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The Sims 4 is having an extremely normal one over its Star Wars DLCStar Wars was not as popular a choice as EA expected
Star Wars was not as popular a choice as EA expected
The Sims 4is once again courting (mild, predictable) controversy, this time because of the upcomingStar Wars(TM) Journey To Batuu game pack. The DLC itself doesn’t arrive for another few days (coming to stores near you on Tuesday the 8th), but Simfluencers likePlumbellahave posted preview impressions of it that aren’t glowing.
This has not improved the mood of a vocal section of Sims fans, who were already unenthusiastic about Journey To Batuu on the basis that they didn’t want it as much as they wanted something else. EA clearly felt the situation had reached some kind of crisis point, becausea statement has been put outaddressing the “community feedback” the developers have received. Sims players being annoyed at The Sims 4 is frankly pretty business as usual; EA actually responding to it is less so.
Different things will be at different stages of development at different times, of course. Journey To Batuu was most likely well into production when that video was made, but despite the statement saying they’re still working on the skin tones and that “this is not one step, but a journey”, the Star Wars DLC coming outbeforethe diversity-orientated improvements is frustrating to see. Companies got to company, but it obviously makes a Star Wars DLC look like a pure money-spinner in comparison, and undercuts the touchy-feely caring vibe.
[*babies exist in The Sims 4, but unlike in the older games they’re objects that are acted upon and don’t count as people until they’re toddlers]
Watch on YouTube
Watch on YouTube
The statement points out that when the team is considering additions and updates, “sometimes there is foundational technology we need to work through”. Cars existed in previous Sims games, so I could point to that and go “what, like it’s hard to make cars?” when in fact yes, it probably is quite hard to introduce a whole new thing into a game with a six year’s worth of code stuffed into it like a dangerously full sausage. But for something smaller like a bunk bed? Custom content makers havefashioned working bunk beds, for free, out of spit and code in their bedrooms.
In any case, the statement says that news on the next big expansion pack will be coming in “a matter of weeks” but that “cars, babies, farms and bunk beds are not part of this EP. We understand how important these features are to you but we want to be honest that they are not part of this upcoming pack.” So, adjust expectations accordingly.
I think what will inevitably happen is that loads of people will buy this anyway because most Sims players are a silent majority who aren’t that bothered, other players will continue to grumble about things, and nothing will have been learned either way. Although it has now been confirmed that you can’t shag Rey, Kylo Ren or any of the famous Star Wars NPCs in Journey To Batuu, so we have learned that EA aregoddamn cowards.
We’ve also got a fewguides for the Sims 4, including the all important list of current cheat codes, for when you need to hit that motherlode.
