After yesterday’s game patch added 10 additional skin tones to The Sims 4, players within the community felt the new options are a welcomed addition to the game, but feel that it’s too little, too late, & not enough. Popular website Kotaku also pointed out some cosmetic issues with some of the newest skin tones, prompting questions on the quality of content.
“Players aren’t wholly satisfied, and I understand why. On the four darkest shades, there is a strange orange patch around the nose. It’s distracting once you notice it.”
“Similarly, trying to put the make-up that comes with the game on these new skin tones is awkward. Almost every shade gives sims a weird outline around their mouths.”
Players have rightly pointed out the flaws of the new skin tones, and took to Twitter to vent their frustrations on being underrepresented in the game.
Majority of the people praising this new update just want to be acknowledged by the team and sponsored one day. If this has nothing to do with you, then stay out of it. Releasing 5+ black skintones without the knowledge of undertones is ridiculous in 2018.
— DeeSims (@DeeSimsYT) February 7, 2018
Hire a multi-cultural designer/technician, a person of color, who can enlighten, educated, and develop content that respresnts everyone. After all this is a life simulated game and I can't even create myself due to the ignorant limitations.
— DeeSims (@DeeSimsYT) February 7, 2018
I can't hold my tongue about how I feel about this game. I have played it for over 10 years and even as a little black girl I struggle seeing me within this game. My Gma always said if you have a following, use it for the good of everyone. SO IM DOINH JUST THAT GRANDMA 🙏🏾
— DeeSims (@DeeSimsYT) February 7, 2018
The Sims team is Tiring They give you some Ashy ass skin and feel like you should be happy, You don't even get different options though, But yet They have colors of the rainbow as skin 🤔 Something isn't right here .
— Simply Ruby (@SimplyRuby) February 7, 2018
I have been playing this game for 14 years. I have a journal from the 5th grade where I wrote that I wanted to work for Maxis and create sims games when I grew up.
This is 1000% NOT how you treat loyal consumers. @TheSims @SimGuruDrake @SimGuruRomeo @SimGuruGraham @SimGuruSteve https://t.co/foyMy0guIJ— Christina Shine (@Miekoh_) February 7, 2018
And that was AWESOME. But still. We get 1 or 2 random “ethnic” hairstyles and overly red and grey “dark skinned” tones. We have to do better. If cc creators have for years I don’t really see a reason why we can’t get this from the team directly.
— Christina Shine (@Miekoh_) February 7, 2018
The facts are that the Sims 4 devs would rather troll & fail on the transparency front, & water down any decent gameplay or items that we do get. You’re a company. Expect customers to not be satisfied with your product. But as long as you’re getting my $— I will not be silenced.
— Cece (@CecePlays_) February 7, 2018
They might be too different things but it kind of makes me think of make up shades. Everyone wants to feel represented. Its said that people have to wait for updates on something that should've been avaliable for a long time
— hunter hoe (@luxuricus) February 7, 2018
With many frustrated players discussing their thoughts on the latest update, SimGurus Jessica and Drake responded to criticism from players.
Okay, I just have to say it. Our devs are really passionate about listening to player wants and needs. If you aren't happy with the content we launch, I'm truly sorry, but don't discount the hard work they put into bringing you these packs. This is their livelihood.
— Jessica K👑pp (@SimGuruJessica) February 7, 2018
Such different games though, I mean look how far we've come. You couldn't really even play more than one pack at a time in TS3. Not to mentoin, we're not done with The Sims 4. There's so much more to come.
— Jessica K👑pp (@SimGuruJessica) February 7, 2018
I'm not trying to argue & openly welcome constructive criticism, but I'm also fiercely protective of the studio I work with. They are real people with real feelings, and I feel bad that people think its okay to provide destructive criticism without taking that into consideration.
— Jessica K👑pp (@SimGuruJessica) February 7, 2018
Okay. I don't normally jump into conversations like this but we had to do a complete system overhaul for the update we did to CAS which took a lot of time. We also spent a lot of time working with GLAAD to make sure it was done in a tasteful and inclusive way.
— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
We are big on being inclusive and trying to get content in for all members of the community to feel they can create themselves/friends/family more accurately and we constantly listen to feedback from the community. It may not be at the speed people want but we still try.
— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
All we ask is for folks to provide us with feedback for what they want to see in the game in a constructive manner. If you have specific examples (photos, videos, etc) then even better! Being able to visually see examples of hairstyles, clothing, skin tones, etc is really helpful
— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
Why do we have to give you photos of what people of color look like in order for us to be represented in a game? Do you not know what we look like? This makes no sense.
— Christina Shine (@Miekoh_) February 7, 2018
Why do the black gamers have to show you pictures, videos, hairstyles, textures that represent us? It’s 2018… did white gamers have to do that too? Because they are well represented in the game
— DeeSims (@DeeSimsYT) February 7, 2018
Then how do you say you normally don't get into these kinds of conversations, then say we need to have these conversations. My blood is boiling.
— Christina Shine (@Miekoh_) February 7, 2018
Furthermore, in my opinion, a true attempt at inclusivity is simply googling. There are numerous CC creators who create representative content. Even reaching out to simmers such as @Xmiramira , @XureilaYT , @ForeignSimmer1 to name a few to ask for input.
— Christina Shine (@Miekoh_) February 7, 2018
A few things: Following size isn’t a factor when we listen to feedback. This isn’t about “reminding” us about anything. This is more of a conversation between us and all of you. It is easy to google but it’s much better to have these conversations.
— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
Agreed. But what i'm saying is non-dark toned consumers don't have to have a conversation in order for their hair types and skin colors to be accurately represented. It's done. That's why it feels like we have to "remind" you all. Because it really does seem like we are forgotten
— Christina Shine (@Miekoh_) February 7, 2018
I’ve seen folks try to tear apart Megs when she asked what you want to see and I saw folks who said they didn’t want to talk to us at all because they didn’t want us to add in stuff to “profit” off of. Also looking at CC doesn’t give us a full picture for certain hair styles
— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
Since we have to stay within our art style is is more helpful to have real world examples to base content off of, especially for hair textures.
— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
Players and Gurus also responded and discussed the comments SimGuruJessica made regarding The Sims 3’s stability and player feedback. This lead to even more discussion.
Okay, I just have to say it. Our devs are really passionate about listening to player wants and needs. If you aren't happy with the content we launch, I'm truly sorry, but don't discount the hard work they put into bringing you these packs. This is their livelihood.
— Jessica K👑pp (@SimGuruJessica) February 7, 2018
Now, it's one thing to do this on your personal account (though still disagreeable if you were engaging with fans as that is acting on behalf of the franchise and company, imo) like Grant did after people expressed even mild disappointment over not being able to control pets
— 🌛Jay🌜 (@autisticwitchy) February 7, 2018
This is ESPECIALLY true if this is your livelihood. Not everyone is going to critique you the way you want them to. You have to be prepared for the fact that you're going to disappoint fans sometimes.
— 🌛Jay🌜 (@autisticwitchy) February 7, 2018
People never stay true to themselves. You wanna bash the hell outta the sims team for years, but as soon as they give your ass a free stuff pack
“THE SIMS TEAM IS SOOOO AMAZING” shut up bitch. You’re a damn sellout— E d o (@EdoSamaYT) February 7, 2018
Did a Guru really just say this? In the same breath she defends TS4 developers she basically trashed on TS3 devs. Also total hyperbole unless you had a pretty weak PC. I'm sure the devs are passionate about -their- work, but too much of it is outsourced low-effort object clones. https://t.co/swqWFMO5Gp
— TwistedMexi (@TwistedMexi) February 7, 2018
That is actually very incorrect. There are plenty of folks who are happy with the game who provide constructive feedback that can be actioned on. Many of whom reach out directly to me or other SimGurus to provide their feedback in constructive ways without insults.
— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
1. We cannot delete your tweets.
2. Saying that the studio is "lazy" is an insult and NOT feedback
3. There are plenty of folks who are happy with the content (which included a shirt, new hair, and 10 new skintones)
4. You can always wait for reviews before purchasing.— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
5. There are several sales going on between Origin and even on console for The Sims 4 Base Game + DLC.
6. While you are free to give your opinion if you are muted / blocked it is because of your aggression and the insults you throw around.— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
I was never rude to anyone! I’m just not these guys who spend their whole day on twitter saying how much they love the producers or sending cupcakes to you. I just ask for justices, I was never rude, I work with public. I know how sad is to listen something rude from someone
— Davi (@davimachaado) February 7, 2018
I used the word "lazy" due to word count. Your tweet actually said content in TS4 was a mistake created by us which is not feedback nor constructive. (image of tweet attached for reference.) pic.twitter.com/C1AVUZVSZt
— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
Her statement was correct. The more packs you installed the less stable the game was. Also neither of us had a part in TS3 and neither of us are developers.
— Drake (@SimGuruDrake) February 7, 2018
I see black simmers all complaining that they aren’t represented and they’re complaining about the work the dev’s put out – because they don’t feel represented still. I don’t understand. How can you say ‘sorry people don’t like something’ when they’re just giving feedback?
— Simbones 🌻 (@simbones_) February 7, 2018
On the same token, don’t misconstrue constructive criticism from passionate voices as discounting “hard work” https://t.co/EC7iyFqsY6
— Cece (@CecePlays_) February 7, 2018
Tbh what you’re saying to me isn’t adding up. Sims 4 is unlike any other Sims game I’ve played. I’ve never had to rely on mods and cc so heavily to make the game even bearable to play. SO MUCH is missing. if it’s your livelihood then why not listen to your consumers? 🙄
— 🎃 (@_hushkie) February 7, 2018
It is widely known that Sims players rely on mod and custom content to fill the void and expand gameplay, but perhaps Maxis should sit down with players and discuss ways to better represent the community in the game.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you feel underrepresented in the game? Do these official statements suffice? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
