The Sims 4 models weight loss and gain, emotional reactions

The latest Sims game will enable its virtual inhabitants to change their body shape through play, rather than just setting it during character creation and leaving it at that.

Speaking to PCGamesN, producer Grant Rodiek said Maxis has implemented fitness modelling.

"Sims can naturally change over time in the game. If they overeat they’ll become overweight. If they never exercise, they might become overweight. But if you eat healthily or eat properly or you exercise, your sims will lose weight," he said.

Somewhat troublingly, Rodiek confirmed sims will react emotionally to changes in their body, although he denied any "statement" will be made.

"We have the ability for them to be unhappy about their weight. It’s tricky with the emotional state being based on people’s weight. We want to make sure we’re not making a statement or telling people what’s right or wrong, but you can tell a story with those tools," he said.

"We give you all the pieces you need to tell that story if you want to do that.”

“Your sims might react, like, when they get bigger you’ll notice they’ll look at themselves and react. How well we change their emotional state based on it, we don’t want to make a statement about things like that because that’s not our place to do that.”

The developer's wording is deliberately vague, but may suggest sims can have multiple reactions to changes in their body shape; perhaps there'll be a "good self esteem" character trait which will help sims evade the constant media assault which drives most first-worlders to dissatisfaction with their physical state.

The Sims 4 was detailed at gamescom and includes more robust character customisation. It does not have always-on DRM.