'The Sims 4' Just Got a Major West African Content Update

The Sims updates are just a part of the routine for avid players of the game, but Electronic Arts' latest refresh for one of their biggest franchises is one for the ages. A free update gives simmers a full haul of West African content across all facets of the game, from clothes and decor to home-cooked meals, house fires not included.

EA's gift to the loyal fanbase was created in collaboration with the Pan Africa Gaming Group, alongside members of the Sims' creator network with West African roots across the diaspora. The result? A collection of paintings, woven baskets, plants and fabrics that offer an extra boost of representation in the game.

Wax print fabric-inspired outfits add to the game's Create-a-Sim feature with interchangeable dresses, shirts and headwraps. Artfully woven lampshades and abstract art will be sure to boost your sims' "inspired" moodlets, but the biggest addition to the game is definitely jollof rice with a side of drumsticks. The Sims 4 is the most diverse edition of the franchise in terms of cuisine, with the game regularly adding cultural foods from around the world. Soul food, flavors of Southeast Asia and a plethora of Japanese and Korean dishes have made the Sims an inclusive reflection of the world we live in. For the first time, an African culinary staple has entered the mix, and what better food to kick things off than jollof rice?

The update has many simmers wondering if EA is soft-launching a highly-requested, West Africa-inspired world for a new expansion pack. The Sims team, known for dropping Easter eggs of future content in the game, might be onto something here.

In other news, Solange Knowles' new archive is platforming underrepresented creatives.

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