The Sims 4: My Wedding Stories Won’t Release In Russia

Let’s get the obnoxious stereotypical joke out the way first: In Russia, man doesn’t love you, or you’ll be taken to a place where you’ll be locked inside with lots of men. I’ll never understand anti-LGBTQ+ laws that lead to someone getting arrested for their sexuality, then are proceeded to be lock-up with their preferred gender. Anyway, if you are unaware, there are still some backward places where being gay is still seen as, if not illegal, highly discouraged for violent retaliation. Places like include parts of the US, some bits of Scotland, most of the Middle East, and Russia. The latter of which won’t see the release of The Sims 4‘s latest themed pack.

The latest pack, themed around weddings, will not release in Russia for views so old that I’m sure Rurik, The first prince of Novgorod, would have thought they were dated. Under Russia’s downright homophobic law, the pack is deemed “gay propaganda.” Yes, how dare cartoon Адам and Stepan be happy, it can only be Адам and Eвa. I hope you can hear the sarcasm dripping from my tongue as I say that, and while the phrase “well it is [X-year]” gets thrown around a lot, it doesn’t change anything, this nonsense goes on.

It was only 2006 when Bully (or Canis Canem Edit) was banned in Brazil, not because you could shoot fireworks at kids, but kiss young men (as a young man). Meanwhile, The Last of Us Part II was banned in Saudi Arabia for all the gay stuff. In Singapore for a while, Mass Effect was banned for gay alien stuff, as was the 2nd and 3rd in the UAE for the same reason. So this idea of denying The Sims isn’t new, nor is the narrow sightedness of believing its release will spread being gay like a virus plaguing countries for more than 2-years of a pandemic.

The Russian law prohibiting this so-called “propaganda” was passed in 2013, all under the guise of protecting children because, and it isn’t shocking to find this out, it contradicts family values. Yes, clearly, as shown by the very unhappy and problematic family lives of Neil Patrick Harris and Elton John. Though the DLC isn’t officially banned, the fact it would if released is stupid enough. If it seems like I am being childish here, that’s because there is no reasonable way to respond in the face of backward stupidity. However, somehow it had to be done, and it seems the people over at MAXIS could find that someone.

In a statement on the situation, the Sims team said, “Over the years, you’ve delighted us with the ways your Sims have found love and celebrated that love through weddings in our base game. You’ve also shared with us your eagerness to walk down the aisle, have your Sims take their seats[,] and shed a tear of joy as you made a lifelong commitment.” The My Wedding Stories pack is to feature a lesbian couple, Dom and Cam, and the team went on to say, “Their love story reflects the lived experiences of so many members of our community and team.”

Russian authorities aren’t officially banning the My Wedding Stories pack, it won’t see a Russian release. The team goes on to state that they are committed to telling and celebrating stories such as Dom and Cam’s, though the statement mentions that with a Russian release “our storytelling would be subject to changes because of federal laws.” The team would rather forgo the story being subject to alterations, which would damage the intention of showing a gay couple in such a role. This is the solution that keeps the team’s integrity best intact, while also telling the story they wanted to.

I think I’ve made it clear, if you can’t stomach the image of two cartoon people (two men or two women) kissing, I don’t think you’ve evolved much beyond bashing rocks together. The fact the team over at MAXIS feels this is the right thing to do shouldn’t be the case, and despite my general displeasure towards The Sims 4, I still think at least attempting to release it would send a better message. Nonetheless, The Sim 4: My Wedding Stories will be released on February 17th for Windows PC, Mac, PS4 & 5, and Xbox One & Series X/S.