The Sims Freeplay - Language + Representations

Language / Gameplay analysis

Watch The Sims: FreePlay trailer and answer the following questions:

1) What elements of gameplay are shown?

Designing your character/house, pets, relationships, family, and the vast world to explore

2) What audience is the trailer targeting?

Possibly young adults/teens, due to its similarity to, but parody of real life

3) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer?

Escapism, identity

Now watch this walk-through of the beginning of The Sims FreePlay and answer the following questions:

1) How is the game constructed?

The game follows typical mobile game conventions; it tries its best at times to get you to spend money

2) What audience is this game targeting?

Primarily teens to young adults.

3) What audience pleasures does the game provide?

Escapism and identity

4) How does the game encourage in-app purchases?

It encourages in-app purchases through upgrades and DLC.


Representations

Re-watch some of the expansion pack trailers and answer the following questions:

1) How do the expansion pack (DLC) trailers reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies?

They reinforce dominant ideologies as men and women do activities that society deems as “normal” for them

2) What stereotypes have you identified in The Sims FreePlay?

Men and women relegated to stereotypical activities, like dressing up

3) What media theories can you apply to representations in The Sims FreePlay?

Gender as a performance; typical ideologies of gender are broadcasted to the audience


Representation reading

Read this Forbes article on gender and racism in The Sims franchise and answer the following questions:

1) How realistic does The Sims intend to be?

A little, but not entirely. The game is almost like a parody of real life at times.

2) How has The Sims tried to create more realistic representations of ethnicity?

The Create-a-Sim feature, where users can recreate themselves in the game

3) How has The Sims responded to racism and sexism in society?

They mention it “crosses the line” and they don’t want to add such things into the Sims.

4) What is The Sims perspective on gender fluidity and identity?

People are free to be whoever they want to be; The Sims includes same-sex marriage.

5) How does The Sims reinforce the dominant capitalist ideologies of American culture?

The Sims reinforces dominant capitalist ideologies by largely recreating the American lifestyle.

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