EA's New Sims Concept Leaks Online, Fans Unhappy

A video purportedly taken from the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concerns among fans about the future direction of this beloved series. Known as Project Rene, sometimes mistakenly referred to as The Sims 5, EA has clarified that Project Rene is actually a spin-off project. Rumors about Project Rene have been circulating for a few years, but the recent leak of early access footage from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to believe it could be the next installment in the The Sims franchise.

The leaked video, which runs for a full 20 minutes, shows a player navigating through text prompts to customize their avatar's outfit, hair, watch, and activities before entering a sunlit Plaza de Poupon. The gameplay involves buying food and socializing with other characters, and later working at an outdoor café. Notably, the characters are referred to as Sims, speak in Simlish, and feature the iconic Plumbob, further fueling speculation about its connection to the main 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 highly upvoted post titled "I think Project Rene is a redflag (I hope not)." The sentiment reflects a broader concern among fans that EA might be shifting towards a more mobile-style experience, which some fear could dilute the essence of traditional The Sims games.

"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 continued. Another fan voiced their apprehension, stating, "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."

Despite the criticism, 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 reflected on the thematic evolution of the series, 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, first teased in 2022 during a Behind the Sims Summit, is described as a free-to-play game with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although it has not been officially released or given a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests since its announcement. The name "Rene" reflects themes of "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," symbolizing the developer's commitment to a vibrant future for The Sims.

Last October, images of Project Rene leaked from a closed online test, drawing criticism over the art style, limited features, and the inclusion of microtransactions. The addition of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, raised further doubts. In response, EA reiterated that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a distinct "cosy, social game" within the The Sims franchise.

Meanwhile, fans of the original series were reminded of the past with the return of The Burglar in the latest update for The Sims 4, a nostalgic nod to the older games in the series.