The Sims: Project Rene announcement has excited series fans since it was first unearthed a couple of years ago, and for good reason. It’s the first new entry in the franchise in a decade following the long shelf life of The Sims 4.
EA has since come forward to announce that the game will not be The Sims 5 as so many were hoping, but it will still be a separate experience that coexists with The Sims 4, one of the coziest games of 2025.
So join Techopedia as we go over everything there is to know about The Sims: Project Rene. In the meantime, we recommend reading up on the best Sims 4 mods and the five memorable moments from The Sims.
Key Takeaways
- The Sims: Project Rene is the codename for the next game of The Sims franchise.
- It is being developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts.
- The project was announced during the Behind The Sims Summit livestream on October 18, 2022.
- Project Rene is not a replacement for Sims 4 but rather will co-exist alongside it.
- No release date has been confirmed, but there are plans for early access playtests.
The Sims Project Rene Release Date Predictions
It’s been some time since the Project Rene reveal during the Behind The Sims Summit livestream on October 18, 2022. Since then, The Sims: Project Rene release date has yet to be confirmed.
What we do know is that there have been several playtests, including one in the fall of 2024. Though there is a lack of released gameplay or even a proper name, it is likely an indicator that the game is still early in development. Therefore, it is unlikely we will see a full release in 2025.
Based on the development timeline of The Sims 4, which spanned approximately four to six years from initial development to release.
Considering that Project Rene was announced in Q4 2022, a similar development cycle would suggest a potential release window between 2026 and 2028.
Given these factors, while a 2026 release is plausible, The Sims: Project Rene release window remains unconfirmed and could extend beyond that year.
What is The Sims: Project Rene?
The Sims: Project Rene is a developing title for the next generation of The Sims franchise, often referred to informally as The Sims 5.
Hopes for the sequel were promptly shut down by EA in an interview with Variety, where it announced the cancellation of The Sims 5 development in September 2024.
During EA’s investor day, it announced that The Sims franchise would see four paths forward: the continuation of The Sims 4, alongside the announcement of My Sims, Project Stories, and Project Rene.
The main highlight surrounding The Sims: Project Rene gameplay is a focus on multiplayer features. Details are scarce, but what we currently know is that you can create and cohabit worlds with friends online; while still having the option to play solo.
We know from the third episode of Behind The Sims that the game will be free to download, will co-exist alongside other games in The Sims franchise, and will be treated as a live service with updates added over time.
The Sims: Project Rene Platforms
A comprehensive list of The Sims: Project Rene’s platforms has yet to be confirmed by either EA or Maxis, but several developer comments have highlighted an intention for cross-platform play.
In a Behind The Sims blog post, it states that “new content has been tested on PC and Mobile”. They claim that cross-play will be a key feature with Project Rene, allowing players to switch seamlessly between both platforms.
Specific requirements for either version have yet to be publicized as the game is stated to still be in early development. We will keep you updated as more information is revealed.
At this moment in time, a console release has yet to be confirmed for Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch.
Latest The Sims: Project Rene News
The latest The Sims: Project Rene news concerns leaks that were shared in October 2024, shortly after the fall playtests took place. Users posted screenshots of early builds of the game on various forums, including Reddit.
We got our first look into what the map of Project Rene could look like when it releases. These include a general map of the area and a closer inspection of the streets in-game. Rumors have been circulating that it will be open-world, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Despite their eerie look, we also received alleged screenshots of some of the in-game character models for playable Sims. These are still very early in development and may be subject to change come the full release.
A video posted on Streamable also leaked some of the supposed gameplay elements that were available in fall 2024 playtests. This included the UI for the tutorial, new features for editing home decor, the ability to add accents to objects, a brief showcase of the game’s build mode, and a brief overview of the surrounding area.
Project Rene is set for a mobile release, and it appears as though some users could have leaked the app store description. It highlights a ‘Parisian neighborhood’ for players to explore while also detailing how to earn outfits, a job at a cafe, and the ability to complete quests.
The Bottom Line
The Sims: Project Rene release date has yet to be announced, and if the recent leaks are anything to go by, the game is still in the early stages of development. It is likely we won’t see the game release any time soon.
Players can stay up to date on the latest news by following the behind-the-scenes videos on The Sims YouTube channel, following community notes on EA’s website, and keeping an eye out for leaks posted on online forums.
FAQs
Is Project Rene still happening?
Why is The Sims 5 called Project Rene?
Will Project Rene be free-to-play?
Did EA cancel The Sims Project Rene?
Is Project Rene on mobile?
Will Project Rene be cross-platform?
When could Project Rene come out?
References
- Behind The Sims Summit Stream Event (YouTube)
- Solved: Re: Who will get access to play testing Project Rene? – Answer HQ (Answer HQ)
- No ‘Sims 5’ Coming as EA Updates Franchise With Multiplayer (Variety)
- Geoff Keighley on X (X)
- Behind The Sims: A FIRST LOOK?! STUFF PACKS?! & THE LATEST ON PROJECT RENE! (YouTube)
- Behind The Sims Community Stream Episode 1 (EA)
- NEW Project Rene (Formerly “The Sims 5”) Screenshots and Information (Reddit)
- Project Rene Map (Imgur)
- Project Rene (Sims 5) Sim Models (Subject to change) (Imgur)
- Watch rene (Streamable)
- Imgur: The magic of the Internet (Imgur)