EA's New Sims Concept Leaks Online, Fans Unhappy

A video purportedly from the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the future of the beloved series. Known as Project Rene, which some believe to be The Sims 5, though EA clarifies it as a spin-off, this project has been in discussion for years. Recently, early access footage from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to speculate that this could be the next Sims installment.

The video, lasting 20 minutes, shows a player navigating through text prompts to customize their character's appearance and activities before entering a sunlit Plaza de Poupon. The character, referred to as a Sim, interacts with the environment, purchases food, socializes, and works at an outdoor café. The use of Simlish and the iconic Plumbob further ties the game to The Sims franchise.

"EA clearly wants to kill off normal Sims games and push people toward the mobile-style experience. So in their mind, a reboot literally means this — at least that’s what I THINK," another user added. A third commented, "This is not going to be for me, I can tell already. It just seems so basic and I don't want to play The Sims on my phone."

However, not all feedback was negative. One fan noted, "The funny thing is, making a PC/mobile cross-compatible Sims game isn't a bad idea. 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."

Another user reflected on the series' evolution, stating, "The way The Sims was a literally [sic] satire about capitalist suburban consumption-as-happiness... And this is where the Sims ended up. Endless consumption-as-happiness."

Project Rene, initially rumored to be The Sims 5 but later clarified by EA as a separate project, was first teased in 2022 during a Behind the Sims Summit. It's described as a free-to-play game with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although it hasn't been officially revealed or given a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests since its announcement, with the latest playtest likely being the source of these leaks.

The name "Rene" is chosen to reflect themes of "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," symbolizing the developers' commitment to the future of The Sims. Last October, leaked images from a closed online test of Project Rene drew criticism regarding its art style, limited features, and the use of microtransactions. The inclusion of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, fueled further skepticism. In response, EA reiterated that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a distinct "cosy, social game" within The Sims franchise.

Meanwhile, fans of the series were delighted to see the return of The Burglar in the latest update for The Sims 4, bringing back a nostalgic element from the older games.