Speculations of a Sims 5 sequel have been circulating for years, but it seems EA is taking a radical departure from the series’ numbered releases. Read on to learn more about EA’s plan on expanding ‘The Sims Universe.’
EA Plans on Expanding ‘The Sims Universe’
The Sims 4 Remains the Foundation of the Franchise
For decades, fans of The Sims have eagerly awaited news of the next numbered installment in the beloved life simulation franchise. However, Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a groundbreaking shift, moving away from the traditional numbered sequel model. Instead of a conventional Sims 5, the future involves an expansive platform that includes continuous updates for four games: The Sims 4, Project Rene, MySims, and The Sims FreePlay.
The era of linear, numbered releases is over. EA recognizes the immense dedication players have shown towards The Sims 4 over its ten-year journey. "Historically, ‘The Sims’ franchise has followed a sequence from ‘Sims 1’ to ‘Sims 4,’ each seen as a replacement for the previous," EA’s Vice President Kate Gorman shared in an interview with Variety. "We’re now embarking on a new era for ‘The Sims.’ We will not be creating replacements for previous projects; instead, we’re expanding our universe."
Gorman elaborated on this new strategy, which promises more frequent updates, diverse gameplay experiences, cross-media content, and a variety of new offerings. "Our approach going forward will be different, and it’s incredibly exciting. This is the most expansive iteration of ‘The Sims’ yet," she added.
Despite being a decade old, The Sims 4 and its numerous expansions continue to captivate fans. In 2024 alone, players have logged over 1.2 billion hours of gameplay, and the year isn't even over yet. Many fans worried that a new sequel might render the current game obsolete, but EA has reassured them that The Sims 4 will continue to receive ongoing updates, including bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements. In May, EA even formed a dedicated team to address the game’s technical issues.
Echoing this commitment, Laura Miele, EA's president of entertainment and technology, stated during an investor presentation, as reported by PCGamer, that The Sims 4 will serve as the foundation for the series’ future growth. "We will be updating the core technology foundation for the product and releasing fun and exciting content for many years to come," Miele affirmed.
One of the ways EA plans to expand their current lineup of Sims games is through the introduction of Sims Creator Kits. This new feature will allow players to purchase digital content created by the game’s community.
"Our community is the heart of ‘The Sims,’" Gorman explained. "Our players inspire us to evolve and innovate the content we develop and how we engage with them. We know our players love the creators within our community, and we’re excited to expand how we support creators with ‘The Sims 4 Creator Kits.’"
While EA is still in the early stages of developing the Creator Kits program, Gorman emphasized the company's commitment to ensuring fair compensation for creators. "We’ve worked closely with our initial creator partners to compensate them for their work and will continue to refine that process as the program evolves," she said.
According to their website, The Sims 4 Creator Kits will begin rolling out in November of this year across all Sims channels, alongside their current collections of Kits.
EA Teases Project Rene—It’s Not Sims 5, Sadly
While rumors about The Sims 5 have been swirling, EA has teased its next major project: Project Rene. This is not the long-awaited sequel, but it promises to be an exciting addition to the franchise.
EA describes Project Rene as a platform where players can "meet, connect, and share while playing together in an all-new world." To give fans a taste of what’s to come, a small, invite-only playtest is scheduled for this fall. You can sign up for the chance to try the game in The Sims Labs. If selected, you’ll be among the first to experience the game’s multiplayer aspect—a feature EA has not fully embraced since the closure of The Sims Online in 2008, and only revisited through The Sims FreePlay mobile game.
Teased in October 2022, Project Rene has so far held one closed playtest focused on furniture customization, with another upcoming.
"We’ve learned a lot from ‘The Sims Online.’ There’s an opportunity to create a very social, real-time, multiplayer environment within our gamespace," Gorman told Variety. "We haven’t delivered that experience with ‘The Sims 4’ or any of our titles yet, so we’re exploring what that could look like. Simulation remains at the core of what we do, and we want to ensure our players have the experience they desire, but in a world with real players and NPCs."
Additionally, EA is gearing up for their 25th anniversary in January 2025 with a special Behind The Sims presentation, where they’ll share regular updates on the future of The Sims franchise.
The Sims Movie Will Include Easter Eggs and Lore, According to EA
In related news, EA has officially confirmed the film adaptation of The Sims. This movie, a collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios, aims to bring the franchise to the big screen.
Gorman emphasized that the film is "very much rooted in ‘The Sims universe.’" EA aims to deliver an authentic Sims experience by partnering with the right collaborators to create a cultural impact similar to the Barbie movie. Leveraging the immense love and nostalgia for the Sims franchise, the film seeks to resonate with both existing fans and new audiences.
Margot Robbie’s production company, LuckyChap, is producing the film, while Kate Herron, known for her work on Loki, is set to direct and co-write the screenplay with Briony Redman. Herron will also direct the second season of The Last of Us TV show.
When asked about the film’s story, Gorman hinted at "a lot of lore" and easter eggs. "There will be Freezer Bunnies," she added. "I’m sure a pool without a ladder is somewhere in there, but we haven’t finalized any of those details. The idea is to celebrate the amazing play, creation, and fun that people have experienced over the last 25 years within ‘The Sims.’"
