In a shocking twist in the gaming community, a mod for *The Sims 4* that strips away LGBTQ+ and Black nonplayable characters (NPCs) is still on the loose, despite Electronic Arts (EA) trying to shut it down. This controversial mod, dubbed DEI Remover 1.0.0, surfaced last March but gained new life recently after popular Sims creator @DanielleBuilds sparked outrage by urging followers to report it.

What’s in this notorious mod? It’s as troubling as it sounds: it modifies NPCs to appear 'straight' and 'white,' alters their body types to fit a narrow definition of 'healthy,' and even rewrites relationships to erase LGBTQ+ couples, turning them into siblings. One alarming example showcased a Black trans character being altered into a white woman.

In response to rising concerns, an administrator from the gaming forum RPGHQ revealed they received a request from EA’s IP enforcement team to remove the mod, branding it as targeted censorship. Screenshots of correspondence reportedly from EA’s IP senior counsel suggest they see the mod as a violation of copyright.

Despite EA’s intervention, the mod resurfaced with a new thread that included a copyright disclaimer, cheekily asserting 'Fair Use.' Reactions in the comment section ranged from laughter to disdain, with one participant euphemistically stating, 'cut off one head, two more will take its place.' It's clear that this issue isn't fading away quietly.

Historically, *The Sims* franchise has prided itself on diverse representation. Recent expansions have introduced characters like Celeste Michaelson—a Black and trans woman—while updates have allowed players to customize gender identity and pronouns. EA has even celebrated various cultural holidays within the game. Yet, as mods like DEI Remover continue to proliferate, a darker side of the community emerges.

Patreon, a platform for creators, continues hosting these mods, including grotesque entries like ‘Balduran Salutes Hitler’ for *Baldur’s Gate 3* and an abhorrent ‘Negro Remover’ for *Stalker 2*. One mod ironically tried to revert inclusive language like 'spouse' back to 'husband and wife,' claiming outrage against the game's 'idiocy' for embracing inclusivity.

Modding has historically been an integral part of *The Sims* community, allowing players to enhance their gameplay experience with custom content. However, the emergence of toxic mods challenges the franchise's core values.

The uproar over the DEI Remover mod has galvanized many within the community, leading to creative responses against it. One user has even launched a TikTok series titled 'F You, Sims Community,' expressing frustration over the issue.

The relentless emergence of such mods has made tackling this problem akin to playing a competitive game of Whac-A-Mole for EA. While mods are a staple of the gaming experience, they’re increasingly being weaponized to promote bigotry, making it more crucial than ever to protect the values of inclusion and diversity within gaming.