https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBt...8&start_radio=1

I haven't played the game since April 27, 2025 (Steam knows) and I wanted to try it out once more to see what all these patches did (except destroy my mods - that I know in advance), but I began wondering what is considered unethical these days, only buying new stuff or playing it as well? Does the conglomerate get any money for people who are just playing? I guess not but I am not sure.

I wonder the same. I think it's more about buying more content and funding the game now

According to some, even playing the game is unethical these days. They seem to want people to boycott EA altogether. I say, do what you feel comfortable with. Be mindful if you upload videos of yourself playing the Sims tho. Some people might attack you over it.
I don't think just playing the game gives any money to the Saudis, but I might be wrong.

Well, there is the possibility that continuous playing, if not utterly boycotting EA in all ways and forms, could still lead to the high player count of pre-buyout titles influencing others to purchase the same pre-buyout titles and/or newer post-buyout titles, all of which lining the pockets of the Saudi royals to continue human rights atrocities and murders.

No longer the question of how deep your pockets are, but how deep does you conscience go?

Because the truth now is, at whatever level you sit at, the simple, basic act of loading up the EA app, you are contributing one way or another thereafter. Maybe time to ask JFK. You are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Be your own judge of that from here on in. Nobody else's call but your own.

Edit - And just playing devil's advocate here, but do you not think it's more likely, further down the line, that said Saudi royals are more likely to listen to the paying customers who voice valid concerns about human rights abuses, rather than those who condemn, boycott and shout across from the other side of the very high, sound-proof fence? Stranger things, right? The former certainly has more chance to save future lives than the latter, surely?

But the choice has got to be up to you alone.

Nobody has a crystal ball, but I think that scenario would be highly unlikely as they don't care. They have zero concern with people blowing a paycheck on Monopoly Go, they certainly are not going to concern themselves with issues deeper than that.

To answer OPs question, I still play TS3. My game is the disc version so I don't even have to deal with the EA app. I'm a nobody so there is little risk of 'influencing' anybody to buy anything. That being said, PIF is now the majority owner of EA, so anything purchased going forward will be lining their pockets.

Only individuals can decide if lining PIF's pocket is worth it or not...

At this point, buying or not buying would make no difference to the big bad, which is even more miniscule than a mosquito bite. Prior the buyout I gave in and bought a single expansion pack, thinking that the franchise is facing inevitable doom regardless if I stay on the “I haven’t give them a single dime” streak or not.

Personally, I think people should do whatever they fuck they want. And there be no qualms as long you don’t tell or show anyone on media that you play it, because there will always be an angry person that holds the moral police stick that are waiting to hit people with it.