EA's New Sims Concept Leak Sparks Fan Backlash

A video allegedly showcasing the next installment of The Sims has surfaced online, stirring up a wave of concern among the dedicated fanbase about the future direction of this beloved franchise. The footage, believed to be from Project Rene—a project sometimes referred to as The Sims 5, though EA insists it's a separate spin-off—has been circulating for years. However, a recent 20-minute video titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to speculate that this could be the next evolution of The Sims.

In the video, the player navigates through a series of text prompts to customize their character's appearance and activities before entering a vibrant Plaza de Poupon. There, they engage in everyday activities like purchasing food and socializing with other characters, later heading to work at an outdoor café. Throughout the gameplay, characters are referred to as Sims, communicate in Simlish, and are marked with the iconic Plumbob, further fueling speculation about its connection to the main series.

Another fan 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." Meanwhile, a different perspective 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."

Reflecting on the thematic essence of The Sims, another fan remarked, "The way The Sims was literally a satire about capitalist suburban consumption-as-happiness... And this is where the Sims ended up. Endless consumption-as-happiness."

Project Rene, initially teased in 2022 at the Behind the Sims Summit, was described as a free-to-play game featuring multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although not formally announced with a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests, which likely led to these recent leaks. The project's name, Rene, symbolizes "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," indicating EA's commitment to a fresh future for The Sims.

Last October, leaked images from Project Rene sparked criticism over its art style, limited features, and reliance on microtransactions. The inclusion of a café reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile drew particular scrutiny. In response, EA clarified that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a distinct "cosy, social game" within The Sims universe.

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