The Sims 4 is finally fixing its skin tone problem

By Alyssa Mercante
published

Black simmers have been creating custom content to fix the game's skin tone problem since launch

(Image credit: EA)

The Sims 4 will add more skin tone options and improve current skin tones this year, according to GM Lyndsay Pearson in a video released on Twitter.

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"Inclusivity is at the core of the Sims franchise," Pearson says. "From the beginning we set out to let you build sims that look like you or people that you know. And we understand that right now it doesn't feel like we're truly living up to that promise." Pearson assures simmers that their criticisms and requests for a better variety of skin tones and hair styles. "We are making it a priority to release more options this year, as well as to address the visual issues with current skin tones - specifically to improve the blotchy artifacts and ashy tones," Pearson assures.

While the first two Sims games had a paltry selection of skin tones, The Sims 3 had a color wheel that allowed for a diverse range of skin colors - although there were often issues with loading textures. The Sims 4 currently has 35 skin tones, with 10 darker tones and 10 alien and vampire-colored tones. Black simmers have complained that the darker tones have strange coloring and texture issues, including orange blotches and an ashy shade to many tones.

That's why Simmers have been creating custom content in order to better depict a wide variety of skin tones - The Sims Spark'd competitor Xmiramira even discussed her popular skin tone pack on the show. Both her and simmer EbonixSims have created skin tone packs that have helped black players create Sims that better represent themselves. 

It's great to see EA acknowledging a massive fan movement to make a game about inclusivity and personal expression even more inclusive and even more open for expression. 

The Sims Spark'd team reflects on the revolutionary reality competition after its first season. 

Alyssa Mercante
Alyssa Mercante

Alyssa Mercante is an editor and features writer at GamesRadar based out of Brooklyn, NY. Prior to entering the industry, she got her Masters's degree in Modern and Contemporary Literature at Newcastle University with a dissertation focusing on contemporary indie games. She spends most of her time playing competitive shooters and in-depth RPGs and was recently on a PAX Panel about the best bars in video games. In her spare time Alyssa rescues cats, practices her Italian, and plays soccer.