EA's New Sims Concept Leaks, Fans Unhappy

A video allegedly showcasing the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the future direction of the beloved franchise. Known as Project Rene, which is sometimes referred to as The Sims 5, though Electronic Arts (EA) insists it is a separate spin-off, this project has been in the works for several years. The leaked footage, titled "City Life Game With Friends," has led many to believe it could be the next entry in the The Sims series.

The video, which runs for 20 minutes, features a player navigating through various text prompts to customize their avatar's outfit, hair, watch, and activities. The gameplay then transitions to a sunlit Plaza de Poupon, where the player's character, referred to as a Sim, purchases food and interacts with other Sims. The Sim later works at an outdoor café. The presence of the iconic Plumbob and the use of Simlish further fuel speculation that this is indeed a The Sims game.

Some fans see potential in a cross-platform The Sims game but are critical of the current design trends. "The funny thing is, making a PC/mobile cross-compatible Sims game isn't a bad idea," one user noted. "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."

Others reflected on the thematic evolution of The Sims, with one fan commenting, "The way The Sims was a literally satire about capitalist suburban consumption-as-happiness... And this is where the Sims ended up. Endless consumption-as-happiness."

Project Rene, initially hinted at during the 2022 Behind the Sims Summit, is described as a free-to-play game with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although it hasn't been officially unveiled or given a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests since its announcement. The name "Rene" is said to symbolize "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," reflecting the developers' vision for 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 inclusion of microtransactions. The addition of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, further fueled skepticism. In response, EA clarified that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a different "cosy, social game" under the The Sims franchise.

Amidst the anticipation and speculation about Project Rene, fans of the series can still enjoy updates to The Sims 4, which recently reintroduced the nostalgic Burglar character.