EA's New Sims Concept Leak Sparks Fan Backlash

A video purportedly showcasing the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the future direction of the beloved franchise. Known as Project Rene, which is sometimes referred to as The Sims 5, though EA insists it is a spin-off, the project has been in development for several years. The leaked footage, from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends," has led many to believe this might be the next installment in the series.

The 20-minute video features a player navigating through text prompts to customize their character's appearance and activities. The gameplay then transitions to a sunlit Plaza de Poupon, where the player character, referred to as a Sim, interacts with the environment, purchases food, and socializes with other Sims. The character later works at an outdoor café. The presence of Simlish language and the iconic Plumbob further suggests a connection to The Sims universe.

"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 disappointed player on The Sims' subreddit. The post, titled "I think Project Rene is a red flag (I hope not)," has garnered hundreds of upvotes, reflecting widespread concern.

"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," commented another. "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," proposed a 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 literally a satire about capitalist suburban consumption-as-happiness... And this is where the Sims ended up. Endless consumption-as-happiness," reflected another.

Project Rene, initially thought to be The Sims 5 until EA clarified otherwise, was first teased in 2022 at a Behind the Sims Summit. It's a free-to-play game with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although it hasn't been officially revealed or given a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests since its announcement, with the latest test likely being the source of these leaks.

The name "Rene" was chosen to reflect themes of "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," symbolizing the developers' commitment to a vibrant future for The Sims. However, images leaked last October from a closed test drew criticism for the game's art style, limited features, and the inclusion of microtransactions. The addition of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, was particularly criticized, prompting EA to reaffirm that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a different "cosy, social game" within the franchise.

Meanwhile, The Sims 4 has seen the return of a nostalgic feature with the latest update, bringing back The Burglar, a character familiar to fans of the older games.