EA's New Sims Concept Leaks; Fans Unhappy

A video that appears to be from the next installment of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the future direction of the beloved franchise. Known as Project Rene, which some fans have linked to The Sims 5, though Electronic Arts (EA) insists it's a separate spin-off, this project has been in the works for a few years. However, a recent leak from a game called "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to speculate that this could be the next major Sims title.

The leaked footage, which runs for 20 minutes, shows a player navigating through various text prompts to customize their character's appearance and activities. The gameplay then shifts to a bustling Plaza de Poupon, where the player's Sim buys food and interacts with other characters before heading to work at an outdoor café. The video clearly features Sims characters speaking in the series' iconic Simlish language and sporting the recognizable Plumbob, further fueling speculation about its connection to The Sims.

The sentiment among fans is one of worry that EA is steering the franchise towards a more mobile-style experience, which many feel is a departure from the traditional Sims gameplay. "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," voiced another fan.

Some players have already decided against embracing the new direction. "This is not going to be for me, I can tell already," said another. "It just seems so basic and I don't want to play The Sims on my phone."

However, not all feedback is negative. "The funny thing is, making a PC/mobile cross-compatible Sims game isn't a bad idea," suggested 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."

There's also a sense of irony among the community about the game's thematic direction. "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," remarked another player.

Project Rene, first teased in 2022 during a Behind the Sims Summit, is a free-to-play title that introduces multiplayer elements inspired by games like Animal Crossing and Among Us. While it has not been officially revealed or given a release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests since its announcement, with the latest playtest likely being the source of the recent leaks.

The name "Rene" is symbolic, referencing terms like "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," which EA says reflects their commitment to a vibrant future for The Sims. However, last October, leaked images from a closed online test of Project Rene drew criticism for its art style, limited features, and the use of microtransactions. The inclusion of a café in the game drew particular skepticism due to its similarities to 2018's The Sims Mobile, leading EA to clarify that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a different "cosy, social game" within The Sims franchise.

In other news, fans of the series were delighted to see the return of The Burglar in the latest update for The Sims 4, bringing back a nostalgic element for long-time players.