"The Sims" eliminates gender restrictions in video game

by Lauren Dow
Journalism Intern

The creators of “The Sims” have released an update that will remove gender boundaries in the character building phase of the game. “The Sims 4” and previous versions of the game restricted clothing, hairstyles and other aesthetic options based on gender.

According to the Associated Press, “The Sims” publisher Electronic Arts and developer Maxis said the free update will allow users to create Sims “with any type of physique, walk, style or voice they choose.”

The goal of the update is to bring the game in line with the desires of the users, who have been unofficially modifying the PC game over the years to remove character customization restrictions. The new update will make over 700 pieces of previously gender restricted content available regardless of gender.

The studio said in a statement that it wanted to "make sure players can create characters they can identify with or relate to through powerful tools that give them influence over a Sims' gender, age, ethnicity, body type and more."

The update will not only eliminate gender boundaries, but it will also allow users to change their Sims’ gender at any time and specify whether they can reproduce with other characters. The gaming medium rarely features or allows users to create transgender characters. Notably, EA and developer Bioware featured a transgender male character named Krem in the fantasy role playing game “Dragon Age: Inquisition” released in 2014.

The franchise has made same-sex relationships available to users since the game’s debut in 2000, although same-sex marriage was not added until the 2009 release of “The Sims 3.” The most recent update brings “The Sims” in line with its inclusion of gay, lesbian and bisexual characters.

Executive Producer of the game, Rachel Franklin, said in an email to the AP that the update has been in the works for a year. She noted that "female Sims can wear sharp men's suits like Ellen (DeGeneres), and male Sims can wear heels like Prince."

According to Franklin, “The Sims 4” developer Maxis worked with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group GLAAD on the update, and followed their suggestion to remove gender symbols associated with characters from the game’s gallery.

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The Gayly - 6/2/2016 @ 11:15 a.m.