EA's New Sims Concept Leaks Online, Fans Disappointed

A video allegedly sourced from the upcoming iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concerns among fans regarding its potential implications for the beloved series. Known as Project Rene—a term often used synonymously with The Sims 5, though Electronic Arts (EA) insists it is a separate spin-off project—this initiative has been circulating for several years. However, early access footage from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many players to believe this could very well be the next installment in the series.

The video itself spans a full 20 minutes and showcases the player navigating through text prompts to customize their avatar’s outfit, hairstyle, accessories, and activities. Subsequently, the character spawns into a sunlit plaza named "Plaza de Poupon," where they purchase groceries and interact with NPCs. Later, the protagonist heads to work at an outdoor café. Throughout the gameplay, characters are explicitly referred to as Sims, speak in Simlish, and sport the iconic Plumbob emblem.

One disgruntled gamer expressed their dissatisfaction on The Sims’ subreddit under a post titled "I think Project Rene is a red flag (I hope not)," which garnered hundreds of upvotes.

"I am terribly disappointed with Project Rene. Yes, I know, according to EA, 'this is not the final game.' Is this a joke or what?"

"EA clearly wants to shift players towards a mobile-style experience, essentially killing off traditional Sims games. At least that’s what I think."

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

A supportive fan chimed in, stating, "Making a PC/mobile cross-compatible Sims game isn’t inherently a bad idea. EA just seems to believe that mobile games HAVE to look ugly for some reason. They’re following outdated design trends, making this game look dated even before its official launch."

Another commenter added, "The original The Sims was a satirical take on suburban consumerism. Now, it seems the series has devolved into endless cycles of consumption."

Project Rene, initially hinted at during a Behind the Sims Summit in 2022, is described as a free-to-play Sims game featuring multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. While the game remains unreleased and unannounced officially, EA has conducted invite-only playtests since its announcement, leading to recent leaks.

The name Rene was selected to symbolize renewal, renaissance, and rebirth, reflecting the developers' commitment to the franchise’s promising future.

Last October, images from a closed online test of Project Rene leaked, drawing criticism for its art style, limited features, and reliance on microtransactions. The introduction of a café sparked the most skepticism, as it closely resembled aspects of The Sims Mobile from 2018. In response, EA clarified that Project Rene was not The Sims 5 but rather a distinct, cozy, social game under the Sims umbrella.

Fans may recall The Burglar, a nostalgic figure from earlier Sims games, making a comeback in the latest update for The Sims 4.