Blog Posts Disappear, Then Return
Yesterday, many The Sims players noticed that several older blog posts, including one about a 2019 collaboration with the LGBTQ+ organization It Gets Better, had vanished. The sudden disappearance sparked worries that EA might be censoring inclusive content after its recent acquisition.
EA Explains the Technical Glitch
EA responded that the posts were offline due to an IT issue. The company is migrating its website backend to a new provider, which caused older articles to disappear temporarily and then come back online. A spokesperson said the problem was not aimed at LGBTQ+ content.
Alongside the blog posts, a page detailing The Sims 4’s inclusivity features has been offline since February, and several pages covering past Pride Week celebrations and gender‑inclusion information are also missing. However, other DEI pages, such as EA’s main inclusion page and the It Gets Better campaign, remain accessible.
While the technical explanation suggests the disappearances are accidental, fans remain on high alert. The new ownership group includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has raised concerns because same‑sex relationships are illegal in Saudi Arabia and can carry severe penalties. Critics see the investment as part of a broader effort to improve the kingdom’s international image through sports and entertainment.
Another shareholder is Affinity Partners, an investment firm linked to Jared Kushner, former son‑in‑law of Donald Trump. These connections have also unsettled the community.
Overall, the confusion over the missing blog posts reflects broader anxieties about the future direction of EA’s games. The Sims community, along with fans of BioWare titles, is watching closely for any signs that EA may retreat from its pre‑acquisition commitment to diversity and inclusion.