A video allegedly showcasing the next installment of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the future direction of the beloved series. Known as Project Rene, which is sometimes confused with The Sims 5, though EA clarifies it as a separate spin-off, this project has been in the works for several years. The leaked footage, from a game called "City Life Game With Friends," has led many to speculate that this could be the next evolution of The Sims.
The video, which runs for a full 20 minutes, features gameplay where the player navigates through text prompts to customize their character's outfit, hair, watch, and activities before spawning into a sunny Plaza de Poupon. Here, the player engages in everyday activities like purchasing food and socializing, and eventually heads to work at an outdoor café. The characters in the video are unmistakably called Sims, speak in Simlish, and are marked with 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 redflag (I hope not).""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," the player added, reflecting a sentiment shared by others who fear a shift towards mobile gaming.
"This is not going to be for me, I can tell already," said another. "It just seems so basic and I don't want to play The Sims on my phone."
However, some fans see potential in the concept. "The funny thing is, making a PC/mobile cross-compatible Sims game isn't a bad idea," one fan suggested. "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 fan critiqued the direction of the franchise, 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. This free-to-play game aims to incorporate 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, which likely led to the recent leaks.
The name Rene was chosen to symbolize "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," reflecting the developers' commitment to a bright future for The Sims. However, last October, leaked images from a closed online test of Project Rene drew criticism for its art style, limited features, and the inclusion of microtransactions. The addition of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, raised further doubts about the project's direction. In response, EA reiterated that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a different "cosy, social game" under The Sims franchise.
Meanwhile, fans of the series were reminded of the past with the return of The Burglar in the latest update for The Sims 4, a nostalgic touch for long-time players.
