In The Sims™ 4 some values are certainly given by the game; make money to buy nicer things, progress in your career by doing tasks that improve your skills, charisma is a skill but not kindness. But also ideology is put into the game by the player. The player chooses what to reproduce and often share in the "gallery" or on social media. In contrast with what has been said by game design theorists in the past (Aarseth, 2004), the narrative power and "richness of character" of a game like The Sims™ 4 lies precisely in the freedom left open to the players. "The positive potential of authorship" come precisely from the malleability and user control, once you see that the player is the author. Community being so important in this game then means that the crux of the social reproduction is happening when the choices you have made in the game are broadcasted. Did you create a heteronormative white thin nuclear family that made a lot of money? Or did you choose to play differently?
The development of this community has also led to a strong culture of modding or rewriting the game's actual code to change appearance, performance and behavoior.This brings the power of authorship even more into the hands of the players and users.
In a spirit of respect and love for this community we have published Console as downloadable content for The Sims™ 4, find out more on issue.xpub.nl/20
