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When is the Sims 5 release date? Between EA creator summits and Sims community news, it can be difficult to keep up with all the latest concerning the life sim’s future. We’re here to help get you up to speed with the future of the life sim, particularly when it comes to The Sims 5 and Project Rene.
It’s been over a decade since The Sims 4 assumed its position as the leading life game, and its popularity has only grown since it went free-to-play in 2022. Between the best Sims 4 expansion packs and Sims 4 mods, it’s become a giant of the genre, and EA’s support doesn’t seem to be winding down any time soon. If you’re desperate to see a sequel to one of the best PC games of all time, we’ve got all the latest news on the Sims 5 release date, along with EA’s plans for the mysterious Project Rene.
The Sims 5 release date is no more, as EA confirms its plans to continue to invest in The Sims 4’s development for the foreseeable future. The “next evolution of The Sims” is Project Rene, which we expect to release sometime in 2026.
“Historically, ‘The Sims’ franchise started with ‘Sims 1’ and then ‘Sims 2,’ ‘3’ and ‘4.’ And they were seen as replacements for the previous products,” EA’s vice president Kate Gorman tells Variety. “We are not going to be working on replacements of previous projects.”
Instead of a Sims 5 release date, it appears that EA’s strategy for the franchise is to provide additional support to The Sims 4, with “different platforms, different ways to play […] expansion packs and updates and fixes.” This adheres to a live service model we’ve seen in many free PC games, where content is implemented over years, sometimes decades. In that respect, The Sims 5 is already here – it’s The Sims 4.
A developer update in January 2024 confirms the team is “still years out from the launch of Project Rene.” EA has confirmed that it’s due to launch on PC and mobile, and we anticipate a console release as well.
Sims 5 Project Rene gameplay
While the news that there won’t be a Sims 5 might come as a blow, we can still look forward to Project Rene, a cross-platform spin-off pitched by EA as “the next generation of The Sims.” We sat down with EA’s Lyndsay Pearson for a Sims 5 Project Rene interview to learn where the series is heading next.
Since Project Rene isn’t a mainline Sims title, we expect it to support The Sims 4 rather than replace it. While EA remains tight-lipped on how Project Rene works alongside our favorite life sim, early gameplay footage suggests it’s an interior design studio that lets you continue to build and create when you’re not actively playing The Sims 4.
Of course, this begs the question of how this “next evolution” stacks up against the build and design tools already available in The Sims 4. First of all, Project Rene furniture customization lets you position a home’s contents in any way you like. At a slant, on their side, tilted, overlapped – you can switch it all up to create a perfectly posed snug without Sims 4 cheats. Individual pieces can also be customized far beyond the color and pattern.
The other core component of Project Rene is its ‘share’ function. If you spend hours organizing arranging the perfect lounge setup, painstakingly arranging throws, cushions, lighting, and plants, it stands to reason you might want to show it off. Project Rene lets you gather up the whole collection and save it, before posting it online for others to use. This should make downloading Sims 4 CC easier than ever, allowing creators – and their creations – to flourish.
However, it wouldn’t be a Sims game without The Sims. A Behind the Sims Project Rene update gives us a look at how our tiny humans will appear in Project Rene. While these prototype builds are still far from the final product, it confirms that Sims will be making an appearance in this spin-off, albeit in a more simplified form. However, their inclusion opens the door for in-depth character customization.
Project Rene playtests
The next Project Rene playtest is due sometime in Fall 2024. EA confirmed this in a recent blog post titled ‘The Future is Plumbob Green.’ You can sign up for EA’s playtesting program for a chance to participate.
Project Rene playtests offer a chance for a select few players to experience the life sim’s spin-off in its current state. Recent playtests have concentrated on PC and mobile compatibility, including cross-progression and Project Rene cloud integration.
Project Rene multiplayer
In the first episode of the Behind The Sims community series, game director Grant Rodiek confirms that Project Rene is introducing multiplayer game elements to The Sims for the first time. While Project Rene is categorically not a new MMO, it will be possible to invite friends to play alongside you.
While PC and mobile versions of Project Rene will be compatible, they aren’t identical. Effectively, the PC version will be designed for deep dives, allowing you to utilize Project Rene’s full suite of customization features, while the mobile version is more lightweight, allowing players to continue that process on the go.
Project Rene monetization
Lyndsay Pearson confirmed that Project Rene would be free to download upon release during a brief interview in the third episode of Behind the Sims. “We’re always looking for ways to bring The Sims to more players,” Pearson says.
However, Project Rene microtransactions and additional DLC packs will also be available for purchase. “In the Sims 4, the only way to experience any weather was if you purchase Seasons. In Project Rene we might introduce basic weather to the core game for free,” Pearson clarified. “A pack for purchase might be focused on winter sports.”
As we settle in for the long wait until the Project Rene release date, we’ve got some of the best games like The Sims to help the days, months, and potentially years fly by. We’ve also got a selection of games like Animal Crossing available on PC, alongside the best upcoming PC games to keep an eye on between now and Project Rene’s launch.
