A leaked video allegedly showcasing the next generation of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the beloved franchise's future.
Project Rene—sometimes unofficially referred to as The Sims 5, though EA clarifies it's a spin-off—has been in development for years. However, early access footage from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends" has many speculating this could indeed be the next major Sims installment.
The 20-minute video depicts a player navigating text prompts to customize outfits, hairstyles, accessories, and activities. The character then appears in a sunny Plaza de Poupon, purchasing food and interacting with locals before working at an outdoor café.
Throughout the gameplay, characters are explicitly called Sims, speak in Simlish, and sport the iconic Plumbob—hallmarks of The Sims series.
"I am deeply disappointed with Project Rene. Yes, EA claims 'this isn't the final game,' but is this some kind of joke?" wrote one frustrated player on The Sims subreddit, in a post titled "I think Project Rene is a red flag (I hope not)" that gained hundreds of upvotes.
"EA seems determined to phase out traditional Sims games in favor of a mobile-centric experience. To them, a reboot apparently means this—at least that’s my interpretation."
"This clearly won’t appeal to me," commented another. "It looks so simplistic—I don't want to play a watered-down mobile version of The Sims."
"Ironically, the idea of a cross-platform Sims game for PC and mobile isn’t inherently bad," noted a fan. "But EA insists mobile games must look cheap. They're recycling outdated design trends, making this look obsolete before it even releases."
"The Sims used to satirize capitalist consumerism masquerading as happiness... and now it’s become exactly that—endless consumption framed as contentment," observed another critic.
Originally assumed to be The Sims 5 before EA denied the connection, Project Rene was first teased in 2022 during the Behind the Sims Summit. Described as a free-to-play social experience with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us, it remains officially unannounced with no release date. However, EA has conducted exclusive, invite-only playtests, which likely led to the leaks.
The name "Rene" was chosen to evoke themes of "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth"—reflecting the developer's "revitalized vision for The Sims' future."
Last October, screenshots from a closed test leaked, drawing criticism over its art style, limited mechanics, and microtransactions. The café feature, in particular, faced skepticism due to its resemblance to 2018’s The Sims Mobile. EA then reiterated that Project Rene is not The Sims 5 but a separate "cozy, social game" within the franchise.
Meanwhile, longtime fans were pleasantly surprised when The Burglar—a classic NPC absent for years—made a stealthy return in The Sims 4’s latest update.
