Maxis just revealed the latest update to their iconic The Sims 4, and it’s one that’s causing a lot of uproar from the fans. From March 17 on PC and Mac, The Sims 4 will have a new in-game Marketplace, a space that will not only offer the existing paid Expansion and content packs from the developers, but also paid fan-made content. The Marketplace will come to PlayStation and Xbox at a later date.
These fan-made packs will be known as Maker Packs, named after the new Maker Program that allows creators who specialise in creating The Sims 4 content to share their work in-game in exchange for cash. This is a system designed to both incentivise and reward the efforts of creators, and also make the download of custom-made content easier for fans of The Sims 4.
Fans across social media are not pleased with the reveal of Maker Packs – and it’s not simply because they’re paid. Rather, many are pointing out what they deem to be an unfair profit split between Maxis owners EA and the individual content creators. Partnered Makers in The Sims 4 Marketplace will receive approximately 30% of the money spent by gamers on their content, whilst the other 70% will be taken by EA. Purchases must be made in the Marketplace using a new currency known as Moola, which is purchased in predetermined amounts at set price points for each bundle.
The main criticism around this earnings disparity comes from the fact that the content being made by creators is original work, and The Sims team didn’t actually do anything in the process. As such, the majority of the money still going towards the Sims developers rather than the content creators is being widely called out as unfair by many in The Sims community. As stated in their announcement post, Maxis defends this choice as they cover all publishing costs and translation of Maker Pack contents
Some responses to the reveal post are also upset by the pricing of select items on The Sims 4 Marketplace. One user for example pointed out that new lip shades alone cost $2.49 worth of in-game Moola, which with almost a thousand likes seems to be a popular thought amongst fans. The Sims 4 has been involved in controversy practically since its reveal, so time will tell how Maxis responds to the ongoing fan outcry, if at all.
