representations

• gender- players can make both male and female sims with few limitations, gender roles are fairly neutral, both genders can work, cook, parent etc
• Judith Butler- gender is a performance- the sims freeplay allows players to mix with gender roles- this challenges traditional norms
• LGBTQ+ reps- the game allows same-sex relationships and marriage- which takes a progressive stance, offers normalised LGBTQ+ representation, especially for younger audiences.
• Players can pick and mix with their sims appearance, like their skin colour which allows for a large amount of multiracial representation, representation is often aesthetic rather than cultural- no significant cultural identities built into gameplay
• Class and Wealth- the game encourages accumulation- bigger houses, furniture, fashion= success.
• postmodernism- the game allows simulation and remixing of 'real life' norms in a hyperreal environment