Recently unearthed design documents from 1998 reveal that The Sims development team at Maxis had some intense discussions about including same-sex relationships in the game. Don Hopkins, a programmer working on The Sims, strongly advocated for their inclusion, dismissing any opposition as outdated and irrelevant.
This was a bold move for its time. During the late 1990s, LGBTQ+ representation in media was still controversial, and many companies avoided it to dodge potential negativity. The gaming industry was particularly conservative in this regard.
Despite the risks, the team decided to go ahead with including same-sex relationships. This decision wasn’t just about representation—it was part of The Sims’ broader goal to accurately reflect diverse human experiences.
The gamble paid off big time. When The Sims launched in 2000, it became a massive hit. The game’s open approach to relationships attracted a wide audience, including LGBTQ+ gamers hungry for representation and curious players intrigued by the game’s progressive stance.
At E3, the game’s booth exploded with popularity when people saw same-sex characters kissing. This buzz helped cement The Sims as a must-play title and contributed to its status as one of the best-selling PC games ever.
The Sims’ inclusivity set a new standard for the gaming industry. While same-sex couples were initially labeled as “Joined Unions” rather than marriages, they received equal treatment in gameplay. This paved the way for more diverse representation in future games.
