Parental Question RE: Sims game

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I know nothing about video or computer games, and we do not have any game systems in our house, although the kids have played webgames after I go to the sites and give my OK. Last year DD (10) came home from her dad's raving about a Sims game he had and begged me to buy the CD for our computer. I've seen ads for Sims that are pretty adult/sexual, and I told her that it wasn't appropriate for children. My ex told me later that the edition he had was safe, and he bought her a copy of the Sims Deluxe Edition to bring home this year.

Today she called me over because our screen had frozen, and to my shock, the scene was of two women in a passionate clinch. I asked DD what that was about and she replied that the game began with a disclaimer that some characters might be gay. I don't really care about the homosexuality (my uncle is gay), but the fact that pretty explicit sexuality is portrayed at all in a game that my ex-husband thought fit to give our young daughter. The CD is labeled "Teen" on the front, for E, S, R, and B, whatever those stand for.

My questions: for anyone who has played the game, do sexually charged scenes just appear in the course of the game, or is that controlled by the player? And is there anything else about this game I should know before cornering my daughter and having it out with her father?

Thanks.

 

[Crankyshank]

Sims will fall in love and kiss on their own (they also "play in bed" ) but it is also controlled by the player

 

[Chuck S]

I have the Sims deluxe Edition with Unleashed (pets) and Makin' Magic expansion packs. As far as whether the scenes you refer to are random or initiated by the player...it depends partly on the level of "intelligence" you set up for the characters. They can be quite independent, or wait upon the player to tell them what to do. There are sexual situations in the game, mostly kissing. There is some nudity that is blurred out for showers etc. However, if your child has a bedroom with a red and purple heart shaped bed, the characters can engage in very adult activities, but these take place "under the covers" with the covers moving in very suggestive ways, with sound f/x (mostly giggling, followed by an "ahhh"). If they use any other bed, they will simply change to Pajamas and go to sleep in the bed.

 

[Jockaroo]

To understand the ratings go to

http://www.esrb.com/esrbratings_guide.asp

Teen rating is defined as:
"TEEN: Titles rated T (Teen) have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood and/or infrequent use of strong language."

I haven't played this game, but did a paper for psychology about video games. I have seen some games that are too explicit for my 37-year-old eyes.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The game is pretty boring I think. Yes there is sexual suggestion. My dd used to play it. I think it is a "Middle School" game.

She is in High School now and really prefers her "AIM" and chatting it up with friends instead.
When she plays SIMS now, she is more concerned with "designing" her houses.

 

[Tanuki]

It may come as a shock to you but your child can put two Barbies in a romantic clinch as well.

 

[Stitchfans]

I am somewhat confused. My DD11 just bought the game with her birthday money. My oldest daughter 24 suggested the game to DD11. I just called DD11 into the room and she said the controller puts in what is suppose to happen. But then she made a comment about a spa. She said that they had to go into the spa otherwise the game was useless. The game wouldn't let her go anywhere else. She says it was in a part called get a life.

She claims nothing bad happened in there, but you had to enter it to be able to go on with the game. I will have to watch it next time she plays.

 

[olena]

Spa???? That doesn't sound like the PC version. I don't have any of the others.

The game is rated T and that should be taken into consideration by each parent. You're talking about Sims 1, right? Sims can kiss, flirt, embrace and "play in bed". The play in bed is basically a wrestling match undercovers. That's all you see. Sims can't have babies from it. If the free will option is enabled, then two Sims who have high compatability may gravitate towards each other and flirt without being told to. If you turn off free will, they'll only do what the player directs them to do.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

It may come as a shock to you but your child can put two Barbies in a romantic clinch as well.

Yes, I remember when I did that - as my decision, when I was developmentally ready to experiment with the concept. My issue here is with a game that was described to me as a fun little designers' activity and I now find presents children with sexual situations when they may not yet be ready to deal with them.* I'm not sure whether to be angry with the parent who assured me the game was appropriate, or with the child who was not honest with me about its content.

I will definitely be talking to dad and daughter (*especially to ascertain her readiness for game situations like these and the potentially uncomfortable discussions we will be having as a result), and will be monitoring future play much more closely.

Thank you to everyone for the information and input.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My hubby plays sims and lets the girls watch and I think they do have some control over what happens to the characters. Hubby sets up the families himself (usually based on our family)--so there is no procreating or other questionable seens (other than blurred out parts when they take a shower or go to the bathroom).

Not a game that I would allow them to play alone though.