It is not so easy to remain outside the close attention of modern society. However, Electronic Arts seems to have decided to try to offend absolutely all of their fans.
A new scandal is associated with the addition "Snow Fields" and gamers from South Korea. The main problem was that the trailer featured objects that are associated with religious rites. Koreans were outraged by this, because in the past they were forced to follow these rituals. Fans immediately began to write about this EA under the trailer itself and on Twitter.
The main complaint of the public is the presence of a Shinto shrine traditional for Japan in the trailer. Gamers from South Korea believe that it should be removed. We cannot but agree with them on this point. The Sims is a series that has always been free from War (despite having a "Military" career) and religion. Japanese shrines are no different from any other, despite the fact that Europeans perceive them simply as an object of culture.
There were also other elements in the game that angered some users from South Korea. For example, in the video, a man appeared not in a simple colorful kimono, but in an outfit with the symbol of Japan. This pushed the players away, because in The Sims (until the fourth part) there were never direct copies of any culture, only references. And this is right, because the universe of the game is not the real world, but a space invented by the developer, and there should not be anyone's symbols and coats of arms.
What did it lead to in the end?
Of course, the developers did not want to completely exclude the beautiful Japanese flavor from the game. Therefore, first of all, they edited the trailer, cutting out from it all the scenes that outraged the public. After that, changes were made to the gameplay. They touched Shinto shrines. If previously the characters bowed in front of them in a traditional Japanese gesture, now they simply consider (as is customary to do with tourist sites).
The kimono has also been changed - made it more neutral, traditional, but without political overtones.
Fans from South Korea are happy, but those from Japan are outraged. They claim that religious symbols have been in the game before. It's true in The Sims 4 traditional Muslim attire and jewelry appeared, as well as Jewish items for the celebration of the New Year. However, Sims were never able to use them for their intended purpose - these were only cosmetic improvements. Shinto shrines have not been completely removed from the game, only the mechanism for their integration into the world of The Sims has changed.
I would send them, if I don't like it, let them not play, I'll be all the same if they make Russian drunks in the game or something like that.
We cannot but agree 🙂 However, it is difficult for us to fully understand other people's pains and grievances. It is a pity, of course, that the game has lost a piece of content (