EA's New Sims Concept Leaks, Fans Disappointed

A video purportedly taken from the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern and speculation among fans about the future of the beloved series. Known as Project Rene—a codename sometimes used interchangeably with The Sims 5, though EA insists it's a spin-off—the project has been generating buzz for a few years. However, a leaked 20-minute gameplay video titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to believe this could be the next Sims game.

In the video, the player navigates through various text prompts to customize their character's outfit, hair, and accessories, before entering a sunlit Plaza de Poupon. There, they engage in activities like buying food and socializing with other characters, and eventually head to work at an outdoor café. The characters, referred to as Sims, speak in Simlish and sport the iconic Plumbob, further fueling speculation about its connection to The Sims series.

Another player voiced their dissatisfaction, 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 different perspective was shared by 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."

Another fan reflected on the thematic evolution of the series, saying, "The way The Sims was a literal 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 was described as a free-to-play game with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although it hasn't been officially revealed or given a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests since its announcement. The latest playtest is believed to be the source of the recent leaks.

The name "Rene" was chosen to signify "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," reflecting the developers' commitment to a vibrant future for The Sims. However, last October, leaked images from a closed online test led to criticisms regarding the game's art style, limited features, and the use of microtransactions. The inclusion of a café reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile drew particular scrutiny, prompting EA to clarify that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a different "cosy, social game" under The Sims franchise.

Meanwhile, fans of The Sims 4 were delighted to see the return of The Burglar in a recent update, bringing back a nostalgic element from the series' earlier iterations.