The Sims: Language and Representation

 Language / Gameplay analysis -

1) What elements of gameplay are shown?

The trailer shows creation and customisation of Sims. Building and decorating homes/neighbourhoods. Managing Sims’ lives and needs: “real life simulation”. There are progression and reward systems.

2) What audience is the trailer targeting?

Casual, mobile gamers and more catered to women than men.

3) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer?

Diversion: through escapism and a creative outlet.

Personal identity: can create a world which captures your lifetsyle, or make that you’d like.

Walkthrough -

1) How is the game constructed?

Building your own character, house and town from scratch, in-game currency.

2) What audience is this game targeting?

Casual mobile gamers, and the youth, and women

3) What audience pleasures does the game provide?

You can complete fun activities like growing a garden, and exploring the neighbourhood - Diversion

4) How does the game encourage in-app purchases?

Timers and speed ups, and limited/premium items

DLC representations - 

How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?

Gender: reinforces women as being shopaholics

Age: pre-teen and teens as adventurous and excited

Race: lack of racial diversity but where there is the representations are arguably correct. The Penthouse however suggests the high-rise, luxurious lifestyle is not for POC.

Reinforces in general capitalistic ideologies.

2) Stereotype of women being obsessed with shopping and spending money the boutique update is overwhelmingly dominated by women. 

 3) Cultural conviviality 

Representation reading -

1) How realistic do the Sims want to be?

The Sims does not aim for realism but for believability.

2) How have they created more accurate representations of ethnicity?

The passage describes Maxis showing how an Asian character can look less cartoonish and more authentically represented.

3) How have they responded to racism?

Sinhaseni says the game avoids these themes because they would feel “too real” and cross a line for what the game is trying to be.

4) Their perspective on gender fluidity?

The Sims 4 retains a binary gender system.
When creating a Sim, the first choice is male or female, with no non-binary or alternative gender options.

5) How do they reinforce capitalist ideologies?

Life revolves around shopping, working, earning money (Simoleons), and accumulating skill points. 

Happiness is tied to consumption and productivity.