The Sims 4 is working with Winnie Harlow to add vitiligo: 'I think it’s so beautiful to be able to represent your true self'

Various characters with vitiligo
(Image credit: Electronic Arts)

The most recent update for The Sims 4 finally introduces vitiligo after some time learning and considering how to authentically provide it to players. 

Today's update in The Sims 4 will provide new vitiligo assets in Create-A-Sim; you can access this in the Skin Details category for either Face or Body. It will appear right next to the Birthmarks that arrived with the Growing Together Base Game update. 

"Several Vitiligo patterns will have more than one variant - you can choose whether you want to start with a less prominent part of the pattern at first or start with the full pattern," an official The Sims 4 blog post describes. "All ages will have access to the same pieces, so your choices can stay the same as they age, or you can change them over time."

In total, The Sims 4 character artists created 61 vitiligo variants across all ages. Each one has different levels of coverage and symmetry. "In our research, we found that depigmentation may have clear edges and some edges may be darker and irregular," the blog post mentions. "Affected skin can be absolutely white, or can be pink or varying shades lighter than the surrounding skin. Since vitiligo affects people of all ethnicities and skin types, our Senior Character Artist intentionally created the first assets to work with a Sim's skin tone." 

This new feature also stems from a collaboration with beauty entrepreneur and supermodel Winnie Harlow. “It’s magical to see The Sims 4 team introduce this new Vitiligo feature,” Harlow said in the blog post. “As a child, I spent a lot of time playing The Sims, and I think it’s so beautiful to be able to represent your true self in-game. This partnership is a powerful statement encouraging players to embrace what makes them unique – both in-game and in real life.”

For more great realistic games check out the best simulation games which are available to play right now. 

TOPICS
Elie Gould
Features Writer

Elie is a Features Writer for TechRadar Gaming, here to write about anything new or slightly weird. Before writing for TRG, Elie studied for a Masters at Cardiff University JOMEC in International Journalism and Documentaries – spending their free time filming short docs or editing the gaming section for their student publications. 

Elie’s first step into gaming was through Pokémon but they've taken the natural next step in the horror genre. Any and every game that would keep you up at night is on their list to play - despite the fact that one of Elie’s biggest fears is being chased. 

Read more
A burglar in The Sims 4.
The burglar is back in The Sims 4 and, while they may have taken ten years to add, at least it's free
A tattoo studio in The Sims 4.
The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies expansion pack looks like the small business overhaul I've always wanted
The logo and key art for Inzoi.
The newly revealed Inzoi system requirements are enough to make me go back to The Sims 4
Marvel Rivals Luna Snow Mirae 2099 skin.
New Marvel Rivals update adds a stunning Luna Snow skin that I can't wait to buy
Minecraft
Minecraft's first update of 2025 will introduce six new gameplay features, and they're now available in public testing
FINAL FANTASY XIV \00d7 instax collaborative emote
Final Fantasy 14 gets a new cute emote thanks to a Fujifilm collaboration that lets players use an Instax camera in-game
Latest in Consoles & PC
Asus ROG Ally using Steam
I think Asus could be the perfect partner for an Xbox handheld – but I have questions
Astro Bot PS5 bundle
Sony officially announces new Astro Bot PS5 bundles and they're available from PlayStation Direct right now for bargain prices we can barely believe
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
Future PlayStation games could have AI-powered characters, if this leaked prototype of Aloy is anything to go by
The artwork for The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense controller
Where to pre-order and buy The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense controller today - UK pre-orders are live but stock has sold out already
Playing games on the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma without an external display.
The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma offers Steam Deck owners a premium design and, of course, plenty of RGB
Image of GTA 6 protagonists and PS5
GTA 6's console-only launch reminds me of how much I despise console exclusivity - is it worth waiting years for PC ports?
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough