Gamertell

Electronic Arts’ The Sims 3 has won an award for depicting vegetarians and vegans in a positive light.

The award, called a Proggy, is granted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and this year The Sims 3 took the honors in the Most Animal-Friendly Game of 2009 category.

In the game, players can choose to create a vegetarian character and adopt a meat-free lifestyle. Vegetarian characters in the game have a selection of foods according to their needs. They can even enjoy snacks like tofu hot dogs or different types of salads.

If by some mistake or someone else’s mischief a vegetarian character eats meat, it will get sick. If they stick to their diets, vegetarian characters age more slowly and live longer lives.

Now that I think of it, vegetarians are mostly neglected in videogames. Most games use stuff like meat or ham as a way of replenishing life which I guess is not terribly appealing to them. I think the safest way to go is to stick to the good ‘ol potions. Nobody knows what’s in them, so everybody can make a guess according to their lifestyle. 

I generally don’t give a second thought about food in games but this award got me thinking. I guess providing a little more choice won’t affect a game but it will probably make things easier for some people.

Read [PETA] Also read [Opposing Views]