Popular video game introduces 'trans-inclusive' character traits, like sex change surgery scars

WASHINGTON (TND) — A popular video game franchise is stirring controversy for its latest update which includes transgender character options like binders, shapewear, and 'top surgery' scars.

Announced on Tuesday, the new content patch for "The Sims 4" has supporters celebrating the addition of more "inclusive" options to the game, while critics were quick to criticize the changes made to a franchise that has been marketed to children as young as 13 years old.

Game maker Electronic Arts (EA) and "The Sims" developer Maxis detail the upcoming changes to the game in a "patch notes" release. The release says that the upcoming changes are "purely visual" and don't add new "gameplay."

When listing the new character options and cosmetics, the release devotes a whole section to what it calls a "Top Surgery Scar." Top surgery is also sometimes called "masculinizing chest surgery" and is the removal of breast tissue from transgender men or nonbinary people who wish to shed their feminine chests to more closely align with their desired gender, according to the Mayo Clinic.

All players can find a Body Scars category with an option for Teen and older male Sims (masculine of feminine frame) to add a Top Surgery Scar to their Sims," the new patch notes read.

Many critics, including prominent conservative social media accounts, lamented the changes.

Former Trump Advisor Stephen Miller called the update "atrocious," and conservative Twitter personalityIan Miles Cheong said "God this sucks" in reaction to the news.

Conservative watchdog Twitter account Libs of TikTok shared screenshots of the game's update, pointing out that the game is "advertised for ages 12+" and that the new update "has the option to make a teen character non-binary or transgender by giving them double mastectomy scars and chest binders."

They’re teaching young healthy girls that it’s ok to chop off their breasts," @LibsofTikTok said in a tweet.

While critics lamented and bemoaned the changes, supporters and advocates celebrated the news.

Oh my god I’m literally crying!!! Finally binders and top surgery!!! My little trans heart is so happy," one tweet said.

Binders, top surgery scars, hearing aids and glucose monitors?"another Twitter user said. "This is the best update since we could have feminine clothing on masculine frame and vice versa."

Gaming website Kotaku called the added "trans-inclusive" options "all extremely good s**t."

That Maxis and, by extension, EA is aware of and acknowledge its trans community in such a representative way makes me feel good," wrote Kotaku's Levi Winslow. "Maybe other studios will follow suit, making trans-inclusive representation something worth investing in and implementing in games."

Even fellow game maker and popular Microsoft console Xbox chimed in with praise, saying "Vadish, we love it!"

The word "vadish" means "thank you" in the Sims made-up language of "Simlish" that exists within the game.

Others praised some additional character options the new update promoted, including medical devices like hearing aids and even infants.

"The Sims" has already updated its game with more inclusive options, such as the addition of alternate pronouns in May 2022.

The game is rated "T for Teen" by theEntertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB)which means it is "generally suitable for ages 13 and up." Common Sense Media reviews suggest the game is suitable for children aged 10 or older.

EA's "The Sims" franchise is a series of "life simulation" games and is one of the best-selling game franchises of all time. So far, the franchise has sold nearly 200 million copies of its games worldwide, according to VGsales.com. The first Sims game was released in Feb. 2000.

The National Desk has reached out to EA regarding the upcoming game update, but has yet to hear back. If a response is received, it will be added to this article.