EA’s The Sims franchise is no stranger to pop culture references. There are actual celebrities in the first game and players can find a Harry Potter lamp in The Sims 2. The references only grew as each sequel emerged, with The Sims 4 alluding to everything from punk bands to Hatsune Miku. Anime influences can also be found in the game’s DLC, like Outdoor Retreat’s Dust Spirit, which resembles Soot Sprites from Ghibli Movies. If developer Maxis wants to court anime fans further, it could bring back a family similar to the dysfunctional, yet loving Forgers of Spy x Family for The Sims 5.
The Sargeant family is a married couple in the Twinbrook world of The Sims 3, which is part of the game’s Ambitions Expansion. Bobby Sargeant has a military job, while his partner Scout Sargeant is a special agent in law enforcement. Their career paths suggest advanced careers in federal law enforcement and even private investigation, which can be molded into the clandestine jobs of Spy x Family’s Yor and Loid Forger in The Sims 5.
How The Sargeants Can Reference the Forgers in The Sims 5
Scout Sergeant is the perfect analog for Loid Forger, as she is on track to becoming an international super spy. The Sims 5 could capitalize on this similarity by making Scout a blonde with a suit in a similar style and color to Loid’s. Bobby’s career track, on the other hand, doesn’t match Loid or Yor’s. He’s bound to be a Persuasive Private Eye in The Sims 3, which is something that EA can tweak for the new game. Like Yor, Bobby could moonlight as an assassin after his government or private job. To make it more authentic to the weirdness of the franchise, Bobby could be doing his job for none other than Death himself rather than the government. He should have Yor’s bad cooking skills to complete the reference.
The Sims 5 could even give the couple an adopted child with pink hair and supernatural powers, like Anya Forger. Again, the game can add its own touch by making the child a Vampire who has both psychic powers and increased strength. Hilarity could ensue as the couple tries to investigate the reasons their adopted kid can shape-shift into a bat or carry the sofa on their own.
The Sargeant’s Neighbors Could Also Reference Spy x Family’s Supporting Cast
The Sargeants have a friend in Twinbrook named Wei Keane. However, they’re also enemies of Wei’s three roommates Lang Gwydd, Anna-Liza Riddle, and Justin Kayes. The game could tweak this to reflect the anime’s supporting cast. The game could create a stand-in for Franky Franklin, Loid’s informant, as one of Scout’s trusted friends. The character should have the signature voluminous hair and thick-rimmed glasses that Franky has.
Another character that could be funny to add as one of the Sargeants’ neighbors is Yuri Briar, Yor’s obsessive younger brother , who also works for Loid’s enemy agency. This can come in the form of Bobby’s sibling, who has suspicions or straight-up animosity against Scout. Lastly, the game should add a stand-in for Damian Desmond, the son of Loid’s target. In the anime, Anya is tasked to make friends with Damian to get Loid closer to his dad. The adopted Sargeant kid could interact with the Damian stand-in through school or the playground.
A big part of what endears fans to The Sims franchise is its humor. Pop culture references in The Sims have been standard since the very first game. There’s something for everyone too, with references to rock and roll, other video games, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and even Game of Thrones in the latest installment. With The Sims 5, the franchise can capitalize on the popularity of Spy x Family by making a parody out of it with the Sargeant Family. Longtime fans can get a chuckle out of seeing Scout in Loid’s suit or their new kid having pink hair and supernatural powers.
The Sims 5 is in development.