Gender Values in Simulation Games: Sex and The Sims

My paper is based on the idea that computer games as simulations can be seen as a new kind of aesthetical realism forming a certain perception of reality and thus certain ideological statements. These statements can be found in the structural shaping of the games, in other words the rules and gameplay of a game. The investigation thus concerns the framework that the rules and gameplay provide in games and its ideological effects or statements, and in this paper, I am specifically interested in uncovering value statements on gender and sexuality in The Sims 2 (EA Games/Maxis 2004). The Sims, being an immensely popular game and a ‘pioneer’ within the prevalent genre of simulation games, can be seen as representing general tendencies in computer games, and therefore the study of this game should offer overall insights into the ideological aspects of gaming.