EA announces that they are leaving the classic sequel model of their franchise behind and instead focusing on a large Sims platform.
For ten years now, fans of well-kept life simulations have been sitting on The Sims 4, hoping that the series will soon get a worthy successor. For a long time, we assumed that “Project Rene,” which the developers are currently working on, would be that sequel.
However, in an investor presentation , EA now makes it clear: Sims 5 does not exist At least not in the way we thought.
The Sims series is becoming a universe.
That’s right, there won’t be a classic sequel to Sims 4. But Project Rene isn’t canceled, it’s just something different than we previously assumed. It is rather a multiplayer offshoot of the series, for which a playtest is scheduled for fall 2024.
Currently, EA’s Sims are facing some stiff competition. Inzoi will soon enter the ring of life simulations:
As EA announces, Project Rene will be part of a “Sims universe” that will continue to include The Sims 4, in addition to the relaunch of My Sims on the Switch and a new mobile game codenamed “Project Stories” will continue to include Sims 4.
Laura Miele, EA’s head of entertainment, describes the plans in the investor presentation as follows:
We will maintain the enormous commitment and amount of content […] to make Sims 4 the basis of our future growth strategy. We will update the core technology of the product and release entertaining and exciting content in the coming years.
So if you want to play The Sims in the classic way in the future, you will still have to fall back on Part 4, which will receive further expansion packs, add-ons and updates in the future.
EA is also planning to work closely with content creators in the future, with fan-created in-game content officially being offered for purchase in the form of collections starting in November of this year. In return, they will receive early access to future packs, among other things.
What do you think of this change of course? Are you skeptical or are you looking forward to the Sims universe? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments!
