Several prominent "The Sims 4" content creators have announced their withdrawal from Electronic Arts' (EA) "Creator Network" program. This move protests the impending acquisition of EA by investment groups including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, former President Trump's son-in-law.
The $55 billion deal, announced late last month, marks the largest cash privatization acquisition in history. Investors include PIF, private equity firm Silver Lake, and Kushner's Affinity Partners. The news immediately sparked strong backlash within the player and creator communities, with many expressing concern that the new owners' political stances and conservative values could impact the creative freedom and inclusive spirit of EA's games.
The "The Sims" series has long been celebrated for its diversity and inclusivity, allowing players to freely create characters, genders, and family structures. With EA's impending change of ownership, many creators fear the game's core philosophy could be distorted. Kayla "LilSimsie" Sims, a streamer with over 2 million YouTube subscribers who previously collaborated with EA on DLC, was among the first to speak out, announcing her departure from the EA Creator Network and stating the news left her "absolutely devastated."
In a video, LilSimsie stated that the situation was a "nightmare for our community." She announced that she would no longer accept early access or creator codes from EA, emphasizing that her decision was a protest against the deal. She added that she could not maintain a direct partnership with the company under the new ownership and believed her departure was the most powerful form of protest available.
LilSimsie also urged fans not to attack creators who chose to remain, noting that many had built their careers around the game and had no control over corporate decisions. She acknowledged that while she had the ability to make such a choice, it didn't mean everyone else could. She confessed that the entire situation was "heartbreaking and frightening."
Beyond LilSimsie, several other prominent creators, including Jesse "Plumbella" McNamara, DevonBumpkin, Vixella, and James Turner, have also announced their withdrawal. Plumbella stated that her decision was a personal choice and she would not criticize others. She expressed hope that the acquisition would ultimately fall through, but if it proceeded, she hoped those who remained would push EA to uphold "The Sims'" consistent values of diversity.
Addressing external concerns, EA issued a statement via the official "The Sims" account, asserting that the company respects every player's unique way of experiencing "The Sims" and appreciates everyone's support. The statement concluded that regardless of how players play, create, or share, EA's mission, values, and commitment remain unchanged: "The Sims" will always be a space for authentic self-expression.
Notably, the Saudi investment fund has been aggressively expanding its presence in the gaming industry in recent years. In 2022, PIF acquired a 5.01% stake in Nintendo, and earlier this year, through its subsidiary Savvy Games Group, it acquired gaming assets from Niantic, the developer of "Pokémon GO." Observers worry that this massive acquisition could further shift the values and direction of the global gaming industry.
via： IGN