Senior character artist Jess Hyland has stated that she would "fight tooth and nail" against any directive to reduce diversity or inclusivity within The Sims franchise, in response to concerns following EA's impending buyout by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Hyland, speaking at a Develop conference, indicated she has not encountered any mandates from leadership regarding the game's diverse representation and does not anticipate such a directive being introduced. "I don't think it's gonna happen and I would fight it tooth and nail," she stated, addressing worries that new ownership could steer the game's messaging away from its established values.
The acquisition, valued at $56 billion, has raised questions about potential cultural changes within EA studios. Concerns have been voiced that the debt incurred by the purchase could lead to layoffs, as evidenced by recent job cuts across several EA divisions. Furthermore, there is apprehension that the new ownership might influence game development to align with their own political or cultural viewpoints, a sentiment echoed by former Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah. Darrah suggested that studios with a history of progressive messaging, such as BioWare and potentially Maxis, might face pressure to alter their content.
The Sims, since its inception in 2000, has cultivated a reputation for supporting a wide range of player choices regarding gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and disability. This inclusive approach has led some prominent Sims community figures to express unease, with several departing the EA Creator Network after the buyout announcement. EA has previously issued a statement affirming their commitment to player expression and maintaining the game's core mission and values.
Hyland highlighted the team's sustained efforts over the past 12 years to expand character creation options, citing the significant work involved in enabling Sims of any gender presentation to wear clothing previously restricted by assigned gender. This change, she suggested, was likely driven by the development team's internal values rather than a top-down directive. The artist's comments provide a direct voice from within the development team, underscoring the individual contributions and values that shape the game's evolution and inclusivity.