EA has announced its ‘next-gen’ Sims game, ‘Project Rene’
The game, which is in early development, will be supported across devices including mobile
Electronic Arts has announced its next Sims game, which is codenamed ‘Project Rene’.
Lyndsay Pearson, VP of franchise creative for The Sims, introduced the game towards the end of a Sims product showcase on Tuesday, which is viewable in full below.
The reveal included a brief look at some of the creation tools players will be able to use when they get their hands on the game, which is in early development at Maxis.
“We are building the next-generation Sims game and creative platform,” she said. “Reimagining The Sims you know and love with new ways to play. This is the future of The Sims, built on a foundation of charming Sims, powerful tools, and meaningful stories.”
The game will let users play solo or collaboratively, and the same experience will be available across all supported devices including mobile.
“We start with our creative tools, a key part of our Sims DNA,” said Pearson. “We’re experimenting with what’s worked and where we can push further to offer more flexibility than ever before.
“We begin with the ability to change not only patterns and colours, but also the shapes of the objects that you’ll be using when you build and decorate in game.”
She added: “With Project Rene, we want to make it easier to work together and share. You can choose to play or create by yourself or with your close friends. It’s entirely your choice.
“No matter who you may want to play with, we want you to be able to play wherever you want. So this is demonstrating an early technology test
of how you can play this game across supported devices of your choosing. Same experience, different screens.”
Pearson said EA will continue sharing work-in-progress updates “over the next couple of years” and “start to open up early access to Project Rene software to small groups over time”.
Today’s Project Rene reveal coincides with The Sims 4 going free-to-play.
Starting today, players can download the base game for free on PC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One.
Tuesday’s showcase also confirmed plans to release two new Sims 4 expansion packs in 2023.