Content creators specializing in The Sims 4 content are leaving the EA Creator Network in protest after EA confirmed it was to be acquired by a group of investors consisting of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.
The deal — announced slow last month and valued at about $55 billion — this is the largest entirely private, all-cash sponsorship investment in history.
Part of a community that has always strived to be welcoming and inclusive, some The Sims developers now fear that the documented conservative values of EA’s buyers – which include Donald Trump’s son-in-law and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – will influence the game’s development, claiming that “the values represented by acquiring EAs are fundamentally inconsistent” with the values of The Sims community.
Streamer Kayla”LilSimsSims, who has more than 2 million subscribers and has worked with EA in the past to develop DLC, said she was “devastated” by the news of the sale and that “the situation is a nightmare for our community.”
“I have made the decision to remove myself from the EA Creator Network. I hope that pressure from developers and the community will cause EA management to reconsider the long-term impact of this sale and preserve the values that have made The Sims so beloved,” she wrote in a heartfelt message on YouTube (Thanks, Polygon).
“This means I will no longer receive early access to Sims packs and will no longer have a creator code. Under the new ownership, I feel I cannot maintain a direct relationship with the company. I also truly believe they will benefit more from my early access content than I will, and I think leaving is the strongest action I can take against the sale.”
She continued: “This situation is a nightmare for our community. No one is supporting this sale, and it puts the creators in a very difficult situation. They have built their entire career and livelihood on a game they have no control over. I ask that you do not harass other Sim creators because of their decisions regarding the game and the creator network. I am very happy that I can make this choice, but not everyone has this opportunity. I truly do not believe that there is a “right” answer, and everyone is still trying to figure out the next steps.
Sims concluded by writing, “I am truly devastated by this sale and I know many of you are too. It is terrifying and heartbreaking. I truly appreciate your support as I try to deal with this.”
“Jesse”Plumbell“McNamara, DevonBumpkin, VixellaAND James Turner they all left the EA Creator Network in a similar way.
“Due to the recent sale, I have asked to leave the EA Creator Network and will not be purchasing or creating content for any future release” – McNamara he wrote.
“I think taking this position is the right choice for me personally, but I have no intention of judging anyone based on their decision. I’m in a privileged position to be able to say so easily that I’m leaving. I hope the sale goes through, and if it doesn’t, I hope those who remain will put pressure on EA to maintain the level of integration that has always been in The Sims.”
EA released a statement on the matter via The Sims’ official social media accounts. The company emphasized that “we deeply respect that everyone experiences The Sims in their own way and makes the choices that are right for them. Whether you choose to play, create or share, we are 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 true self.”
In 2022, also MTP became one of Nintendo’s largest shareholders with a 5.01% share. Pokémon Go developer Niantic also announced that it would he sold his game library earlier this year to mobile game developer Scopely, controlled by Savvy Games Group and PIF.
Vikki Blake is an IGN reporter, critic, columnist and consultant with over 15 years of experience working with some of the world’s largest gaming sites and publications. She is also a Guardian, a Spartan, a Silent Hillian, a Legend, and an eternally High Chaos. Find her on Blue Sky.
