Gaming

The New Sims 4 update now has transgender character customization-good or bad?

Inclusive game design — at what point does it become too much?

Sims 4: The latest win for queer gamers

Recently EA Games rolled out a software update for The Sims 4 centered on inclusion. Along with the add-ons for trans visibility, the upgrades include medical wearables like glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and hearing aids, which can be customized by color and placed on the character’s right, left, or both ears.

I know what you are thinking. Is this EA Games pandering to the gender-variant community or a breakthrough for the LGBTQ gaming community?

The Philadelphia Inquirer asked members of the trans and nonbinary community about their experience with Sims 4. Responses were positive in the general sense. The game is said to “include explicit, real-life markers of transness in the Character Creator” and portray a “representation of the community that can steer people away from misinformation and fearmonger”.

Being a life simulation game (and the biggest and most visible one so far with extensive character customization), this update is a massive celebration for the transgender community. At long last, it would be possible for them to create a version of themselves in the world of Sims 4.

How to design with inclusion in mind?

To make games more diverse and inclusive, game designers are using a variety of tactics, such as:

1. Character Customisation: Letting players personalize their avatars with various gender identities, races, and body types.
2. Non-Binary Gender Options: Including non-binary and gender non-conforming characters as playable options.
3. Diverse Storylines: Including stories and characters that reflect underrepresented groups, like the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and people of color.
4. Cultural Awareness: Incorporating cultural customs, clothing, and references from different cultures while avoiding stereotypes and cultural appropriation.
5. Varied Voice Acting: Featuring a diverse cast of voice actors to bring characters to life with authenticity.
6. Accessibility: Providing accessibility options like closed captions, audio descriptions, and alternative control methods to make games accessible to players with disabilities.
7. Community Input: Partnering with advocacy groups, organizations, and individuals from marginalized communities to guarantee accurate and respectful representation in their games.

These tactics aim to create more inclusive and diverse gaming experiences that attract a wider audience and foster a sense of belonging among players.

How would a game come off as pandering or rainbow washing

Inclusiveness in games is a great goal, but there can be some challenges that come with it. If a game is designed with an overly inclusive approach, it might come across as pandering to the gender-variant community or “rainbow washing” — which is a practice where large companies brag about pride initiatives for monetary gain.

Below are some potential downsides to an overly inclusive approach:

1. Limited creativity: When creating games, designers must be careful not to become too politically correct and limit their creativity.
2. Offending players: If a game is too focused on representing certain groups, it might offend players who feel like their own group isn’t being adequately represented.
3. Misrepresentation: If designers aren’t well-versed in a particular culture, they might accidentally misrepresent or stereotype that group, which could lead to further offense.
4. Cost: Adding a wide range of diverse characters and cultural references to a game can be time-consuming and expensive, making it harder to develop and produce.
5. Stereotyping: While trying to be inclusive, designers might fall back on stereotypes, which can reinforce harmful cultural narratives and further marginalize certain groups.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that inclusiveness is a great goal, but it’s important to find a balance. Game designers need to approach inclusiveness thoughtfully and sensitively so that all players feel valued and included in the game.

Let me know if you are a fan of Sims 4 and let me know what are your thoughts on the rise of “rainbow washing” marketing tactics in the comments. Also, check out my other article below for my take on games with limited character customization options.

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