Gamers have long been stereotyped as white, male and heterosexual. Players who identify as gender nonconforming or disabled can now, through The Sims, create a mirror of their reality and explore choices that may be more restricted in their real lives. The upcoming Growing Together Expansion Pack, for example, emphasises family interactions in which players can explore different ways to strengthen family bonds, take care of family members and raise a happy baby. In its simulation of real world living, without real world limits, The Sims offers players the chance to embody characters that represent their true selves, aspirational selves, or an entirely different identity – it’s all down to the player’s choice.Ī trailer for The Sims 4’s Growing Together expansion pack.īecause of the nature of the life simulation game and the flexibility in how the game can be played, The Sims offers informal learning opportunities to its players. Sims can make friends, lose friends, get married, start families and eventually meet their end – with a grave their sim relatives can grieve over. Their spare time can be spent on fun skill-building activities such as fishing, computer hacking or even ghost hunting. Their simulated characters (known as “sims”) can work, socialise, develop skills and even age without being restricted to a linear path.įor example, players can train their sims to become renowned artists, devious thieves or culinary wizards. Instead of following a quest format, the Sims offers gamers multiple possibilities for game play.

But unlike most other AAA games (high budget and high profile games produced by leading publishers), this open world life simulation game has no clear end goal. The Sims is one of the bestselling franchises in gaming history.

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