EA added top surgery scars and chest binders to The Sims 4, under “medical wearables” along with hearing aids and glucose monitors.
In their patch notes for January 31st, EA laid out various bug fixes, improved controller functionality and UI adjustability, Build Mode on console improvements, and adding the Unswitchable Lightswitch. The update also announced adding new Sims customization options.
“There’s a new Medical Wearables category under Body and Face Accessories in Create a Sim,” EA explain. “Select the Sims face and then select Accessories to find the Medical Wearables category that contains a new hearing aid for your Toddler or older Sims.” In addition to the hearing aid, Glucose Monitors were also available. However, the list also included gender reassignment scars and clothes.
This included “Top Surgery Scar,” top surgery being the process of removing breast tissue so a woman can look more like a man. “Under the same Body category, all players can find a Body Scars category with an option for Teen and older male Sims (masculine or feminine frame) to add a Top Surgery Scar to their Sims,” the notes stated.
Likewise, “Binders” and “Shapewear” were also added — both designed to hide or flatten breasts. “With this update, players can find two new assets in Create a Sim. Under the Tanks, in the Tops category, you will find a Binder top asset for your Teen and older Sims. In the Underwear category for Bottoms, there is a new shapewear asset for your Sims as well!”
The items in question were also shown on Twitter, via The Sims‘ account. “A base game update is here with new content including medical wearables, binders, shapewear, a light switch & more including bug fixes & console gameplay improvements. Read more about today’s update in the latest patch notes!”
The Sim on the left has the top surgery scar, while the Sim on the right has the chest binder.
Microsoft followed up with their show of gratitude via the Xbox Twitter account, even speaking a little of the “Simlish” language. “Vadish [thanks], we love it!”
While the majority of replies and quote retweets also endorsed and championed the new inclusions, others took issues with the new additions to The Sims 4. @libsoftiktok — a Twitter account dedicated to showcasing controversial, bizarre, and dangerous acts or desires by those seemingly with left-wing ideals — highlighted a potential issue with the game’s audience.
“The Sims game announced a new update which has the option to make a teen character non-binary or transgender by giving them double mastectomy scars and chest binders. The Sims is advertised for ages 12+. They’re teaching young healthy girls that it’s ok to chop off their breasts,” @libsoftiktok argued.
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Being seen 2.1 million times, others soon weighed in via @libsoftiktok’s tweet, though many did mock and deride the claim. “Sick!” condemned Harmeet K. Dhillon (Republican National Committeewoman from California, lawyer, and Trump 2020 campaign legal adviser).
She added, “These practices are barbaric and permanently deform children! Mutilation is not a game!”
The Dhillon Law Group, which she founded, had previously filed a lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente (Chloe Cole v. Kaiser Permanente) for not informing a patient of the side-effects from sex reassignment treatments and surgeries.
Stephen Miller, former Senior Advisor to US President Donald Trump, succinctly deemed the update “Atrocious.”
“If my kids had this I’d delete it,” @JustinList affirmed. “I hope you get involved in a lawsuit.”
The Executive Director of Consumers’ Research also wondered if the age-rating for The Sims 4 was still fitting. “Hey @ESRBRatings, shouldn’t exposing kids to radical surgeries, that are illegal for children in many states, warrant a higher rating than 12+?” questioned Will Hild.
EA have continued to live up to their promise to “improve our representation of the LGBTQIA+ community” in The Sims 4. They had previously added ways to change a Sim’s sexuality and pronouns.
