Maxis and The Sims team have confirmed they are actively looking into adding disabilities to The Sims 4. In a series of tweets released by SimGuruGrant over the last month, he states that they have spoken to fellow simmers who use wheelchairs, and others who are deaf or hard of hearing. Grant also sought input that would help solve design challenges.
Still something we'd like to do at some point. https://t.co/I8tqVvns0i
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) August 16, 2018
I would want to have wheelchairs to reflect the stories of differently abled people. But, it could also work with elders and others. https://t.co/z3CnfOCxNy
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) June 29, 2018
It's a HUGE opportunity I want us to solve.
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) June 8, 2018
We haven't been able to make any real progress on it, but I was talking to some Simmers who use wheelchairs a month or so ago and they helped us solve some design challenges. I'd be very very cool to do. https://t.co/McZOTU8WAI
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) June 29, 2018
Moment of truth: When we talk to different folks, and do research, everyone has different terms. Disabled, handicapped, differently abled…I'm trying to tread carefully and respectfully. I apologize right now if I said something wrong. This affects my family as well. https://t.co/mpffvwSFo6
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) June 29, 2018
I appreciate this article. Do you prefer the term disabled then? Or something else?
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) June 29, 2018
Thank you for the article – I will definitely read it. Key to delivering on this feature is interacting with Simmers who are actually disabled to guide us, tell us what works, and what doesn't. I've already started talking to folks to learn about it.
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) June 29, 2018
We have ideas on how to do the Simlish sign language. It would probably be a dab of ASL to abstract a lot of different socials.
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) June 29, 2018
Same with the idea of deaf Sims, which is something we're investigating – we're talking to Simmers who are deaf, hard of hearing, etc. so they can help guide us. Thanks for speaking up, i really appreciate it.
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) June 29, 2018
Yes, and unsure.
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) September 12, 2018
Trying to talk to some folks and look at what we can do, when. Will be a quiet for a bit. Stay tuned.
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) September 16, 2018
We would not charge for this.
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) September 10, 2018
Now that Grant reached out to players for input on a range of ideas regarding disabilities, he confirmed Maxis is actively considering what they can do to make it a reality.
Yes. We are actively pondering this right now. https://t.co/NQdtWe3Xqe
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) September 5, 2018
Give us a little time. It's important.
— Grant Rodiek (@SimGuruGrant) September 5, 2018
If The Sims team properly executes the addition of disabilities to the game, it would be a first for the series. It remains to be seen whether or not these ideas reach development.
Featured Image: Wheelchair CC by Sims3s.ru
