Leaked Gameplay of EA's Project Rene Sparks Fan Concerns for The Sims Future

A recently surfaced video, allegedly from the next chapter of The Sims, has stirred unease among fans about the direction of the beloved franchise.

Project Rene, often linked with The Sims 5 despite EA's clarification that it’s a separate spin-off, has been in development for years. However, early access footage from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to speculate this could be the next Sims installment.

The leaked video, spanning 20 minutes, shows a player navigating text prompts to customize their outfit, hairstyle, accessories, and activities. The character spawns in a vibrant Plaza de Poupon, purchasing food and interacting with locals before heading to work at an outdoor café.

Characters are unmistakably called Sims, speak in Simlish, and sport the iconic Plumbob above their heads.

"Project Rene is deeply disappointing. EA claims it’s not the final version, but is this for real?" one frustrated fan posted on The Sims’ subreddit in a thread titled "I think Project Rene is a redflag (I hope not)," which garnered hundreds of upvotes.

"It feels like EA is phasing out traditional Sims games to push a mobile-like experience. To them, a reboot seems to mean just that," the post continued.

"This isn’t for me, I can already tell," another fan remarked. "It feels too simplistic, and I don’t want to play The Sims on my phone."

"A cross-platform Sims game for PC and mobile isn’t a terrible concept," another fan suggested. "But EA seems to think mobile games must look outdated. They’re chasing trends from a decade ago, making this feel stale before it’s even released."

"The Sims once mocked capitalist suburban life and its obsession with consumption as happiness. Now, it’s become exactly that—endless consumption," another user noted.

Project Rene, initially thought to be The Sims 5 until EA dispelled those rumors, was teased in 2022 at a Behind the Sims Summit. It’s a free-to-play title with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. While no official release date has been announced, EA has conducted exclusive playtests, with the latest likely leading to these leaks.

The name Rene, symbolizing "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," reflects the developers’ vision for a vibrant future for The Sims.

Last October, leaked images of Project Rene from a private online test sparked criticism over its art style, limited features, and microtransactions. The inclusion of a café raised eyebrows for its resemblance to 2018’s The Sims Mobile. EA clarified that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a distinct "cozy, social game" within The Sims universe.

Fans of the franchise may also note the return of The Burglar, a nostalgic character reintroduced in the latest update for The Sims 4.