14 DAY TRIAL // The Sims 4, the life-simulation title from developer Maxis and publisher Electronic Arts, is getting an Adult Only rating from the Russian authorities, which probably means that it will be impossible for companies to sell it in the country.
Apparently, the move is related to the way the title portrays same-gender relationship and Ars Technica has managed to spot a number of Twitter messages from the official Sims account in the country that explain that the game should not be made available to children.
They state that the decision was made by the authorities “in accordance with the law number 436-FZ ‘On the protection of children from information harmful to their health and development’.”
The legal measure was introduced in 2010 and was updated in 2012 in order to make it a criminal offence to refer to non-heterosexual orientations in public works.
The Sims 4 is a title that aims to portray the variety of life and give players as many choices as possible, which means that they will be able to enter into same-gender relationships with a variety of characters.
Russia has become a more conservative country in the last few years and the state is seeking to make sure that no morally objectionable content is delivered via the media or the video game space.
Piracy is a big concern for all companies operating on the Russian market and all titles launched in the West are often available even if their content is not approved, which probably means that determined gamers will be able to get their hands on The Sims 4 when it launches.
The Sims series has generally received ratings in the West that allow children to play it.
At the moment, Maxis and Electronic Arts are saying that they are planning to launch the next installment at some point in the third or fourth quarter of the year on the PC and the Mac.
The Sims 4 is designed to introduce an entirely new game engine that will focus on the emotions of the protagonists and will give gamers a much wider array of actions.
Players will be able to create more varied characters and depending on their choices, they will explore new careers, new personal life options and a range of relationships with other inhabitants of their neighborhood.
Maxis is also promising that the game will have social elements, but the player will not be forced to use them.