The Sims 4 community is facing significant upheaval as some of its biggest content creators distance themselves from the game and its publisher, EA. Many creators, who have built their channels with millions of subscribers, now find themselves in a tough spot. They love the game but are torn about continuing to play, especially in light of recent developments.Late last month, EA announced it would be acquired for $55 billion by a consortium of investors that includes the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and Affinity Partners, a firm founded by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law. This news sent shockwaves through The Sims community, as players began to worry that the conservative values of the new owners might influence future content. The Sims has long been praised for its inclusivity, particularly as a favorite among queer players. The thought of it being partly owned by ultra-conservative entities left many feeling uneasy. This prompted top creators to rethink their association with the game.“Under this new ownership, I feel I cannot maintain a direct association to the company,” said Kayla “LilSimsie” Sims in a statement to her 2 million YouTube followers. LilSimsie, who had previously collaborated with EA on a content pack, announced she would gradually shift her focus to other games. She’s not alone—prominent creators like James Turner and Jesse “Plumbella” McNamara have also decided to leave EA’s creator program, echoing similar feelings of discontent. There’s a palpable fear that queer-inclusive features, such as the option to choose a sim’s sexual orientation, might vanish as a result of the buyout. Many creators are aware that stepping away from a beloved game isn’t simple. As they navigate the crossroads of personal integrity and career sustainability, the path forward can be complicated. McNamara expressed this sentiment, noting her privilege in being able to leave without immediate financial repercussions. “I think taking this stand is the right choice for me,” she wrote. Others, however, face a more challenging dilemma. One creator, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, shared their struggle. “I have quite a diverse community, lots of BIPOC people and LGBTQ people,” they said, highlighting the importance of representation in the game. Ultimately, they felt compelled to leave the program due to the values of EA’s new owners being at odds with the inclusive spirit of The Sims. “I just haven’t felt comfortable promoting content from a game that could be controlled by those entities.” Although they don’t fully rely on streaming income, they acknowledged that stepping away might hurt their growing audience. “Most of my viewership comes to watch me play The Sims,” they added, recognizing that any shift could lead to lost followers. On platforms like Twitch, audience engagement is crucial for creators. Larger streamers are better insulated from viewer loss, while mid-tier creators face greater risks with any changes. This has led some creators, even those critical of the buyout, to find ways to express their dissatisfaction without jeopardizing their channels. Some are choosing not to exit the creator program but are opting to forgo its benefits. “They’re not promoting any content from EA for the foreseeable future,” said one Twitch streamer, who is parting ways with some of the program’s perks. Renée, a long-time Sims player and part-time creator on TikTok and YouTube, has expressed trepidation about the buyout. “These are the biggest names in The Sims community, and they have the most leverage,” she acknowledged. Nonetheless, she has decided to stay in the creator program for now, hoping that ongoing community pressure could impede the deal. “If I do leave and the deal doesn’t go through, I’m not in a position to regain that access,” she said. However, she made it clear that if the acquisition moves forward, she would be out. The Sims community is now in a state of fracture, with top creators making significant decisions about their futures. In response, EA has issued statements aimed at calming fears. “Our mission, values, and commitment remain the same,” the company stated through a post on X, emphasizing that The Sims will continue to be a place for authentic expression. However, for many creators, these assurances don’t fully mitigate their concerns. Each creator I spoke to expressed deep sadness over the state of the game they love. The anonymous streamer, navigating the difficult decision to leave EA’s creator network, has come to terms with the idea that they might never rejoin. “I always want to uphold my integrity and morals, and I feel this buyout goes against that,” they reflected. “And that outweighs any opportunities I could miss out on.”
