During a new Maxis Update Twitch Livestream, the Sims Team announced that they are taking further steps into inclusion by introducing Customizable Pronouns in The Sims 4.
Here's what we learned about the new pronoun features, including how and when they'll be implemented in The Sims 4!
Release Date
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the new Maxis Update livestream is that in the end, the development team wasn't able to give a concrete timeline for adding customizable pronouns to The Sims 4.
Despite this, the in-game looks at how the feature looks now and overall update gave the impression that we aren't too far off from the launch of its first form. This feature will evolve plenty over time, so players shouldn't expect a final form when it finally makes its way into the game.
We'll update here with all the latest news on when players may finally see customizable pronouns in The Sims 4 as it arrives.
Customizable Pronouns in The Sims 4
The implementation of customizable pronouns in The Sims 4 will take place in the Create a Sim (CAS) section. At the same time, the plan is to bring these changes to all languages and expand on their integration in the game.
The first phase will focus on customizable pronouns for English due to the complications in finding the appropriate way to address this situation in the 18 Languages of the Sims 4.
The image above provides a Sneak Peak how these changes will look in CAS.
Players now will have the opportunity to change their way of representing themselves closer to reality.
Traditionally, characters introduce themselves as:
- My name is Apple
Now the customizable pronouns will look like this:
- My name is Apple, and my pronouns are She/Her/Hers
Although this is still a work in progress, the team hopes to feature all pronoun options in the English Language by its launch and continues to work to make sure all players are included.
The players who decide to continue representing themselves without pronouns will have this option available as well.
Big Breakthrough
The idea of customizable pronouns in The Sims has been an ongoing conversation since late 2021, and we're finally seeing it come together in the new year. Even though the new feature is still unavailable, the Sims 4 team is pioneering and evolving to better connect with their players - and it's a great sign for the future of the game and series!
The Sims 4 is making significant progress in representation for all communities, taking the premise that The Sims 4 are a faithful representation of real life to a whole new level.
For some community members, this is an effort that's been in the making for a long time. This includes the big moment in October 2021 when more than 20,00 players joined a petition on Change.org, started by Twitch streamer Momo Misfortune.
As the new feature comes together for The Sims 4, we'll see it evolve over time, and hopefully see it as a launch inclusion in The Sims 5 when its release date comes around.
You can watch the update covering this new feature in full for yourself below!