After the Sims Team’s September blog post clarifying new multiplayer intentions for Project Rene, once expected to be a continuation of the franchise, fans question if this marks the end of the Sims as we know it.
Immediately after its 2022 Sims Summit announcement, Project Rene was hailed as the next generation of the Sims. Expectations have only grown as leaked clips show increased customization and building features compared to “the Sims 4.”
Despite excitement, EA confirmed the cancellation of all development of “the Sims 5.” While Project Rene still exists, it will differ from fans’ expectations.
In a September blog post, The Sims Team shared their future vision for the franchise:
“The Sims will move beyond linear, sequential Sims releases…We’re focused on creating a variety of games and experiences…[alongside] modernization of The Sims 4, which will continue to be a foundational Sims experience.”
While this seems promising, it clashes with what the community wants. “The Sims 4,” though popular, has become a symbol of EA’s greed rather than the franchise’s star.
After abandoning a multiplayer experience, EA pivoted “the Sims 4” before its 2014 release, cutting features like swimming pools and toddlers due to development time constraints.
Over the decade, EA has piled on paid DLCs and updates to appease players, straining the game engine and creating a clunky gaming experience.
Using “the Sims 4” as the “foundation” of the franchise only worsens its problems, but the money the game creates for EA is too astounding to give up. To buy all “the Sims 4” in 2024, including all DLCs, costs an astronomical $1,235—and that number will keep going up.
Although a team dedicated to fixing core engine issues offers some hope, EA’s choice to abandon Sims 5 for its predecessor’s monetization signals a grim future for the franchise.
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