EA has guaranteed its users that the new conservative leadership won’t affect the game’s diverse content.
The Sims 4 community is experiencing upheaval. Its most prominent figures are pulling away from the game, leveraging their vast followings. Then there are creators caught in the crossfire: those well-known but not quite insulated. They are facing a tough decision regarding whether to continue engaged with a game they cherish and, in some instances, rely on.
Recently, The Sims’ publisher, EA, revealed that it was set to be bought for $55 billion by a mix of investors including the Saudi Arabia Private Investment Fund, and Affinity Partners, an investment firm created by President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
This announcement shocked the The Sims’ community. Players voiced fears that the fresh ownership would sway future content. The franchise and its community have been well-regarded for their inclusivity. It presents a queer space cherished by LGBTQ+ fans. The prospect of it being partially owned by an extremely conservative, anti-LGBTQ regime spurred the most popular creators to react.
One of the first to voice her concerns was Kayla “LilSimsie” Sims, who declared she would exit the EA Creator program to her 2 million followers on YouTube. Participants of this network enjoy unique advantages, such as early and complimentary access to content expansions to showcase to their audiences, in addition to affiliate links that could provide them with a share of earnings. In January, she collaborated with EA to launch her own content expansion, permitting players to purchase her creations for their playthrough. However, she mentioned now shifting her focus to alternative games. “With this new ownership, I don’t believe I can maintain a direct link to the company,” she stated in her announcement.
She was not isolated in this decision. Almost simultaneously, other prominent figures in the life simulation genre — including James Turner and Jesse “Plumbella” McNamara — all shared their intentions to exit EA’s creator program and distance themselves from the franchise that brought them fame.
For a creator, stepping away from a beloved title is never a straightforward decision, especially when financial implications and future career prospects are involved. Yet the franchise’s renowned creators have recognized that their choice to withdraw comes with less risk for them compared to others. “I believe taking this stand is the right action for me,” McNamara expressed in her statement. “I’m fortunate enough to leave with ease.”
For many others, the decision is far more challenging, as opting out might jeopardize a burgeoning content creation career. “[The Sims] has offered opportunities beyond my expectations,” mentioned one creator who preferred to remain anonymous due to their ongoing connection with the EA Creator program, which restricts negative comments about the organization. “I cater to a widely varied audience, filled with BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ members in my community,” they noted.
Concern for their audience members ultimately motivated them to depart from the network and gradually step back from The Sims. “[The Sims] is a title that allows many underrepresented individuals the opportunity for representation,” they remarked. They highlighted how the conservative, anti-LGBTQ beliefs and actions of EA’s new owners contradict the very essence of the game. “I simply have not felt at ease promoting content from a game that might soon be in the hands of such entities.” While the creator doesn’t fully rely on streaming for their livelihood, they acknowledged that the decision to part ways may hinder their growth. “Most of my viewers come to my channel to see me play The Sims,” they added. “I anticipate that I could lose some of that audience.”
On streaming platforms like Twitch, viewership is crucial for expansion and success. Creators with larger fanbases have better protection against a decline in viewers. For mid-tier content creators, any changes, whether in streaming times or content themes, can greatly affect audience turnout. Due to this, numerous Sims creators — even those opposed to the acquisition — are inventing smart strategies to vocalize their dissatisfaction while safeguarding their channels.
Some creators are choosing to stay in the program while opting out of its advantages. “They’re refraining from promoting any EA content for the foreseeable future. They won’t be reviewing any content packs or accessing early material. They also won’t conduct giveaways,” stated one Twitch streamer leaving the program.
Renee is a Sims content creator who has been engaged with the game for more than 20 years and part-time on TikTok and YouTube for the last five. “The Sims has always served as my sanctuary,” she said. Upon learning of the acquisition, she felt alarmed but was heartened to see prominent creators make their exit. “These influential figures within The Sims community possess the most power regarding the game’s future,” she remarked.
However, she is not yet prepared to take such a stance, opting to remain with the creator program and adopt a wait-and-see strategy. “My reasoning was, ‘This agreement hasn’t been finalized yet,’” Renee reflected. She hopes that external pressure from the Sims community and two US Senators who have called for an investigation into the acquisition, may cause it to collapse. “If I leave the EA creator network, and this doesn’t transpire […] I am not at a stage in my Sims journey where I can regain a chance at something like this,” Renee mentioned. “I understand that many may disagree, which is perfectly fine. I completely respect that perspective.”
Yet, if the agreement becomes official, she states she will exit.
Decisions to depart or remain with the EA Creator program have divided the Sims community. Following the departure of notable creators, EA has released two statements aimed at soothing anxieties and speculation. “Our mission, values, and commitments continue unchanged,” EA asserted in a post on X shortly after the exodus. “The Sims will continue to be a place where you can express your true self.” Additionally, they updated an employee FAQ stating, “EA will retain creative control and our history of creative freedom and player-first principles will be upheld.”
These reassurances do little to ease the concerns of some, and every creator I communicated with voiced a profound sorrow for the current situation and anxiety about the game’s future. The streamer on the verge of exiting the EA creator network understands that once they leave, reentry is unlikely. They have come to terms with this.
“I strive to uphold my integrity and values, and I believe this acquisition, along with its potential implications for the game and the company overall, stands against those principles,” they shared. “And that outweighs any opportunities I might miss.”
