Project Renemarks the biggest undertaking byThe Simsteam, made up of Maxis and EA. Though many expected a sequel toThe Sims 4to be the next major installment in the franchise, Maxis and EA have not only introduced Simmers to the mysteriousProject Rene, but also pivoted and canceledThe Sims 5.
Not much is known aboutProject Rene,though it was first introduced as not just a single-player simulator like previous installments inThe Simsfranchise, but an online multiplayer game available across various platforms, including mobile. Much has shifted since the game’s announcement in the fall of 2022, including thecancelation ofThe Sims 5,which many Simmers had assumedProject Renewas. The distinction betweenThe Sims 5andProject Reneis something Maxis and EA have been adamant about establishing, making this new project seem like a rebranding forThe Simsfranchise entirely.
In fact,the naming ofProject Renewas meant specifically to emulate a new route for EA and Maxis. Chosen to “be reminiscent of words like renaissance and rebirth to represent the team’s renewed commitment forThe Sims' bright future,” many fans of the longstanding franchise are apprehensive of this change, especially upon seeing leaks from the project.
Some features shown inProject Rene’s announcement at 2022’s “Behind The Sims Summit” included apartments, implying the feature would be available inProject Rene’s base game, unlikeThe Sims 4, and a detailed object designer called “Workshop”, which includes texture patterns, a color wheel, and the ability to customize the size of smaller objects on a larger object (ie: increasing the size of pillows on a bed). These features all build offexisting aspects ofThe Sims 4like apartments, first introduced in the City Living Expansion Pack, and swatches, the elementary feature of choosing an item’s color.
A Playtester Spills the Beans
A playtester forProject Renewho spoke of their experience and leaked images on Reddit confirmed that aspects ofProject Renewill be very similar to preexisting games inThe Simsfranchise. Like inThe Sims 4, the playtester was able to get a job at a cafe and spend the Simoleons they earned at a clothing store. However, these features are available in expansion packs forThe Sims 4rather than the base game. Simmers were first introduced to cafes inThe Sims 4: Get Togetherexpansion and retail shops were introduced inThe Sims 4: Get to Workexpansion, though thrift stores and a more fashion-centric retail career were introduced inThe Sims 4: High School Yearsexpansion.
This is different fromProject Rene, which seems to have these careers built into its base game. Though having new features included in the base game is typically better for the wallets of gamers, these features could mean a higher price tag forProject Renethan forThe Sims 4. This price disparity was always likely to be the case afterThe Sims 4’s base game became free-to-play. IfProject Reneincorporates large aspects ofThe Sims 4’s various DLC, it will likely have a heftier price than the original cost of the base game plus some DLC packs.
Simmers may not be willing to pay the price forProject Reneafter the same playtester showcased images from their experience. The leaker was quick to mention that the game’s visuals were meant for this phase in development and would certainly see improvements in the future. This didn’t stop some frustrated fans from referring toProject Reneas “The Sims Mobilebut worse.”
Dataminers Dig Up Some Features
Create-A-Sim
Dataminers have alsogotten their hands onProject Rene. One of the biggest features to be showcased wasProject Rene’s version of Create-A-Sim (CAS). As the franchise’s version of character creation, Create-A-Sim is one of the most intricate and fun parts of gameplay inThe Sims. The leak alleges thatProject Rene’s CAS will allow gamers to adjust their Sim’s weight and height, as well as allow Sims to wear multiple layers of clothing. All three of these features aren’t available inThe Sims 4. Additionally, a category for mobility aids, which currently only features wheelchairs, was uncovered.
The dataminers also discovered that horses will be available toedit in CAS. Though creating pets is possible inThe Sims 4, animals are not included in the base game and are paywalled in packs likeThe Sims 4: Horse RanchandThe Sims 4: Cats & Dogs. This once again proves, if the leaks are legit, that EA and Maxis are stuffing as much content as they can intoProject Rene’s base game rather than setting it up for DLC likeThe Sims 4. More information about textures suggesting that objects can be dirty or covered in snow affirms this theory. If seasons are available in the game on release, yet another feature can be added to the list of gameplay paywalls inThe Sims 4that is available inProject Renefor free.
Fast Travel
In addition to CAS information, dataminers uncovered references to a functional metro system used for fast traveling betweenProject Rene’s different worlds.The Sims 4allows players to fast travelbetween worlds by clicking a button, after which a loading screen appears. In comparison, this metro station could act as a more dynamic loading screen or have gameplay associated with it, with players having to wait for a specific stop to get off at the world they want.
Multiplayer Mode and The Hub
Most interestingly, datamining shed light onProject Rene’s multiplayer features. The Hub, the central focus of the alleged play test, seems to act as a location where players can participate in weekly events and purchase digital goods, including season passes. If these digital goods and season passes are purchasable using in-game currency, these findings align with EA’s confirmation thatProject Reneaims to be a free-to-play version ofThe Sims.
Many Simmers remain skeptical aboutProject Reneand its many promises. Rumors have circulated previously aboutProject Renebeing canceled, though this is not the case. Either way, making good on a loaded version ofThe Simsthat is not only free to play but includes multiplayer gameplay remains a tough project to develop. Until more information aboutProject Reneis released, Simmers will have to investigateThe Sims4’s latest DLC for clues on what will be included inProject Rene.
