VIRTUAL BLASPHEMY

Russia Slaps “The Sims 4” With “Adults Only” Rating After Learning Sims Can Be Gay

6a00d8341c730253ef016303c41246970d-800wiCiting its ability to allow characters of the same sex to marry, have sex, and — gasp — procreate, the Russian Federation has slapped the latest incarnation of the wildly popular “Sims” franchise with an “adults only” rating.

The decision was announced on the Russian Twitter account for the game on Monday, which explained that Russia’s “gay propaganda” laws forced the rating in order to keep the game out of the hands of children.

Officially, “18+ has been assigned in accordance with the law number 436-FZ ‘On the protection of children from information harmful to their health and development.'”

Though the Russian Federation didn’t provide specifics about how they reached their rating decision, PC Gamer points to the possible culprit, as expressed in rating information for The Sims 4’s predecessor, The Sims 3:

“These avatars often interact socially, which can sometimes lead to mild flirtation or more intimate encounters. Players can choose to ‘try for a baby’ or ‘WooHoo’ with another Sim – the later option being available to both heterosexual and same-sex couples. These two actions cause the selected avatars to jump into bed and go under the covers, where they wriggle, giggle, and moan until confetti bursts over the bed.”

The simulation game, which allows users to build and maintain virtually any kind of relationship (including relationships with vampires and “plant people”), is only taboo in Russia. According to Ars Technica, The Sims franchise has been rated for “teens” across the world and even received restrictions as low as “ages 6 and up” in Germany.

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