In a move that surprised many longtime fans, Electronic Arts, EA, has confirmed that The Sims 5 is not happening. Rather than launching a numbered sequel, the studio is focusing on The Sims 4 while developing a new multiplayer experience codenamed Project Rene. EA says the decision is about protecting the player experience and evolving the franchise in a way that makes sense for the community.
Why No Sims 5?
The main reason is that EA does not want to force players to start over after more than a decade of progress. EA President Laura Miele explained that making players lose their creations and all the content they have purchased over the years would not be fair. With The Sims 4 already offering more than 85 content packs and DLCs since its 2014 release, a sequel would reset years of time, money, and emotional investment.
Miele called the idea of beginning again from zero “not player-friendly.” Many fans who have spent hundreds of dollars building their Sims libraries would be reluctant to embrace a sequel that wipes everything clean.
What Comes Next: Project Rene
Instead of a traditional sequel, EA is developing Project Rene, a multiplayer-capable, free-to-play Sims experience that is meant to complement The Sims 4. Features being tested include collaborative build tools, cross-play functionality across platforms, creator kits for user-generated content, and a lower barrier to entry for new players.
Kate Gorman, EA’s vice president of the Sims franchise, described the strategy as creating one growing universe rather than releasing new numbered games. She emphasized that EA will not be replacing older titles, only expanding on them. The company is also experimenting with “The Sims Labs,” which will allow players to test upcoming features before a wider rollout.
Smart Strategy or Missed Opportunity?
For some, EA’s decision looks like a smart business move. Supporting The Sims 4 allows players to keep their progress and continue the revenue stream from ongoing content packs. It also ensures that years of work on the game’s ecosystem remain relevant rather than discarded.
Others argue that the decision could limit the series in the long run. The Sims 4 is now over a decade old, and its aging foundation has been pushed to its limits by countless DLCs. Critics question whether updates to such an old platform can deliver the kind of improvements that a fresh sequel with a new engine could bring.
The Road Ahead
For now, fans hoping for The Sims 5 may be disappointed, but EA believes preserving and expanding The Sims 4 while launching Project Rene is the better path forward. The future of the franchise will likely depend on whether this approach can satisfy both loyal players and newcomers.
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