A video purportedly from the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the future of the beloved franchise. Known as Project Rene, which some believe to be The Sims 5, though EA insists it's a separate spin-off, this project has been in development for several years. Recent early access footage of a game called "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to speculate that this could be the next Sims game.
The video, lasting 20 minutes, shows a player navigating through text prompts to customize their avatar's outfit, hair, watch, and activities before entering a vibrant Plaza de Poupon to engage in social activities like buying food and interacting with other characters. The characters in the video are referred to as Sims, speak in Simlish, and feature the iconic Plumbob, further fueling speculation about its connection to The Sims series.
"I am terribly disappointed with Project Rene. Yes, I know, according to EA, 'this is not the final game.' Is this a joke or what?" expressed one disappointed player on The Sims subreddit in a widely upvoted post titled "I think Project Rene is a red flag (I hope not)." They believe EA is shifting towards a mobile-style experience, possibly signaling a reboot of the series."This is not going to be for me, I can tell already," commented another. "It just seems so basic and I don't want to play The Sims on my phone."
"The funny thing is, making a PC/mobile cross-compatible Sims game isn't a bad idea," noted a fan. "EA just believes that mobile games HAVE to be ugly for some reason. They're chasing all of the design trends of the past decade, but it means that this thing already looks dated and it's not even out yet."
"The way The Sims was a literal satire about capitalist suburban consumption-as-happiness... And this is where the Sims ended up. Endless consumption-as-happiness," remarked another.
Initially teased in 2022 during a Behind the Sims Summit, Project Rene, which was once thought to be The Sims 5 until EA clarified otherwise, is described as a free-to-play game featuring multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although it hasn't been officially released or given a release date, EA has been conducting invite-only playtests since its announcement, with the recent leaks likely originating from these sessions.
The name Rene, chosen for its connotations of "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," reflects the developers' vision for a revitalized future for The Sims. However, last October, leaked images from a closed online test drew criticism for the game's art style, limited features, and use of microtransactions. The inclusion of a café reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile led to further skepticism, prompting EA to reaffirm that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a different "cozy, social game" within The Sims franchise.
Meanwhile, fans of the series were delighted by the return of The Burglar in the latest update for The Sims 4, a nostalgic nod to the series' earlier iterations.
