Popular The Sims creators, including James Turner, Lilsimsie, and Plumbella, have announced that they are leaving the EA Creator Network. Each of them took to their platforms last week to speak against the $55 billion private buyout deal of EA. The new owners include Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and Affinity Partners.
The EA Creator Network allows those involved to get early access to The Sims packs to review them before release. It also gives them a ‘creator code’ to earn a commission on fans’ purchases on the EA app.
Lilsimsie (Kayla Sims), made a statement on her social media and YouTube last week. She said: “The values represented by the people acquiring EA are fundamentally at odds with what I stand for and support.”
“I have made the decision to remove myself from the EA Creator Network. It is my hope that pressure from creators and the community might encourage EA’s leadership to reconsider the long-term impact of this sale and to preserve the values that have made The Sims so beloved.”
“I also truly believe that they benefit more from my early access content than I do, and I think that stepping away is the strongest action I can take against the sale.”
She finished the post by explaining that she will start weaning out The Sims content by incorporating other ‘cosy’ games into her channel.
James Turner offered similar sentiments on his YouTube community page:
“With the news of the buyout and understanding who will be owning EA in the future, I plan on shifting our focus to including more variety. In addition to that I have decided to leave the EA Creator Network and have asked to remove my creator code.”
Turner also mentioned the upcoming release of Paralives—a simulation game that has been suggested as a rival to The Sims. With the fallout from the new investors, this seems more likely.
Jesse McNamara, known as Plumbella online, also made a statement: “…I have asked to leave the EA Creator Network and I will not buy or make content around any future release.”
“I think taking this stand is the right choice for me personally, but I’m not going to judge anybody on their decision… I hope that the sale falls through, and if it doesn’t, I hope that those that stay put pressure on EA to maintain the level of inclusiveness that The Sims has always been about.”
These are only three of many creators who have pulled away from EA and The Sims recently to protest the controversial $55 billion buyout, which is expected to be completed in Q1 (April to June) next year.
Words by Ava Hicks
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