EA Engages with Fans to Keep The Sims Relevant

At the beginning of our conversation, The Sims General Manager Kate Gorman mentioned the phrase "the speed of pop culture." This term refers to the rapid pace at which modern popular culture is evolving. It is characterized by its fast and chaotic nature, with trends, moments, and fashion coming and going quickly. The culture is also highly fragmented, with different social media platforms often featuring distinct topics and conversations. This presents a challenge for anyone trying to keep up with the latest pop culture trends. The Sims franchise, which aims to tap into current cultural phenomena, faces an interesting dilemma in this regard. According to Gorman, the speed of pop culture is a topic of frequent internal discussion. Trends are changing faster than ever, with what is popular today potentially becoming outdated in just two weeks. The rapid transformation of technology has accelerated this process, making it difficult for companies to keep up. However, by leveraging the power of creators, The Sims can move at the speed of pop culture. If players have an idea, they can help implement it in the game, allowing for faster and more accurate representation of current trends. The Sims players have been able to create and share content through The Sims Gallery for some time. This feature enables EA and developer Maxis to keep up with current events. Nevertheless, finding content can be challenging, and the segment has experienced some issues that have frustrated players. Gorman describes The Sims as an entertainment platform that is being built, with creators playing a crucial role in the process. By allowing players to create and extend new spaces, The Sims can move at the speed of pop culture. This means that players can create something in the game in 15 minutes or less, enabling them to imagine their ideas more quickly and accurately. To achieve this, EA has introduced a new Creator Program, which offers various benefits to creators, including the ability to earn money from their creations. The company is also packaging the best user-generated content into "Creator Kits," which will be distributed in the same way as official packs. With over 100 million assets in the Gallery, EA recognizes the importance of its creators, particularly those with a strong community following. The company is working to make the creation process easier and more enjoyable for both creators and the community. In terms of future Sims titles, EA is turning to fans to determine the direction of the franchise. While there is no The Sims 5 in development, multiple projects are underway, including Project Rene. EA plans to showcase these projects to players as soon as possible through The Sims Labs. By engaging with the community and gathering feedback, EA can prioritize its ideas and create a more iterative process. The company has already remastered two MySims games for the Nintendo Switch and is working on Project Rene, which is designed to complement The Sims 4 rather than replace it. Gorman acknowledges the potential risk of splitting the community by expanding the franchise, but also sees an opportunity to grow the audience. Over 25 years, The Sims has become an integral part of many people's lives, with various generations playing the game. The company aims to ensure that its games are available on all platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, which will allow players to access Sims games on a platform that resonates with the community. Additionally, EA has announced a movie adaptation of The Sims, with Kate Herron and Briony Redman on board as director and writers. The Sims has a passionate community, and the film aims to capture the optimistic and whimsical world of the game, with its iconic animations and reactions. With the right partnerships in place, EA is confident that the movie will deliver an experience that players will love and that will fit into the Sims universe.