Players have always been able to pursue same sex relationships in The Sims games and for the most part that's never been an issue in more socially conservative countires, until now. The Sims 4 has been given an 18+ age rating in Russia because it allows homosexulaity.
The age gate was confirmed by The Sims Russian language account.
УÑтановлен роÑÑийÑкий рейтинг #TheSims4 – 18+ (Запрещено Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð´ÐµÑ‚ÐµÐ¹) pic.twitter.com/7ngWCqydnm
— The Sims Russia (@thesimsrussia) May 5, 2014
Other tweets by EA suggest that Russia's laws relating to "propaganda in support of non-traditional sexual relationships" is responsible for the high age rating – The Sims 3, released before the law was introduced, received a 12+ rating.
The account commented that the rating was awarded "in accordance with law 436-FZ – 'On the protection of children from information harmful to their health and development'."
EA is one of the leaders of LGBT equality in the games industry, being named 'Best Place to Work' by the Human Rights Campaign for two years in a row. Several other EA games, including the forthcoming Dragon Age: Inquisition, feature same sex relationship options.
News of The Sims 4's 18+ age rating in Russia comes after Nintendo was accused of being "hurtful" and "behind the times by LGBT advocacy group GLADD over the company's stance on same sex marriage in Tomodachi Life.
EA confirmed in a recent investor conference call that The Sims 4 will be released during Q3 this year.
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