EA's New Sims Concept Gameplay Leaks Online, Fans Disappointed

A video allegedly showcasing the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, stirring a wave of concern among fans about the future direction of the beloved series. Known as Project Rene, which is sometimes mistakenly referred to as The Sims 5, although EA clarifies it as a separate spin-off, the project has been in development for a few years. The recent leak, titled "City Life Game With Friends," has led many to speculate that this could be the next big installment in The Sims franchise.

The video, which runs for a full 20 minutes, features a player navigating through various text prompts to customize their character's appearance and activities. The gameplay then transitions to a sunlit Plaza de Poupon where the player's Sim buys food and interacts with other Sims. The day concludes with the Sim heading to work at an outdoor café. Throughout the footage, characters are referred to as Sims, speak in the iconic Simlish language, and are marked with the series' signature Plumbob, further fueling speculation about its connection to The Sims.

"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."

"This is not going to be for me, I can tell already," another fan lamented. "It just seems so basic and I don't want to play The Sims on my phone."

"The funny thing is, making a PC/mobile cross-compatible Sims game isn't a bad idea," suggested a more optimistic fan. "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."

"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," another player critiqued.

Initially teased during the 2022 Behind the Sims Summit, Project Rene was positioned as a free-to-play game featuring multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although it hasn't been officially unveiled or given a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests since its announcement, which likely led to the recent leaks.

The name "Rene" symbolizes "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," reflecting the developers' vision for a revitalized future for The Sims. However, last October, when images from Project Rene leaked during a closed online test, fans voiced concerns over the art style, limited features, and the presence of microtransactions. The inclusion of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, drew particular skepticism. In response, EA clarified that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a distinct "cosy, social game" under The Sims brand.

In other news, The Burglar, a nostalgic character from the earlier Sims games, made a return in the latest update for The Sims 4, adding a touch of familiarity for long-time fans.