Sims free play is a game designed EA Mobile and was released on IOS in 2011 and Android in 2012. In The Sims FreePlay, players “build” and design houses and customize and create (a maximum of 34) virtual people called Sims. Players can control their Sims to satisfy their wishes, and let them complete different kinds of actions to gain Simoleons, Lifestyle Points, and Social Points.

Media language

conventions and codes are used in this game to influence meaning.

As a life simulation game Sims Free play includes many normative codes and values. They include features such as being married to have a child and also being able to own a house as a teen.

Sims Freeplay provides a useful case study for the discussion of Baudrillard’s concept of simulacra and hyperreality.

Media representation

representation of certain social groups/ class

represent cultural traditions and values within the game

Sims construct and function stereotypes to generalise their audience.

It has optimistic views of the world and claims realism.

Audience response to representation and issues around identity

Audience

Stuart Halls encoding/ decoding theory can be applied for the sims free play for the audience to decode the values which EA Mobile has encoded into the game.