EA's New Sims Concept Gameplay Leaks, Fans Unhappy

A video purportedly taken from the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the future of the beloved series. Project Rene—the codename often mistakenly referred to as The Sims 5, though EA insists it's a separate spin-off—has been in development for a few years. However, a recent 20-minute video of early access footage from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to believe that this could indeed be the next installment in the The Sims franchise.

In the video, the player navigates through text prompts to customize their character's outfit, hair, watch, and activities before entering a sunlit Plaza de Poupon. There, they purchase food and interact with other characters, later proceeding to work at an outdoor café. The characters are referred to as Sims, communicate in Simlish, and feature the iconic Plumbob, reinforcing the connection to The Sims.

"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?" expressed one frustrated player on The Sims subreddit in a highly upvoted post titled "I think Project Rene is a redflag (I hope not)."

Another fan voiced concerns about EA's direction, stating, "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." A different player lamented, "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."

However, not all feedback was negative. One fan suggested, "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 player reflected on the evolution of the series, noting, "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 before EA clarified its status, was first teased in 2022 during a Behind the Sims Summit. Described as a free-to-play game, it incorporates multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. While it has not been officially revealed or given a release date, EA has conducted small, invite-only playtests since its announcement, with the latest test likely being the source of these recent leaks.

The name "Rene" was chosen to symbolize "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," reflecting the developers' commitment to the future of The Sims. Last October, leaked images from a closed online test sparked criticism over the game's art style, limited features, and microtransactions, with the inclusion of a café drawing particular skepticism due to its similarities to 2018's The Sims Mobile. Following this, EA reiterated that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a distinct "cosy, social game" within the The Sims franchise.

Meanwhile, fans of the series were reminded of the past with the return of The Burglar in the latest update for The Sims 4, bringing a nostalgic element back into the game.