings are not apparent to them. Not yet anyway. What EA has failed to realize is the fact these new fans won't always be teens, and any games they play now will need to grow up and evolve also. Or all the time and money EA put into building this new fan base will have been a waste of their resources. Which is ironic when EA has a faithful fanbase it spent twenty years cultivating only to alienate those fans, and who are now feeling obsolete and irrelevant. Where is all the inclusivity EA and the gurus have been talking about the past few years when part of the fan base has basically been hung out to dry after being told it is no longer important?
I did not expect a huge celebration for this anniversary. But I did hold out some hope EA would at least act as if it cares we are still here.
