When Sexual Orientation Update Comes Out In Sims 4. The game is almost entirely free of any prohibitive learning curve. And lacks complicated mechanisms that are familiar to seasoned gamers.
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If You Want To, You Can Woohoo
I’ve been a fan of The Sims franchise since The Sims 2 era. Which just long enough to link it to my coming out. And I’ve seen firsthand how it has changed through time in how it represents LGBTQIA+ relationships and identities. Same-sex relationships have always been a part of the games, with each version building on the one before it.
A quick review of the franchise’s history pertaining to LGBT inclusion reveals. That the wonderful new The Sims 4 sexual orientation update has been long overdue. And represents a significant advancement for LGBT representation in The Sims.
The Sims’ Historical Settings For Sexual Orientation
Sims from the initial However, two Sims of the same sex could not married. The Sims may have same-sex relationships and complete a “move in” option jointly that worked similarly to the “marriage” interaction. It not unexpected that the original game, which debuted in 2000, was a mirror of society at the time. When same-sex marriage was still illegal. But given how firmly grounded in whimsy the first iterations of The Sims were. You had to question why marriage couldn’t be a part of this whimsical life simulator.
However, there had been a few significant adjustments by the time The Sims 2 was launch in 2004. That had enhanced how same-sex couples were treat in the game. Similar to the original, same-sex relationships were still permissible. But now couples could go one step further and form a “joined union,” which is the equal of marriage.
Additionally, The Sims 2 contains a built-in gender preference for Sims that, when enabled through cheats. Informs players of whether gender the Sim is more or less drawn to. Despite being a fascinating mechanic, the franchise as a whole never uses the same chemistry system again.
The Most “Normalized” RenditionÂ
The Sims 3 was by far the most “normalized” representation of same-sex relationships. Meaning they lacked many unique traits or behaviors in favor of treated ostensibly on par with heterosexual Sim couples. In addition, it changed the terminology used to refer to spouses from “partners” to “husbands”. And “wives,” allowing same-sex couples to legally wed rather than just form a joined union. This indicates that although The Sims 3 accepted marital equality in 2009. It wasn’t until 2015 that it received national recognition in the United States. Talk about becoming a trendsetter!
Same-sex relationships were primarily characterize in very binary terms prior to The Sims 4. And they operated similarly to heterosexual ones. The Sims 4 features most comprehensive gender options in Create-A-Sim of any other The Sims game thanks to ongoing updates. Players have a lot of control over how their Sim presents their gender. Including whether or not they can become pregnant or impregnate other Sims.
Gender presentation, identification, and pronoun use do not necessarily indicate sexual orientation. This is true for both Sims and actual individuals. The fundamental game changes for The Sims 4 have made it simpler to tell more gender-diverse stories in-game. Which in turn has allowed users to show all elements of their Sims’ lives as they are living them.
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Details Of The Sims 4 Sexual Orientation Update
Beginning with The Sims 4, player choices could “mold”. A Sim’s amorous preferences to match those of the same or opposite gender. Players will be able to choose their Sims’ sexual orientation in Create-A-Sim. And customize who their Sims interest in romantically. Who their Sims interested in WooHooing (messing around with for teen Sims). And even choose if the Sim completely uninterested in WooHoo thanks to The Sims 4 sexual orientation update.
The Gender options and the Sexual Orientation selection are both in the same box. If both “men” and “women” checked, your Sim will attracted to both. If neither box check, there will no attraction at all. Attraction simply means that your Sim will attracted to whatever the selection is. There is a “yes” or “no” option for romantic exploration, giving players the possibility for more flexible sexual orientation excursions.
Sims interested in WooHoo have the same variety of options as Sims interested in Attraction. With “men” or “women” offered as checkboxes. All choices might left unchecked, allowing players to either never seek romance. Or have all romantic activities performed on them fail if they desire to tell an asexual plot. Players can now create aromatic Sims by leaving Attraction choices unchecked while checking one or more boxes for WooHoo interest.
The Sims 4Â Sexual Orientation Update
Sims can now ask close friends to be WooHoo Partners thanks to The Sims 4 sexual orientation update. This can an excellent “friends with benefits” mechanic for more storytelling options. As well as a technique to better depict Aromantic Sims. Sims will continue to act in their pre-update romantic ways. If players choose not to set their own Sexual Orientation preferences in The Sims 4.
SimGuruJessica, a senior designer and lead designer, stated that this is because. Mechanically speaking, nonbinary Sims don’t yet exist in The Sims 4. As a result, the attraction, romance, and WooHoo selections currently follow the gender binary of men/women. Due to the pronouns update, players can still create nonbinary Sims. But there still seems to some work to done before nonbinary can implemented as gender identification like man or woman.
In other words, nonbinary identities exist outside of the gender binary (hence the name). It’s an oxymoron to include nonbinary next to options like “man”. Or “woman” even if it is legally a gender identity. Because whole point is that nonbinary people don’t identify with either gender. Given The Sims 4’s constraints, it might be necessary for more diversified LGBTQIA+ representation.
What Happens Next With The Sexual Orientation Update for The Sims 4?
SimGuruJessica has previously said that this update is essentially version 1.0. And that the development team wants to hear from players. As The Sims 4 keeps introducing more inclusive, equitable, and diverse options. From the in-depth analysis of the new feature. The following is the most crucial information regarding The Sims 4 sexual orientation update:
The Sims has always seemed to be sensitive to LGBT identities in-game. But The Sims 4 has consistently demonstrated its commitment to telling LGBTQIA+ tales in a meaningful and respectful manner. This is a fantastic stance for The Sims team to take. And it warms my tiny Queer heart as someone. Whose experiences with The Sims 2 assisted in helping me explore and accept my own sexuality and identity.
The sexual orientation update is a success. And I can’t wait to watch how The Sims develops to be more varied and inclusive. However, there still a long way to go until all LGBTQIA+ identities appropriately featured in The Sims 4.
