EA's New Sims Concept Leaks Online, Fans Unhappy

A video purportedly showcasing the next iteration of The Sims has emerged online, stirring concerns among fans about the future direction of this beloved franchise. The footage, linked to Project Rene—a codename often associated with The Sims 5, though EA clarifies it as a separate spin-off—has been the subject of speculation for years. This latest leak, titled "City Life Game With Friends," has led many to believe it might actually be the next entry in The Sims series.

The 20-minute video features a player navigating through text prompts to customize their avatar's outfit, hair, accessories, and activities before entering a sunlit Plaza de Poupon. There, the player's character, clearly identified as a Sim, interacts with the environment, purchasing food and socializing with other Sims, before heading to work at an outdoor café. The use of Simlish and the iconic Plumbob further cements its connection to The Sims universe.

"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 user remarked. "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 another 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 satire about capitalist suburban consumption-as-happiness... And this is where the Sims ended up. Endless consumption-as-happiness," another user observed.

First teased in 2022 during a Behind the Sims Summit, Project Rene—initially rumored to be The Sims 5 until EA clarified otherwise—is described as a free-to-play game with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. While not yet formally announced or given a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests since its reveal, with the latest test likely being the source of these leaks.

The name "Rene" reflects themes of "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," symbolizing the developers' renewed commitment to the future of The Sims. However, last October, leaked images from a closed test sparked criticism regarding the game's art style, limited features, and the implementation of microtransactions. The inclusion of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, drew particular skepticism. In response, EA reiterated that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a distinct "cosy, social game" within the franchise.

Meanwhile, fans of the series were delighted to see The Burglar, a nostalgic character from earlier Sims games, return in the latest update for The Sims 4.