Following Electronic Arts’ decision to go private, multiple The Sims 4 content creators announced that they are leaving the EA Creator Network due to the reputation of EA’s future owners: Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners and Silverlake.
Last week, popular The Sims streamer Kayla Sims (better known for her YouTube account, LilSims) revealed that it is leaving the EA creator network and will be adapting its content to include other life simulators such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Sims’ departure from the Sims Creator Program (part of the EA Creator Network) comes as a shock to some due to Sims’ close collaboration with EA in the past – in January, Sims even collaborated with EA on a special DLC pack it was supposed to reflect her specific taste.
“This news devastated me” – Sims – wrote in a social post on his YouTube channel, where he has over 2 million subscribers. “The values represented by people purchasing EA are fundamentally at odds with what I stand for and stand for. I have been losing sleep over this for weeks and I deeply don’t know what to do next. I love The Sims so much. This game has completely shaped my entire life and I care deeply about The Sims and the community.”
Sims says she hopes others will join her in boycotting the game in hopes that it might stop the sale to EA or at least influence what future EA owners do with The Sims franchise.
“I have made the decision to remove myself from the EA Creator Network,” Sims continued. “I hope that pressure from developers and the community will encourage EA management to reconsider the long-term effects of this sale and preserve the values that made The Sims so beloved.”
EA often works with members of the EA Creator Network to advertise upcoming games The Sims 4 DLC packs. Creator Network members receive free, early access to recent DLC packs along with a Creator Code that viewers can operate to purchase Sims 4 content. Whenever a recent expansion is released, EA Creator Network members can be found on Twitch and YouTube, where they broadcast live gameplay and build buzz around the latest update.
“I will no longer receive early access to Sims packs or Creator Code,” Sims said of her decision to leave the EA Creator Network. “Under new ownership, I feel like I can’t maintain a direct relationship with the company. I truly believe they get more out of my Early Access content than I do, and I believe leaving is the strongest action I can take against a sale.”
Longtime Sims historian and YouTuber Jesse McNamara (who walks by Plumbell on the Internet) as well announced their departure from EA Creator Network, just like the popular build mode player DevonBumpkincustom content curator VixellaAND Sims 4 challenge a YouTuber James Turner.
Shortly after content creators announced their departure from the EA Creator Network, EA released a statement via an official statement Sims 4 X, assuring players that The Sims will always be a franchise about self-expression.
“We deeply respect that everyone experiences The Sims in their own way and makes the choices that are right for them.” we read in the post. “No matter how you choose to play, create or share, we’re grateful to be a part of your journey. Our mission, values and commitment remain the same. The Sims will always be a space where you can express your authentic self.”
About 38% of Sims 4 players identify as LGBTQ+and many people fear that the game – which has been very inclusive and affable to LGBTQ+ players in the past – will have a negative impact when The Sims lands in the hands of recent owners. Others aren’t concerned about LGBTQ+ content being removed from the game, but simply don’t want to financially support a game owned by freeholders a multi-threaded history of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and behavior.
