Why does the Sims games ignore disabilities?

Question

I was playing Sims 3 just a few days ago when I had an idea to make myself in the game (admit it, who hasn't??). But then I realized, there is no Sim model with hearing aids.

The line of thought continued. Nor were there Sim models in wheelchairs, or using canes or anything. All of them look completely normal. For a game that is supposed to simulate real life, it's somewhat jarring when you realize that it ignores the section of the human population that have disabilities.

So, why does the Sim games ignore this? Too much money to animate a few more Sim models?

Answer 1

I always wondered the same thing, for Sims 2 as well. I was extremely happy when I found a custom content hearing aid, though it was only for one ear and I wear them in both ears. I haven't found anything for Sims 3 yet... They must be difficult to make.



I suppose it is too difficult. I think the weight and muscle slider was a good start towards realism, though you still can't make people of different heights. (In Sims 2 you can with the stretch skeleton cheat.) I guess it'd be making a whole new version of Simlish for sims with sign language, which would be difficult to animate, then maybe they'd be worried about whether the voices for them are stereotypical or not... Sims in wheelchairs would need a few new animations. A lot of money required... though I've always wished for a disabilities addition.



The Sims does overlook a lot of realistic things -- racism, homophobia, war, and most other prejudices... I think it's the idea of making a "perfect world", but utopias have always been very boring to me. So it all comes down to money and worrying about offending people. (Though a sign language or lipreading skill would be very interesting.)



I think a few of the traits could be arranged in such a way it suggests a sim has a mental disability. You can always say a sim has a certain disability for a story. (Though in-game recognition would be great...)

Answer 2

It could be the problem of too much work or money to get different Sim models. Making Sim houses wheelchair accessible, having Sims use sign language (or anything else to facilitate communication) would be a ton of work.

Or it could be that the makers wouldn't want to stereotype the appearances people that have any particular physical disability. It's an area that could open a lot of lawsuits or offended customers.



The Sims ignores a lot of other real life stuff, such as global perspective, war, prejudice and conflict within the community, mental illness...and small stuff, like varied height or organized sports (outside of the sports career track). I don't think the creators' desires were to make a game that entirely emulated real life.

Answer 3

I was wondering why they didn't have that stuff for the elderly Sims in particular because in the age model/timeline, they have a icon slumped over a walker but they don't give them the option when they are old, but they do have a lot of them walking a bit slumped over. But also Sims is a fantasy world, like it's easy to get your dream job in the game and what not, not everyone wants to be reminded of their problems when playing games.



Oh homophobia is definitely not in the game. Everyone is bisexual and speaking of mental illnesses, they do have a couple of characteristics you can pick for your Sim that are stereotypical of certain disorders. Gay characters can even marry and adopt children in the Sims and the expansion pack of Sims 3 called World Adventures does give a global aspect.

Answer 4

who is to say characters in a game are not disabled, when they may be designed with non physical or sensory impairment-as mental disability does not always appear obvious unless its cases that are severe,stereotypical and with heavy public awareness?



but it is true,the disabled community shoud have more of a clear representation in games,whether physical or not,we may be a minority compared to non disabled people,but we do pay for these games to.



complain to the developers of the game,get a load of disabled fans of the sims to do the same as well.



[edit]

perhaps,they shoud release a disability addon or whatever they are called?

it might be to specialist for mainstream gaming now but as an addon which often do appeal to more specialist themes,why not? have just remembered from the old ads though-its EA that developed it wasnt it? good luck getting them to see sense over money.

Answer 5

It's a game...of course they aren't going to have everything for everybody. They also don't have certain characteristics of non handicapped people. No game that you can make a character to look like you ever actually ends up looking like you.