Gameplay of EA's New The Sims 'Concept' Appears to Leak Online, and It's Not Going Down Well With Fans

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

The leaked video, which spans 20 minutes, showcases gameplay where the player navigates through text prompts to customize their character's appearance and activities. The player then enters a bustling Plaza de Poupon to buy food and socialize, eventually heading to work at an outdoor café. The characters, referred to as Sims, speak in the iconic Simlish language and feature the series' signature Plumbob.

"EA clearly wants to kill off traditional Sims games and push people toward a mobile-style experience. In their mind, a reboot means this — at least that's what I think," the fan continued.

"This is not going to be for me, I can tell already," remarked another. "It just seems so basic and I don't want to play The Sims on my phone."

"The funny thing is, creating a PC/mobile cross-compatible Sims game isn't a bad idea," noted another fan. "EA just seems to believe that mobile games have to be visually inferior for some reason. They're chasing outdated design trends, making the game look dated before it's even released."

"The way The Sims was literally a satire about capitalist suburban consumption-as-happiness... And this is where the series ends up. Endless consumption-as-happiness," suggested another.

Project Rene, initially speculated to be The Sims 5 until EA clarified otherwise, was first hinted at in 2022 during a Behind the Sims Summit. This free-to-play game draws inspiration from multiplayer elements seen in games like Animal Crossing and Among Us. Despite not having a formal release date, EA has been conducting small, invite-only playtests since its announcement, with the latest test likely responsible for the recent leaks.

The name "Rene" was chosen to symbolize "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," reflecting the developers' commitment to a vibrant future for The Sims franchise.

Last October, images from Project Rene leaked from a closed online test, drawing criticism for its art style, limited features, and reliance on microtransactions. The inclusion of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, fueled skepticism about the game's direction. EA responded by reaffirming that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a separate "cosy, social game" within The Sims universe.

In a nostalgic nod, The Burglar, a familiar character from older Sims games, made a comeback in the latest update for The Sims 4, delighting longtime fans.