'The Sims 4,' developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, gives players the opportunity to create and control people. The life simulation game has been praised for promoting inclusivity since its 2014 debut, offering same-sex relationships, marriage, racial and cultural diversity, and more. 'The Sims 4’s' newest patch allows players to add custom pronouns so players are able to feel represented in all aspects of the game.
As the game currently stands, Sims are assigned a pronoun based on gender binaries (man or woman), forcing the player to designate their character as she/her or he/him. The new update removes the restrictions on gender and offers the player the option to determine the Sim’s pronouns as part of the Create-A-Sim dialogue at the start of the game.
Players can select she/her, they/them, he/him, or a custom set of pronouns for their character. 'The Sims 4' acknowledges its place as a safe space within the LGBTQIA+ community, and the new feature will "remov[e] an unintended limitation on that fantasy, allowing for its players to have even more creative freedom."
Inclusive Game Features
'The Sims 4' Adds a Customizable Pronouns Feature to the Game
Trend Themes
1. Inclusive Gaming - Gaming companies can explore inclusive game feature development to promote representation and increase player engagement.
2. Customizable Pronouns - Customizable pronoun options in games can provide an opportunity for greater inclusivity for gaming communities, promoting a sense of belonging.
3. LGBTQIA+ Representation - LGBTQIA+ representation and diverse character creation options in games can promote inclusivity and positively impact player engagement.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming Industry - Gaming companies can embrace inclusive game development to promote representation and inclusion, and positively impact player engagement.
2. LGBTQIA+ Industry - Enhanced representation and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters in games can positively impact the community by promoting awareness, acceptance, and visibility.
3. Technology Industry - The rise of inclusive gaming and customizable features in technology has the potential to shape the future of tech and entertainment, promoting innovation and creativity in an inclusive and diverse environment.