Skip to main content

The Sims 4: My Wedding Stories to release in Russia after all

In an about-face, The Sims developer Maxis and publisher Electronic Arts announced that The Sims 4‘s latest content pack, My Wedding Stories, will release in Russia after all. The move comes following an announcement that the studio would keep its latest content pack out of the country, citing “federal laws.”

The Sims 4 My Wedding Stories: Official Reveal Trailer

Russia has a “gay propaganda law” which makes it illegal to promote content that could let children see homosexuality as a norm. While The Sims 4 has always allowed same-sex relationships between its characters, My Wedding Stories prominently features a gay couple in its promotional materials. It’s likewise worth noting that The Sims 4 is rated 18+ in Russia, but players there can access the same content as anyone else in any other country.

“At the time, we believed that our team could not freely share the storytelling of same-sex couple Cam and Dom in Russia and decided the best way to uphold our commitment to sharing their story was to not release the pack there,” the developers said in an update to the previously mentioned announcement on The Sims 4‘s website. “Since then, we’ve been listening to the outpouring of feelings from our community, including both support for our decision and concern for their fellow community members. It’s equally important for us to stand by our values, including standing against homophobia, and to share stories like this with those who want and need it most.”

While that statement is somewhat vague, prominent content creators for The Sims 4 have said they would not play My Wedding Stories until it was released in Russia. This adjustment means the content pack is now set to launch globally on February 23.

Editors' Recommendations

Otto Kratky
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Otto Kratky is a freelance writer with many homes. You can find his work at Digital Trends, GameSpot, and Gamepur. If he's…
The Sims 4 is going free-to-play and you can get extras if you bought it already
The Sims 4 Sims standing around, laughing.

The base version of The Sims 4 will go free-to-play starting October 18, publisher Electronic Arts announced. This free-to-play version will come to all platforms, including PC (via the EA app, Origin, and Steam), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

In addition, the publisher will host a livestream on October 18 called Behind The Sims Summit, which will feature more details about its future plans for The Sims.

Read more
I recreated a perfect high school experience in The Sims 4
Two sims take a selfie at prom in The Sims 4: High School Years.

Some of my favorite Sims 4 expansion packs like City Living and Snowy Escape expand on gameplay elements and add in new features that make playing more fun -- like the ability to take your Sims to karaoke, live in apartments, and even take a snowboarding excursion. And the Sims 4’s newest expansion pack, High School Years, brings a bunch of new features into the game that are as refreshing as a glass of prom punch.

High School Years gives players a new world, Copperdale, that is home to a fully functioning high school, new pre-designed families, and new areas that were ripe for exploration such as the dockside amusement park and the combination boba tea and thrift store.

Read more
The Sims 4’s latest expansion recreates the full high school experience
Sims attend high school in The Sims 4: High School Years.

The Sims 4’s newest expansion pack, High School Years, focuses on the high school experience and brings with it teen content and a whole array of new features -- from all new fashion options to in-game features like following your teen Sims through their classes and extracurriculars.

The Sims 4 High School Years: Official Reveal Trailer

Read more