A video purportedly taken from 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, sometimes referred to as The Sims 5, though EA clarifies it as a spin-off, the project has been in development for several years. Recent leaked footage from a game called "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to speculate that this could indeed be the next Sims title.
The 20-minute video shows a player navigating through text prompts to customize their avatar's outfit, hair, accessories, and activities before entering a bustling Plaza de Poupon. Here, they engage in everyday activities like purchasing food and socializing, before heading to work at an outdoor café. Throughout the gameplay, characters are referred to as Sims, converse in Simlish, and display the iconic Plumbob, further fueling speculation that this is a new Sims game.
"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 dissatisfied player on The Sims' subreddit in a widely upvoted post titled "I think Project Rene is a red flag (I hope not)." The fan voiced concerns that EA aims to shift away from traditional Sims games toward a mobile-style experience, suggesting that this reboot feels more like a downgrade.Another player shared their disappointment, 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." Meanwhile, a different perspective came from a fan who 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."
Reflecting on the series' satirical roots, another commenter lamented, "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."
Initially teased in 2022 during a Behind the Sims Summit, Project Rene — once rumored to be The Sims 5 but later clarified by EA — is a free-to-play game inspired by multiplayer elements found in games like Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although it has not yet been officially revealed or given a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests. The latest of these playtests appears to be the source of the recent leaks.
The name "Rene" is symbolic, chosen to reflect notions of "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," signifying the developers' commitment to a bright future for The Sims. However, last October, images from a closed online test of Project Rene leaked, drawing criticism for its art style, limited features, and use of microtransactions. The inclusion of a café in the game drew particular skepticism due to its similarities to 2018's The Sims Mobile. It was at this point that EA emphasized that Project Rene is not The Sims 5, but rather a distinct "cosy, social game" under the The Sims franchise.
In other The Sims news, the familiar Burglar character made a return in the latest update for The Sims 4, much to the delight of long-time fans of the series.
