'The Sims 4' announces new gender customization options in 'Create a Sim' mode

Publisher Electronic Arts (EA) has revealed that they are going to release a free expansion for the life simulation video game "The Sims 4." The new treat includes a feature that supports the LGBT community as it can now let players create transgender characters.

As per the game's official website, "The Sims" will be giving its players gender customization options for the first time since its debut 16 years ago. This means that they can now head over to the "Create a Sim" mode and pick any kind of physique, accessories, hair style, clothing, walk style or voice in accordance to their preference. There is no limitation anymore and all choices, which are over 700 pieces of content, are applicable now to both men and women.

"'The Sims' is made by a diverse team for a diverse audience, and it's really important to us that players are able to be creative and express themselves through our games," developer EA Maxis said in its announcement post.

According to Associated Press, executive producer Rachel Franklin wrote in an email that the developers have been working on the update for more than a year. She also cited that the new customization option lets female Sims don sharp men's suits like Ellen DeGeneres, while male Sims can strut with a pair of heels like Prince.

Moreover, Franklin revealed that they did not make the update by themselves as they connected with the LGBT advocacy group GLAAD. They acquired suggestions from the group including the removing of the gender symbols in the game's gallery. In a statement by director of GLAAD's transgender media program Nick Adams, he said that the update accurately mirrors the world that everyone lives in today.

The new gender customization option basically just widened the game's world even more. Nerdist noted that "The Sims" have long welcomed same-sex romances and marriages. Thus, the latest move of EA is really not much a surprise anymore.