How The Sims’ endless customisation fostered one of gaming’s most diverse player communities

By Andra Ivănescu, Senior Lecturer in Game Studies and Ludomusicology, Brunel University of London

Katy Perry is in a recording booth. She turns to the camera, smiles and begins to sing: “Badipsa frooby noop”. As if to confirm that we didn’t mishear her, she repeats “Badipsa frooby noop” and gives the camera a thumbs up.

The moment was captured in 2010, in a behind-the-scenes video of Perry recording her song Last Friday Night in Simlish – the language spoken by characters in The Sims games. It was part of her branded downloadable content (DLC) package, Sweet Treats, which was available…

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