EA's New Sims Concept Gameplay Leaks Online, Fans Unhappy

A video purportedly showcasing the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the future direction of the beloved franchise. Dubbed Project Rene, which has been occasionally referred to as The Sims 5, though EA clarifies it as a spin-off, the project has been in development for several years. Recent footage from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to speculate that this might be the next entry in the Sims series.

The video, lasting a full 20 minutes, features a player navigating through text prompts to customize their character's outfit, hair, accessories, and activities. The player then enters a sunny Plaza de Poupon, where they engage in everyday activities like purchasing food and socializing. The character eventually heads to work at an outdoor café.

Throughout the gameplay, characters are referred to as Sims, communicate in Simlish, and are marked by the iconic Plumbob, reinforcing the connection to the Sims universe.

"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 fan voiced their reservations, 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."

A more optimistic view came from a fan who suggested, "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."

Reflecting on the game's thematic evolution, another commenter remarked, "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 until EA clarified its separate status, was first hinted at during the 2022 Behind the Sims Summit. It's described as a free-to-play game within the Sims universe, featuring multiplayer elements inspired by games like Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although not officially revealed or given a release date, EA has conducted small, invite-only playtests since its announcement, with the latest presumably being the source of these leaks.

The name "Rene" is symbolic, chosen to reflect concepts of "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," symbolizing the developers' renewed commitment to the future of The Sims.

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

Meanwhile, The Sims 4 has seen the return of a familiar character, The Burglar, in its latest update, adding a nostalgic touch for long-time fans of the series.