Tim LeTourneau, a former producer for The Sims, has passed away

Renowned producer in the gaming industry, Tim LeTourneau, has passed away.

According to reports, LeTourneau's passing was confirmed by his wife, Donna—an acclaimed voice actor for The Sims— and shared by colleagues on platforms like Facebook and Reddit, who were heartbroken by the loss.

LeTourneau's career spanned various companies: eight years at Maxis followed by five at EA after its acquisition of The Sims studio. In 2011, he transitioned to Zynga for nearly four years, after which he became chief creative officer at Storm8. A brief return to Zynga preceded his tenure at Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Most recently, he served as a senior advisor at Fortis Games.

His impressive list of projects includes titles such as SimCity 3000, The Sims, The Sims 2, MySims, and FarmVille 2.

Jonathan Knight, who shared work experiences with LeTourneau at several organizations including EA, Zynga, and Warner Bros., expressed profound admiration: "Mentor is too small a word for the relationship that followed. Nine years at EA. Five years at Zynga. Four years at WB. Our lives and work kept intersecting, and I never stopped learning from him, even when we butted heads (and he was, of course, usually right).

"The phrase 'in the trenches with the team' was basically invented for Tim. He embodied the concept of a 'servant leader' long before it became a term. Known for 'managing by walking around' at Maxis, he greeted everyone by name and understood the power of a smile. His presence inspired loyalty. A playful gossiper, he was usually first to arrive and last to leave. Tim made work enjoyable and invested deeply in people."

A tribute from a 3D artist whose career LeTourneau influenced early on remarked how he significantly changed their life by hiring them at 23, without experience but with a strong passion for game development.

"The Maxis community is shocked by the loss of Tim LeTourneau," they shared. "Creating a Sims game is an enormous task requiring immense collaboration across diverse teams. Tim ensured all elements came together fairly and optimally for the fans, all with his signature smile and laughter.

"The essence of The Sims was always its commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and humanity, both in the game and among its creators. Upholding such values amidst corporate challenges was not easy, but Tim excelled like no other. He inspired many as a mentor, friend, leader, and advocate for gamers.

"I refer to it as the Maxis family because, for many who have worked there, it truly was," they concluded. "A space to bring our skills and ideas while preserving humor, energy, and sanity. Tim was the cornerstone of that family."