EA's New Sims Concept Leaks Online, Fans Unhappy

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 insists it's a spin-off, this project has been in the works for several years. A leaked video from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to speculate that this could be the next evolution of The Sims.

The 20-minute video features a player navigating through text prompts to customize their character's outfit, hair, watch, and activities before entering a sunlit Plaza de Poupon. There, the player purchases food and socializes with other characters, later heading to work at an outdoor café. Throughout the playtest, characters are referred to as Sims, communicate in Simlish, and display the iconic Plumbob, reinforcing the connection to The Sims series.

"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 echoed these sentiments, 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 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 series' evolution, 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 entity, was first hinted at during the 2022 Behind the Sims Summit. It's described as a free-to-play game with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although no formal release date has been announced, EA has conducted small, invite-only playtests since its unveiling, with the latest presumably leading to these leaks.

The name "Rene" was chosen to reflect themes of "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," symbolizing the developers' commitment to a vibrant future for The Sims. However, last October, leaked images from a closed test of Project Rene drew criticism for its art style, limited features, and reliance on microtransactions. The inclusion of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, sparked further skepticism, prompting EA to reiterate that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a distinct "cosy, social game" within The Sims franchise.

In other news, The Burglar, a nostalgic character from earlier Sims games, has made a comeback in the latest update for The Sims 4.