EA licensing - Sims 4 based VN

[punktumazand]

Hello everyone!

I'm considering several pipelines of how to make a Renpy VN in similar gameplay to Eternum, maybe some sanboxy elements like BADIK. I wanted something different than Daz3D models, and am heavily concidering Sims 4 assets exported to blender, with some custom materials and shaders to get it to look less cartoony. So I have 2 questions:

1. Visual Appeal: Would Sims 4 characters (Custom Content ones) have good enough appeal? Once again, skin shaders and LOD would be adjusted so it's less low poly and cartoony, and custom shaders and lighting goes a long way in Blender. All animations would also be custom (on animated scenes, the rest will be poses).
2. Monetization: To begin with, I'll probably make a demo, and release the first chapter for free, and might even concider releasing the whole thing for free. But, I would like the option for people to support me, as if it even gains any interest, I would of course need to dedicate some time to it. A little backing certainly helps at that point. Is this something that will limit me from making e.g. a Patreon, or the likes? And will EA get on my ass for making a VN with Sims assets I have a patreon for?
   

Hope the questions are fairly formulated! If the appeal isn't there at all or legal issues limit me, I would probably go would Daz for models, but would love to go in another direction so I hope some of you smart folk can give me a little insight!

 

[Droid Productions]

EA can absolutely nail your ass for making porn with their characters. They're less proactive than Disney or Nintendo, so they might never notice; if the DO notice they'll likely send you a Cease & Desist letter, at which point the gigs up.

 

[bethrezen0]

If you are tired of DAZ, try Illusion games, Honey select idk. Anything is more suitable and better than sims.

 

[cowardleech]

If you want to monetize the game at some point then this is a terrible idea, but if you want to learn the ropes around renpy and want your own stock images then it's fine for a "trailer".

 

[punktumazand]

Thanks everyone! I think I'll play around with creating some custom models, or finding a way to make DAZ models more unique. Greatly appreciate the input