The Sims 4 Wedding DLC is now available: It’s a sad aspect of life that game designers occasionally have to censor before releasing them in specific countries. Sometimes, this results in small changes, such as restricting one person’s name, item, or item, or even an enemy. In other instances, local laws force developers to block large chunks of content.
At the time of writing, this appears to be the situation in the case of Russian The Sims 4 players. EA had previously stated that the company would not be releasing The Sims 4: My Wedding Stories expansion in Russia due to the country’s restriction regarding LGBTQ material in mainstream media.
However, the company reverted its course earlier today. Stating that the editor “realized that we could do more than we originally thought.”
My Wedding Stories is a coming The Sims 4 expansion focused on weddings and courtship.
It allows players to plan elaborate wedding ceremonies. And the marketing focuses on the love story between two women called Dominique and Camille. But the publishers Electronic Arts and Developer Maxis initially said that the expansion wouldn’t be going to Russia due to Russia’s anti-gay laws.
EA did not specify the law. It thought the forthcoming Sims 4 content pack could infringe. The decision was likely to have based on a law from 2013 that restricted the depiction of LGBTQ relations in media for children.
The law explicitly states that media targeting people younger than 18 cannot portray homosexuality as usual, and the Russian government refers to such content as “propaganda.”
This law’s passing coincided with an increase in anti-LGBTQ violence within this Eastern European country.
The Sims 4 Wedding DLC is now available
It’s unclear if EA resisted its DLC to protest against the restrictions or because the publisher was worried about legal consequences. Arising from the extension or its marketing.
However, it appears that Maxis believed that it was required to modify the pack’s content before the release in Russia. That’s something EA has previously stated it would not do. According to Maxis, the censorship of gay relationships this way is not acceptable.
The game’s creators have recently said to their fans. “We believe in being the person you are, in being who you are. And to share the stories you wish to share.”
Then, EA reversed the decision following a campaign by fans using this hashtag: #weddingsforrussia.
Many users claimed they were aware that The Sims 4 already has relationships with same-sex and is accessible in countries with an 18+ rating. Therefore, it’s not clear why EA thought it was unable to make My Wedding Stories My Wedding Storiesadd-on Russia without making significant modifications.
Electronic Arts announced its plans to launch the expansion in Russia in the early hours of today. According to the official statement of the publisher. “It’s equally important for us to adhere to our principles. Including opposing homophobia and to share these stories to those who would like and require it most.”
Russian Sims 4 players will access the entire unverified Sims 4: My Wedding Stories content pack. The only drawback could be that EA and Maxis will require extra time to prepare for My Wedding Stories’ launch in Russia.
EA, therefore, decided to postpone the release of the pack to February 23rd. The good news is that the Sims 4’s Russian fans are certainly happy to have the content pack in the first place.
The Sims 4 is available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
