Everything revealed about Sims 5 (Project Rene)

With the development of the Sims 5 underway, it’s time we got to the bottom of what has been discussed about the game, why is the game called Project Rene as of now and what mechanics will carry over from Sims 4. So, buckle up as we take you through what has been announced about Sims 5, including its release date and gameplay details.

The development of the game, known as “Project Rene” with a codename, is still ongoing and a release date is yet to be determined. However, the development team shared certain details about the game during The Sims Summit, an online streaming event that took place in October 2022.

During the event, a sneak peek was provided, showcasing some of the new in-game tools that are being worked on. It was emphasized that these tools were still in the early stages of development but offered a glimpse of what could be available to Sims fans in the future.

One of the most captivating updates thus far is the announcement that the upcoming game will have cross-platform functionality, enabling users to play on various devices such as phones and tablets. Additionally, EA has taken a noteworthy step by making The Sims 4 fully accessible for free on PC, Mac, and consoles.

The Sims 5 release date and release platforms

The development of Project Rene, also known as The Sims 5, is still in its early stages, and a specific release date has not been determined. It is highly likely that the game will not be available in stores until 2025, considering the emphasis during the presentation on the extensive development timeline that lies ahead.

There is no concrete Sims 5 release date right now, with players being let into the Project Rene secret “earlier than ever before” because Maxis “want you to be a part of the development journey.” It has been confirmed that a Sims 5 release date is “years out” though, so we’re going to have to be patient.

The exact platforms for The Sims 5 have not been disclosed yet, but the developers revealed during The Sims Summit in October that they are actively working on making Project Rene a cross-platform game. We saw it running on mobile as well as a tablet/PC.

EA has now discussed this more as part of a community update on January 31, 2023. Content is being tested on PC and mobile. “With Project Rene, you’ll be able to play on a PC, put it down, and pick up right where you left off on a mobile device”, reads the blog post. It adds that the team is “still developing ways in which we can tailor the experiences per platform” though.

The Sims 5 gameplay features

Maxis is preparing for some Early Access periods for The Sims 5, as the studio looks to the community to help guide Project Rene’s development. “Over the next couple of years, we’ll continue sharing updates with all of you on Project Rene. We’ll share in-progress work, explorations, sneak-peeks, behind-the-scenes content as well as start to open up Early Access to Project Rene software to small groups over time,” says Pearson.

Maxis has provided some initial details about The Sims 5 or Project Rene, although the information disclosed so far is limited. The game has undergone its first playtest with a select group of players, focusing mainly on furniture customization.

This aspect received significant attention during the initial Behind the Sims Summit. The early glimpse demonstrated the evolution of creative tools in Build Mode, allowing players to not only choose colors and patterns for items (similar to The Sims 3’s Create-a-Style but more refined) but also modify the shapes of objects.

Pearson explains why they chose Project Rene’s name

“We chose Project Rene because it’s reminiscent of words like renewal, renaissance, [and] rebirth, and it represents our renewed commitment to The Sims,” explained Pearson during the original reveal at the Behind the Sims Summit in October. “That’s what we’re doing, we’re ushering in a new future for The Sims, with a new game experience and more.”

“This new future requires us to stay true to what The Sims has always been while pushing to evolve how those Sims think and behave, to push tools further when creating and customizing, and to explore innovative ways not only to tell stories but to collaborate on those stories and creations with your closest friends across your favorite devices.”

Additionally, the game will introduce the option to share creations with friends and even collaborate on items and rooms, allowing for a more interactive experience.

As the development progresses, further features of The Sims 5 will be unveiled in the upcoming months.

The Trailer

Although no official trailer has been released, The Sims Summit showcased a brief one-minute segment that provided viewers with a glimpse of the early stages of development for the upcoming Sims game.

Lyndsay Pearson, VP of franchise creative for The Sims, stated that the goal of the upcoming Sims game is to “reimagine The Sims you know and love with new ways to play” and to create an experience that is built on the foundation of charming Sims, powerful tools, and meaningful stories.

Final thoughts

EA has provided a second update on Project Rene, revealing that they are conducting experiments with a “social play experience where players can design an apartment together.” They emphasize that while they recognize and embrace The Sims as a personal and intimate escape for some individuals to explore on their own, they also offer the choice to play alone or with others.

The announcement of The Sims Project Rene comes after the news that the base game of The Sims 4 is now available to play for free. This move from EA and Maxis hinted at their preparations for the future of the series. While the decision divided fans, it sparked hope among them that this marked the beginning of plans for The Sims 5.

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FAQs

Will The Sims 5 have multiplayer capabilities?

Yes, The Sims 5 will introduce multiplayer features, allowing players to collaborate and share their creations with others. However, it is important to note that The Sims 5 is not designed as an MMO (massively multiplayer online) game. It can still be enjoyed as a single-player experience.

What new features have been revealed for The Sims 5 on release?

The Sims 5 aims to provide more customization options, allowing players to change not only the colors and patterns of objects but also their shapes. Additionally, there are plans for a social play experience where players can design an apartment together.