The Sims FreePlay case study part 3 - Representations
Textual analysis
2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?
Constant reinforcement of traditional gender roles e.g. girls enjoying ballet and boys enjoying karate. White upper class stereotypes, as they focus on money and financial success.3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?
Gilroy: double consciousness
Read this Forbes article on gender and racism in The Sims franchise and answer the following questions:
2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?
3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?
4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?
5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American culture?
4) What tweets can you find in the Twitter feed that refer to additional content or other revenue streams for EA?To celebrate The Sims' 20th birthday, we're giving away a free Emerald Plumbob Hot Tub and anniversary themed tattoos! Head to the online store to get yours! Thanks to all the players who have been on this journey with us. What is your favourite Sims Freeplay memory?
Re-watch some of the expansion pack trailers and answer the following questions:
1) How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?
The DLC's reinforce dominant ideologies linked to capitalism, working to support/sustain a high quality lifestyle. Additionally, these expansion packs reinforce gender stereotypes as we see the activities the males and females participate in be very typical of their respective genders.
1) How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?
The DLC's reinforce dominant ideologies linked to capitalism, working to support/sustain a high quality lifestyle. Additionally, these expansion packs reinforce gender stereotypes as we see the activities the males and females participate in be very typical of their respective genders.
2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?
Constant reinforcement of traditional gender roles e.g. girls enjoying ballet and boys enjoying karate. White upper class stereotypes, as they focus on money and financial success.3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?
Gilroy: double consciousness
Butler: gender as a performance
Gauntlett: gender fluidity
Gramsci: marxism and hegemony
Representation reading
Representation reading
Read this Forbes article on gender and racism in The Sims franchise and answer the following questions:
1) How realistic does The Sims intend to be?
The Sims makes an attempt at being more believable rather than seeking realism. It is highly realistic in the sense that it always attempts to offer every single euphemism humans have on different subjects, such as relationships and work. However to many it could be seen as unrealistic as it is just a fantasy world/simulation (hyper-reality).
2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?
They have attempted to make it more realistic by offering more customisation in the 'Create a sim', giving a wide range of features you can utilise to diversify the game more.
3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?
"Our game is kind of a caricature of life. We don’t really have a message—there’s no racism message, there’s no tolerance message. We have same-sex marriage in our game. Our Sims will not discriminate based on gender preference whatsoever. But there’s a line where it becomes too real. The only manner of hatred we have in the game is between incompatible Sims, something that’s driven by the traits of the Sim—a hotheaded Sim, or a Sim who hates children."
4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?
At the moment a player can only choose from male and female. Maxis' PR manager states that gender fluidity has been a topic the team has been discussing a lot. They have thought about whether they should add other gender identities or not have any gender option at all but it is not something that has come to a final decision yet
5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American culture?
It reinforces the idea that if you work hard you will achieve greatness and also constantly shows the path of going to school getting a job and providing for your family which are capitalist ideologies.
Read this New Normative feature on LGBTQ representation in The Sims franchise and answer the following questions:
1) How did same-sex relationships unexpectedly help the original Sims game to be a success?
Same-sex relationships were the main factor that led to the game's soaring popularity. During a showcase of the game at huge gaming event E3, audiences were surprised but also pleased at the fact they were able to form relationships between the same-sex.
2) How is sexuality now represented in The Sims?
Sexuality is left in the hands of the player. The player has the option to let their Sim be any sexuality they want; they are not constricted by traditional gender roles. However, if a sim engaged in romantic interactions with same-sex characters, opposite-sex characters or a mix of the two repeatedly over time
3) Why have fans praised the inclusion of LGBTQ relationships in The Sims franchise?
They have praised the game because it didn't make a huge statement about the freedom of same-sex relationships, rather it just offered gamers the options to enter such relationships if they wanted to. It provided a refreshing representation of gay rights and equality as it gave audiences a sense of freedom and a positive perception of LGBTQ+.
4) Why did the Sims run into regulatory difficulties with American regulator the ESRB? How did EA respond?
American regulator ESRB gave the Sims an M rating due to its same-sex support. In response to this, EA fought hard in convincing ESRB that the game should maintain its T-rating.
5) How is sexuality represented in the wider videogames industry today?
Examples that show sexuality being represented much wider are: Fable, a popular RPG series on Xbox and Xbox 360, allowed players to have gay and lesbian relationships, and The Last of Us Part II recently made waves with a lesbian kiss of its own at E3 2018. However, there are still many games that lag behind and the gaming industry still needs a lot of improvement regarding this matter.
Reality, postmodernism and The Sims
Read this Paste Magazine feature on reality and The Sims franchise. Answer the following questions:
1) What does the article suggest about the representation of real life in The Sims 4?The article suggests that the Sims 4 doesn't have the same excitement as the Sims 3. The Sims 4 is too real and the writer questions how one can 'escape from real life' (the main reason people play video games) when they are constricted in a game that requires them to live a normal, traditional, domestic life.
2) What audience pleasures did the writer used to find in The Sims franchise?Escapism and fantasy - the various Supernatural and fantasy expansion packs enabled gamers to further this experience of diversion.
3) Why the does the writer mention an example of a washer and dryer as additional DLC?The writer expresses her disappointment in that particular DLC. She never ended up using the expansion because it reminded her of real life- "I have no desire to do laundry in real life, why would I do it in a Sims game after so many years of not having to at all? "
4) In your opinion, has The Sims made an error in trying to make the franchise too realistic?
By making it too realistic it no longer feels like a way to escape real life or even a game instead its like you're trying to live two lives as it could be mirrored through the game5) How does this representation of reality link to Baudrillard’s theory of hyperreality - the increasingly blurred line between real and constructed?It is evident that Sims portrays this, as people playing the game will not be able to distinguish between reality and signs due to them being engrossed into the game, they will not be able to identify reality or construct.
The Sims FreePlay social media analysis
Analyse The Sims FreePlay Facebook page and Twitter feed and answer the following questions:
1) What is the purpose of The Sims FreePlay social media channels?
Their purpose is to notify players of an new updates that are coming to the game or just any news in general
2) Choose three posts (from either Twitter or Facebook) and make a note of what they are and how they encourage audience interaction or response.
Wish you were a little kid again? 👧 Tap into your Sim’s 'Inner Child' with the quest re-run, live in game now!- This shows to audience they can reveal their childhood again, this will appeal to many audiences as some may have had a rough childhood, thus through the game they can enjoy it again.
How incredible is this mansion! 🤩 Have you started the special event?- Again reinforcing how you can escape from your problems, and live this idealistic lifestyle.
Get your hands on more individual bold designer fashion items from Moschino, available now!- Reinforcing capitalist ideologies, as you have to a lot of money when buying these clothes, and the only way doing this is by working hard and having a good job.
3) Scroll down the Facebook feed briefly. How many requests for new content can you find from players? Why is this such as an important part of the appeal for The Sims FreePlay?
Read this Paste Magazine feature on reality and The Sims franchise. Answer the following questions:
1) What does the article suggest about the representation of real life in The Sims 4?The article suggests that the Sims 4 doesn't have the same excitement as the Sims 3. The Sims 4 is too real and the writer questions how one can 'escape from real life' (the main reason people play video games) when they are constricted in a game that requires them to live a normal, traditional, domestic life.
2) What audience pleasures did the writer used to find in The Sims franchise?Escapism and fantasy - the various Supernatural and fantasy expansion packs enabled gamers to further this experience of diversion.
3) Why the does the writer mention an example of a washer and dryer as additional DLC?The writer expresses her disappointment in that particular DLC. She never ended up using the expansion because it reminded her of real life- "I have no desire to do laundry in real life, why would I do it in a Sims game after so many years of not having to at all? "
4) In your opinion, has The Sims made an error in trying to make the franchise too realistic?
By making it too realistic it no longer feels like a way to escape real life or even a game instead its like you're trying to live two lives as it could be mirrored through the game5) How does this representation of reality link to Baudrillard’s theory of hyperreality - the increasingly blurred line between real and constructed?It is evident that Sims portrays this, as people playing the game will not be able to distinguish between reality and signs due to them being engrossed into the game, they will not be able to identify reality or construct.
The Sims FreePlay social media analysis
Analyse The Sims FreePlay Facebook page and Twitter feed and answer the following questions:
1) What is the purpose of The Sims FreePlay social media channels?
Their purpose is to notify players of an new updates that are coming to the game or just any news in general
2) Choose three posts (from either Twitter or Facebook) and make a note of what they are and how they encourage audience interaction or response.
Wish you were a little kid again? 👧 Tap into your Sim’s 'Inner Child' with the quest re-run, live in game now!- This shows to audience they can reveal their childhood again, this will appeal to many audiences as some may have had a rough childhood, thus through the game they can enjoy it again.
How incredible is this mansion! 🤩 Have you started the special event?- Again reinforcing how you can escape from your problems, and live this idealistic lifestyle.
Get your hands on more individual bold designer fashion items from Moschino, available now!- Reinforcing capitalist ideologies, as you have to a lot of money when buying these clothes, and the only way doing this is by working hard and having a good job.
3) Scroll down the Facebook feed briefly. How many requests for new content can you find from players? Why is this such as an important part of the appeal for The Sims FreePlay?
- Different body types
- Facial features
- Different buildings
4) What tweets can you find in the Twitter feed that refer to additional content or other revenue streams for EA?To celebrate The Sims' 20th birthday, we're giving away a free Emerald Plumbob Hot Tub and anniversary themed tattoos! Head to the online store to get yours! Thanks to all the players who have been on this journey with us. What is your favourite Sims Freeplay memory?
5) Linking to our work on postmodernism, how could The Sims FreePlay social media presence be an example of Baudrillard’s hyperreality and simulacra?
I believe so as it is promoting something that isn't real but to us it is a mental mirror of real life. It is also an example of simulacra as it's situated in the real world and real actions, merging the media and real life.
Extension: Postmodernism academic reading
If you're interested (or planning on studying Media or Cultural Studies at university), read this highly academic and challenging summary of hyperreality, implosion and postmodern theory from the University of Chicago. Consider how these approaches apply to the digital media landscape we’ve been studying and in particular the videogame industry and franchises like The Sims and Tomb Raider.
I believe so as it is promoting something that isn't real but to us it is a mental mirror of real life. It is also an example of simulacra as it's situated in the real world and real actions, merging the media and real life.
Extension: Postmodernism academic reading
If you're interested (or planning on studying Media or Cultural Studies at university), read this highly academic and challenging summary of hyperreality, implosion and postmodern theory from the University of Chicago. Consider how these approaches apply to the digital media landscape we’ve been studying and in particular the videogame industry and franchises like The Sims and Tomb Raider.
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